What our founding fathers knew that we've forgotten

The United States of America is an experiment. In a sense, we're a laboratory that was created to study human nature. The lab was created just a very short time ago (relatively), by a handful of incredibly gifted men. No, they were not perfect. Yes, slavery existed when their vision of freedom was penned into existence. But in a world of feudalism, monarchy, and oppression, the notion of a sovereign individual had to begin somewhere. The very notion itself was radical enough that unfortunately some compromise had to be made. Though it got off to a rocky start, our system has proven itself to be the best in the world, and has even self-corrected with regard to the civil rights of blacks, Indians, Chinese, and non-Christians. We still have a ways to go before we extend this thinking to gays and atheists, but in a few hundred years who knows what will happen.

What was this radical philosophy? What was it that prompted Benjamin Franklin to respond, "A republic, if you can keep it" when asked what type of a system he had just helped to create? It was the simple notion that sovereignty begins with the individual and is licensend to the state, rather than vice-versa.

Thus the U.S. constitution was created. A document unique in human history, it didn't "grant" us anything; instead it RECOGNIZED our rights to exist as sovereign and free beings, and sought to set in concrete the limit to which government could infringe on that sovereignty.

In a perfect free world, the bill of rights would not be necessary. People would recognize that no person has a right to run any other person's life; nor should they be forced to support the poor judgments of another person at gunpoint.

It has been necessary, however, to codify these rights, because they are so foreign to human nature. Our very nature is to demand that others validate our views by agreeing to our traditions, at least implicitly, but sometimes even explicitly. When will this impulse subside? Probably about the same time that the sun ceases to rise. It is an integral part of our existence that just won't die.

Henry David Thoreau said it best when he said, "Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes inexpedient". In the machinery of life, government is a source of friction rather than lubrication. This is particularly true in the world of commerce. In a marketplace of pure competition, no government is necessary. Of course we all know that pure competition cannot exist because greed unchecked will destroy just as quickly as greed eradicated. However, our society has shifted from a capitalist system that leans toward pure competition to a system of mercantile, in which businesses (especially small businesses) survives in spite of government, not because of it. For some reason, however, the leftist cry of "more government" never seems to stop.

Government, as the principal friction of commerce and free ideas, causes problems. In the case of the proposed government sponsored soccer complex in Overland Park, KS it subsidizes millionaires and discourages entrepreneurs. And this is not an isolated incident. One of the richest men in the country is on welfare! Ted Turner, billionaire media superstar, actually receives government subsidies for his buffalo ranching operations. There are plenty more examples. Even Ronald McDonald has been on welfare.

All of this leads me to one of my favorite quotes, from Ronald Reagan, "The governments view of economics: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it". This accurately depicts the role of government as merely a parasite that rides on the backs of producers who work day in and day out to create economic opportunity and material success. Why do we as intelligent beings put up with a system of taxation that not even Albert Einstein could comprehend? Have we forgotten that we were founded on a tax rebellion? Why do we settle for an inefficient system that drains our economy like a black hole drains space? When will we decide that we deserve better?

Campaign updates

I have been so busy with my campaign, family and work that I haven't really had a chance to update this blog. However, I'm taking a short break from it all to post an update on the status of my race. First things first. As most of you know, Saturday, 9/16/2006 was a black day in my life. To make a long story short, my campaigning was stopped by force at a public festival. My two opponents were allowed to remain in the festival because they paid for booths. Bear in mind, all of this was on public property, and was open to the public free of charge. I have since learned that a single city council woman was behind this entire event.

I don't like to admit this, but that night I actually cried. Friends, this doesn't happen often. But when I looked back upon my life, and how readily I offered myself to the cause of liberty and my country, I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. I enlisted in the Army National Guard at the age of 17; taking an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies; both foreign and domestic. Since the time that I decided the US Constitution was worth my life, and as any vet can tell you, it has taken a special place in my heart.

Later, I offered my service as a volunteer firefighter / EMT. I was an active FF / EMT on 9/11/2001, when I watched my brothers and sisters sacrifice their lives without hesitation. Once again, I faced my own mortality, and deemed my community and country worth it. Time and time again, I, like my brothers and sisters in the fire service, risked my life to save lives and property of people we often didn't even know. More recently, I accepted the offer to run for State Representative on the Libertarian ticket.

This was not a decision I took lightly. To represent an entire house district is an awesome responsibility, and a sacrifice on top of that. But again, I deemed my community and country worth it. And after all this, I was slapped in the face with a brazen, obviously partisan attack on not only my campaign, but freedom itself. Friends, I was not urinating on a crucifix. I was not burning an American flag. I was not supporting nazis or ku-klux-klan members. I was walking the streets, shaking hands and handing out flyers. At that point I was asked to either cease campaigning, pay the $100.00 booth fee, or leave the fair. I opted for none of the above, and claimed first amendment protection.

At one point, I had 5 uniformed officers surronding me. I repeated my claim to them all, that I would not stop campaigning, nor would I leave. It was at that point that they decided I was leaving one way or another. I chose not to partake in their mace and tazers, and, feeling that my point was made, chose to have them escort me off the premises.

I filed a complaint with the city PD, and asked to be put on the next city council meeting's agenda. I stated at that time to both the city and the PD what happened, and that I required a written apology. Honestly, I didn't expect one.

I was surprised, and elated when I received a personal, written, and public apology from the Mayor of Mission, KS. Furthermore, the PD has demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism and courtesy in their investigation of this matter. I am relieved, excited, and invigorated by the city's significant efforts to right this situation. It has, once again, restored my belief in my community, and my country.

There is, however, one bit of unfinished business. I have yet to receive an apology from the city council woman behind this entire ordeal. Councilwoman Gibbs, I await your apology. You will not treat me, nor anyone else in this country as a second class citizen. I will defend this freedom for myself, my political opponents, and yes, even you, until my heart pumps air. In the meantime, I hearby call for not only your apology, but your resignation.

Free Speech? Sure, if you have a permit of course.

Today was a very sad day in my campaign. The City of Mission, KS held its annual "Arts and Eats" festival in downtown Mission. Since the entire city of Mission is within district 24, I decided that would be a great opportunity to get out and meet people and spread the word about my campaign.

Last night I spent an hour at Kinkos making a new flyer. I then came home and spent another hour folding it, and made sure I had everything ready. Then, around lunchtime, Alice and I set off for the fest.

I began introducing myself to as many people as I could, and asking them if they'd like to talk or at least take a flyer. The response was fairly good. My two opponents of course had the same thing in mind, but they each had a booth at the fair.

Within about an hour or so, I was approached by city officials and told that I could not campaign at the fest. They explained that it was not fair to allow me to campaign for free when my 2 opponents had paid for a booth. I of course pointed out that they got a booth, so they received what they paid for. I did not want a booth. I just wanted to excercise my 1st amendment right to campaign on public property.

A short time later, I was approached my Mission PD. They told me I had to quit "soliciting" or leave. I told them I was not soliciting, I was engaging in free speech. They disagreed, and repeated their statement. After some consulting with their superiors, they decided to tell me that I could walk around with my sign, but could not hand out literature as that constituted "soliciting". I told them I would not quit and they'd have to arrest me.

Being shrewd policitians, the officers' superiors told them that I was not to be arrested. Instead, I was to be escorted out of the fest, but the officers on no uncertain terms told me that I would NOT be arrested, period. Clever. Throw me out, but don't arrest me. That way there's no bad PR, and they don't have to deal with that nasty little first amendment issue.

I'm very disappointed in what our nation has become. Some elderly gentleman I was talking to stood up for me and told the officers that "this is no longer America". I agree.