So many Americans feel we are already free and we have personal liberty. When you compare us with some other nations that would be a reasonable assumption however it is not the level of freedom we had in mind when the Declaration of Independence was crafted, nor our Constitution.
Having to retain a permit to exercise one’s First Amendment right to free speech is opposite of our founding father’s intent. A permit is asking permission from the government to do something. Applying to the government to speak can be denied or unreasonably restricted. This is not freedom.
Here in Florida in order to carry a gun one must obtain permission from the state government even though our Constitution contains the Second Amendment which states, “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Perhaps an argument could be made for those that have proven themselves unable to keep and bear arms responsibly, however shouldn’t the “people” have to prove such irresponsibility first? Lawabidng citizens must run through hoops and pay a fee to protect themselves, their families, and their properties from criminals who are unaffected by unreasonable firearms legislaton. This is not freedom.
When I was young and naive I used to think my personal property was as safe and secure as I made it, however this was and is not accurate. The fact is the government can still find out what, in my opinion, is far too much about you even if you have not been charged with a crime. It used to be innocent until proven guilty but now it has completely fliipped to the point of Americans feeling they are simply subjects of the government. Our Fourth Amendment was to protect us from such a change, however through circumstances that I fail to understand, our Fourth Amendment has been usurped by power-hungry legislators and a court system that is more interested in case law & foreign laws than simply referring back to our own Constitution. Our Constitution is suppose to be the Supreme Law of the Land, but it is not so. Unfortunately, the average American seems more concerned with who wins the next Dancing With the Stars or American Idol competitions than with their government [temporary] success in overriding their inalienable rights. Today a police officer can write his or her own warrent (not presenting it before a judge) to enter your home without any probable cause. This is not freedom.
I could go on and on however it is clear we are not living the free life promised by our founding fathers via the Constitution. Time is long overdue to return true freedom to the American people.
It is time to truly care about who you vote to put in public office. Rather than listen to quick sound bites on the local or national television, take a few extra minutes and review the websites of the candidates to be on your ballot to find the candidate most in line with your values and who will most likely vote in favor of freedom when in office.
http://karldickey.org/press/20090604%20time%20to%20move%20forward%20past%20commissioner%20failings.htm
Moving forward
Time to Move Forward Past Commissioner’s Failings
Boca Raton, FL – Former Palm Beach County Commissioner, Mary McCarty, was sentenced this morning to 42 months in prison plus a $100,000 after pleading guilty to Honest Services Fraud. Recent years have been difficult for Palm Beach County citizens as they have had to deal with scandal after scandal.
Karl Dickey, candidate for Palm Beach County Commission, commented this morning, “This is the end of a sad chapter for district four, a chapter we can learn from and move forward to becoming a better county commission for the citizens of Palm Beach County. A county commission truly interested in being a servant to the people rather than a commission that is self serving. I look forward to being a true change from the status quo we have had in Palm Beach County for decades. ”
In July of 2008, Mary McCarty was speaking in regard to her successor saying, “…someone should come in with new ideas. People want us to continue all services without paying for it.”1 Mr. Dickey has been putting forth new ideas and some can be found at his campaign website www.karldickey.org/issues.htm.
Karl Dickey is the only candidate filed to run for Mary McCarty’s seat in the November, 2010 election. Mr. Dickey was instrumental in bringing term limits for county commissioners to voters which passed overwhelmingly.
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1http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/07/24/a2a_jose_0725.html
