Independence Day Thoughts

Independence Day Thoughts

A word of warning – I may get into a bit of a rant here, and all of you won’t agree with my views. That’s fine of course, comment and let me know your own thoughts – after all, that is one of the freedoms that does currently still remain to us.

What does “independence” mean?  To the founding fathers and the brave people who risked everything for freedom – it meant getting rid of the overbearing control being exercised from Britain in those times; unfair taxes, unfair search and seizure, unfair harassment of the ‘citizens,’ unfair pronouncements of what could and couldn’t be done by those people – etc. etc.

I know I’m not alone in feeling we are rapidly getting into a situation in these United States of America today where our freedoms – even those guaranteed by our constitution – are being taken from us.  But – by who?

That’s the kicker – seemingly by the very people we’ve elected to represent us in Washington – by the very people who swear an oath to uphold those freedoms – “against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . .”

A quote from one of our founding fathers sums up pretty well how I feel about it: “The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.”     – Thomas Jefferson

We may already be too late on that score.

I’ve always felt horse players are a more “independent” lot in general than most other groups one might identify. The constant risk – the rewards being always subject to one’s own sharpness or lack of same – the understanding that only your own opinions and actions control your situation in the long term – all of these are signs of a “lone gun-slinger” mentality that jibes well with a strong attitude of independence.

You all know how horse betting can be – sometimes flush and feeling extremely ‘independent’ . . . other times hanging by the skin of one’s teeth and feeling that (financial) independence is threatened. But the important point is in having the right to pursue unfettered independence in whatever way we think is appropriate for us – given the stipulation that it does not harm others physically or mentally, and does not negatively affect their own ability to also seek such freedoms.

When that right to pursue independence begins to get eroded – when it starts to be regulated by govenments – when it begins to disappear . . . it is high time to be very concerned.

Best regards   – and a rewarding Independence Day to you all.

– Gary / Horse Racing Gold

 

7 comments

  1. Arlo R. (aka "Hap") Hansen

    Government, on all levels, has no entitlements, privledges, or rights. It has duties, obligations, and responsibilities!

    • Hap – Exactly! And those duties, obligations, and responsibilities should be set by the people, or their duly elected representatives (as stipulated by the vote of the people)- NOT by partisan committees, judges, or executive decree. Gary

  2. J. ghost

    Too The point: Now! Even in your rant the results are the same! Everyone, going off about each others beliefs, party, Dem/Rep. Obama/Romeny, etc. etc.
    Until, we attack the Head of the Snake, together, Divided we fall, unite we stand. How: Clean out all Congress/House. (2)Term limits for all Federal Officials. (3) Recall for all Eleacted Federal Officials. Fight On-Happy 4th-Ghost

    • Ghost –

      Appreciate the response. I think we’re on approximately the same page – but not sure replacing the bums with what will very likely turn into new versions of the old is the final answer . . . maybe I’ll just offer another of my favorite quotes here: “I don’t want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub.” – Grover Norquist

    • J. ghost

      Yes: New BUMS will be subject to RECALL and Term Limits:New Atitudes: Just Serve Baby, JUST SERVE-THEN GO HOME-Out Ghost

  3. Luke Stone

    Any man who sacrifices liberty for security will have neither and enjoy none…….Thomas Jefferson

    • Luke – Another quote so relevant to our times – thanks. With 40+ million on the food stamp dole, and countless numbers on the multitude of other goverenment ‘rob-from-Peter-to-pay-Paul’ type programs, it seems a foregone conclusion that there are just too many too unwilling to give up their “benefits” to ever actually muster up enough votes to kick the bums out of office in the time-honored way. And the other alternative is too scary for most to consider. Gary

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