Posted by
Doug McQuiston on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 12:36:42 PM
As I witness the torpid debate my beloved GOP is stumbling through against Obamacare, the Democrats' planned nationalization of 1/5 of the U.S. economy and intrusion of government into every aspect of our lives, I wonder where our "A" team has gone. The threat to our freedom posed by this abomination of a bill is so existential that I have yearned for at least one Republican Senator to rise to the occasion and channel his inner Patriot. My yearning has gone unrequited.
I am comforted at times like these by history. In March, 1775, faced with the same vapidity in the face of a far greater encroaching tyranny, one delegate to the Virginia House of Burgesses, a young lawyer, rose to say what had to be said, in words so stirring that some believe he gave birth to the United States of America in that one, simple, powerful speech. War with England was coming; in many ways, it was already here. Yet many in the House, and in the other colonial areas (not yet states) shrunk from the obvious and entreated their fellow delegates to try to "make peace" with England, try to accommodate it.
But Patrick Henry was not afraid to see what he saw, and did not shrink from the moment. His words, only slightly paraphrased, provide the template for the speech I wish just one Republican Senator would rise to the floor in Washington and give today, in the face of no less a threat to our freedom, this time posed by our own Government. The full text of his speech can be found online,
www.lexrex.com/enlightened/writings/libertyordeath.htm. It is required reading for anyone who is concerned with the direction our beloved country is taking.
Here's a small part that seems apt:
"...Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever the anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it...
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our struggle shall be obtained-- we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!
Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery...What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the prive of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
I'm listening, GOP. Rise to the occasion and do us justice. Our children's future depends on you.