In the military, we always make sure we never leave a man behind. But in society, we are quick to jeapordize the individual for the greater good of the collective! In a Democracy, the majority is always right, and the laws reflect their will. But is a majority of people always right, or is that really just mob rule? Our Federal Constitution under Article IV Section 4, guarentees each state in the union a Republican form of Government, not a Democracy. A Republic is a Government of laws, not of men. Laws created in order to ensure protection to the individual, not a group. In a Republic, society never leaves a citizen behind! No one can infringe on the Individual's rights to Life, Liberty or Property so long as he/she allows the same respect for others. Here is a Freedom Creed I believe every American should hold close to their heart, for it is the only belief that ensures that we never leave a man behind again!
INTRINSIC NATURE OF RIGHTS
I believe that only individuals have rights, not the collective
group; that these rights are intrinsic to each individual, not granted by the state; for if the state has the power to grant them,it also has the power to deny them, and that is incompatible with personal liberty.
I believe that a just government derives its power solely from the governed. Therefore, the state must never presume to do anything beyond what individual citizens also have the right to do. Otherwise, the state is a power unto itself and becomes the master instead of the servant of society.
SUPREMACY OF THE INDIVIDUAL
I believe that one of the greatest threats to freedom is to allow
any group, no matter its numeric superiority, to deny the rights of the minority; and that one of the primary functions of just government is to protect each individual from the greed and passion of the majority.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
I believe that desirable social and economic objectives are better achieved by voluntary action than by coercion of law. I believe that social tranquility and brotherhood are better achieved by tolerance, persuasion, and the power of good example than by coercion of law. I believe that those in need are better served by charity, which is the giving of one's own money, than by welfare, which is the giving of other people's money through coercion of law.
EQUALITY UNDER LAW
I believe that all citizens should be equal under law, regardless of their national origin, race, religion, gender, education, economic status, life style, or political opinion. Likewise, no class should be given preferential treatment, regardless of the merit or popularity of its cause. To favor one class over another is not equality under law.
PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
I believe that the proper role of government is negative, not
positive; defensive, not aggressive. It is to protect, not to provide; for if the state is granted the power to provide for some, it must also be able to take from others, and once that power is granted, there are those who will seek it for their advantage. It always leads to legalized plunder and loss of freedom. If government is powerful enough to give us everything we want, it is also powerful enough to take from us everything we have. Therefore, the proper function of government is to protect the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens; nothing more. That government is best which governs least.
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THE THREE COMMANDMENTS OF FREEDOM
The Creed of Freedom is based on five principles. However, in
day-to-day application, they can be reduced to just three codes of conduct. I consider them to be The Three Commandments of
Freedom:
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Do not sacrifice the rights of any individual or minority for the
assumed rights of the group.
EQUALITY UNDER LAW
Do not endorse any law that does not apply to all citizens equally.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Do not use coercion for any purpose except to protect human life,
liberty, or property.
This Freedom Creed was created by the Freedom Force International and acts as the foundational principles for the Council of Sovereign Americans of Davenport.
