That son of a bitch ain't been born yet

There's this old story I heard a lot while growing up in Texas. It is probably apocryphal but it has the ring of truth. Sometime in the 19th century an Englishman was visiting a ranch and couldn't find the ranch house. He noticed a grizzled ranch hand intent on his work and went up to him and asked a question: My good man, would you direct me to your master? The worn man looked up from his work, his eyes filled with disdain and said: Well, that son of a bitch ain't been born yet.

This sentiment is fundamentally American. The document that created this nation says much the same thing:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal".

It is difficult for many people to understand how much these words are radical and revolutionary. They stand in defiance of most of human history. Kings, their retainers, lords and knights ruled over the vast majority of the people. The people not born into this elite were denied any rights whatsoever. They had no right to speak their mind, no right to work where they chose, certainly no right to bear arms.

This country was the first to say NO, the people are sovereign, not a King or even a President. That the people have fundamental rights that cannot be taken away, not by a President, not even by a majority of 99 percent.

If the people are sovereign then it follows that they retain the rights and privileges that were once the exclusive province of kings and potentates. The privilege to speak our minds and assemble as we wish is the right of a sovereign people.

Of these rights the right to bear arms is the most important. If the people are not to be trusted with arms then it must follow that they cannot be sovereign. How could one be sovereign if denied arms? The one denying the arms would be the sovereign. If the people are not sovereign then the entire foundation of our country and society disappears in a puff of smoke. 

We would then be back to the society of elites and serfs that has existed for most of history. Well, my friends, we are well on that path. In America today we already have a nation where all men (and women) are not created equal. Laws are not applied evenly and fairly to all people. This is just one example of a growing list that details the decline of our republic. Many are quite comfortable with this state of affairs. Having a master to oversee and guide them throughout their lives is extremely appealing to many people.

I find it ironic that even France seems to believe more in equality than the United States. Does anyone really believe that a court would strike down a tax in this country because it wasn't equally applied?

In close, I'll quote Benjamin Franklin: " A republic, if you can keep it"

YS