Townhall.com ^ | February 26, 2014 | Bob Barr
Normally these columns highlight the fact that something bad has occurred in
American politics; in recent years, something usually relating to federal
spending, privacy, government surveillance, loss of individual liberty, erosion
of Second Amendment rights -- come to think of it, most everything this
Administration does.
This week, however, something’s different. There’s a slight whiff of optimism
in the air; not a lot mind you, but enough to justify sitting up and taking
notice. After years of being buffeted by government’s relentless drive to
increase its own size, scope, cost and power, there is some evidence the tide
may be turning; or if not turning, at least beginning to negotiate such a
maneuver.
Last week in this
column, I wrote about a plan by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(commonly known as “ICE,” a branch of the Department of Homeland Security) to
build a national database for tracking license plates, using data collected
mostly by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Several other
notable voices in the liberty movement also covered this dangerous program,
helping to rally the voices of millions of Americans against its implementation.
Within days of first being proposed, DHS announced it was scrapping the program.
“The solicitation, which was posted without the awareness of ICE leadership,
has been cancelled,” said ICE spokeswoman Gillian
Christensen with a straight face. Removing the veneer of bureaucratese that
invariably disguises reality when government officials speak, what she really
said was, “We’re sorry we got caught.”
But that wasn’t the only good news last week. A controversial
program hatched by the Federal Communications Commission, which would have
placed federal “monitors” in newsrooms across the country sniffing out “media
bias,” also received the axe after being proposed. Like DHS, the FCC was on the
receiving end of severe criticism from prominent privacy advocates like Judge
Andrew Napolitano, and even one of its own, sitting commissioners! The FCC
apparently has decided – at least for now -- the fight wasn’t worth it, and
backed-down. Regrettably, the Commission already had wasted more than a
half-million taxpayer dollars greasing the skids for the program’s
implementation.
It is not simply a few small victories in the press, or an occasional
constitutionally-correct decision rendered by a lone judge, which are becoming
small but bright points of light beginning to shine in the long, dark tunnel of
government power.
What is stirring a slight but very palpable sense of optimism is seeing a
growing number of young people fighting back against the Big Government
juggernaut -- a frightening vehicle that has accelerated markedly since Obama
first raised his hand and mislead the American people into believing he actually
was a supporter of the Constitution to which he swore feigned allegiance.
Just this past weekend, for example, a report surfaced about the rise of
significant numbers of young, liberty-minded conservatives. In particular, the
article focused on Young Americans for Liberty, an organization for young adults
who seek to restore the Constitution in American politics, by electing
pro-liberty candidates to office. “We are just getting started,” YAL
Executive Director Jeff Frazee told US News. “Our hope is to raise
between $10,000 and $50,000 per candidate.”
Polling indicates that groups like YAF could not come at a more opportune
time. Attacks on America’s fundamental freedoms occur with increasing frequency,
as Obama settles into his role as a second-term Commander-in-Chief unburdened by
even a fig leaf of constitutional respect. Making matters worse is the near
complete absence of constitutional push back from most members
of Congress and the Department
of Justice.
Yet, liberty is also in danger on college campuses as well -- a crucial
ecosystem of knowledge where students often develop their first meaningful
political identities. When schools try to manipulate this self-exploration, such
as banning the distributions of pocket Constitutions on Constitution Day (a
special thanks to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education for intervening),
they become dangerous battlegrounds for the minds of these students rather than
a toolshed from which students identify and learn to wield intellectual
principles objectively.
Fortunately, many students are fighting back against such bullying
administrations, just as other Americans are fighting back against a bully
government.
Recent victories over onerous government programs show progress is being won.
Importantly, polls are showing that these new “liberty voters” tend
overwhelmingly to favor Republican candidates. Ronald Reagan completed his final
term in office before many of these voters were even born, but it is his vision
and understanding of Liberty that guides them; even if they don’t remember its
author.
DIOGENES invites you to pull up a chair on this fine day and read posts from around the world. The writing may lean to the right...but that's the way Diogenes wants it! You may leave your opinion, but Diogenes rarely changes his! WELCOME!
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