Why do we tolerate the taking of our liberty by those who claim to be defending it?

Question

It is becoming apparent in the current situation with the Iraq war and the failure to defend our borders (including 9-1-1!) and the IRS's failure to answer any meaningful questions about their tyrannical mis-representation of their own regulations (check out Aaron Russo's new movie), that there needs to be a more comprehensive look at the issue of government. 'Restoring the system' to its 'orignal intent' is just going to put new crooks in the seats. If we all accept Jefferson's premise that we have 'inalienable rights' and we are all 'equal' than it is logically inescapable that no 'public servant' can claim a power that none of us individually possess. If we want help with the task of protection, we should look to a free market provider (Brinks security or another), not a band of thugs who demand payment for their services at the barrel of a gun. If you can pretend to select the bosses who rule you through elections, but cannot get rid of the mob itself, what's the point?

Answer 1

So far, the reason most people tolerate things is either fanaticism or apathy.

A significant percentage of the population (some 20%-30%) feel that the government can do no wrong, and that it is entitled to break laws whenever it feels like it. It's a pure ends-justify-the-means argument. This includes at least two Supreme Court Justices who don't seem to have a problem with the Executive branch ignoring Supreme Court rulings and setting up private tribunals that are not subject to judicial review.

A large chunk of the remaining population simply doesn't get involved, because they think these issues don't concern them. Because their day-to-day lives are not being adversely affected, they don't think what's happening is relevant.

In honor of Pastor Martin Niemöller:

First they came for the 6th Amendment, but I hadn't been accused of a crime, so I didn't object to denial of counsel.

Then they came for the 4th Amendment, but I wasn't talking to anyone overseas, so they wouldn't be monitoring me.

Then they came for the rest of the 4th Amendment, but I only called my mother, so there was nothing suspicious in my phone records.

Then they came for the 1st Amendment, but I never associated with criminals, so I had no worries about convicted purely based on what other people might do. Again I remained silent.

Then they came for the 5th Amendment, but I never really understood the rules for Due Processs, (and wasn't allowed an attorney) so I didn't object.

Then they came for the rest of the 5th Amendment, and ...... I no longer had the right to remain silent.

Answer 2

Why do we tolerate the taking of our liberty by those who claim to be defending it? To answer your question, allow me a slight off-topic range....

Ever heard of Problem-Reaction-Solution? This is what is going on currently with this administration. The idea: Government wishes to scale back personal freedoms/rights, yet they cannot tell the people this directly, for the people would not have it. So, instead, the government creates a PROBLEM. In this case, the Government colluded with Saudi Arabia to hijack some planes and crash them into the WTC Towers and kill 3000 Americans - then, the government says that al-Queda was at fault. This creates a REACTION: the people demand that anything - ANYTHING be done to combat the fear and terror. (Can anyone tell me what happened to the color coded "Terror Warning System" that was so effective during the election as to have Bush get reelected?? Notice how it hasnt been used SINCE THEN??) Then, at that point, the government supplies the SOLUTION - decreasing your rights and freedoms, illegal wiretapping, illegal military tribunals at Guantanamo, illegal requests for your internet usage - all in the name of providing you with a more safe place to live.

But are we truly more safe with our Government spying on us??

Answer 3

I'm with you honey!!

BUT, I think we are beginning to wake up and fight back FINALLY. Just recently, I just feel it in the air. If you notice, less and less Neocons are coming to online political sites like this one. Sure some are still around... those ignorant ones that just like to stay angry and argue all the time.

Part of me wants to say... you (not you the republicans) deserve this because you STUPID ppl voted him into office. Then I realize that dammit I have to live here too.

The biggest tragedy that these stupid republicans are going to have to suffer was those two far right supreme court justices. Just today the supreme court voted to give the presidency more power.

I remember when they had those s. court hearings when they had been nominated. I was screaming at the top of my lungs for the dumbarses to wake up. Bush picked both of them not because they were conservative or not, etc... He picked both because BOTH are pro-executive power. And now one of them is the CHIEF JUSTICE!!!

I'm telling you. We are f..ing doomed!!! ALL CIVIL LIBERTIES WENT RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW THE DAY THOSE 2 JUSTICES WERE SWORN IN!!!

And all the dumb stupid idiotic Republicans saw during those hearings were, "he didn't even have to read from a script. he is soooo smart.(actually heard a guy say that on CSPAN about Roberts)". People are just morons. Maybe we deserve our fate?

Answer 4

Because some people are so afraid of terrorism that they are blindly trusting the government.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."- Ben Franklin

These are the people like the person directly below me.

Answer 5

Today, Americans are taught that the Almighty State has all the answers. As a result, our God-given
liberties are being traded for a false sense of security.

Answer 6

Adam,
It's the human nature to wait until other members of the group start reacting, so everyone is waiting for others start taking action so nobody is doing anything (in fact there are some who do but we decide to ignore them) but this is a scientific fact about how human behaviour is. We're just waiting for others to do it, and there's nothing wrong with this, it's completly natural.

Answer 7

Because to many people are siting on there butts just asking why? and not doing anything about it.
And people want the government to do it for them i mean they are doing social security, the federal governments owns all the states arms, and they are in charge of "education", etc...

Answer 8

Only when enough people get po'd will there be an effort to change things. Hopefully it will not be too late, or be violent in nature. If enough people that payed attention actually voted.....

Answer 9

You obviously watch too many movies.

Answer 10

I hope the next plain hits all of you!