The greatest and final safeguard to liberty is an armed people who are willing to defend there liberty against tyrants. Firearms make a wonderful check and balance.

If institutions and officeholders work to the benefit of the people, then they deserve loyalty. When they do not, it is time to discard them and find new ones. It seems too many have lost sight of the purpose of government (to protect the individual) and are willing to accept serious flaws that should not be tolerated. Government has morphed into a task master that wants to control individuals' minutest behaviors, when it was meant to be the individuals' servant.

Eloquent in its simplicity, directness, and truth.

There are not multiple "liberties", there is only liberty. No one gives me liberty, it something I own by virtue of the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God." If necessary, I will defend it or die trying. Milton seems to imply that his freedom of speech is dependent on someone giving him that right.

I once had a state representative tell me that I have a right to health care, a job, a home and happiness. I told her I'd be sending her my medical bills, I wanted her job, and I wanted her house. That would make me happy. For some reason she didn't reply and I'm not happy! She just violated my rights, didn't she?

Saying "No!" to Congress is like saying "No!" to a two year old. They never listen and eventually they're going to get a spanking.

I think Socrates might agree.

The President went ahead and signed Campaign Finance Reform even though he knew it was unconstitutional, expecting the Supreme Court to strike it down. It turned out the Supreme Court didn't care about the Constitution any more than he did and upheld it.

Keeping the government from falling into error takes work and diligence on the part of the citizen and, so, will not likely happen. Being "corrected" by the government just takes simple submission as long as your willing to take your daily beating.

Sobran is a cynic after my own heart.

Amen, brother Mike, and a hallelujah to boot. The government will always try to save us from ourselves. Of course that begs the question, who's going to save us from the government?

We don't seem to be holding each others' reins anymore. It's hard to hold the reins when you've got your hands in someone else's pockets.

Power in human hands is not just liable to abuse, it is as close to a certainty as anything. That is especially true when we allow some inner, elite circle of a few men do the governing year after year.

The rights you have have always been and always will be. They are not derived from a document. The BOR also does not guarantee human freedom to the American people. The people themselves guarantee it (or not, it's up to them). You guarantee your rights by exercising them. If the first amendment doesn't work, try the second.

It was an attitude like this that got him impeached! I wish more Presidents, Congressmen, Senators, and Justices would believe it and practice it.

Europe's federation is also a mistake. Centralizing power in a few hands always leads to slavery of the people to elites. You are partly correct. There may have been no other option given the debt, but that doesn't make it a good outcome for freedom. Debt is always indentured servitude.

The Constitution is the beginning of a federalized United States (indeed, United is capitalized). Federalizing was perhaps the biggest mistake ever made (made at the behest of bankers). Every point made against federalizing in the Anti-Federalist papers has been vindicated by time and history and eventually led to a civil war that killed 600,000. But what's a few deaths when there's money to be made.

Politicians bought the American people off with the money that was taxed away from them. Everyone is now corrupt, and a corrupt people cannot be free. The republic has been lost for a long, long time. It was bought for a few pieces of silver (30 perhaps).

That's right, Mike. The Constitution simply authorizes the government to act in the people's behalf and does not regulate their freedoms at all. The limits are on government. As far as getting back to our republic goes, Lincoln "saved" the republic by killing it. The time of the republic is past, at least until we create a new one.

Philosophy is a luxury of civilization and law. Someone does not have much inclination to gaze at his navel when someone is trying to stick a sword in it.

Civilization is a fragile thing. Most people don't realize that society is a house of cards that is always on the verge of collapse. When push comes to shove, we all behave like savages. That is human nature.

The tools of the fight don't matter much. Like helorat, I'll use the best I have. Yes, it is also very important to fight for right. But there is no substitute for victory.

The current system is rigged against principle. Pragmatism rules; however, if you vote your conscience at least you can look yourself in the mirror. May the new Boston Tea Party come soon.

Your freedom and nobility depend on your personal responsibility. No one can be free who behaves like a child. It requires manhood. Socialist societies create dependency, encourage irresponsibility by subsidizing childish behavior, and never places blame on the individual. Because of this, no one who lives in a socialistic society can live in noble freedom.

Liberty also means that you willingly restrain your acts such that they will not infringe on someone else's liberty. Unless you recognize where your own rights end and someone else's begin, you are guaranteeing that someday your own liberty will be jeopardized. Three stars for getting half of the equation.