We all know about the gun debate raging across our nation. Many who have not read the Constitution since high school, if then, are now being reminded of the 2nd Amendment. Thanks to Google and the internet in general, if you do not know this amendment it is only a mouse click away. What I keep hearing from folks troubles me. I hear comments like, "Our 2nd Amend. right can't be infringed" or that, "Congress can't take away our right to bear arms because its granted by the Constitution". Well, here is the thing folks, our right to bear arms is NOT found in the Constitution in general or in the 2nd Amendment in particular.

Now, before you gun carrying Patriots mount your attack, and before you anti-gun carrying cheerleaders shout to the ceiling in jubilation, let me explain. The 2nd Amendment does not grant the right to bear arms. We are granted that right by God or if you prefer, by nature. This means certain rights are "inalienable" and the right to bear arms is one of those rights. Now inalienable has nothing to do with aliens, UFO's, or Area 52. According to The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2nd Edition; inalienable: adj. not alienable; not transferable to another or capable of being REPUDIATED: syn. inviolable, absolute, unassailable, inherent. In short, it cannot be disowned or cast off...like the color of your skin, it's there for life!

So, if the 2nd Amendment doesn't grant us the right to bear arms, what does it do? Well, like all the amendments it explains the limits of government power. Specifically, the 2nd Amendment tells government or the state what it cannot do to the people. It says it cannot prohibit citizens from bearing arms or ammunition, period. End of debate! Everyone in every country is born with the right to bear arms, but not everyone has a constitution to restrain their government from infringing on that right. We in America are blessed to have a Constitution, but everyone is blessed with the right to bear arms by virtue of their birth.

Now that we have that matter cleared up, what is going on with our government? Why would they attempt to overstep their authority? Why would they want to restrict our God given (natural for you atheist) rights? For the answer to these questions I quote Thomas Paine who wrote on Dec. 23, 1776 during one of the darkest hours of the American Revolution. This is more popularly known as The Crisis and you may recognize these famous words that were read by Gen. George Washington to rally his distressed and disheartened troops: (The words in bold parenthesis are mine...)

These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain to cheap, we esteem to lightly: 'Tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain (Obama), with an army to enforce her (his) tyranny, has declared that she (he) has a right not only to TAX but to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,(By use of Executive Order if necessary) and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD.

So, am I implying that President Obama thinks he is God? Well, if he doesn't he would be the only one on the liberal left who doesn't think it true. The main stream media (msm) have certainly ascribed godlike qualities and attributes to him. Those in his inner circle worship him with greater faith and enthusiasm than a suicide bomber screaming, "Allah Akbar" as they denote themselves. Sorry for the visual but we are in serious trouble! How exactly have so many (at least 50% plus according to the election results) come to see him in such a saving light? Well, H.L. Mencken once said, "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins." Or in a more modern version of the same, Rahm Emmanuel said, "Never let a crisis go to waste." I again turn to the enlightened words of Thomas Paine who explained, "It can only be by blinding the understanding of man, and making him believe that government is some wonderful mysterious thing, that excessive revenues are obtained (And I say, that ridiculous laws are passed) It is the popery of Government, a thing kept up to amuse the ignorant and quiet them into taxes" (Or into bondage).

In conclusion, we Americans cannot allow ourselves to be lead by emotion, to relinquish our inalienable rights. Do not be fooled into thinking this is for the best, any loss of freedom is for the worst. Montesquieu once said, "A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them for a century." It may be that you and I never have need of "arms" to defend against tyranny or to protect against criminals, but what of our children or grandchildren or great grandchildren? What if it's a decade from now that some tyrant gains power in our country? What if it is two decades from now? Will it matter to the hopeless masses "when" they lost the right to protect themselves? As the government strips away the basic rights granted by God (or nature) we may see no harm come to us, but it will come to those after us. I will not let what my forefathers fought and died to preserve, what I wore the uniform to protect, and what my husband protects now, be tossed away in a day by those who cannot see the future and the dangerous consequences of their actions or inactions.

May God be with us all and grant wisdom to those in government.