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Liberty is freedom to live
without forceful intervention by others. It is personal sovereignty over
life and property. Liberty was a guiding principle of
the men who forged American society over two hundred years ago.
Sadly, there are men who readily violate liberty, men
who abuse others to further their interests. These men are tyrants.
Tyrants rule America. Fighting for liberty is a fight
against tyrants, a fight to overcome evil, ignorance, and apathy. |
THE CREED OF FREEDOM
I
believe that only individuals have rights, not the collective group; that
these rights are intrinsic to each individual, not granted by the state; for
if the state has the power to grant them, it also has the power to deny
them, and that is incompatible with personal liberty.
I believe that a just government derives its power solely from the
governed. Therefore, the state must never presume to do anything beyond what
individual citizens also have the right to do. Otherwise, the state is a
power unto itself and becomes the master instead of the servant of society.
I believe that one of the greatest threats to freedom is to allow any
group, no matter its numeric superiority, to deny the rights of the
minority; and that one of the primary functions of just government is to
protect each individual from the greed and passion of the majority.
I believe that desirable social and economic objectives are better
achieved by voluntary action than by coercion of law. I believe that social
tranquility and brotherhood are better achieved by tolerance, persuasion,
and the power of good example than by coercion of law. I believe that those
in need are better served by charity, which is the giving of one's own
money, than by welfare, which is the giving of other people's money through
coercion of law.
I believe that all citizens should be equal under law, regardless of
their national origin, race, religion, gender, education, economic status,
life style, or political opinion. Likewise, no class should be given
preferential treatment, regardless of the merit or popularity of its cause.
To favor one class over another is not equality under law.
I believe that the proper role of government is negative, not positive;
defensive, not aggressive. It is to protect, not to provide; for if the
state is granted the power to provide for some, it must also be able to take
from others, and once that power is granted, there are those who will seek
it for their advantage. It always leads to legalized plunder and loss of
freedom. If government is powerful enough to give us everything we want, it
is also powerful enough to take from us everything we have. Therefore, the
proper function of government is to protect the lives, liberty, and property
of its citizens; nothing more. That government is best which governs least. |
