I tend to be very opinionated about a lot of things. Let me tell you why. I adore logic. No, I don’t adore it, I love it. A sound logical argument has a sort of beautiful simplicity that lends it both weight and power. Anytime one is presented with a decision, the application of sound logic will ultimately lead that person to the same conclusion as anyone else who runs the same decision through the logical process given identical circumstances. In order for any logical argument to hold true, you have to determine whether or not the premises are sound or unsound. To give you an example, let’s use a basic argument that a three year old could understand. Yes the following premises are not all sound, but bear with me, I’m making a point.
First the Premises: A person can only hold a single fruit in each hand. An apple is a red fruit. An orange is an orange fruit. There are no red oranges and there are no orange apples. Apples and oranges are the only fruits in existence.
Premises are the foundation of any logical statement and therefore any argument based upon that statement. They must be accepted as fact in order for the argument or statement to hold true. If the premises are in question by any party, then the entire argument is null and you must first decide upon the validity of the premises. Once the premises are established, you can move on to the statement.
Statement: I have a red fruit in each hand.
A statement can be a reiteration of premises or any observation relevant to the argument. The difference being that a premises is assumed to always hold true, whereas the statement may only apply to the current situation.
Question: Am I holding at least one orange?
Well, let’s use logical deduction here. First off, oranges can’t be red. Second, I can only hold one piece of fruit in each hand. Given that I am currently holding two red fruits, then it is impossible for me to be holding an orange. This leads us to…
Conclusion: No. Because I am holding two red fruits, I am holding apples. Since I can only hold 2 fruits at a time, it is currently impossible for me to hold an orange.
This entire argument can be simplified down to a single if/then statement.
If I am holding 2 red fruits, then I am not holding at least one orange.
See what I did there? I took an incredibly basic topic and I then over complicated it. I then used my incredible logical ability to make it seemingly less complicated (though still more complicated than the core issue) and came up with an answer that you can’t refute. The point is that a logical argument based in sound reasoning can’t be refuted.
So what the hell does all this have to do with ranting, you wonder? Well, I’m getting to that. I just did my best to explain the logical process to you. I’m not a logic or a math major with years of schooling, so I’m sure that I screwed up some terminology along the way. However, that’s not important. What’s important is that you comprehend the concepts of logic so that you can see why I’m always right no matter what. Period. Now on to the rant.
I’m pissed off and you’re about to find out why. Before I delve into this, I need you to understand one thing. The United States Constitution is the premise of my argument. It is the law of the land signed into effect over two centuries ago by our founding fathers and as of yet it hasn’t been discarded. Our government was founded over 200 years ago by men who hated tyranny and loved freedom. They put their lives on the line for their beliefs. They fought and died in an effort to establish a government that would guarantee the freedoms of all people. They laid out a foundation based in logic that, if adhered to, would prevent the U.S. government from ever growing out of control and would keep the power and wealth of the nation in the hands of the people. They recognized that for a people to truly prosper, they must be guaranteed civil liberties and personal freedoms.
The first thing they realized was that no one knows what’s best for you other than you. This means that the most powerful government must be the local government. An institution that the people are able to maintain direct control over and one that is tightly in tune with the needs of its people. Recognizing this principle, our forefathers were smart enough to add the 10th amendment.
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
What this means is that any power not explicitly granted to the federal government is specifically left in the hands of the states. As of yet, no amendment has been added to the constitution that would nullify the 10th amendment. This means that any federal law, agency or program that doesn’t fall under the realm of the explicitly stated powers of the federal government is illegal and unconstitutional.
See what I did there? I established a premise. I then used that premise to set forth an argument and come to a sound valid conclusion. I can now take this conclusion and apply it to every facet of government. How many of the agencies created by the federal government are unconstitutional? Where in the constitution does it give the federal government the power to regulate the air waves? Where is the federal government granted the power to establish social welfare programs like Social Security? Where is the federal government granted the power to establish a national bank? Where is the federal government given the power to provide health insurance for the people? Ah, ah! See what I did there? I made you agree with me and now suddenly you’re thrown for a loop.
I’m not against Universal Health Care. I am fervently opposed to Universal Health Insurance. However, I believe that a government run health care system needs to be done at the state level. The state government has the power to push through that sort of legislation, the federal government doesn’t. The federal government has been shoving aside the constitution in order to achieve greater power for far too long. I think it’s time for us to stand up and let the politicians of the US know that we will not stand for it. It’s time to put people in office who will truly bring about the change that is necessary to restore the USA to it’s former glory. It’s time to stand up for our rights and stop letting the government treat us as if we’re here to serve them. They are, in fact, here to serve us.
The United States Constitution was a landmark victory for humanity. For the first time in history, humankind had laid out a framework for a free and prosperous society that could last through the ages. Our founding fathers were so smart as to even give the people of our country the right to change their government as they see fit. That’s right, we have the power to mold our government into whatever we want it to be. If you think that we should be providing health care to everyone on a national level or if you think that the government has the right to regulate the free market, guess what, you’re in luck! Our governmental framework has provided avenues for change. They’re not easy to go through, but it was built that way for a reason. It is meant to prevent the minority from seizing control of the majority. If you love our nation and what it stands for as much as I do, then you have to show it by respecting the law set forth in the constitution. This means jumping through the hoops set forth by our founding fathers out of respect for the system. Currently, our government acts as if the constitution is a joke.
The legislative branch passes laws that are blatantly unconstitutional because they know no one will challenge them. The executive branch over steps its boundaries on a regular basis as there is no one to stand up to them. Did you know that only Congress has the power to declare war against a foreign enemy? Did you know that the last time our Congress declared war was during WWII? Every “war” since then has been an executive decision. Global policing missions launched by the President of the US, not Congress. Every war since WWII has been unconstitutional and therefore illegal. Who can stand up to the President? Congress. Why don’t they? If they take a stand against the executive branch and its abuse of power, won’t they too be scrutinized? Why take the heat when you’re already getting yours? The Judicial branch of our government is supposed to be the check against the legislative branch. It is supposed to represent our highest court of law and it is supposed to be the protector of the people. The Supreme Court is the one place where we can go to challenge the laws set forth by our government. Our Supreme Justices are supposed to protect the people by upholding the constitution. When a challenge is brought forth by the people, the court is supposed to verify that the legislation is indeed within the boundaries of the constitution. The judicial branch, especially the supreme court, is no longer a check against the power of government. Instead the court is bogged down with cases that shouldn’t even be present. Victimless crimes created out of nothing in order to turn the innocent guilty. Time and resources are wasted and people’s lives are thrown away. All the while, the true criminals, those who would see our rights stripped and our constitution abolished, are left to destroy our nation without repercussion.
As it stands, our system is failing. The federal government is no longer abiding by the rules set forth by the people. The federal government is no longer comprised of those who have the best interest of the nation at heart. Instead it is run by people who only want to gain wealth and power at any cost. They believe that they are the ruling elite and they act like it. Accountability is no more. Transparency isn’t even a fleeting thought. When one questions the actions of the federal government, they are labeled a terrorist, a traitor, unpatriotic, or even a bigot. Our government preaches ignorant bliss and blind faith. They promote a society where political involvement is shunned and knowledge is spat upon. Yet, you know what the worst part about all of this is? Do you know who’s fault this is? Ours. That’s right, as Americans we have let our government spiral out of control. We are at fault. In a system where we were in control, we let it go. We handed it over to the sharks and we didn’t say a word. We have no one to blame but ourselves.
Wake up, America. Wake up and take back what is yours. Take back control of your government and of your life. Take back your freedom. Educate yourself. Know your rights. Stand up and fight. I can’t do it alone.
