Daring to Speak the Unspeakable
Recently I came across this amazing speech in the House of Representatives by Congressman Ron Paul titled ‘Is America a Police State?’ I say amazing for several reasons. Obviously the title is a major reason. I wonder why? Also, the mere fact of these words beings delivered on the floor of Congress. Not only that; if you look at the date this speech was delivered, and remember the climate during that time, you’ll appreciate the amount of courage it would take to speak these words in a place where everyone…
Here are a few excerpts:
- Terror and fear are used to achieve complacency and obedience, especially when citizens are deluded into believing they are still a free people. The changes, they are assured, will be minimal, short-lived, and necessary, such as those that occur in times of a declared war. Under these conditions, most citizens believe that once the war is won, the restrictions on their liberties will be reversed. For the most part, however, after a declared war is over, the return to normalcy is never complete. In an undeclared war, without a precise enemy and therefore no precise ending, returning to normalcy can prove illusory.
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Most police states, surprisingly, come about through the democratic process with majority support. During a crisis, the rights of individuals and the minority are more easily trampled, which is more likely to condition a nation to become a police state than a military coup. Promised benefits initially seem to exceed the cost in dollars or lost freedom. When people face terrorism or great fear- from whatever source- the tendency to demand economic and physical security over liberty and self-reliance proves irresistible. The masses are easily led to believe that security and liberty are mutually exclusive, and demand for security far exceeds that for liberty.
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Once it’s discovered that the desire for both economic and physical security that prompted the sacrifice of liberty inevitably led to the loss of prosperity and no real safety, it’s too late. Reversing the trend from authoritarian rule toward a freer society becomes very difficult, takes a long time, and entails much suffering.
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It may be true that the average American does not feel intimidated by the encroachment of the police state. I’m sure our citizens are more tolerant of what they see as mere nuisances because they have been deluded into believing all this government supervision is necessary and helpful- and besides they are living quite comfortably, material wise. However the reaction will be different once all this new legislation we’re passing comes into full force, and the material comforts that soften our concerns for government regulations are decreased. This attitude then will change dramatically, but the trend toward the authoritarian state will be difficult to reverse.
…Well, at least there is one outspoken representative out there who sees what we see. We don’t have to agree with every other view or stand taken by Representative Paul, but on this particular issue, the rapid erosion of our civil liberties, I don’t see anyone else out there. How do we go about getting more of them?!
Let’s hear your take on this…
