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June 28, 2012

Gilded Chains Are Still Chains

That SCOTUS upheld the linchpin of ObamaCare should not have come as a surprise. Nor should the reasoning behind their decision. Despite denials, obfuscations, and outright lies offered to the general public during health-care debates, President Obama and Democrat Congressional leaders successfully argued before the highest court that the individual mandate was a tax. This very outcome was foretold by Robert Yates, author of Anti-Federalist paper known as Brutus VI:
"The general legislature will be empowered to lay any tax they chuse, [sic] to annex any penalties they please to the breach of their revenue laws; and to appoint as many officers as they may think proper to collect the taxes... And the courts of law, which they will be authorized to institute, will have cognizance of every case arising under the revenue laws, the conduct of all the officers employed in collecting them; and the officers of these courts will execute their judgments.” 
So, the tax that wasn't a tax is really a tax after all, and the treasure of all productive citizens is subject to plunder. Additionally, the IRS is free to continue expansion plans authorized under ObamaCare in order to satisfy increased financial demands brought on by the act. Something Yates also warned about in his essay Brutus V:
"[T]he power to lay and collect has great latitude; it will lead to the passing a vast number of laws, which may affect the personal rights of the citizens of the states, expose their property to fines and confiscation, and put their lives in jeopardy: it opens a door to the appointment of a swarm of revenue and excise officers to pray [sic] upon the honest and industrious part of the community, eat up their substance, and riot on the spoils of the country.” 
There was another essay of that time, written and signed by twenty-one dissenters after the Pennsylvania Convention ratified the new constitution. In The Address and Reasons of Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania to their Constituents, they listed among their objections, the secretive, back room dealings and scare tactics employed at the Convention by those in favor of ratification, very much akin to those used by Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi while crafting ObamaCare:
"Whilst the gilded chains were forging in the secret conclave, the meaner instruments of despotism without, were busily employed in alarming the fears of the people with dangers which did not exist, and exciting their hopes of greater advantages from the expected plan than even the best government on earth could produce....” 
Now we are faced with a decision on how to proceed concerning this Constitutional, yet arguably bad law. The answer is clear. We must, as Yates suggested, “... rise up, and, with a strong hand, resist and prevent the execution of constitutional laws.” We must do everything possible, and permissible under our Constitution, to unseat and replace those who would burden our Nation with such bad law. To do otherwise means acceptance of those gilded chains.


Dennis P. O'Neil

17 comments:

  1. Excellent observations, Saltwater! Can't tell you how much I would like to see more conservatives read and ponder the Anti-Federalist Papers.

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    1. It is a shame, Mrs. AL, that so few are familiar with the writings from that epic period of our history. Although many conservative thinking or leaning people have at least a passing knowledge of the Federalist Papers, most dismiss the “Anti-Federalist” essays solely because of their collective title.

      The authors of the Federalist Papers attempted to explain the meaning and benefits of the proposed Constitution, a critical exercise considering the radical change in form and function of government being discussed.

      The Anti-Federalists, far from rebuking the concept of this new government, attempted to raise awareness of possible hidden dangers in the event less than scrupulous persons achieved power.

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  2. I posted this over at Mrs. Al's place and it applies here.

    We have all been on our soap boxes and will continue so until November 6th, then of course we have the ballot box, if that fails we have the cartridge box.

    That is the way the country was formed, and the way the Constitution was based on the inherit premise of FREEDOM as a natural right. Jefferson spoke of the “Tree of Liberty” and why that tree needs to be refreshed occasionally.

    Today we have a tyrannical executive branch, a corrupt legislative branch, and a ideological judicial branch. All roads lead to November 6th 2012.

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    1. Let us hope that first road leads us back to where we belong, Hardnox, for neither alternative bodes well for the survival of the Nation envisioned by our founders.

      As I see it, the “Tree of Liberty” withers not from neglect, as there are still many offering up their own blood and treasure in effort to sustain it. The problem lies with the hoards who would pluck all its fruit without regard.

      Just as the farmer or rancher must actively strive to ward off predators, we must likewise take every measure to protect that “Tree of Liberty” from the vandals and vermin determined to strip it clean if it is to thrive.

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    2. I sure hope so as you so eloquently state. The truth is that this mess happened on our watch and it is up to us to fix it.

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  3. Great post!

    I regret that I’m so simple I don’t always grasp what was being said by those who wrote so long ago. Some of us have to live through it to understand, I guess.

    Yes, we must rise up, but we have a mighty task ahead of us. The Left has built a mob that’s almost as strong as we are (if not stronger), and they will do anything to take what they want.

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    1. Do not fret, CW, as many of us are confused by their arcane prose discussing matters unknown to citizens of this Nation in our times. Most of us cannot grasp the concepts for we have not been subjected to the oppression of which they wrote. Remember, they also had to live through it to understand.

      The mob of the Left is just that – a mob. Their “strength” lies only in their numbers, not their convictions. They have grown too accustomed to rewards without sacrifice. I doubt they would embrace the idea of putting it all on the line at this late date. They may lust after your possessions, but not if it may cost them theirs.

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  4. Salty, terrific essay. Well done. Good to see you writing again.

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    1. Thank you, BrianR. I have been remiss in posting as of late, but that does not mean the fire burns with lessened ferocity. Expect more as the battle engages further.

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    2. Outstanding!

      I am looking forward to it. The battle has been joined, my friend. We must gird our keyboards.

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  5. Yes, this really hit the spot. Very informative. Especially pertinent today when the left echoes "we have a revenue crisis!". That would have been well understood then. It would be a clarion call. Now? What's to say.A shame for a country founded on just such abuse not to realize the danger. Our acamdemics today understand nothing of those bell-ringers.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and your thoughts, bullright. I believe the national move away from the glorious gift presented by our founders can be traced to SCOTUS rulings under the tenure of Chief Justice Marshall. However, academia proclaims him as perhaps the best and wisest to ever hold that position.

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  6. Chains that bind, need to be broken. Elections have consequences.

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    1. Very true, realgop, however history shows breaking chains is often nearly impossible. Better to fend off those chains before shackles are secured than attempting to break free once bound. We have an opportunity this November to remove our oppressors. Failing that, our struggle to peacefully avoid complete subjugation becomes problematic.

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  7. On July 4, 2012, Saltwater, I sat on my deck overlooking the Tennessee River, with one 50-star American flag to my left, one high and to my right, and another American flag with 13 stars also to my right. I read the Declaration of Independence, that to remember clearly why that Wednesday was a special day. When I got to the latter part, where the grievances and charges against King George were enumerated, I started to mentally contrast those with ones I now have against today's POTUS.

    I think we have a better case today than they had then for Revolution, then restoration.

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  8. WELL SAID!

    If our Founders were alive today, they'd SCREAM for us to REVOLT!

    Blog rolled you.

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  9. Ok, Saltwater, am awaiting your reaction to Ryan's selection as VP by Romney. Hope you get this soonly. Oh, and if you would let me know at my place that you have posted I would appreciate that. I don't always get over to blogspot to check my blog roll. Thanx.

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