If A, then B. But the converse is not always true and we’ve found, over time, that almost all politicians can’t handle logic statements. And in this case, not even when it is spelled out IN THAT ORDER (emphasis mine):
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Rights, then Government. Too many Americans have forgotten about that order. Too often, if they even know the words by rote, it’s just words, and little thought is given to, not just the ordering, but the MEANING of that ordering.
Those God-given Rights were always to be foremost and uppermost in everyone’s political outlook (along with the responsibilities that go along with them). If Government was to have only one purpose, it is to safeguard those Rights at all costs. Before anything else, be it human needs or political expediency. Certainly before any ideological narrative or agenda.
Sadly, we have forgotten this most important lesson in American political philosophy. Whether because we’ve prospered SO much because of it, that we take it for granted, or that people no longer even KNOW, this ordering is either at the tipping point or we’ve gone way past it.
Another thing – notice how that duo, Rights THEN Government, are sandwiched between another ideal?
Jan 6 is all about the Democrat “insurrection” that was never an insurrection at all. It’s all a pandering for votes and to destroy the political reputation of Donald Trump so that he couldn’t be a viable candidate for President. Even if it was an insurrection, it has to be the worst planned and executed one the world has ever seen – not a single shot fired by the “insurrectionists” and other than acting (for the most part) like googly-eyed frat boys at a drunken party, it was a case of breaking and entering. But politics…
But that OTHER idea that forms the bread of a political sandwich?
Yeah, REAL insurrection:
- Top: “it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands “
- Bottom: “it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it“
Too many have forgotten that, even as we “dreamily” remember the Revolutionary War, that it was a REAL war. All of the armaments of war were in play. Government can be a harsh mistress and King George made it clear that such cleavage of his Kingdom and these upstart colonists was not going to succeed.
The colonists replied with “Hold Ma Beer!” – and started a real insurrection.
Too many today, especially those on the Left (except over abortion, I guess; that’s an insurrectional tipping point for them – the ability to kill babies) scoff at the idea that the US would ever devolve into another Civil War.
They know too little.
We were born in War and an ideal, abolishing the tyranny over those with black skins, was the impetus for another War. Our Founders understood War, that while it should always be a very last alternative, it exists and give the reasons for a just war.
Is going to war, another Civil War, sufficiently reasoned if the impetus this time is to restore the idea that it should be Society that tells Government what to do instead of what seems to be Government ordering around Society as if it was an elected King George? To restore that ordering of Rights OVER Government and put things aright again?
Which part of the country is driven by Rights First, and which part is driven by Government First? That will tell us the answers to those questions.
(H/T: Instapundit)
