“Under every government the [last] resort of the people, is an appeal to the sword; whether to defend themselves against the open attacks of a foreign enemy, or to check the insidious encroachments of domestic foes.  Whenever a people ... entrust the defence of their country to a regular, standing army, composed of mercenaries, the power of that country will remain under the direction of the most wealthy citizens.”

Enlightening isn't it.

This explains why our legislators are trying to take our guns. They hate The Constitution for pointing out we have the right "...to keep and bear arms..." They use our tax money to pay for their protection from criminals, while leaving us defenseless. Most importantly, they are afraid the people use our weapons to throw them out, because we are tired of their unconstitutional tyranny.

I think this country is going to be destroyed, if the people don't wake up. They are ignorant, to the face that this is a Republic, and not a democracy!! When that the people wake and find themselves in a consetration camp, while the real Criminals are in Washington d.c.so WAKE UP before it's to late!!

This is becoming evident daily as America descend s into a democratic Nazism.

Remember the republicans have used crime to stay in power and rape the finances of Amerika, whatever they say, they are doing the opposite. Congress is afraid the pubs will anthrax them again, we will see them in the streets

Domestic foe is your attacking neighbors. The right to bear arms is no where defined as a right to attack your freely chosen democraticaly elected republic form of government. That is treason, I believe. Obedience to and respect for law is the hallmark of a free people as well as the acceptance and submission to the will of the people as long as your rights are not violated by the majority. If your rights are violated then go to court not to guns. The states are guaranteed a democratic republic form of government by the constitution. The USA via the FBI investigates political corruption, vote fraud, graft all of the time in cities and states all of the time. For more information on how the USA works to insure better government in cities and states review the operation Graylord Cases in Chicago.

We had a second revolution and you missed it! The limited republc is now unlmited democracy. We have a non elected government limited only by their ability to falsely convince the majority that dollar bills are dollars and that all who want God's laws and the Constitution upheld truth shall be ridiculed and punished.

Bruce, you never cease to amaze me. Do you believe if you keep spewing your mis-direction and falsehoods, some one will believe it? I keep giving you court cases and history to prove you wrong and you just keep on. What branch of the socialist/fascist government do you work for? As consistently wrong as you are, you probably teach at a public school. You definitely don't know what the founder's original intent was, what true law is, and by your rhetoric you don't believe the 9th and 10th Amendments were actually adopted. Even most of the ultra liberals in this blog don't give obvious falsehoods as you do but rather, state the way things should be as is consistent with their belief.

I think you err, Mike but forgive me if I am wrong but I know of no court case that you have given me. And I have asked Dave to tell me, What government is non-elected? You mentioned "the devastating non-philanthropic" actions of tax exempt foundations. I believe I asked you for an example. I feel that you talk BIG but ignorantly and never back up your statements. I repeat here as elsewhere GUNS HAVE NEVER BEEN USED SUCCESSULLY AGAINST GOVERNMENT, that is not what they are for. I have six pistols and two guns, I will never use them against government or law enforcement until I am ready to commit SUICIDE BY COP. The only court case I recall that has come up between you and I Mike is the Operation Greylord Cases above in which the Feds cleaned up corruption in Chicago politics. Check it out! There you go again you are so undiplomatic and stupid. Do you have any idea how many people work at public schools in this country and how many of those own guns, hunt, etcetera. Education is a huge industry. For you to cast aspersions or look down your nose at such a large pool of talented, dedicated, persons just shows how uneducated, ignorant and warped you are. I have not heard you say a positive thing on this site. You are against government, taxes, foundations, cops, firemen, school teachers (correction: I recall you said public education is necessary). I think you can grow up Mike but the question is when.

Mike you are on good argumentative ground according to Jefferson. Not that you are correct but on good argumentative ground. Another quote of his you will find at the next citation down says this: "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on CERTAIN occasions. It will OFTEN be exercised when WRONG but better than not at all." I don't deny you the right to your exercise and you provide a pulpit for others to straighten you out and maybe a few others who have your untrained and warped views. Thus the body politic is educated, ennobled and uplifted and united in the correct understanding of these things. As it is said "There is no such thing as a bad question" I too am amused and amazed by your and 'Archers views.

Bruce, again you err, I have never mentioned "the devastating non-philanthropic" actions of tax exempt foundations. And, you've never ask me for an example. You continue to mis-quote me. I have never mentioned "the Operation Greylord Cases". The Constitution does not guarantee a democratic republic, but a Republic only. I have met MANY great teachers in the public arena (most with guns) but, the unconstitutional rhetoric that is killing our country owes it's foundation to public education. There are taxes that are moral and constitutional (as harmonizes with original intent). I have said nothing about foundations, I have disparaged police but not fireman or school teachers as a whole and praised the individuals of the military.

"GUNS HAVE NEVER BEEN USED SUCCESSULLY AGAINST GOVERNMENT" -- hmm, ever hear of the American Revolution (or the French Resistance)? Yes, the South lost their fight against the North for daring to secede from the Union (as was their right), but had they no right to arms, they would have remained economically subjugated by the North -- and slavery would not have come to an end (at least not then). The unelected government to which Dave refers is the 'shadow' government to which all three branches of government (and the People, I might add) are completely beholden -- the private central bankers and the corporations they use to subjugate us (like the Fed, CFR, UN, IMF, World Bank, WHO, WTO, etc.) not to mention the politicians that do their bidding. I am not surprised to find that Bruce is amazed by such information. No doubt he is a grand supporter of Hillary's globalist agenda, which is the worship of arbitrary governmental power -- a true democracy whereby 51% of the people may vote away the rights of the other 49% no matter what the Constitution says.

Yeah, sure, trust the FBI with complaints about government usurpations. The FBI has been making 'house-calls' to people who have been 'caught' speaking out against George Bush and his war of terror. See http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2001/12/18/eguillermo.DTL . Does the FBI consider you a terrorist? Check this out: http://www.dccsa.com/greatjoy/unpolice.htm If you mention the Constitution to the FBI, or ask under what authority they have to stop you, or express dissent against federal government, you are a terrorist!

Armed take over of a village, town, city, state or the US Federal government has to my knowledge never been attempted let alone consumated in this country to my knowledge but feel free to correct me if I am wrong. What does this fact (if it stands) so about the quality of our democratic institutions in this country in which a republic (back to the people) form of government is guaranteed. According to Wikipedia the National Guard is a 100% US Army Operation under the federal National Guard Bureau. In the last several decades a federal law established the concept of State Defense Forces. The difference is that the SDF cannot be nationalized and although they are recognized and cooperate with the Feds they are not under Fed control. Just this year Senator John Warner sponsored and enacted legislation that took away Governors as Commanders In Chief of the National Guard within their states. The 50 state governors wrote a letter protesting this law but the law remains. The NG now is under a dual Commander In Chief of Governor and President. Another law prohibits states from refusing or stopping deployments of the NG for any reason. In any event their is no right, responsibility or possibility under law for the NG or State Defense Forces to be used against government. Y'all may read it for yourselves at Wikipedia.

So, the National Guard is NOT the state militias -- it is indeed a standing army that has replaced the state militias. What do you call it when a state gives up its sovereignty for federal benefits, the conditions of which are federal military control (in whatever forn -- FBI, FEMA, National Guard, Police)? It is no different than the French allowing the Nazis to take over without firing a shot. No shots may have been fired, but resistance is futile once the 'justice' system is taken over by the feds. Ask those imprisoned for smoking marijuana under the supervision of a medical doctor in states where medical marijuana was legalized -- federal drug laws apparently supercede the will of the people and the state. Again, chaulk up another point for free money (interest-bearing) from the federal government (via their banker-masters) thus obliging the states to follow federal statutes instead of state Constitutions. The interstate commerce provision in the Constitution has been stretched way beyond lawful limits and the intent of the Founders.

madison, sf You need to get an education.

An education would do Madison no good. Needs a brain.

"Obedience to and respect for law is the hallmark of a free people" Obedience to and respect to God's law is the hallmark of a free people. Law of the land is not perfect and should not be followed as if it is. "Armed take over of a village, town, city, state or the US Federal government has to my knowledge never been attempted let alone consumated in this country to my knowledge but feel free to correct me if I am wrong." A few examples, on one extreme you have revolts such as: The revolutionary war and the civil war. The british were the government and we rebelled with weapons takeing our country city by city. On the other extreme you have revolts such as John Brown, Henry David Therou (although true he did not use a weapon or resist going to jail.) and Shay's rebellion where a large group of farmers revolted because they had never been payed for there services in the revolutionary war. "What do you call it when a state gives up its sovereignty for federal benefits," A federal government... As for the qoute: "the power of that country will remainunder the direction of the most wealthy citizens." Usually yes, but far from always. George Washington was a farmer, with a comftorble estate true, but he was in debt most of his life.

The richest people in this country rule this country , as well as the U.S. military. This fact , in the Framers time as now , was a major point the Framers understood , and one of the ideas shared in this quote. As Twain wrote , " The offspring of RICHES: Pride , vanity , ostentation , arrogance , tyranny."

The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws. John Adams Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_adams_2.html#ixzz1H1VNr6mA

In full: "To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, counties or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws." - A Defense of the Constitutions of the Government of the United States of America, 1787-1788