Rebellion Alone is not Patriotism
Reprinted with Permission from Jurisdictionary

    Jurisdictionary^® received a peculiar email recently from a gentleman who espouses the view that we (i.e., you and I and our neighbors) are not subject to the authority of Congress. This theory, or one of its many variations, some of you have no doubt also heard.
    Please exercise YOUR patriotism and resist such teachings!
    Our wise Constitution begins with the words, "We the People of the United States, ..."
    I cannot help but wonder if this gentleman, who apparently does not live in DC or one of the other places where such persons claim the power of our federal government is limited, considers himself one of US, i.e., one of "the People of the United States".
    Perhaps that's his problem. Perhaps this person and others like him don't really want to be people of the United States but want to be a law unto themselves, to enjoy the blessings of liberty while refusing to be subject to the Law that makes liberty possible. Perhaps that's what lies behind such wild ideas that seem to be spreading their venom more widely of late.
    Surely the vast majority of the rest of us consider ourselves "People of the United States" and are pleased to live here in this nation where due process and the Rule of Law are still controlling (for those who know how to use Law rightly).
    My copy of the Constitution tells me "All legislative Powers" are in the Congress.
    My copy of the Constitution tells me Congress shall be comprised of representatives of the several states, apportioned as set forth therein, and the same Article sets forth the manner in which bills of Congress shall become "Law".
    I have no difficulty understanding the word "Law".
    Nor do I have any difficulty interpreting the general import of Section 8 of Article I that clearly spells out some specific powers of Congress (including the power to regulate and discipline militia and their leaders) and further sets forth that Congress shall have authority to make ALL LAWS which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution ALL POWERS vested by the Constitution.
    Can it be that the men and women calling themselves "patriots" today while they stir up trouble are reading a different Constitution?
    Rebellion is not Patriotism.
    Those who feel compelled to change the law are welcome to do so, however true Patriots change the law according to law.
    True Patriots work WITHIN the law to improve it.
    Everyone else is a ... well, you know the word.
    Ignorant rebellion is not the answer.
    Yet rebellion seems to be on the rise as an increasing number today act like children who've been told they must drink their milk. They claim to be "patriots", yet their rebellious attitude reveals a selfish motive that is "all for one" ... and the rest of us go hang!
    True Patriots act in accordance with what's good for the many, not just what's good for them individually. True Patriots act in accordance with what's good for future generations. True Patriots work together to change the law from within the law according to law.
    True Patriots do not attempt to evade the law nor tear down its authority by covert or violent means and encourage others to violate the Law.
    True Patriots work within the Law to bring about its improvement.
    The anti-government ideas espoused by many who claim to be "patriots" today are tainted with pure selfishness, and wise citizens will recognize this and resist the "patriot" agenda. At the root of the motive of many of these "patriots" is the desire to evade paying taxes ... the selfish intent of foisting onto others the responsibility to pay the costs of our common defense, our public roads, and the million other joys of living in this nation where the Rule of Law and principles of due process remain available to every soul who seeks the benefits that are available to all who submit to the lawful authority of our government "by the People".
    One person who contacted the Jurisdictionary® recently actually believed she could get out of paying the bank back for the money she borrowed to buy her house because the bank used federal reserve notes instead of gold! Such crazy ideas are hurtful. They undermine what we should be working together to rebuild for the sake of future generations. Marriages are being wrecked. Businesses are being closed. People are going to jail. But worst of all public confidence is being undermined ... almost as if the people who are encouraging rebellion were being subsidized by some foreign interest set upon destroying us from within. [Where have we heard that concept before?]
    Resist falsehood.
    Don't just stand idly by and let it fester and foment.
    Stand up for America!
    Some others who claim to be "patriots" contacted the Jurisdictionary® to insist they cannot be subject to the jurisdiction of our courts because there is a fringe on the courtroom flag or because their names are printed on the pleadings in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Let the Jurisdictionary® go on record, good people. This is INSANITY! Don't be taken in. Resist it!
    If it weren't for the damage such ideas are causing innocent people and the corrosion of confidence in our children that such threatened rebellion is encouraging we might laugh at the authors of such silly ideas, but there IS damage being done, and the only way to stop it is to Lift the Lamp Higher through Public Legal Education.
    Teach your children the truth and resist rebellion for their sakes.
    So long as we stand silently while others selfishly seek to be exempt from law and lead others to do likewise without concern for who they hurt or how selfishly they take advantage of our system, we will hear more sad news of lives destroyed by such silly, selfish notions.
    Stand fast.
    Resist falsehood ... regardless of the flag it waves.
    Fortunately, a growing number of you ARE seeing the light and learning that the Union is worthy of our participation and support!
    True Patriots work for the Union.
    True Patriots work WITHIN the law to change the law.
    We the People ourselves created our Constitution and the federal government it justifies.
    We the People WANT and NEED a federal government and the benefits it brings.
    We the People don't mind financing our government, for only the most unwise (or self-servingly blind) persons could imagine the states individually can provide all the government services and protections we the People need in these complex times.
    Article IV provides Congress with powers that cannot be disputed. These powers cannot be denied without grave consequences. We the People NEED our Congress to have these powers.
    The Bill of Rights spells out circumstances over which Congress has power to enact Law to enforce the provisions contained therein. What true Patriot would dispute this fact? What true Patriot could imagine that the Bill of Rights would have any meaning at all without the Power of Congress? It is ridiculous to believe otherwise. Wise men and women should not listen to such foolishness nor countenance those who do! Such thoughts are destructive of the peace and harmful to future generations.
    The Fourteenth Amendment further provides Congress with extensive powers to protect citizens of the United States by insuring that each and every one of us is afforded due process and the protections of the Rule of Law. Instead of rebelling (like those who don't want to pay their income tax) we should be thankful these protections are in our Constitution and that Congress has Power to enforce them!
    I wonder how many of those who are complaining loudly about our federal government are really hiding their secret selfish motives by wearing the badge of "patriot". Most with whom I've had occasion to converse are concerned not in the least with the future our children are inheriting but concern themselves almost exclusively to digging up obscure concepts by which they seek to evade their individual responsibility to participate in the community of this nation's citizenship by paying their fair share of the costs of government through taxes. I don't mind stepping on their toes. They need their toes stepped on.
    Ignorant rebellion is not patriotism.
    If these people want the laws to change, they need to LEARN HOW TO CHANGE THE LAW ... LAWFULLY!
    Change the law by the provisions of law. Then obey it!
    In the meantime, honor the law as it is ... and teach your children to do likewise.
    I wonder how many of those who are complaining loudly are essentially ignorant of the opportunities and advantages that are theirs because of our federal government and the state governments that are protected from tyranny by the Power of Congress.
    I wonder how many of those who are complaining loudly have taken the time to LEARN THE RULES of Court Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, or even the rules of basic English usage or Parliamentary Procedure by which we are all of us enabled by the Law of this great nation to be heard and to demand redress for our grievances ... no matter how insignificant our lives may seem to others.
    I wonder how much better things would be in this nation if the People were better informed through Public Legal Education, so they would see this nation of laws as the wonderful place it is and apply themselves assiduously to working together for its improvement.
    There is corruption in high places. We all know it. We all see it.
    But, attempting to undermine the system and inflame popular opinion is anarchy, not Patriotism.
    True Patriots work WITHIN the law to change it. The Rule of Law demands it.
    True Patriots submit themselves to the Rule of Law.
    Learn the Rules.
    The Law is your friend.
    Lift the Lamp Higher!

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