Some are willing to allow these rights to erode in the face of security. Benjamin Franklin famously stated that those who are willing to giving up liberty in exchange for security will deserve neither and will receive none. Now, to be clear I am not calling for violence. I am probably the least violent person in any room, but all the while I am fairly well versed in my history and my rights. I am not calling for riots. Don’t destroy property—that will only hurt your neighbor, your fellow man, and yourself. Don’t engage in boycotts that will cut off your nose to spite your face—we must attend to ourselves and our family’s needs—but another powerful, thoroughly American slogan does come to mind that you hardly hear bandied about anymore. One that deals rather deftly to the heart of the problem of our eroding rights, and people’s lack of confidence in the justice system; a rallying call the will absolutely deal a blow to the powers that be much sooner and ring much more clearly than any riot.
“No Taxation without Representation”
You feel like your government is taking your rights away? They aren’t protecting you in the courts? The government is keeping itself alive in opulence while you suffer? Injustice is rampant and liberty is dwindling? It sounds like Orwell’s distopia but it is quickly becoming America’s present.
Ask yourself this question: What would happen if millions of people didn’t file their taxes?
Forget about the fiscal cliff, the government would stop deader than a locomotive hitting a mountainside. The IRS can’t audit a million people, nor could everyone be imprisoned. Ears would perk up pretty quickly around The Capitol. It would be the most radically passive resistance possible; a protest more disruptive than violence; a boycott of the Federal Government. Now, mind you there are grave consequences to stopping the government in its tracks. Many services would stop immediately. There would be chaos. Things would have to be very carefully orchestrated. The people involved in the taxation protest would have to be networked and ready to help out their fellow man, if the government came to a complete stop…but isn’t a complete stop of what the government is doing the general idea?
Brandon, as I read this I found myslef nodding and talking out loud to you through the computer. This is brilliant – simple, yet profound and effective and I am passing it along.
I am one of those baby boomers that was out in the street letting my voice be heard with the thousands that felt as I did. Over the years my voice became silent, not for any other reason than I felt it was useless … very few people were outraged and nothing was getting done. I kept voting and yet, the people that do the most harm kept getting elected. I’m afraid I became apathetic.
With Facebook I have a small outlet to speak my mind … and if people don’t agree with me, we have a few options – we can have a meaningful discussion, and hopefully arrive at some mutually beneficial conclusion – or one or the other of us can use the ‘Block’ option.
I have noticed recently that current events are drawing people together. They are organizing and speaking out. Thanks for your voice. This old rabble rouser needed it!
I had a similar thought after all the “Zimmerman’s days are numbered” insistence. He won’t be touched, and mostly because nowadays, people rely too much on social media to make societal changes. Petitions and default photo changes are considered enough. I saw a post about boycotting Florida tourism, aiming to “hit them where it hurts” as if anyone would deny their children the pleasure of seeing Micky and Minnie this summer. But at least they posted their disbelief in the verdict.
Well said Brandon.