Rose Wilder LaneRose Wilder Lane, [Rose Wilder Lane] (1886-1968) American journalist, travel writer, novelist, and political theorist

Rose Wilder Lane Quote

“Nothing whatever but the constitutional law, the political structure, of these United States protects any American from arbitrary seizure of his property and his person, from the Gestapo and the Storm Troops, from the concentration camp, the torture chamber, the revolver at the back of his neck in a cellar.”

Rose Wilder LaneRose Wilder Lane
~ Rose Wilder Lane


Ratings and Comments


David L. Rosenthal

Nothing whatever (in human terms), not even constitutional law, will protect Americans from these and similar fates, once the United Nations really gets up steam. Get used to the idea. React however you see fit, but get used to the idea, so you won't be shocked and disappointed when it happens. The Constitution will be the toilet paper of the future.

EGL, LA
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EGL, LA    11/24/06

Constitutional law was soundly trumped when the Partiot Act was passed. Imprisoning people without the due process of law, suspension of habaeus corpus, illegal wiretapping and surrveillance, the list goes on. Watching out for the future of the UN is one thing, but a corrupt power obsessed Executive Branch in our own country is achieving alot on its own.

Ken, Allyn, WA

That is truly a scary thought since the constitutional law and political structure of the United States have been sick for at least a century.

Me Again
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    Me Again    11/25/06

    Arbitrary seizure of property and person is nearly a reality.There are many such documented instances of such.Maybe not purely arbitrary seizures but certainly eizures of property and person that are unjust and criminal.Constitutional law no longer protects the people against such unconstitutional acts.Sigh.....

    Jack, Green, OH

    You are so right, EGL. While the administration is obsessed with terrorists destroying our nation, they are eating away at the Constitution from the inside, and, as the quote says, the Constitution is the only protection of our liberty . Who cares if our liberty is gone from outside or inside? Maybe defenders of the Patriot Act think it's okay if it's doe by their great leader

    David L Rosenthal

    The integrity, moral condition, quality of life, unity, and even the basis for the justification of the existence of the United States of America, are daily diminished by millions of its citizens and others in it who behave the way they do on a daily basis; from the Oval Office to the slums.

    Jack, Green, OH

    The template for liberty was laid down by the founders of our country through our Constitution, but it is the duty of all successive generations to protect those liberties from forces within and without. The problem comes when rampant ideology of some limits the liberty of others. That's where the Supreme Court comes in, to see that someone's liberty is not denied by another's ideology. It's a difficul task, but somebody has to do it. When I hear expressions like "a Supreme Court out of control", as I have heard, I wonder where they've been. There is no control over the Supreme Court and that's the way it was designed. It was to be apolitical by being appointed for life and beholden to no one, just their own good judgement. But when they do encounter unconstitutional activities or laws, there is always a legislature to rewrite the law or an executive to enforce it constitutionally. The whole idea is to spread the power so no one can has absolute power. There is always a challenge from somewhere.

    Joe, Rochester, MI

    Constitutional law is not sick, the people (congress, courts) who ignore it are sick.

    Jack, Green, OH

    And most importantly, Joe, the executive who ignores it. If we don't pay attention the Constitution will become a control on the citizens, not a control on the government

    E Archer, NYC

    GWB has instituted just such a policy. A greater assault on Constitutional protections I cannot imagine.

    jim k, Austin, Tx

    The so-called War on Drugs has caused more arbitrary seizure of private property than almost anything since the income tax was instituted in 1913. Since our congress passed asset forfeiture laws, cops have routinely taken property when no crime has been committed and no one is even charged with a crime. The war on drugs is one of the horrors of our times. LEAP.cc

    Mike, Norwalk

    The Constitution gave structure and job description duties to a select body that was to represent the States united (an extension of individual representation) That entire concept has long since been abandon. The anti-rules, statutes, etc. to the laws of nature and of nature's God that the Constitution was to ensure have given way to a state of helots, serfs, and slaves. It is the individual sovereign administering justice (assuring the laws of nature and of nature's God) that protects each and every American from arbitrary seizure of his property and his person, from the Gestapo and the Storm Troops, from the concentration camp, the torture chamber, the revolver at the back of his neck in a cellar. The Constitution was simply the best political structure brought about by man to facilitate each and every individual sovereign's inalienable rights, law, justice, freedom and liberty. To go against the law that the Constitution represents, is to implement despotism and tyranny, The current statist theocracy infesting this land, is enforcing unconstitutional compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, larceny with impunity, arbitrary seizure of property and person, torture, and concentration camps.

    Byron, Fort Collins, CO

    And the DCMoFoes will be calling it all politically correct, as they round us up for disagreeing with them.

    Shaun, Oklahoma City

    Rose is right, but sadly we are no longer a nation governed by the Constitution, so nothing "protects any American from..." The executive order, the 'patriot' act and etc. have taken it's place. Nullification seems the only remedy.

    Mary - MI
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    Mary - MI    12/16/15

    @ Jack, Green, OH - I want to share with you a quote from Thomas Jefferson in regards to as the reasons why we should not ever consider the U.S. Supreme Court as the final arbitrators.
    -- Thomas Jefferson - "To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions [is] a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have with others the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. Their maxim is boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem [good justice is broad jurisdiction], and their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselves. -- Thomas Jefferson to William C. Jarvis, 1820. ME 15:277

    Ronw13, Yachats OR

    The Laws of natures God, unalienable rights ordained by our Creator, are not for private interpretation. They are well defined.
    It is the fancy of men to twist and pervert the Constitution which represents our Declaration of Independence. But there again that is a document of our testimony of FAITH ! The two documents are joined at the hip !!! Not all are of the household of faith !! no star, because of the miss-directing of attention and affection ! Why should man believe in God? ask our founding fathers, look to the history of democ rule and tyranny, then you will find the answer. How weak a people become when they put their trust in man !

    Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT

    Well said ! Speaking of which, who was it said "separates man from the animals" ? which I think fits here.

    Al, DC
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    Al, DC    1/17/20

    Right on sista!
    Constitutional law is founded in the natural law.

    jim k, Austin

    What I wrote in 2011 is still accurate today, maybe even more so.
    LEAP.cc (LEAP is Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.)

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