Patrick Henry might as well have been living today, as one of the better hosts on Fox News. Consider these quotes of his, way back when:
‘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.’
Translation for 2010: Obama and Pelosi are not in charge of the country. Individuals are in charge of their own lives — and that IS the country. Obama and Pelosi, never interested in serving anyone but very interested in being obeyed, are the opposite of the leaders the Constitution hoped to produce. So are most of their Republican cohorts.
‘The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.’
Translation for 2010: Before passing a bill to restrict the liberty of the people, the legislators have an obligation to read, understand and defend it. None of this happened with ObamaCare or the stimulus bill, and if the citizens allow the government to get away with this, the negligence will worsen in the future.
‘It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts… For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.’
Translation for 2010: Truth trumps everything. Social Security and Medicare are going bankrupt. It’s not a question of if, but when. Instead of expanding these programs and hastening the day of their bankruptcy, Americans should first face the truth themselves and then demand that their legislators do the same. Such a corrupt and evasive group of people as the two parties who run our present government must, to some extent, be a reflection of the people themselves. It’s hard to face, and it won’t be a popular view, but it must be faced. As the American character eroded, so did the moral quality of the leaders Americans elected. To heal the government, the majority of Americans first must heal themselves.
‘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 inevitably ruined.’
Translation for 2010: You cannot end terrorism with peace talks. Even the terrorists understand this, which is why they won’t agree to such talks — and only laugh at them.
‘The great object is that every man be armed.’
Translation for 2010: If the government is armed, the people must also be armed. The more corrupt the government becomes, the truer this is.
‘Give me liberty or give me death.’
Translation for 2010: Without liberty, all you’ll eventually know is death, loss and despair. The most secure times to live in are the times with the most liberty. When liberty wanes, peace and prosperity will go with it. If America continues to lose what’s left of its liberty, its economic security and prosperity will go away as well.
‘If this be treason, make the most of it!’
Translation for 2010: Individual rights, freedom and reason deserve unending loyalty. No one particular government does. Liberty is never expendable; governments are.