"The most common way people give up their power
is by thinking they don't have any."
by:
Alice Walker
(1944-) American novelist, author
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 -- Faiena, Tashkent Uzbekiatan      
Hello Alice, I love your one liner. PS. Send Ralph to the Moon, you stay here!!
 -- Dave Connolly, Meriden     
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    ok, I like it.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    He said "people" which concludes strengh in numbers.
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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    And their most common mistake is to use their power to subjugate others.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Those who think voting is a waste of time or that their opinions don't matter should read and heed. Just because your vote or opinion does not carry the day does not mean it is useless. To think that your vote or opinion should always carry the day is to wish to be a dictator.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Waffler, of course voting is important. Under the current statist theocracy that infests this land, voting is a general determinate as to how fast complete totalitarianism, tyranny and despotism will be implemented. Because there is no representation of the individual sovereign (only of the foreign theocratic despot), voting is a gauge, measuring how hot to make the frog's warming pot so as not to make the frog jump out before all life is cooked out.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Mike, that's an excellent analogy. I would add though that your vote is also tacit, no, expicit approval of all the corrupt things the elected representatives will do...and get away with. I say stop voting, its a waste of time. It doesn't matter anymore "who" you vote for, they're all corrupt beyond redemption. (Suppose they gave an election...and nobody came?)
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    J Carlton, concerning the representative republic as was guaranteed by the Constitution, you are absolutely right. The individual sovereign's vote has zero standing or recognition in the statist theocracy that now infests this land. I choose not to give up my power, I choose to vote with my wallet, communicate freedom when and where ever the opportunity may arise, stay politically and legally active, and otherwise do what I can for my fellow man.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Mike is a would be dictator thinking his view should always carry the day, and if an opposing view carries the day then the people have veen thawarted and the majoriyt of people are statist theocrats.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
  • 4
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    I meant to say that Mike thinks he is "we the people" and further he thinks that the "people" are a "statist theocracy that has infested this land". Mike you are not "we the people" neither am I. You need some new logic and new vocabulary.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Waffler, spoken like a true slave at mind and heart. I AM "We The People" and so are you, even if your voice is for abdication. There are those of "We The People" that worship at the trough of the statist theocracy and would enslave all under their forced influence but, I was at law and constitutionally protected against such. As for new vocabulary, I understand that my vocabulary is not complimentary to the statist theocracy that infests this land, or any other foreign despot(s) that subjects "We The People" to anything other than natural law, freedom, and liberty. Waffler, you have often said I am a would be dictator. What does that mean? I am for a limited government at law where freedom and liberty ring. Compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, governmental enforced larceny, funny money, etc. are all aspects of a totalitarian dictatorship. If I choose not to participate in such slavery, and accept others free choice (that of freedom or slavery) how does that make me a would be dictator?
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Hey Mike, if you're going to continue "dictating" freedom and personal responsibility, all the while pointing out the rats in the cellar...I'm going to have to keep agreeing with you. Take That! ;-)
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    You are a would be dictator when you think that YOU are "We The People". You speak for yourself and I for myself. Our opinions taken together become policy of We The People when they are in a majority. For example to say that We The People are against Health Care Reform for example and yet Congress elected by the people and surveys say a majority is for reform and the minority Republicans say reform is needed (just not this reform) for you to say you are We and the real We is an alien infesting this land, well what more can I say. Can you not understand plain English. You wish to dictate by saying that your opinion is We The People totally ignoring what the polls, votes and Congressional majority thinks, that my friend is dictatorship of one-you. The Republicans held sway for 8 years and a number of years in Congress We The People was a little different than it is today. We The People are yes fickle and changeable, get use to it.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Waffler thanks, my English is fine but, like you, I'm not trying to give new meanings to the words and phrases of the past. So if I get what your saying, the representative republic, limited by the Constitution, based on law is only of, by and for 'We The People' when the majority says so - the U.S and all inferior jurisdictions being not government of law but of arbitrary whim. OK, I'm begining to understand what you mean. Also, only a majority of individuals in any given group are 'We The People' and those temporarily left out fall under some other title or dominion. hmm - OK. And, anyone outside or contrary to the majority is a temporary dictator. - wow, becoming clear now, thanks. I would define 'We The People' as me, a sovereign individual, you a sovereign individual, and each and every other individual united and equal before the law - that law that pertains to you, pertains to me and each and every other. If man's codes, ordinances, regulations, rules, statutes, etc are contrary to law, they are not binding on you or me. My opinion or your opinion would never exclude either you or me from 'We The People' even though the administration of law may change or how we interface therewith may differ. Health care as presented by Democrats and Republicans is out side law and presented contrary to Constitutional limits, authority and power so nothing there related could exclude you or me from a lawfully united and constitutional 'We The People'. So, original intent (the actual meaning of the phrase, linguistic rules, the system of inflections, syntax, word formation, context, along with the statement's intended understanding - all in English) isn't as stated but is now more in line with pop culture's 'the Borg' By what you've said, if the document was written today it would say 'The Borg' in order to form . . . and, all others are dictators. (-; hmm, English - the interpretations there of, ya gotta love it ;-) Waffler, you are right, I don't speak your English.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
  • 2
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    And you don't speak anyones logic. We The People is just what it says. What The Constitutions says is that a majority to form a more perfect Union, the thing then had to be ratified by a the states. One "We The People" such as yourself could not derail the thing, and you cannot derail the thing now so why don't you quit trying. When Jefferson said that each generation should have its' own revolution he was on the cusp of what "We The People" should mean in my view. Now the minority who have a different view than "We The People" are free to stay or go however they wish but they should obey "We The People" or suffer the consequences such as in New Mexico bathe before swimming in public or go to jail.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    WOW Waffler, you know you've made me smile great big and out loud while shaking my head today. I'll have to read the Constitution and all supporting documents again. I missed that part where it says a majority: forms a more perfect union (seeing that who wrote those words were in the minority), forms an exclusive club adverse to all others - they being dictator individuals and minorities and, the majority supersedes eternal law. I think I'll stick around and do what I do until the majority thinks like me (desire a government of law instead of arbitrary whim where each and every individual is part of We The People and equal before the law), then according to your logic, you can be the dictator. Have a great slave (at mind and heart) day.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    I never said that, now you prove that not only do you not know English or logic but cannot read. Was the nation, the Articles, The Constitution instituted, ratified, were the wars, and fights and laws passed by a minority or by a majority. Again you worship the contrary, the nut, versus the common sense, the majority opinion. We are a nation a society a government where the largest number determine what is common sense not some nut or religious perversion gets to dictate what is right. You are a slave to nut worship or have to be what you think is different or unique because at heart you are a slave to misanthropy or a hatred of mankind.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Mike is on a roll today! Excellent stuff. Waffler confuses 'opinion' with 'right', 'majority' with 'whole', and 'individualism' with 'dictatorship.' It is the product of group-think which he apparently cannot escape from. Majority opinion is not truth but, more often than not, lies. Individual rights do not dictate to anyone, but collective rights attempt to dictate to everyone. What Waffler needs to understand about 'law' is that it has jurisdictions -- many jurisdictions, each of which are administered by the people's local representatives, judged by their own peers respecting above any opinion the inalienable natural-born rights of each individual. We the People are the whole, not the current sway of what the politicians call the majority which are in fact a very SMALL minority of We the People. The corruption of the republican form of government is a result. The United States of America was not formed by a majority of states -- it was formed by unanimous agreement. Those states that did not join, did not become part of the USA (yes, there were a few -- and since they did not join, history simply glosses over them). There are common law jurisdictions, commercial jurisdictions, military jurisdictions, and various jurisdictions defined for county, state, and federal governments. It is entirely logical and reasonable that officers hired within one jurisdiction cannot exercise their authority outside of that jurisdiction. Those that worship Washington, D.C. as the all-encompassing jurisdiction over all the country (and indeed even over other nations) ignore the boundaries of law. Clubs and organizations can vote on matters within their own chartered 'jurisdiction' but they have no authority outside their own members. The same is true for all republican governments. The dissent is over the exercising of power OUTSIDE the authorized jurisdiction of the so-called authority. The 'majorities' only have a say within their own jurisdiction. It is a matter of power over others -- a power that has NOT been authorized by many of those over whom the authorities lay claim. People like Mike who question the authority of people like Waffler are merely asking where you get the authority to force any of your opinions on the rest of us -- mind you, by 'opinions' I mean 'policies' as Waffler has stated. When you vote for me to pay for your insurance, you are twisting the law into an instrument of plunder and it is UNLAWFUL and unconstitutional in America.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Archer is correct that majority opinion is not truth but he may fail to further state that neither is minority opinion.What states did not join the USA? We all pay for insurance of others when we shop at Wal-Mart. Those companies that corner the market through better producsts, engineering etc. have the best insurance for their employees. We pay for it in the pruchase price of their products. Need I mention auto companies, aerospace, retailers by name. Those who work for small companies or are self employed pay through the nose for their plans. In this democracy policy is determined by the majority or by a minority with the willingness of an apathetic or inarticulate or lazy minority. Some times people just go along without thinking or participating. But that is their own fault in this free country. On occasion policy goes forward as the majority wishes and they change their minds later reversing said policy. History over the millenium has shown this to be the best approach.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Following any law other than obeying and respecting the self evident laws of nature that create a free individual that our Constitution propogates is descent into slavery whether it be by consent or by force or under duress and pressure resulting in fear of the unknown boogeyman in government that keeps the masses in line. When anyone is forced our coerced in any way by anybody to do anything against their will and not what they'd do unless coerced into it, it is, naturally, slavery pure and simple. Signing any contract is waiving freedom for the laws governing the terms of the contract. Who has the right to force one to sign anything let alone a contract that carries lifetime repercussions with it. Social Security or any other things you carry on you to identify yourself that you 'must' have to do any business in the world is consent to waive natural constitutional rights and then rights (which became privileges under contractual law), are fought for within the context of contractual law and not natural law. Contractual law does not respect natural law; i.e. the fact we are born free as individual to say yes or not to anything and that includes agreeing with the Constitution which forbids government to do anything other than what is stated in the document. Constitutional limited government says government can't touch my or our rights without our personal permission. To do so is criminal and makes a man a slave. Under natural law, I personally cannot force you or anyone else what to do as that would be enslavement which is criminal so it is just as criminal for a majority, or a legislator elected by a minority voting for that special interest, or voting for lobby promises, to force you to do the same thing I can't do to you personally. Natural law = freedom and man made laws that pervert natural law = slavery and it is that black and white. Go by the Constitution and freedom reigns but since we no longer do unrest is destined to follow. The quote is correct as most believe the government is what keeps them free while actually they enslave the very people they are supposed to protect from the loss of freedom.
     -- Anon     
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    Criminality is always done by deciders, never by wafflers.
     -- Anonymous, Boston, MA     
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    " For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

    Proverbs 23:7
     -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill     
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    Could it be that people give up their abilities to be the greatest of all time in a delusional world of make believe "putting value on the worthless, disregarding priceless wealth?"
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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