Podcast

298 – Defending Public Liberty

There are certain idea that we find detestable. Concepts we find repulsive. Even some actions that we cannot abide. But do we have the right to tell other people that they must live by what we find acceptable? How many dystopian novels are based in the idea that only approved thought is allowed in society? Benjamin Franklin, writing as Silence Dogood wrote:

“Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech; which is the Right of every Man, as far as by it, he does not hurt or controul the Right of another: And this is the only Check it ought to suffer, and the only Bounds it ought to know.

What will you do to protect public liberty? What will you allow, not because you approve, but because you recognize the right of others to live differently than you?

297 – Controlling a Constitutionally Protected Right

The Declaration of Independence lists some of our inalienable rights. It also says “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men”. If governments are created to secure our rights, does that mean they have the legitimate power to regulate them? Yet in many situations, governments at all levels claim that power. So what happens when We the People allow governments to control our rights? More importantly, what can we do to regain control of our rights.

The Constitution Study Live Q&A – December 23, 2021

You bring the questions, I’ll bring the answers.

296 – Spying on American Gun Owners Act

Benjamin Franklin said:

“They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.”

Yet with the promise of keeping us safe from “gun violence”, “violent extremists”, and “domestic terrorists”, Congress wants you to give up your essential liberty to be free from unreasonable searches. H.R. 5764 is the first step to a writ of assistance against anyone who buys or sells firearms. This has been done before, so why shouldn’t Congress think they can get away with it again?

295 – Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health – Oral Arguments

The Supreme Court opinions in Roe v Wade (Roe) and Planned Parenthood vs Casey (Casey) have been political footballs since the day they were decided. A recent Mississippi law placed restrictions on abortions within the state that contradict the standards set by Roe and Casey. Not surprisingly, a lawsuit was filed challenging the Mississippi law. Recently, oral arguments in this case were heard at the Supreme Court. I found a number of arguments that I believe anyone interested in what the Constituiton actually says would find worth their time.

Constitution Study Live Q&A – Dec 9, 2021

You bring the questions, I’ll bring the answers.

294 – Congressional Term Limits

U.S. Representative Tim Burchett has introduced a bill to limit the number of terms members of Congress can serve. I’ve talked before about term limits, but this seems to be a good opportunity to look at the details both to the legislation and the idea of term limits.

293 – USA, Inc.?

One concept that I often see people express is that the United States is now a private corporation. Those who make these claims often cite The District of Columbia Act of 1871 as proof. This “fact” is then used to support various positions or explain why or how certain acts of government take place. So let’s look at The District of Columbia Act of 1871 and the Constitution of the United States to see for ourselves if we are no longer citizens of a union, but subjects of a corporation.