Dr. Chris Mageria discusses governance and liberty. Please see below for the transcript.
In this edition of the Magiera Minute, I would like to present to you several quotations which concern government and liberty.
The first is by Alexander Hamilton. He stated, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”
Think about it. We live in a fallen world. The founders knew this and designed the Constitution as the best defense against tyranny.
The second quotation is from Founder and Patriot Patrick Henry. “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “
This comment was directed at those in the colonies who simply wanted to submit to the tyranny of George the Third rather than seek independence and liberty. This has come to be known as the pragmatic approach to domination.
And lastly, in 1783, William Pitt the Younger, member of Parliament and Prime Minister said in an address to the British House of Commons, “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.”
American Patriot James Otis Jr., in 1761, wrote that there were three basic reasons why people and politicians would argue against the principles of liberty. He said that these were, “guilt, malice, and folly.” So, in today’s world, we could paraphrase that there are three basic reasons why politicians ignore the Constitution: pragmatism, malice, or ignorance.
So what’s my point?
Well, my point is that when any politician comes to you and states that we must absolutely pass some law that infringes upon liberty because of the need for safety or the better good of society, you have to ask yourself, to which of those three categories does your congressman belong? Unless of course, your congressman votes the Constitution 100 percent of the time.
And that, my fellow citizens, is precisely what I intend to do. Remember, it is not the utility of a piece of legislation that is important, but it is the constitutionality that is of prime concern.