So why do Progressives insist - Granite Grok

So why do Progressives insist

Declaration of IndependenceFrom President Calvin Coolidge’s July 4th speech of 1926 – on the Progressive movement then gaining momentum (emphasis mine):

About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning cannot be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

No progress“…”more ancient“.  “Silent Cal” was right – every move that Progressives make politically is to remove inalienable rights.  We see that We The People, more and more, believe that our Government (having been pulled downward by Progressives) has less and less of the sense of being led by our Consent.

And with this President, we see the demolishing  and disdain of the Founders insistence upon The Rule of Law (and thereby, no “ rule of the people“.

The Founders’ premise was that all were “Equal before the Law”.  Oh, the Progressives all SAY that it is about “equality” – but it is not about the Law (which they consider malleable – just look at how they treat our Foundational Law – the document that encoded the philosophy of the Declaration – the US Constitution).  Sure, they talk about “equality of opportunity” in their words but their intent and actions all scream “equality of outcome” – everyone must be the same.  There cannot be any differences.

Contrast that with the true meaning of the Constitution and the Founders vision – that each Man had the Freedom and Liberty to pursue their own fortune and future, unbound and uncowered by Government (dunno about you, but the 16th Amendment gave rise to the IRS, and there are very few amongst us before which stand unbowed).  Instead, Progressives not only believe that “a community” (of their creation, natch) can give rise to success and that all must contribute (er, be forced).  And if there be any contrary thoughts, those individuals must be ostracisized and demonized (re: the TEA Party whose only aim is to re-implement that founding philosophy).

No, once again we must fight for our Freedom, for there be others that believe that we are not worthy, not ready, not sufficiently enlightened to wield it for ourselves.  Instead, we are only entitled to use that short measure of Freedom (as opposed to exercising our inalienable Rights given to us by God) they see fit to dole out to “we proles”.

Think I have gone tin-hatty?  Sit, contemplate, and measure in how many ways Government has a role in what you do, how you do it, and what has been outlawed simply because “it’s not good for you”.  After all, even here in this “Live Free or Die” State, there ARE Legislators who no longer believe in our Founding Fathers: NH State Rep Leigh Webb (Democrat):

“The role of government is to legislate behavior“

and NH State Rep Kris Roberts (Democrat):

Government has to protect us from our own stupidity.”

In both declarations, there is NO room for the individual – Government has been placed above the populace (a complete reversal of what was the Founding Vision).  In their vision, although if pressed I bet they’d deny it, the rest of us are merely serfs with the illusion of freedom.  And perhaps, with the intrusiveness of Government at all levels, perhaps now they are right – but it didn’t start out that way and shouldn’t BE this way.

And for a final touch, my former NH State Senator, Kathy Sgambati (Democrat, on Obamacare):

“Everybody in the chamber respects personal freedoms and individual rights,” said Sen. Kathleen Sgambati, a Tilton Democrat.   “but we’re also trying to ensure that all citizens in the state have the protection they need. It’s unclear to me how you can possibly have all the benefits of coverage without everyone being under the tent.”

All Citizens” – the Collective.  Yes, she believes, not in the Founders’ believe in Freedom and Liberty, but of the Progressive mantra: Security and Safety in which Individual Freedoms and Liberties must be, by definition, subsumed to the Collective.  Equality is achieved only when all have equally in society; never is it mentioned that in order to achieve this “Heaven on Earth” requires that Freedom and Liberties of some MUST be violated in order to achieve it.  The State MUST hold the control and coercive and hold primacy – and not the Individual.

In the Progressive mind, Freedom is not to be freedom from .  Notice Sgambati’s “WE” – my take is that this is “WE who rule” vs “we who merely govern”.  Note that she spouts the Progressive mantra: you WILL be included in the Village; there is no Freedom simply to be left alone.  They are no better than the Borg (“you WILL be assimilated”).  Doubt me?  There’d never be that “but” that overrides “respect” in her opening remark.

Wanna make them angry?  Pick a fight?  Just ask them – why do I NOT have the freedom to be on my own?

They will prove everything I have just said, mark my words.

OK, last note, fer sure.  This from Grokster Steve spells it out – the regressiveness and total control.  Coolidge alluded that Progressivism is nothing more than returning to the “more ancient“;  harder to get more ancient than this: Progressives are the Paleo Party

Some say fire keep cave too warm. Some say fire make CO2-bad.  Other say need permit to start fire.
Some say fire keep cave too warm. Some say fire make CO2-bad. Other say need permit to start fire.

Our Fore-fathers fought this form of government – what is your decision?

(H/T: Powerline)

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