Nation of laws trumps freedom

Published 3:32 pm Friday, June 19, 2009

A recent letter writer stated that the U.S. is a republic, not a democracy. True. This is something that we are supposed to learn in school. We say we are “the land of the free,” yet we are a “nation of laws.” These two statements directly contradict one another. Why does our government rely on such “bait and switch” tactics? Simple: because they can then use either phrase when it serves their purpose, which is usually sucking money out of your wallet.

They want your money (and time) to install their version of “freedom” around the world, and they want your money the second you go a few miles over the speed limit or go to the store to buy something (sales tax). Think about it … the second you have any law (yes, any law at all) you are no longer “truly free.” Sometimes I feel my dog has more freedom than I do.

An argument can certainly be made that laws are necessary because people aren’t perfect, but do we really need a stinking law for everything? Most (but not all) of us are born with certain basic morals — don’t steal or hurt someone else, etc. But do we truly need each and every law on the books? No, but they are there so that the government has something to nail you and suck money from your wallet when they choose to do so. I am beginning to believe the term “lawmaker” should be changed to “freedomtaker,” or better yet, “thief.”

Perhaps the time of the “republic,” created over 200 years ago, has passed. Perhaps we should install a true democracy here. We certainly seem to want to install it everywhere else in the world. Wake up!

Brad Ashforth

Snohomish