Oregon Militia, Bundy Ranch, and BLM after a long train of abuses and usurpations we come to this
Oregon Militia, Bundy Ranch, and BLM after a long train of abuses and usurpations we come to this

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that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

I am understanding that many of you attended public school during the last twenty years. So most likely you either ignored or glossed over the founding period of the United States of America. Anyhow, the above quote is from the Declaration of Independence, approved and signed on July 4, 1776.

On January of 2016, every United States citizen should take a moment. A moment to consider if the words written over 200 years ago was a comment on that time in history. Or whether or not they applied to all men and women regardless of the date on the calendar. Are those words and the ideals they represent timeless?

The Declaration

Take a moment to read a portion of the June 28, 1776 draft of the Declaration

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the equal and independent station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change

We hold these truths to be [sacred and undeniable] selfevident, that all men are created equal and independent; that from that equal creation they derive in rights inherent and inalienables, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these ends, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;

that whenever any form of government shall become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing it’s powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes:

It Continues…

and accordingly, all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. but when a long train of abuses and usurpations, begun at a distinguished period, and pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to [subject] reduce them to arbitrary power, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. —

Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to expunge their former systems of government. the history of his present majesty is a history of unremitting injuries and usurpations, among which no fact stands single or solitary to contradict the uniform tenor of the rest, all of which have in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. to prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world, for the truth of which we pledge a faith yet unsullied by falsehood.

Bundy Ranch, Oregon Militia, BLM

Given the attention span of the average American adult, it is difficult to convey a thoughtful message to the masses. Nonetheless, we must make our best attempt. The current situation in Oregon and the previous situation at Bundy Ranch were an attempt at just that.  The Federal Government received the message on the ever-expanding, unquenchable thirst for control over state land.

"Government land" that the peasants may be allowed to visit.
“Government land” that the peasants may visit.

Federal agencies, such as the BLM, the EPA, the ATF have a blank check to write memorandums and issue directives. All without the burden of accountability to the American voter and taxpayer.

The question before the people is whether or not the creation of autonomous agencies jives with the founding principles. Remember, these agencies have allegiance to their masters in the District of Columbia. Not the individual citizens of the nation and indeed passes Constitutional muster.

Ask Yourself

When the Federal government creates bureaucracies and grants them the authority to defacto create law by decree, definition, and memorandum, do they violate their oaths to the Constitution of the United States of America and thereby the people?

When a government agency, whose leaders and personnel are unaccountable to the voters and in fact immune from repercussions from the taxpayers, create defacto laws and then persecute the people for violation of their memorandums, what state do we have other than tyranny?

How can you have a representative republic when an unmonitored bureaucracy can write and create its own definitions and parameters? How can the people expect to be safe from an unchecked overreach of a despotic government greed? Especially when you can declare what was a simple pond yesterday as a “protected wetland” today. Or when you can declare a lawfully owned firearm today a “destructive device” tomorrow.

A Choice

If you’re concerned, or not, about the incidents surrounding the Bundy Ranch and Oregon protests, you must make a choice. Do you believe that the US Government has the Constitutional authority to create autonomous agencies to oversee your daily life?

Are the decrees, re-definitions, and memorandums issued by government bureaucracies the same as laws proposed, debated, and passed by Congress and signed by the executive? Do you wish for decree and executive to be the rule of the land? Is the United States of America, as codified by the Constitution, a Representative Republic? Or are we fated to allow the mass of faceless agencies to rule the people? Keep in mind these agencies are manned by men and women who see themselves not as employees of the people. Rather, they believe they are a separate and elite ruling class beholden to only their masters in the capital city.

The choice it yours to make. Tory or Patriot, make your decision today.

Paul Markel became a United States Marine in 1987. He has been a police officer, professional bodyguard, and Small Arms and Tactics Instructor for the US Military during the Global War on Terror.  Paul is the author of numerous books; to include “Faith and the Patriot”, “The Patriot Fire Team”, “Student of the Gun, a beginner once, a student for life”.

Go to StudentoftheGun.com for more information.

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Paul G. Markel has worn many hats during his lifetime. He has been a U.S. Marine, Police Officer, Professional Bodyguard, and Small Arms and Tactics Instructor. Mr. Markel has been writing professionally for law enforcement and firearms periodicals for nearly twenty years with hundreds and hundreds of articles in print. Paul is a regular guest on nationally syndicated radio talk shows and subject matter expert in firearms training and use of force. Mr. Markel has been teaching safe and effective firearms handling to students young and old for decades and has worked actively with the 4-H Shooting Sports program. Paul holds numerous instructor certifications in multiple disciplines and a Bachelor’s degree in conflict resolution; nonetheless, he is and will remain a dedicated Student of the Gun.

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