Standards II

 Justice

 Law both defines and protects the choices and the basic rights of the free citizen. Justice is the basis of law. The law should take second place to justice. Law is based on that which is just; if it is not just then it should not be a law. I heard once without the law there can be no freedom. This is wrong for without justice there is no freedom. A law reflects the will of its creators. Justice reflects that which is fair for the individual. While law can be fair to all, it is not a guarantee of fairness. Law is a blanket that can keep you warm against a cold wind of anarchy or it can smother you in a stifling hold of tyranny. While law should be applied as a guide, it must be justice that should be the final word, let justice prevail.

Unjust Laws

There is no Defense of Injustice

 We all believe in justice do we not, that laws should be derived from that which is just. Justice should be derived from a simple concept; you do not punish or penalize the innocent for the crimes of another. A law because it exists does not make it just.

 How many laws existed under the Nazi and Soviet regimes, which allowed for the unjust harassment,  arrest, imprisonment, torture and murder of innocent people? The punishment and penalizing of honest people for the crimes of others is not justice nor should it be the result of any law. Being denied your rights would be penalty and punishment and should not be inflicted on the people who have not committed a crime or injustice against another.

"All the tranquility, the happiness & security of mankind rest on justice, on the obligation to respect the rights of others."                                                Thomas Jefferson 

 Unjust laws serve two purposes, to hurt the honest or make criminals of the honest who will not subject themselves to the injustice of those laws. True criminals by chosen path will not obey any law just or unjust simply because it exists or there would be no criminals. Law does not stop crime, it creates new crime. Any law that impedes our abilty to defend ourselves makes us victims, any government who makes us victims through unjust law and the infringement of freedom sets the basis of tyranny not freedom.

Standards I

Freedom

 Freedom is our most important asset. It is the ability to make choices about our lives. The right to take a stand against that which we believe is unjust. It is the right to speak against that with which we disagree. Never forget that freedom is also governed by the rights of others to take their own stand against ours. Our freedoms are a precious gift never to be taken lightly or sacrificed without a monstrous consideration. Once  freedoms are lost the battle to retrieve them will be far harder, than it was to give them away. The freedom we do not have is to destroy the freedom of another with out the exercise of justice.

No Free Lunch

No Free Lunch

 Most of us would like our lives simplified. We would like to get up in the morning and not worry about how big our paychecks will be or about the next expense. Many people would like the government to do more.

 When government does more, we pay, all of us. Government does nothing we do not pay for. Isn't it ironic the government we pay to work for us tells us what to do? How much do you want to be told what to do? How much are you going to pay for it? When will it be enough?

"A government big enough to supply you with everything you need is a government big enough to take away everything you have. The course of history shows that as the government grows, liberty decreases."                                      Thomas Jefferson

Quotes Only

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

Thomas Jefferson

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."                                                    Patrick Henry

 "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty no safety."                                                Benjamin Franklin

"A government big enough to supply you with everything you need is a government big enough to take away everything that you have...The course of history shows that as the government grows, liberty decreases."                                          Thomas Jefferson

"A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse to rest on inference."                           Thomas Jefferson

"All the tranquility, the happiness & security of mankind rest on justice, on the obligation to respect the rights of others."                                                Thomas Jefferson