Examined individually, the positions advocated by progressives, now empowered through the Biden administration and big city government, appear to be isolated acts of irrationality.
What is the end goal of their ideas such as allowing violent criminals to walk the streets? Reducing defense preparedness even as authoritarian enemies grow stronger and more threatening? Spending far more than the national income, leading eventually to confiscatory taxes? Encouraging racial division? Claiming that parents should have no say in the education of their children? Opening the southern border to massive illegal immigration? Restricting the development of energy, even as Americans struggle to pay fuel and heating bills?
Clearly, those favoring these concepts are aware of how they do not stand up to scrutiny. That is why there has been a concerted effort to throttle the First Amendment. From college campuses that intimidate non-leftist professors and students, to politicians that use the power of government to intimidate their opposition, the level of degradation of what was once seen as sacred American rights is truly shocking.
Those ideas, taken singularly, appear illogical, but they are advocated in the pursuit of ending the American experiment in individual rights.
Throughout most of human history, the concept of personal freedom, of rights granted by God or nature and not government, barely existed. Whether ruled by emperors, kings, chieftains or strong men, the idea that an individual could assert their rights was essentially a nonstarter.
Piece by piece, Western civilization, as we now know it, began to evolve. First came great religious figures that introduced the concept that each human was precious to the heart of God. Centuries later came the idea that inhabitants of an area were not “subjects” of monarchs, but citizens of a nation.
It’s no wonder, then, that many progressives disdain the concept of nation states, advocating the concept instead of “open borders” that the Biden administration now pursues despite numerous denials of reality. Similarly, the idea of religion, an entity independent of government, is frequently targeted, because the Judeo-Christian ethic cherishes the soul of each man and woman.
The American concept of individual rights, expressed in and guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, was a truly revolutionary concept, refuting the normal mode of rule that had prevailed throughout history. Through the genius of the Constitution, flaws in the execution of that concept were eventually eliminated, so that in the 21st century, the concept of personal freedom has reached its highest expression. And that has powerfully upset those that prefer authoritarianism.
The counter-revolution against the concept of inherent rights and individual freedom reaches the highest levels. During the 2010 confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, she evaded answering a question about whether she even believed in the concept of inherent rights.
Sen. Schumer (D-NY) actually introduced legislation to limit the First Amendment’s application to some political speech. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) boldly announced that he would “love to be able to regulate the content of speech.” During the Obama administration, those disagreeing with the president were harassed by the IRS and the Department of Justice.
The progressive strategy is dangerously real and coherent. Create disorder through crime that will eventually make authoritarian government attractive. Transfer funding from defense to welfare-style programs that make much of the population financially dependent on Washington. Reduce the ability of citizens to meet their own needs through hiked taxes and inflation. Distract voters from the growing power of government by turning races and ethnic groups against each other. Dilute the concept of citizenry by opening up the border, then allowing aliens to vote, as has already been done in New York City. Remove the influence of parents, as progressives have attempted so vigorously through our education system, so that an entire generation is overwhelmingly influenced by big government.
It’s a roadmap to the end of freedom.
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March 22, 2022 at 09:19PM
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Column: 'A roadmap to the end of freedom' – Bronx Times - Bronx Times
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