Liberty and Justice … for Government only

The continuing power of the telephone and the pen

Independence Week

Liberty and Justice … for Government only

By Stephen L. Wilmeth

            The New Mexico Brand Board was created like every other department or agency to serve the public’s better interest. It all started when the community needed to enforce basic matters of human conduct by maintaining rules and guidelines. In the case of brand board, it was the matter of protecting livestock ownership and the legal authority to engage in the enterprise of stock raising. Simply hanging cattle rustlers or horse thieves didn’t set well with the more sophisticated gentry. A more civilized method of dealing with cowards and parasites was launched. Similar conditions drove the establishment of other agencies.

            The relationship between the producing public and the public servants was assumed to be mutually beneficial, but the existence was predicated on the dominion of the citizen. A bond of trust and fair dealing was expected.

            Something is happening, though, that is driving a wedge between the public and most if not all agencies. The protector is becoming the protected, and the citizen is being relegated into the more compulsory role of subject.

            I was stopped on a recent morning because I was pulling a horse trailer. I wasn’t speeding. I wasn’t driving recklessly. I was simply pulling a horse trailer.

            The stop was accompanied by flashing lights, slowing traffic and finding a place to get stopped and ready to greet the public official.

            I expected the exchange to be brief. Greetings would be exchanged, and both the official and I would be on our way. In jest, and, fully expecting a similar response, I said, “He’s not branded … go ahead and take him!”

            That was a mistake.

            The ensuing discourse certainly wasn’t the matter of public trust that it should have been nor was it becoming to either party. A report was issued and I was ordered to sign it. Having done nothing wrong, I asked what the report was for and why I had to sign it. What was said is indicative of what we are experiencing daily with our government. My assessment then and now was the entire ordeal was a matter of seeking penalty derived revenues and nothing to do with protecting livestock ownerships and the legal authority to engage in the enterprise of stock raising.

            I wasn’t even hauling livestock … I was hauling protein supplement!

            American values

            The weekly search for American values was tedious and exhausting.

There were several Supreme Court cases that shocked us into thinking that those mere mortals elevated holographically above their hallowed District of Columbia bench might actually have the sovereign citizen in mind. That conclusion must be considered elusory, however, because all but one of the case votes were razor thin and only a gnat’s eye lash between hope for our future and permanent despair. Most folks I know expected worst case from the decisions, but they each prompted a momentary pause. Quiet praise was offered in abundance.

The real values demonstration actually took place in … Israel.

It was there American culture influenced Benjamin Netanyahu struck back with vengeance at the evil that would dare harm three Israeli youth who will never see twenty years of life. He didn’t hesitate to strike 34 targets in Hamas controlled Gaza in retaliation as soon as it was discovered those three young men had been killed.

Wouldn’t it be reassuring to expect our sitting president to have the same unerring reaction and respect for our lives? We know that won’t be the case, hence, it is incumbent upon us to recognize and praise such sacred duty when and where we find it. More often than not we must now look toward Israel to find such dignities. Similar actions certainly aren’t coming from the White House.

As the American independence week ends, the harvest of tax payments continues to run at record pace. Loyal, productive Americans are forking out their mandatory and increasing association fees for some nebulous paradigm of freedom. There can’t be celebration, however, because the acceleration of spending continues unabated.

There can be no rationalization of this pell-mell rush to oblivion. We can only come to one conclusion … the horror of the conduct of this government surpasses all understanding.

That pen just keeps on hurling

From the geyser of presidential order assaults, came another memorandum on June 23. It was entitled ‘Enhancing Workplace Flexibilities and Work-Life Programs’. The memorandum outlined the path for federal workers to balance their responsibilities at work and their personal needs at home and at play. The bottom line is the president has ordered the implementation of programs that allow workers in all federal departments and agencies to set their own work schedules. He claims this is necessary in order “to attract, empower, and retain a talented and productive workforce in the 21^st century."

The language in the memo is astonishing.

Among many requirements, we should expect part time and job sharing employees. There will be effort given to define core hours and limiting those hours to only hours that are necessary. There will be private space “to express milk” for nursing mothers. Telework will be heralded. Progressive leave transfer policies will be created as will leave banks where leave time can be brokered. Matters of psychological, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking situations will be parlayed into leave policy.

Counselors will be appointed to assist employees in recognizing the need for such leave.

A ‘Workplace Flexibility Index’ using data from the ‘Federal Viewpoint Survey’ will be instituted “to expand and make most effective use of all workplace flexibilities”. Barriers or limitations of future Work-Life programs will be struck down.

This, of course, is all being done on the basis of this president’s “record of leadership through better education and training, and … improved tracking of outcomes and accountability.”

Huh?

These inmates are not just long time occupants of the Washington asylum! They have expanded their tentacles into the chrome and glass of reform schools, penitentiaries, undefended borders, and halls of misinformation collegiate institutions. To allow federal employees to rule their own surroundings is a sucker punch against the American citizenry.

It is unacceptable, and it … they must be controlled!

Celebratory ebb tide

Please excuse me for suffering from celebratory lethargy.

There was a genuine attempt to find some uplifting message for Independence week, but the national debacles far outweigh any and all celebration. We are witnessing our country dismantled in front of our eyes with an epic perversion of the Constitution. It continues with a prodigious plundering of the powers reserved for We, the people. Effort to conceal the agenda is now unmasked and fully revealed. Our sovereignty exists only in words. It certainly isn’t manifested in actions that sanctify life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

If there is a matter of exaltation rather than eulogy for our history, it must be drawn from those Sons of Liberty who pledged their lives for this American experiment. Joseph Warren provides the example. Warren was the immensely important catalyst and facilitator of the original Boston cadre of patriots who laid the underpinnings for our independence. Whereas Sam Adams was the rabble rouser and John Adams the intellectual tower, Dr. Warren was the archivist of integrity and moral firmness and courage. His ability to manage the foundational efforts of the independence effort has been underappreciated. He held in check huge personalities and then drove the skirmish hierarchy with zest and single mindedness when action had to take place. His words are hauntingly important.

“Now is no time to shrink from any hazard … I will set her (America) free or die.”

In both cases, and, true to his word, he did. He died defending the breastworks at Breeds Hill. His influence was so bitterly despised by the British his lifeless body was bayoneted to an unrecognizable state and then tossed into a hole with other patriots.

In retrospect, his death was monumental and may have prolonged the conflict.  

Today, we need his proxy more than ever. We need his power of conscience to guide our discretion, but … we also need his courage to drive us of when it is time to act.

Stephen L. Wilmeth is a rancher from southern New Mexico. “Yes, “now is no time to shrink from any hazard … (We) will set her free or die.”