Why Government Cannot “Make Us Safe” by Mandating Security
by Ron Paul
The terrible violence in Arizona last weekend prompted much national discussion on many issues. All Americans are united in their sympathies for the victims and their families. All wonder what could motivate such a horrible act. However, some have attempted to use this tragedy to discredit philosophical adversaries or score political points. This sort of opportunism is simply despicable. We are fortunate to live in a society where violence is universally denounced. Not one public official or commentator has attempted to justify this reprehensible act, yet the newspapers, Internet and airwaves are full of people trying to claim it was somehow motivated by someone else’s political rhetoric.
Most disturbing are the calls to use government power to censor certain forms of speech and even outlaw certain types of criticism of public officials. This was the completely apolitical act of a violent and disturbed man. How sad that the attempted murder of the Congresswoman who had just read the First Amendment on the House Floor would be used in efforts to chill free speech. Perhaps some would feel safer if the Alien and Sedition Acts were reinstated. Also troubling are the renewed calls for stricter gun control laws and for government to do something to somehow prevent similar incidents in the future. This always seems to be the knee-jerk reaction to any crime committed with a gun. Nonsensical proposals to outlaw guns around federal officials and install bulletproof barriers in the Congressional galleries only reinforce the growing perception that politicians view their own lives as far more important than the lives of ordinary citizens.
Politicians and a complicit media have conditioned many citizens to view government as our protector, leading to more demands for government action whenever tragedies occur. But this impulse is at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and individualism, and it also leads to bad laws and the loss of liberty. Remember, liberty only has meaning if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and more government security is demanded. Government cannot make us safe by mandating security any more than than it can make us prosperous by decreeing an end to poverty.
We need to reaffirm the core American value of individual responsibility. Consider the young man who had the courage to tackle the shooter and prevent further carnage because he himself had a concealed weapon. Without that gun he could have been yet another sitting duck. When peaceful citizens are armed they at least have a chance against armed criminals. Advocates of gun control would urge us to leave our safety to law enforcement, but eyewitness reports indicate it took police as much as 20 minutes to arrive on the scene that day.
Since police cannot be everywhere all the time, a large part of our personal safety depends on our ability to defend ourselves. Our constitutional right to bear arms does not create a society without risk or violent crime, and neither would the strictest gun control laws. Guns and violence are a fact of life. The question is whether it is preferable to be defenseless while waiting for the police, or to have the option to arm yourself. We certainly know criminals prefer the former.
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Two Republicans, Burton and King proposed a bill that would prohibit possession of a gun within 1,000 feet of a federal official.
So there’s nothing wrong with owning a gun, but if you are near a federal official, you’re going to jail.
I live in Mclean VA. My townhouse is near federal officials. Should I go to jail just because they live near me? I owned my gun before this law.
Why are they specially protected super-citizens?
What about me? I don’t want to get shot, either!? Help me?
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Americans >> “Our constitutional right to bear arms”
MEANS
you have a personnel RESPONSIBILITY to protect yourself!
Don’t expect the Police State to come to your rescue, expect the worse and prepare yourselves!
Congress Persons have a reasonable responsibility to arrange for their own Protection and Safety.
Listen people… an armed America is a SAFE and FREE America
Praise God and Pass the Ammunition!
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What a breath of fresh air. I’ve finally heard some sanity through the mobs of the insane. Thank you again Ron Paul.. You give me real hope.
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I don’t know if it was media covering it up. I think it was super-loyal party members trying desperately to silence everybody but their own favorite candidate, regardless of the content.
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Im not from America but from Sweden but I really hope Ron will run since I´m a libertarian at heart and I have always looked up to America before.
Lately however it has evolved more into a facist state and I really hope that Ron Paul together with the people who belives in liberty can take it back. My country is unfortunately doomed and we are all slaves to a corrupt government who care only about making their own pockets bigger.
God bless Ron Paul and lets hope he becomes the next president!
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ron paul 1012…the only man fighting for us in congress
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on This one, Dr. Paul is terrible wrong. On real world people dont act like in Pauls utopia –> give everybody guns = lots of corpses
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Subjective. There are so many more law abiding citizens with guns than criminals. The consistency Ron Paul has, stating true American values, is unlike any other politician. Im sure you would want a gun in your home if someone decided to break in and threaten you or your family (I pray that never happens).
In my opinion, the right to bear arms is as equally important as the 1st amendment in that it is one of the last remaining amendments that protects us from an intrusive government. Our government is a megalomaniac and they have been trying to take away our arms for years. If they succeed in taking away the 2nd amendment (they never will) then it would only be a matter of time before this country turns socialist.
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Just keep in mind that any gun law (the ones on the books already and any proposed new ones) are only going to deter law abiding citizens. If a criminal wants a gun, they will get a gun.
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Jarmo187… i’m still waiting for ‘all those corpses’ in Florida from the traffic accident disputes, road rage, and people just generally pissed off who shoot all their neighbours, after the 1987 ‘shall-issue’ law was passed.
Where are all the corpses in Florida?
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/article1122906.ece
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Dude come on dont go down that road with that HOPE shit .He runs it good but if doesnt that good to.It is the message that he sents NOT HOPE! WE WILL HAVE TO WORK FOR IT .Dr Paul would be frist to say dont rely on the government for your HOPE it will become your disappear.
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Thank GOD for the right to bear Arms -
Thank the GOV for brutality.
Thank the real American to do what one has to do when needed ton be done.
FREEDOM from the GOVERN-MENTAL’ fearful sheeple control freaks
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As always Ron Paul hits the nail on the head. This is why we need this man to be our President, someone that has a backbone to stick up for the rights of the people, and not just what a select few in power demand.
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Why would any person listen to a group of people who have at the very least sat silently while American citizens have been robbed of their wealth..and their hope ..and for the future dreams of the next generation..To have these same individuals say anything about another persons doing right or wrong is laughable if it were not so, pathetic
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!!!!!!!! BINGO !!!!!!!!!
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Freedom is the ultimate safety…….security is a business.
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Please Google: GEITHNER FUNDING GEORGIAN MAFIA
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FDR was the BIGGEST liberal HERO of our times. Before his reforms, the right-wing usury system ran RAMPANT, and almost destroyed the country. Ron Paul says we need to return to the system of 1921=1922? ROTFLMAO
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Yeah what a GREAT time period THAT was, “Remember”? LOL
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LOL I like the way these HACKS refer to our OWN democratically elected political representatives in the third person. American government is the collective will of our divers population. They don’t represent EVRY person individually.
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This kind of fantasy world talk is why Ron Paul is a CHARLATAN with unrealistic views.
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This propaganda was crushed under FDR. And Ferdinand Pecora exposed their TRUE intensions; to go BACK to the Right-Wing Oligarchy of the Dark-Ages.
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Run Ron!!!2012
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But have to agree the part about guns. I used to think no one needs to own small firearms, until a school shooting here in Finland. Not because someone could have stopped the shooting that way (that’s a retarded idea, anyone who actually thinks that should think again), but because it was so appalling how majority of people wanted stricter gun laws because of it. Like banning sh*t would ever work.
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Thumbed this up before playing a second. Would have not voted at all otherwise.
Saying that the shooting was completely apolitical and not in any way influenced by anyone else is just a nonsensical thing to say. Also, who exactly is wanting more government censorship and to outlaw criticism? Of course there are some insane people out there phoning in to the shows, but he makes it sound like there’s a movement for wanting more censorship. I’m pretty sure that’s not the case.
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HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN DESTROY YOU .
Simply and easily with the IRS
Simply and easily with FAMILY LAW
Simple and easily with the CPS
Simply and easily with city CODE
Simply and easily with TAX’S
Simply and Easily with MARTIAL LAW
Simply and easily with WAR
Our Government is out of control the people are awaking to slow as the main stream media propaganda machine keep them blind to the reality of the out of controlled welfare States the UNION has them in. Wake up America were in trouble.
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Knowledge = POWER, Power = KNOWLEDGE… Curious? Please Visit: kip6.blogspot.com
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Again the Police have no REPEAT no duty to protect the individual. The supreme court has ruled in the favor of this statement. Why do you think we have a 2nd amedment??? When Police act it is always in the side of the STATE OF never the individual. The police are Simply thugs with Letters of Mark to rob you at gun point. When will the People realize Police are here to protect the bankers and criminals who have us over a barrel.
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Common sense spoken yet again. Go Ron Paul Go Ron Paul Go!!!
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Let the Revolution begin!! Ron Paul 2012!! It is the revolution of holding our politicians accountable, limited government, reeling in the Defense Department empire, and the corrupt Federal Reserve!!
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You can’t carry a policeman in your pocket.
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This is the reason I love this man – he doesn’t pop off and act like he’s somehow better than any of us.
I’m so over this pompous ass Congress, with the exception of the Paul’s and maybe a couple others.
America – we need to take Orwelll’s words to heart. It’s time for Americans to shake off this government like a horse shaking off flies.
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Thank you Ron.
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As always, straight up and honesty
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Thank you Ron! What you are doing matters greatly. I’m with you all the way and I mean every word I’m saying from my heart.
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Thanks for caring, Dr. Paul. We need you to run for POTUS 2112. Bring back Constitutional, fiscal and moral sanity before the World gives up on the dollar store.
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If you notice , Security mandates have not helped the US citizen. It has lessened our ability to protect our self but has brought about a standard that only protects the ones that commit the crimes and the invaders that are intent on destroying America. As our rights erode away the non Americans rights become more prevalent. If you are a Christian then you are offensive to a Muslim that supports more violence and murder. If you fly the American flag then it offends the Mexicans who are supported by our own government to show their solidarity with their home country so they are allowed to burn our flag but you can be killed for burning one of theirs and nothing is done about it. I think it is time for the US citizen to adopt the same attitude as theirs. Burn ours, we burn yours, kill us we kill you, no more political correctives. It is time for All Americans to start being Americans and those who support the outlandish ideals of a radical overthrow of our country should be put in prison for being a traitor to the Constitution.
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Ron Paul is a voice of sanity in this confused society full of corrupt politicians and scared people.
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This may be implied with any encouragement for citizens to arm and protect themselves, but it’s not just owning a weapon that makes you safer; you should also be trained in how to use it. Every law abiding citizen who owns firearms or is thinking of purchasing them should definitely take a course or two in gun safety and handling. And visit the firing range sometimes! It’s a lot of fun.
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Я Ξ √ Ω L U T ↑ ☼ N
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Gun do not kill lack of mutual respect does – If everyone carried a gun mutual respect would exist in a far greater group span
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@Nothingizm:
Because a people can’t be free as long as they oppress others.
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