Well said, Mr. Gore. The gradual erosion of individual rights and liberty by an unchecked government is accelerating. In the mid 90's, I would occasionally quip that I wouldn't be shocked if we had another revolution in our country. Now, even though I keep exploring peaceful avenues of change, another revolution seems increasingly inevitable. I don't want us to lose the "separation of powers, checks and balances, explicit limitations on the government’s power, explicit protection of individual rights" that subjugated might to right.

You nailed it.
However, the issue of preservation of freedom and the maintaining of individual rights is not at the top of anyone in power's list, with the exception of being in the form of lip service. Overcoming Obamacare, along with the myriad of Obama regime scandals are the targeted issues, but the reason behind it, the usurping of freedom is rarely emphasized. If in the unlikely event that all of Obama's twisting of the Constitution is reversed, without illustrating the reason for the reversal, all that will happen is milder freedom restrictions will be put in place, which might even be more insidious that Obama's blatant ones.

Excellent commentary, Robert. Not only could I have not written it better--I couldn't have reasoned through it better.

hear, hear!

Excellent. I enjoyed "The Golden Pinnacle", too.

In the beginning of your article: "The common folks were fodder for their rulers, who exercised first claim on their lives and property." One of my ancestors jumped from the British army to the Colonial army in the rev war. I assume he did this because the Americans were offering parcels of land for such an act and he did have such a tract of land in the southern tier of NY State. He was a common Irishman impressed into the Kings army and never had land of his own. The notion of a commoner owning a plot of land free and clear and owe nothing to anyone (no rent, tax free) was unheard of in the old country. He fought for American liberty and freedom.

I, as a free American, own a piece of land with my house on it... well, maybe not. If I don't pay the crown its royal rent I will soon find I own nothing. If I don't pay the crown a share of everything I do or work for, there will be a dungeon for me. The new boss IS the same as the old boss. My ancestor got what he fought for. Somewhere between he and I it got lost again. We the people are right back to being commoner again. Your words illustrate what is lost.

Hello straightlinelogic,
"...only the stubbornly myopic do not see the totalitarianism on the horizon."
What a wonderful piece. My appreciation and admiration.
Your work deserves a wider audience. We are fortunate to be beneficiaries.
Regards,
O.A.

Once again you have eloquently put into words that which my muddling brain has attempted to define. Well said sir.

You Mr. Gore, have an amazing ability to put the truth into words that make sense. Every time I read something you have written I gain even more respect for your gift of the written word.

It's worth reading the whole article b/c it's fully of great quotes like "When your freedom is gone, it doesn’t matter who took it or what “ism” they spout. All you see is the gun. "
It's amazing how we went from crude experiments with telegraph in a time when you could buy a news paper, take a train to another city an sell it, to the beginnings of radio in the time between the Civil War and 1913.

It's so true that we could give it up in response to threats like "terrorists" (the word has no meaning) or something other threat.

"While “freedom” and “liberty” occasionally appear in campaign materials, in actual practice they are kept hidden away, treated as one treats embarrassing photographs from one’s younger days."

Excellent piece of work, Robert. Made me curious to read the rest of it, so I did. The rest was even better.
And, you're correct. It is the only issue that matters. I fear we may have no chance to right the ship of state while the "o" is still in office, and that may be longer than we think. If the appropriate "crisis" can be created, or is available, this administration can declare Martial Law and stay in place for a very long time.
Maybe its just me.

Had he lived in the AS universe, John Galt would have recruited him early--and probably hired him as an editor for his speech.

Thank you all for the nice comments. One good thing about the recent shift of my website to the WordPress platform is that I am now reaching many more people (by orders of magnitude) than I was with my previous platform. It has helped book sales, too.

Again, finest kind.
Thank you.

The primary reason that neither party advocates strict adherence to the constitution is that if they do they will not get elected. Getting into power and staying in power is the mail goal of both parties.

Well written. And the only question is what can we in the Gulch do about it?

very well said, Robert;;; Thank You! -- j

As usual, you are quite correct, straightlinelogic. My (and probably our) only problem is that the only candidates in my elections that would wish to restore the Founders' towering legacy have no chance of winning. In the only election this year that really matters to me, former Florida Republican governor (now Democrat) Charlie Crist and current RINO Republican governor Rick Scott have correctly slimed each other to the tune of $100 million. Though libertarian Adrian Wyllie is likely to get about 10% of the vote, he just won't win in an otherwise easy election to win. This may be the worst example I have ever seen of no choice between the two major political parties.

Comrade citizens, I protest Gore's statement that our freedom has one foot in the grave. His cup is half empty while my Kool-Aid is half full. What we comrade citizens now have one foot in is the Candy Mountain path to the dreamed-of Socialist Utopia. Yankee know-how shall get it right!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsGYh8Aac...