Independence from Washington

A July 4th article by Congressman Ron Paul

Independence from Washington

Freedom, self-determination, and the end of allegiance to an unaccountable government: 228 years ago this week a handful of radical American colonists set forth their demands in the Declaration of Independence. They sought independence not only from English rule, but also from the feudal notion of obedience to King and Crown. Their views were not shared even by a majority of their fellow colonists, nor could they hope to match England’s naval and military power- but their courage was undeniable.

A bloody conflict ensued, and the new Americans emerged victorious. But still we celebrate the 4th of July as the birth of our nation, rather than the date the Constitution was ratified. We celebrate the day our forefathers boldly proclaimed to the world that liberty was their goal, that the pursuit of individual freedom was paramount.

Those who signed the Declaration of Independence envisioned a nation based on the rule of law and the right of individuals to live their lives free from oppression. To a degree perhaps unimaginable to that band of radical idealists, their vision has come to pass over these two centuries.

That vision has been challenged throughout our history, however. The nineteenth century held slavery. The twentieth century saw the rise of socialism and its sister, fascism.

But rather than focus on where we have failed, we should stay focused on the ideal of freedom. The freedom we enjoy today is the direct result of the commitment of men and women who refused to compromise their ideals. Certainly they failed at times, but they understood that the goal was liberty. Today our government and society seem to have lost sight of this goal.

For more than six months of every year the average American toils not for his family, for his needs, or for his future. No, for the first six months of the year the average American works to pay the cost of federal, state, and local taxes and regulations. From New Year’s Day until about the 4th of July, you worked to pay for government. This is unconscionable.

Our Founding Fathers no doubt would be embarrassed at our squandering of their vision. After all, they revolted at a comparable tax rate in the single digits or less. And yet we willingly suffer an effective tax rate of 50%, and much more in many cases. They tyranny of the Crown has been replaced by the tyranny of the federal government in Washington.

We are not slaves, but many feel they are indentured servants to government. And by and large it has happened with our willing consent. We have knowingly compromised our sacred liberty for temporary promises of security or false prosperity.

But it does not have to be so. We can reclaim our independence not with guns, but with our voices. We can reject creeping statism and encourage the blessings of liberty for our land. It will require work, and it will require commitment, and it will require a willingness to stand firm for our beliefs. But that is a small price to pay compared to the sacrifices made by those who founded America.

Liberty, freedom, and self-determination. Those goals are as worthy of our attention today as they were 228 years ago in a hot convention hall in Philadelphia. Just as devotion to those goals brought forth this great nation then, a renewed adherence to liberty can save our nation today.

Our Founding Fathers felt freedom was worth their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor." Do we?

Interesting article, and where is this congress man going to go with it?

good question.

Sounds like he's on the right track.

Out of 535 people, Ron Paul is the only Congressman I trust. I've read many of his speeches, articles, and voting record.... I rarely ever disagree with him.

Not me, not particularly.

How?

He should run for president again. I'd vote for him.

Do you agree with this

H.J.RES.42 : Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States.

H.J.RES.15 : Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.R.938 : To prohibit Federal payments to any individual, business, institution, or organization that engages in human cloning.

H.R.1146 : To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

H.R.1154 : To provide that the International Criminal Court is not valid with respect to the United States, and for other purposes.

H.AMDT.240 to H.R.1950 Amendment sought to prohibit funding for any United States contribution to the United Nations or any affiliated agency of the United Nations.

H.R.1247 : To ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by exempting health care professionals from the Federal antitrust laws in their negotiations with health plans and health insurance issuers.

H.R.1545 : To prohibit Federal officials from paying any Federal funds to any individual or entity that performs partial-birth abortions.

H.R.1546 : To provide that the inferior courts of the United States do not have jurisdiction to hear abortion-related cases.

H.R.1548 : To prohibit any Federal official from expending any Federal funds for any population control or population planning program or any family planning activity.

H.R.2777 : To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from including any information storage capability on the currency of the United States or imposing any fee or penalty on any person for the holding by such person of currency of the United States, including Federal reserve notes, for any period of time.

H.R.2778 : To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes.


Sounds like a paranoid christian isolationist to me.

Pretty much 100%. It's not about politics, ideology, or what you or I think is right. The summaries to these bills do not include Ron Paul's comments of each matter. I suggest reading why he supports these bills.

This guy has his shit together. But, don't trust me, read what he has to say for yourself. I suggest his first Congressional speech tiitled: A Republic, If You Can Keep It. It's all about the importance of the American Republic and why it should be preserved He's made many speeches since, and also writes many articles, all up-to-date according to current events. He's not in it for himself, it's all about the rights and freedoms of all American citizens.

How do I not think that I'd rather fight and die than live this, as far as I'm concerned, cushy, relatively (to the most of the world) hassle-free life I live?

Yes, I agree with it. Well, everything except the elimination of income taxes. The government has a duty to protect the rights of citizens and needs funding in order to perform this duty. Our current progressive income tax should be replaced with a flat tax.