My 2 Cents on Liberty and Ron Paul

The Honorable Ron Paul has delivered what may be his final address to Congress.  Here are some of his thoughts.

"All branches of our government today are controlled by individuals who use their power to undermine liberty and enhance the welfare/warfare state-and frequently their own wealth and power."

"If it's not accepted that big government, fiat money, ignoring liberty, central economic planning, welfarism, and warfarism caused our crisis, we can expect a continuous and dangerous march toward corporatism and even fascism with even more loss of our liberties."  

Throughout his speech, Paul questioned the power of the Federal Reserve, the PATRIOT Act, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act modifications, undeclared war, TSA searches, federal debt and borrowing, the White House's authority to assassinate those it declares terrorists, legally detaining U.S. citizens for national-security purposes, the political power of AIPAC, and the regulation of light bulbs and toilets in people's homes.

"The best chance for achieving peace and prosperity, for the maximum number of people worldwide, is to pursue the cause of liberty. If you find this to be a worthwhile message, spread it throughout the land."

 "The number one responsibility for each of us is to change ourselves with hope that others will follow," Paul said, urging an end to two motives that have hindered U.S. society: envy and intolerance.

"Our Constitution, which was intended to limit government power and abuse, has failed," Paul said. "The Founders warned that a free society depends on a virtuous and moral people. The current crisis reflects that their concerns were justified."

The problem isn't just government's size, but its use of force, both in acts of aggression/war and its use of police power against U.S. citizens.  He says this is the fault of Americans who no longer prioritize liberty, and it will lead to the unraveling of orderly society unless people change.  

How far are you willing to go if your liberty is at risk?  Have you ever thought, "I better not get involved.  I might get arrested, even though its a peaceful demonstration, and I have the right of free speech in this country" ?  Come on, admit it .. for most people, this has crossed your mind at one time or another.

I think many in the Occupy movement have felt both the overly aggressive use of police power during their peaceful demonstrations, not just in the US but worldwide.  Some completely peaceful protesters, even my own sister, were arrested.   If we are to remain free and hold on to our liberty in this country, we must be willing to be vocal and be involved, to challenge any of Washington's policies that demonstrate the abuse of power.