Pushback Against America's Ruling Class
Glenn Harlan Reynolds writes in USA Today that it's possible we Americans are waking up from our long coma. He thinks the signs are there that we have begun resisting encroachments on our freedom. A few of those signs:
First, in response to widespread protests last week, the Department of Homeland Security canceled plans to build a nationwide license plate database. Many local police departments already use license-plate readers that track every car as it passes traffic signals or pole-mounted cameras. Specially equipped police cars even track cars parked on the street or even in driveways....On Friday, after more public outrage, the Federal Communications Commission withdrew a plan to "monitor" news coverage at not only broadcast stations, but also at print publications that the FCC has no authority to regulate. The "Multi-Market Study of Critical Information Needs," or CIN (pronounced "sin") involved the FCC sending people to question reporters and editors about why they chose to run particular stories. Many folks in and out of the media found it Orwellian.
How this program appeared was, like the DHS program, a bit of a mystery: FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai said: "This has never been put to an FCC vote; it was just announced." But the blowback was sufficient to stop it for now.
Meanwhile, in Connecticut a massive new gun-registration scheme is also facing civil disobedience. As J.D. Tuccille reports: "Three years ago, the Connecticut legislature estimated there were 372,000 rifles in the state of the sort that might be classified as 'assault weapons,' and 2 million plus high-capacity magazines. ... But by the close of registration at the end of 2013, state officials received around 50,000 applications for 'assault weapon' registrations, and 38,000 applications for magazines."
This is more "Irish Democracy," passive resistance to government overreach. The Hartford (Conn.) Courant is demanding that the state use background-check records to prosecute those who haven't registered, but the state doesn't have the resources and it's doubtful juries would convict ordinary, law-abiding people for failure to file some paperwork.
Until people stop voting for these egotistic psychopaths, I won't believe it.
That said, nonviolent disobedience and fiscal noncompliance are indeed the best ways to push back.
Joe at February 25, 2014 5:40 AM
“It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.”
― James Madison
I think some people are finally starting to get the message. Here's hoping that more will wake the fuck up from their delusional comas.
Flynne at February 25, 2014 5:47 AM
"Americans are waking up from our long coma."
I only wish! Sadly, I gave up on the American public when they voted for Obama TWICE! This patient is not only comatose; but, brain-dead as well.
What I think will happen is not a restoring of our freedoms; but, a denial of government's ability to properly govern.
Politicians have turned government into something to be completely mocked and not taken seriously. This is not good for the Republic at all.
Sort of like the "55 saves lives" speed limit. It became nothing but a joke, and a money maker for states, as most traffic on the highways went well above 55. As a result most folks consider the law to not be the law unless caught.
I think the federal government is doing the same with the rest of our country.
Such as Obamacare, it is the law, except when Obama says it isn't.
Marijuana is illegal to sell, unless a state says it is for "medicinal" reasons and the feds won't enforce their own laws.
The IRS is for collecting taxes fairly, unless you belong to a group that is opposed to this administration.
We need to "pat down" little kids and check the diapers of elderly folks to ensure your safety when flying; but, suspected terrorists get a free pass since we don't want to be "culturally insensitive."
Shooting a druggie teenager who is smacking your head into concrete is self defense, unless you're a "white Hispanic." Then it is a crime.
The White House will release statements about what a tragedy it is that a pop-star (Whitney Houston) dies from a drug overdose; The president himself will state that Treyvon Martin looked like what his own son might have looked like; Yet remain silent on the death of a Navy Seal (Chris Kyle) or the death of former US ambassador (Shirley Temple Black).
We all need to cut down on our carbon footprint; unless you're the one who is flying a private jet around to "get the message out." Then it is okay to pollute the high heavens.
Everyone needs to eat "healthier." And don't take any pictures of the first lady scarfing down a Bic Mac that is unpatriotic.
At some point in time YOU've made enough money, cause the president said so. While he spend his vacations (note the plural!) in Hawaii on the taxpayers dime.
When the majority of the public stops believing in ANYTHING the government does or says, when the majority of the public stops having ANY respect for our government, then we stop being a nation. I think we are getting closer to that reality.
Charles at February 25, 2014 7:02 AM
It doesn't matter anymore. We passed the tipping point on November 6, 2012. I decided that night, watching the election returns in my local pub, to simply enjoy the decline. The country I once proudly served is dead. Let the corpse burn.
MikeInRealLife at February 25, 2014 9:34 AM
Unless we can get an Article Five Convention within the next two years, I'm with Charles and MikeInRealLife -- we're done for as a nation. And I'm not hopeful the convention will happen.
So I'm pretty much just watching the ride down the hill.
Jim P. at February 25, 2014 3:51 PM
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