Whether you are Liberal or Conservative, tell why you believe or not believe in the statement. I am a Constitutional Democrat leaning Libertarian. Are there Constitutional Republicans out there that are so conservative that (to my perspective, coming from an entirely different direction) that they would support the statement and be protective of the Constitution and reject amending the Constitution in favor of temporary safety measures?
2007-09-04 14:26:51 · 12 answers · asked by Ford Prefect 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
any measures designed to make us safe, yet limit individual freedoms
2007-09-04 14:34:51 · update #1
To "John S" I agree with you, but differ only in what should come first....freedom as an individual allows a Social Democracy to form, not the other way around...but i am in favor of many Social Democratic institutions
2007-09-04 14:40:19 · update #2
As a Social Democrat Marxist I believe that one's first right is the basic necessities of life (i.e. food, water, lodging, healthcare)... I personally feel though, that without these rights taken care of but with freedom of speech etc., one's "freedoms" mean nothing. At the same time if one has the necessities of life but no freedom of speech etc., there is a problem which does warrant martyrdom if necessary to fix it.
Social Democrat = Socialist who believe in the necessity of democratic institutions etc. ... Just to spare you the trip to wikipedia, folks.
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Back to the asker: Well thanks. You know, it's funny, but I think in many regards the Libertarians and Socialists have drifted away from each other, but if you ask me I think both need the other to flourish. Just my opinion, but yeah. Thanks again.
2007-09-04 14:35:55 · answer #1 · answered by John S 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Live free or die, death is not the greatest of evils [General John Stark - American Revolutionary War].
I grew up in a neighborhood with many central European immigrants who told tales of erosion of rights they personally experienced in the first 50 years of the 20th century in Europe. Many were extremely self reliant (many built their own house by hand) and distrustful of government, looking at every new law as a part of a slippery slope.
Ben Franklin said "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security".
Ron Paul begged congress to use letters of Letters of Marque and Reprisal against the Taliban and was laughed at. Instead congress simply gave away their constitutional obligations to the executive branch despite his warning of what it would lead to. We have come to the point where defending the constitution is laughed at by those sworn to defend it.
We will be reminded of the great wisdom of our founders by one of two ways:
1) Keeping their spirit alive. Take the time to learn non-revisionist history and the unintended consequences that lead to our great documents; The declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. These are all we need to run our federal government if we truly understand them and pass on the well proven tradition to the next generation.
2) Repeating the same mistakes and feeling the unintended consequences first hand.
2007-09-05 10:17:40 · answer #2 · answered by freedomispopular 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe our rights in the Constitution should be protected at any cost. Once we completely surrender our rights, the terrorists have won. They are not only bankrupting us, they have been used as an excuse to destroy our fundemental rights.
We need a return in the balance of power within the branches of government and warrants for the surveillance. Otherwise, there can be no oversight and we all know that somewhere along the line there will be big abuses of power.
2007-09-04 21:34:39 · answer #3 · answered by BekindtoAnimals22 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a firm believer that your soul dies with your mind, having said that, if I am not free to speak or think on my own then I am truly dead in every sense of the word. I would have to be 100% protective of the constitution because it addresses the importance of individual thought and idea.
2007-09-04 21:52:27 · answer #4 · answered by ChickenTrainTakeTheChickensAway 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We must fight to win our freedom, as our ForeFathers did so many generations ago, and they knew this, because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ ... that's why they fought, for the freedom to worship Him and Him Alone!!! Just look above the Chief Justices Chair on the wall, and you will see a set of the Ten Commandments on the wall, and which reads on the very first Commandment - 'Thou shall have no other God's before Me.'
That's what we are fighting to protect here in America folks!!!
2007-09-04 21:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by Jeremiah Johnson 7 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
what temporary safety measures are you referring to?
Edit; oops, to answer your question. I would die defending the rights of others to live. Why, if I can die protecting the lives of others, then I served a purpose on this earth.
Edit; if it was a temporary measure to prevent mass chaos and destruction and a few lives were the cost of it, including mine, I would absolutely die for the welfare of others.
2007-09-04 21:32:18 · answer #6 · answered by Glen B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with this statement. I might be more conflicted about it if I had children, because I wouldn't want to tell THEM they should live free or die, but I would die to protect certain freedoms.
2007-09-04 21:32:23 · answer #7 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel like it right at this moment. The American people seem to be living just fine as partial slaves so I'll just comfortably exist in the fold for now or until it turns for the worse.
Don't threaten me with a good time. ;-)
2007-09-04 21:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Old Ben had it right. "Those who are willing to give up freedom for the sake of security deserve neither".
" They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. "
2007-09-04 22:02:00 · answer #9 · answered by Johnny P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If we give up who we are, how we can we remain ourselves?
The "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave"
may well turn into
"The Land of the Oppressed Because of So Many Cowards".
2007-09-04 21:34:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋