What Does “Individualist Freedom Lover” Mean? (Part 3)

“The basis of a democratic state is liberty.” — Aristotle (384 B.C.-322 B.C)

“Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.” — Lord Acton (1834-1902)

“A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century.” –Baron de Montesquieu

Though the term “Individualist” hasn’t been exhaustively examined, I believe that it has been described enough to give you a solid idea of what I mean when I use it. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the phrase “Freedom Lover.” Just what exactly do I mean by that and what does that phrase require from the person who adopts it?

A Freedom Lover is actively aware of what’s going on around him.

“The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” — Louis D. Brandeis

“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.” — Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Currently, we are celebrating Memorial Day weekend. This is a time where we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we experience here in the U.S. It’s a time of flag waving and speeches, picnics and merry making. It’s a good time and a time I always respect. I’m truly grateful for our veterans and especially those who’s lives were cut short so I can celebrate the freedoms I enjoy.

However, just because America’s policies currently respect most individual’s freedoms, does not mean that I’m blindly loyal. American government, actually no government, should be free from the criticisms of it’s citizens. Our Founding Fathers knew and believed this and that is why they were so specific in listing the freedom to criticize in our Constitution’s first amendment.

The Freedom Lover knows that there will always be “busy bodies” who are committed to forcing their beliefs and desires upon their neighbors. Many of those end up in politics at all levels. So in order to preserve his freedom, he must become aware of politics and actively work to keep the “men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding” from encroaching on his liberty.

This requires the ability and commitment to think, to understand and to ferret out the implications of the actions of our leaders and to actively resist when necessary. Which leads us to the following:

A Freedom Lover acts in whatever way he can to preserve his liberty, because he knows it’s his greatest possesion

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” — George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.” — Patrick Henry (1736-1739)

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!” — Patrick Henry

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” — Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 175

A Freedom Lover will criticize, will advocate, will protest, will vote, will write letters, will resist and, when absolutely necessary, will pick up a gun. His highest prize and most precious possession is his personal liberty. He and he alone is responsible for it’s preservation, and he would rather die than lose it.

At the moment, I’m trying to figure out where the lines are. I know we are in serious, serious trouble. We are surrounded by leaders at every level who lie to us with smiles on their faces. They speak words of peace and hope, while at the same time create laws that pick away at the foundations of what makes this country great. They speak peace and hope while actively destroying our economy and sacrificing our future.

Our politicians at all levels, on both the right and the left, both conservative and liberal are men and women of zeal without understanding. They sound like they mean well, and some may actually be sincere, but most are clearly fools. They have built a mechanism where compromise is the only currency and power is the only value. Their arrogance is stunning and their carelessness is criminal.

As a writer I’ll put myself out there. I’ll do my best to lead by example and I’ll certainly share with you what I learn. But mostly I’m trying to be rational, strong, insightful, and wise. I am, however, as a Freedom Lover, committed to doing whatever is necessary to preserve both my liberty and yours even if you disagree with me.

Thoughts? Comments?. If you live in the U.S. what do you see as your responsibilities as a free citizen? Let me know what you think.

Picture by flicker user kwerfeldein under Creative Commons License. Use of this picture does not constitute an endorsement by kwerfeldein of the ideas in this post.

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