The contempt of the governed

August 5th, 2010

The Federal government is suing to stop an anti-illegal immigration law in Arizona. The majority of Americans are in favor of Arizona’s law.

A Federal judge is declaring gay marriage a Constitutional right. The majority of Americans are against gay marriage.

The politicians in New York city are supporting the building of a mosque two-blocks away from the ruins of the World Trade Center. The majority of New Yorkers think it’s a bad idea.

The Federal government is making every American buy health insurance. The majority of Americans want the law repealed.

How long can any government show open contempt for the wishes of the majority of its citizens before those citizens remember that:

“Governments are instituted among Men, cialis sales sovaldi deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, viagra — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government“?

For the record, I’m not against gay marriage. Neither do I advocate the violent overthrow of any Federal, State, or City government.

Entry Filed under: Observations

6 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Nick  |  August 5th, 2010 at 8:31 am

    The majority of people in many Southern States were in favor of segregation. Should the courts not ruled that as illegal? Majority Rule needs to have limits… places where the majority cannot dictate control.

    Although the majority of Americans are against Gay Marriage, they have created a privileged group with special rights (the married) and then created arbitrary rules regarding who can enter into that privileged group. Should it be legal for the Majority to do that? What if the majority had said that only people with Brown Hair could get married?

    Should the majority of Americans be able to say that only Christians can enjoy the 1st Amendment right to freedom of religion, or that Muslims don’t enjoy property rights guaranteed in the Constitution?

    As for the Arizona thing… that’s an issue with state’s rights vs. federal supremacy. Clearly, immigration and naturalization actually is a Federal Government job, so I get it. What I hate, is that they don’t respect the state’s right to do things like legalize marijuana, set the drinking age, define whether you have to wear a seat belt, etc.

  • 2. Elliot  |  August 5th, 2010 at 8:38 am

    You’re completely missing the point, Nick. I’m not talking about the right or wrong of any of the points. I’m pointing out that when the government and the governed are completely at odds, it’s going to lead to conflict. Possibly severe.

  • 3. Nick  |  August 5th, 2010 at 8:44 am

    That point wasn’t exactly clear.

    I think you’re right… it will lead to conflict. The question is, what is the result? It will either lead to a stronger more powerful government with fewer restraints over the areas of our lives it can control…

    Or it will lead to a backlash against government, where we force government to give back some of its power.

    The latter is much more difficult to implement than the former… and there are far too many people who trust in the former as well.

  • 4. Nick  |  August 5th, 2010 at 8:45 am

    People also seem to forget that they do not belong to the majority in all their pet causes. But once they push “Majority Rule” on one issue… it won’t be long before they find themselves in the minority in another important issue to them, and will have little right to say “leave me alone”.

  • 5. Billiam  |  August 5th, 2010 at 11:06 am

    Well, since we’re supposed to be a Republic, not a democracy, I’d say the fault lay with ‘We the People..” In the Republic we were given, it is incumbent upon the citizens to participate, in other words, know the issues and vote. Instead, the majority of those who can vote, sit at home on their @sses and do nothing but bitch. This is why we have career politicians, something I’m sure the Founders would be appalled at. Since so many are re-elected for decades, is there any wonder at the corruption and contempt they hold for us peasants? Remember the old adage. “You get the government you deserve.”

  • 6. grumps  |  August 6th, 2010 at 8:06 am

    Lest we forget, the Constitution lists–not grants–fundamental rights which are not subject to popular vote.

    That sword cuts both ways, which is why you here so many bitch about it. Half this time, half next.

    It’s still the best form of government on the planet. I’d not be anxious to see a government run by the theocratic boobs running the TEA rallies

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