America is not a free country, I pay alot of money in taxes to have my rights

[ndfourleafclover]

And I would rather pay that money in taxes than have to live in a third world country. Whose government doesn't care about its citizens right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness.

I often see on this forum a lot of hate toward the American government because of the so called "controversy" on banned PVs. But on this July 4th weekend, I would like to concentrate on the good things.

Because of the great people that stood up to authority over 200 years ago, I have the right to choose who I want to make my laws. I have the right to choose what religion I want to be a part of. I have the right to own my business if I choose to. I have the right to give my kids the best possible life that I can.

I just want to thank all the people past, present, and future that made/make America the best country in the world. I don't care if you are a politician, a soldier, or a regular good hearted citizen, thank you.

And even if you disagree, I know that you like driving on paved roads. I know that you like being able to get first class health care. I know that you like being able to choose what you want to do for a living. I know that you enjoy a lot of the small, but forgotten, things that make America so great.

Thank you AMERICA! You are the best.

 

[Blaze]

Amen, and happy 4th everyone

 

[glowgirl]

 

[Sallana]

first class health care..

...... lol

 

[BradSmith]

Happy Independence day, everyone!!

Ps. you don't have to like the current or recent government to celebrate the fact that we became independent.

 

[BradSmith]

Not to be rude, but your rights don't come from paying taxes and most of what you mentioned are far from rights. Your rights come from the fact that you are alive, they are not granted to you by the government. If they were, that would mean that the government can take them away from you as well. Just remember your rights are yours not the governments and don't confuse your country, that is your friends, family neighbors, fellow Americans and the land you live on with the government. The Federal government only has one job and that is to protect the rights that you were endowed with at birth.

Peace!!

 

[UntamedRose]

Not to be rude, but your rights don't come from paying taxes and most of what you mentioned are far from rights. Your rights come from the fact that you are alive, they are not granted to you by the government. If they were, that would mean that the government can take them away from you as well. Just remember your rights are yours not the governments and don't confuse your country, that is your friends, family neighbors, fellow Americans and the land you live on with the government. The Federal government only has one job and that is to protect the rights that you were endowed with at birth.

Peace!!

Exactly thank you Brad I was trying to figure out how to say that...

"......endowed by their Creator with certain Unalienable Rights"

 

[zbasspro]

wooohoooo Right on Brad!!!...happy Independence Day!!!!! Now I will hide till all the fireworks are done!! I is scared of them!

Not to be rude, but your rights don't come from paying taxes and most of what you mentioned are far from rights. Your rights come from the fact that you are alive, they are not granted to you by the government. If they were, that would mean that the government can take them away from you as well. Just remember your rights are yours not the governments and don't confuse your country, that is your friends, family neighbors, fellow Americans and the land you live on with the government. The Federal government only has one job and that is to protect the rights that you were endowed with at birth.

Peace!!

 

[Elendil]

Not to be rude, but your rights don't come from paying taxes and most of what you mentioned are far from rights. Your rights come from the fact that you are alive, they are not granted to you by the government. If they were, that would mean that the government can take them away from you as well. Just remember your rights are yours not the governments and don't confuse your country, that is your friends, family neighbors, fellow Americans and the land you live on with the government. The Federal government only has one job and that is to protect the rights that you were endowed with at birth.

Peace!!

To be a bit more precise. Your rights are yours because our gov't grants those rights to it's citizens. It is sort of an irrevocable trust. They give them but can't take them away. Not every citizen in every country can say the same. Try putting your rights in a suitcase and trotting them over to China or Iran and see how that works out........

So the gov't (not necessarily the current or recent past member of said gov't) should get credit for setting up the system of rights in the first place.........

 

[UntamedRose]

To be a bit more precise. Your rights are yours because our gov't grants those rights to it's citizens. It is sort of an irrevocable trust. They give them but can't take them away. Not every citizen in every country can say the same. Try putting your rights in a suitcase and trotting them over to China or Iran and see how that works out........

So the gov't (not necessarily the current or recent past member of said gov't) should get credit for setting up the system of rights in the first place.........

Ah but the government derives it's power from the society it's built by.
Our country's "rights" were almost a word for word copy from John Loche's writings, who stance was that rights were a natural concept.
That we are born with them... government can take, but not give and our culture decides what rights the Gov can take.

But it also depends upon what we define a right as.

 

[leannebug]

Amen!

Now...lets go blow some stuff up!

*bang* *pop* *pow*

(fireworks.. only please!)

 

[BradSmith]

To be a bit more precise. Your rights are yours because our gov't grants those rights to it's citizens. It is sort of an irrevocable trust. They give them but can't take them away. Not every citizen in every country can say the same. Try putting your rights in a suitcase and trotting them over to China or Iran and see how that works out........

So the gov't (not necessarily the current or recent past member of said gov't) should get credit for setting up the system of rights in the first place.........

The government has never granted anyone a right.

(Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776)
The Unanimous Declaration
of the Thirteen United States of America

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.


It's very clear that the founding fathers did not in anyway say that they granted any rights of any kind.

 

[BradSmith]

YouTube - Judge Andrew Napolitano Natural Rights and The Patriot Act part 1 of 3


"Our freedom comes from our Humanity. This is known as the Natural Law"

 

[Elendil]

I think you are missing my point. The founding fathers, who were the gov't at the time set up the gov't to recognize those rights. If every person really is endowed with those rights, why doesn't work that way all over the world?

What happens if the founding fathers set it up so we all paid homage to grasshoppers? I imagine our society would look much different today.........

 

[ndfourleafclover]

Not to be rude, but your rights don't come from paying taxes and most of what you mentioned are far from rights. Your rights come from the fact that you are alive, they are not granted to you by the government. If they were, that would mean that the government can take them away from you as well. Just remember your rights are yours not the governments and don't confuse your country, that is your friends, family neighbors, fellow Americans and the land you live on with the government. The Federal government only has one job and that is to protect the rights that you were endowed with at birth.

Peace!!

On some ways I agree with this statement. America is the people, neighbors, and land on which you live. Thank you for those that have allowed me to have the rights that I do. But saying that the government can't take away those rights is wrong. You may be entitled to them at birth but that doesn't mean you get them. America kindly gives you a chance to keep your rights. And it can take them away just as fast. Ask inmates in the correctional facilities what rights (which were given at birth) were taken from them, because they refuse to be model citizens. Ask people of communist countries what rights they have.

 

[BradSmith]

On some ways I agree with this statement. America is the people, neighbors, and land on which you live. Thank you for those that have allowed me to have the rights that I do. But saying that the government can't take away those rights is wrong. You may be entitled to them at birth but that doesn't mean you get them. America kindly gives you a chance to keep your rights. And it can take them away just as fast. Ask inmates in the correctional facilities what rights (which were given at birth) were taken from them, because they refuse to be model citizens. Ask people of communist countries what rights they have.

Yes, if you violate the rights of others you will lose your freedom or even your life. That is your choice. I have been to many different countries with many different governments. I can tell you one thing for sure, you're not nearly as free as you think you are. I have also been in combat more than once, but not once was I asked to fight for your rights.





Elindel, I do get your point and that is why it's sad to watch as people forget what our country was founded on. It's sad to watch as people forget that their rights are their's out of fear of the boogyman.





Peace and Love Brothers and Sisters. Happy Independence day!!





Ps. this isn't the outside, so I guess it's time for me to get off my soapbox.

 

[Sallana]

*bang* *pop* *pow*

Ah, reminds me of my very first time...























Watching fireworks, of course.

 

[UntamedRose]

Ah, reminds me of my very first time...

Hmmm I thought it went......

*bang* *pop* *pow* *Hu? thats it?*

 

[jojogardener]

I woke up this morning wanting to post a thread on the 4th.
I wanted to ask everyone to pray for this great country as we munch on our burgers and watch the "bang, pop, ahhh".
Pray that our leaders, of which many, have forgotten our founding fathers intent of the constitution.

That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Limited government control.

 

[keyzygirl]

Im just happy we can cook out and watch fireworks.Happy 4th.