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The world is run by bureaucrats and bean-counters. Those
controlling your destiny may be found in both government and the
private sector. They may be Republican, Democrat, liberal or
conservative. They may be white or black, gay or straight,
stone-cold sober or whacked on goofballs. They may speak in
tongues, pierce their tongues or chew their tongues.
The bureaucrats and bean counters are a diverse group, but
they share three common traits.
First, they will screw with your life, involving themselves
in your personal affairs and causing infinite grief.
Second, they will destroy your life, forcing you to endure
tax
audits, loan refusals, bad credit and even arrest.
Third, they will mess with and/or destroy your life simply
because they can. Irritate a bureaucrat at your own risk.
Two recent events exemplify my point. Not only are
bureaucrats in charge, they are rapidly expanding their
commitment toward absconding with your remaining liberties.
The Supreme Court of the United States recently decreed that
traffic cops can arrest and incarcerate people stopped for minor
violations. In a ruling affecting 185 million drivers, the court
voted 5-4 that a Texas policeman was justified in handcuffing
and imprisoning a woman for failing to wear her seat belt. The
Justices who voted to grant Barney Fife plenipotentiary powers
worthy of a Nazi inquisitor were conservatives Anthony Kennedy,
Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Clarence Thomas, and Antonin
Scalia. Joining this quartet, showing us once again that power
brokers care little of the ideological differences of left and
right, was the "liberal" David Souter.
I wonder why the high court didn't eliminate trials and
juries entirely, sanctioning roadside executions based on
officer discretion? Expect police abuses to soar, for this
ruling permits cops to arrest and confine citizens for
misdemeanors normally punishable only by fines. You can be
hauled away for loitering, littering, spitting on the sidewalk
or a thousand other infractions. From here on out it's a small
leap to being arrested because a cop decides you might be
THINKING about exceeding the speed limit.
Welcome to Police State, USA. Wipe your feet and keep your
eyes lowered. Punishment is henceforth based upon deference.
Proper groveling when in breach of minor statutes will likely
result in a mere ticket. Disrespect is an unpardonable
transgression, and failure to behave in an obsequious manner is
grounds for imprisonment. Maybe you'll get lucky and the
gendarmes won't throw you in the cell with the rapist.
On the very same day of the Court's ruling, liberal Senator
Hillary Clinton made a comment mirroring the draconian attitude
toward civil rights manifested by the conservative Justices.
While advocating gun control at an outdoor news conference,
Clinton was heckled by a man wielding a megaphone. His main
comment was "Hillary...you've got to be
kidding." While I find heckling to be rude, this man
did not espouse violence or incite to riot. It is the
prerogative (some say the duty) of citizens to publicly confront
elected officials whenever possible. Clinton, however, felt that
the heckler's attitude was more a problem than his message.
As the protester walked away, Clinton and other lawmakers
were discussing their false assertion that felons frequently
acquire firearms at gun shows. In reference to the demonstrator,
Clinton was recorded saying "that's a perfect example of
what we're talking about." Excuse me? The man was not
violent. He was not a felon. He was armed only with thoughts and
a megaphone. Why did Clinton feel he was a threat that should be
shut down?
That's easy. This fellow's crime was that he disagreed with
the
great and powerful Oz. He publicly expressed a contrary opinion.
It's a shame the Supreme Court hadn't rendered their decision
one day earlier. Hillary could have had the guy dragged
off in chains, ostensibly for disturbing the peace but in
reality for not cringing, cowering and licking her jackboots.
That conservative judges and liberal senators regard the
unwashed masses with disdain is not our biggest problem. The
question we should be asking ourselves is "how and when did
we allow the bureaucrats and bean counters to take over, and can
we reverse the course?" We should be asking why it's any of
the government's business whether or not we wear seat belts. The
same query could be raised in regard to drug use, abortion and a
thousand other topics. The answer to "why" is
simple. Control. They seek complete control.
I'm not personally a big fan of drug use or abortion, but
neither do I believe the government should be involved - pro or
con - in ANY form of social engineering. Give government the
power to control one aspect of your life, and you give them
carte blanche to control all aspects. The sword cuts both ways.
Freedom entails not only making your own decisions, but (unless
they affect you PERSONALLY) tolerating and/or ignoring the
decisions of others. Relinquishing a portion of your decision
making ability is tantamount to relinquishing your decision
making ability entirely. You can't be a little bit pregnant.
It's an all or nothing game.
And so it goes. Give the bean counters an inch and they'll
take a planet. They'll take your income, your possessions and
your freedom to make your own choices, your own mistakes, and
your own victories. The only thing they can't take is your
individualism and liberty.
You already gave that away.
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