“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
-1ST Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The right to associate, or to not, has created such a stir that it has caused some lawmakers to force otherwise law abiding citizens to break the law by not sharing air with their disturbing brethren.
It all begins with our general freedom to pretty much do as we please, as long as it does not interfere with another's, as far as it pertains to our person-hood.
We have a general understanding that we are not to be forced by The Federal Government to "associate" our thoughts or our being with anything that is incongruent with our self-actualized identity. Further that we have not the power, through any government or personal conquest, to force others to bend to our thoughts or actions until such a time as we can persuade them on such through the exchange of agreed upon goods, service or due process.
The problem has seemed to have presented itself where some of our fellow citizens have confused the word "association" with the word "acceptance." The Freedom to acceptance exists nowhere in The United States Constitution. You are free to disassociate yourself with my thoughts and properties, just as I am free to run away screaming from yours. You have the freedom and the right to organize a large group of supporters to stand up for your right to be you just as I am to create the same to denigrate you doing so. The critical line is drawn at me forcing you, through the power of government, to shut your mouth on either side of the equation.
What seems to have happened is that we have become lazy and have come to a general conclusion (not legal) that those things, with which we do not agree that make us uncomfortable, are included in this protection. They are not, and never were. One of the most fundamental protections of The First Amendment is the right to be unpopular or wrong. This includes being hateful or counter-cultural. It also includes being traditional, religious or old-fashioned.
I think it is important to recognize that while you may not agree with who I am, I may not agree with who you are and that neither of us has the right to empower our government to force us to see it any differently.
Election Day Eve
If you’ve heard Joe the Plumber or seen Sgt. Joe Cook,
Then please take a minute and give this a look.
Election Day Eve is upon us again,
And our country now hinges on who’s going to win.
Will it be the silver-tongued new guy that promises hope?
Or the silver-haired grandpa that’s as old as the pope.
Obama’s stance is to redistribute the wealth,
He promises big changes via universal health.
McCain says no tax hikes to any when things are this bad,
And if I’m an Exxon exec this makes me real glad.
But Obama says tax ‘em while out on his stump,
This may sound real good, but we’ll pay more at the pump.
Barack says he’ll change the Washington curse,
The change that you’ll see will be less in your purse.
He calls John McCain, George W. Bush,
But comparing these gents seems quite a big push.
The Maverick has differed on many a stance,
He puts country first, I say give him a chance.
John puts party aside and the USA one,
He’ll fight for a dream and get the job done.
Things are not good now, for this much is true,
But things won’t get better if our country votes blue.
John’s hope is in us, he knows we’re the best,
With John at the helm, we’ll pass the tough test.
The Messiah, The Great One, Obama’s his name,
But please tell me now, what is his real game?
What of this Bill Ayers dude, Acorn, or the Reverend J. Wright?
Is this the man that will put country first and fight the best fight?
He tells all of us; please don’t be so glum,
While his Aunt Zeituni lives in some rundown old slum.
He’ll take care of us, I‘ll wager that bet,
You and me buddy, we’ll be the first he’ll forget.
I know he’s well-spoken and it sounds kinda nice,
But voting for him is like rolling the dice.
The plans that he speaks of are not that well thought,
He’ll wipe out the greatness for which so many have fought.
Yes tomorrow is Tuesday, and I urge you to vote.
But think with your noggin’ and don’t be a goat.
The American spirit, the American dream,
It is still alive, no matter what it may seem.
McCain and Palin with their SNL skits,
Showed the millions that watched, that they can be hits.
But the real bats they’ll wield as they clean up DC,
And mop up this mess for you and for me.
The media drive-bys claim McCain-Palin will fail,
Let the truth be told though and both will prevail.
Go out and vote, ‘cause it’s not over yet,
But don’t make it a vote that for years we’ll regret.
-CWH
