What Government Gives, Government Can Take Away

Recently, I was poking around the internet trying to find the exact text of Article IV of the Constitution of the United States of America. You know, the bit where it requires the federal government to guarantee to the states a Republican form of government.

One of the search results showed the Constitution at Whitehouse.gov. I thought, "Oh, how interesting, the White House has a page on the Constitution. Let's look at that one." So, I scroll and scroll scanning the text and descriptions. When I got to the Bill of Rights, I stopped cold. My systolic rose to at least 180. I could feel my antecedents, particularly the ones who fought and died to create and preserve this republic, roll over in their graves.

Whitehouse.gov clearly states: "The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms."

Image: whitehouse.gov

Sorry guys at Whitehouse.gov, but the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America does NO SUCH THING! The Constitution neither gives nor grants me (nor any of my fellow citizens) anything. The Constitution, my dear federal web masters, says what you, the federal government, can and cannot do. It exists solely to limit you, your power, and your authority. I would have hoped you would have learned this in middle school civics or social studies.

Whether or not a person agrees with the Second Amendment, regardless of how he or she personally feels it should be interpreted, they should be concerned that there are people within our government this governmentally inept.

Or perhaps there is something more sinister at work. The other codicils listed make references such as, "Congress shall make no law," and, "the government may not conduct..." But when it comes to the right to defend one's self, it says the government gives.

Whether you believe your creator is Jehovah, the flying spaghetti monster, or just your Mom and Dad, one thing unique and precious about America is the belief that rights are inherent, held by virtue of being born and are most certainly not given or granted by any organization of men, government or committee.

Our Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights recognizes the right to defend one's self as a fundamental human right--and to do so with a weapon is something the government of the United States cannot take away.

Dave Peavy welcomes your questions and comments -- Twitter: davepeavy; Facebook: Email: davepeavy@gmail.com

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