Thomas Jefferson wrote these famous lines in a letter to William Stephens Smith:
“What country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms…the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”
Clearly, some notions are timeless – because the crushed and suffering people of Venezuela are forced to attempt this very thing. Today. Again.
And, unfortunately, they are at a massive disadvantage, because thanks to a 2012 public disarmament law, the only arms available are the ones controlled by the police, national guard and federal military – the state. You know, the very people hired and paid to “protect” them when needed. But unless they can convince some of them to turn sides, honoring whatever oath of service they took, sticks and stones will be their only weapons and the dictatorship will prevail yet again.
It’s hard to believe that some Americans actually question the Second Amendment’s true purpose, or scoff at the notion that a sovereign people need such an insurance policy to defend themselves against a potentially oppressive government.
Real world case here folks, just 2100 miles away (closer than the distance between New Hampshire and California).
It’s even harder to believe that some Americans actually support Socialism here at home. After all, Socialism isn’t just about sharing (redistributing) of wealth – it’s about control, disguised as benevolence. Because in order to redistribute someone’s wealth, you must first take it from them. And in most cases, this is done by force – maybe not at first, but eventually those working to support everyone else realize that a government that controls and manipulates all wealth is not immune to corruption, favoritism and incompetence.
Hell, every type of government is subject to this flaw – it’s just worse when it controls all industry and means of production, lawmaking and the guns – and there’s nothing you can do about it.
And anyone who believes in a benign, giving Socialist system is a fool – because when times get tough, the failing grip of Socialism (or any encompassing style of government) creates a dictator.
At one time, Venezuela was the most prosperous country in Latin America, thanks to its massive oil reserves. What drove it to its current state of dog-eating starvation and depravation was its series of large government systems. Whether by incompetence or corruption, big government operates in self-preservation mode, and will do whatever is necessary to maintain itself when challenged.
Sadly, this can happen even when a bad government is toppled and replaced by a new one. In the 1990s, Hugo Chavez unsuccessfully attempted to usurp the then-failing Venezuelan government, became a local hero and was eventually elected President. Unfortunately, he centralized control and became said dictator.
1922-35 Dictator Juan Vicente Gomez
1935-1958 Oil profits funneled into the state. Multiple military dictatorships.
1958-1967 Democratically elected governments attempted. Oil profits remain funneled to and concentrated within the state. Nationalized oil company, dramatic increase in private oil company income taxes. Further state control.
1970s – OPEC embargo grows Venezuela’s oil market share. “Rampant graft and mismanagement” ensues. Massive embezzlement. Oil industry nationalized, controlling 60% of relationships with foreign oil companies. Foreign refineries purchased.
1980s – Oil glut, dropping prices. Economic contraction and current inflation due to mismanagement. Massive national debt. Austerity measures. Riots. Government tightens grip.
1990s – Hugo Chavez’ failed coup. Chavez elected in 1998 on a Socialist platform to “reduce poverty and inequality”. Centralized, incompetent control. Executive branch takes over courts, nationalizes private businesses and controls the press, paving the way for future dictators.
2010s – Nicolas Maduro takes over. Oil prices plummet again. Unrest. Further consolidation of power. Electoral manipulation, censorship, ban on all protests, political imprisonment, dissolved legislature. Complete civilian disarmament with the intent to reduce crime.
What are common themes along this timeline? 1) Heavy government control and manipulation, no balance of power 2) Reduced private industry 3) No means of redress of their grievances by the people, particularly as government expands 4) Disarmed, defenseless population.
“Venezuelans didn’t care enough about it [gun possession]. The idea of having the means to protect your home was seen as only needed out in the fields. People never would have believed they needed to defend themselves against the government,”…“Venezuelans evolved to always hope that our government would be non-tyrannical, non-violator of human rights, and would always have a good enough control of criminality.”
Like I said – fools.
If Juan Guaido proves to be yet another dictator, like Chavez or Maduro, the Venezuelan people will STILL be without the means to resolve their predicament without a complete reversal of police and military loyalties. And, seriously, who believes that a new dictator won’t instantly arise out of that situation?
The case for the Second Amendment is closed.
Don’t be a fool. Reject Socialism and fight gun control at all costs.