In light of this week’s events, many Americans are frustrated and disheartened. But we should take heart. Today marks the 235th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous speech, when he proclaimed “Give me liberty, or give me death.” This sentiment represents a legacy much older and nobler than tyrannical healthcare legislation and should inspire our efforts to restore liberty.
Some may know the story; I tell it in the first pages of my book, <ahref="http://www.westillholdthesetruths.org">We Still Hold These Truths.* It was 1775. Patrick Henry, a young backcountry lawyer, rose before a gathering of Virginia state legislators. He encouraged his countrymen to prepare for war against Great Britain – little did they know, the fighting would begin in a month’s time.
Henry crafted one of the most convincing and impassioned speeches of the revolution. “We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on,” he argued in building to the close of his close of his address. “The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?”
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet,” he cried, “as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” Henry raised his hands, crossed at the wrists, as though he were bound. “Forbid it, Almighty God!”
“I know not what course others may take,” he calmly professed then he paused. Slowly, deliberately, and in a firm voice, Henry concluded to the hushed audience, “But as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
Americans should remember his courage and strive to revive our commitment to liberty and self-government.
</p>As liberal groups begin <ahref="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34785.html">plotting to spend millions of dollars to sell Obamacare to Americans in swing House districts, at least 12 state attorneys general are mounting an effort to stop Obamacare in its tracks on constitutional grounds.
</p>In 1774, in response to the first Tea Party, the British Parliament issued a series of acts designed to control the colonists, stop their protests and restrict their liberty. The American colonists called them The Intolerable Acts.
</p>A new <ahref="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/22/rel5a.pdf">CNN Opinion Research poll, conducted over the weekend as the House debated Obamacare, finds that 59 percent of Americans now stand opposed to the health care legislation in Congress. Just 39 percent of the poll’s 1,030 respondents said they favored the bill.
</p>Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rose to power by tapping into populist and nationalist sentiment. Blaming the problems facing his country on western superpowers, Chavez portrayed himself as a man of the people who would bring the wealth of Venezuela to the people.
</p>Americas current predicament is that it borrows money from countries or individuals to finance many of its expensive obligations, including financing the $862 billion stimulus bill as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But what would happen if America had to pay higher interest rates on all future borrowing? This is the question that some people in the federal government have to ponder, as influential rating agencies such as <ahref="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703701004575113151234368416.html?K EYWORDS=US+credit+rating">Standard & Poors and <ahref="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/15/AR2010031503465.html">Moodys have both recently voiced their view that Americas AAA rating is not guaranteed or in fact even assured. The massive and growing debt obligation makes some professionals <ahref="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYUeBnitz7nU">question whether this countrys rating may soon be lowered.
</p>It was a sobering read. In 1950, Samuel Glasstone’s “The Effects of Atomic Weapons” provided the first unclassified explanation of the physical destruction caused by nuclear weapons. The book’s descriptions were detailed, clinically precise … and terrifying.
</p>Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) <ahref="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703115.html">published an op-ed featured in todays Washington Post which outlines their plan for comprehensive immigration reform.* The two Senators emphasized that their approach is the right way to mend immigration. This strategy comes as a result of President Obamas campaign promise to pursue comprehensive immigration reform within his first year in officea deadline that has since passed, leading to significant pressure to take up legislation.<spanid="more-29308"></span>
</p>President Obama has been quite adamant about his push to transition to a clean energy economy, most notably by subsidizing wind and solar energy sources. He argues we need the government to invest in renewable energy to strengthen our economy and reduce the earths fever before its too late. Despite the Congresss attempt to address the nations economic concerns and the governments climate concerns, Washingtons policy prescriptions may not be all theyre cracked up to be. Consider <ahref="http://www.outlookseries.com/N6/Science/2878_Ron_Prinn_MIT_Wind_Turbines_Temperatures_Rise _Ron_Prinn.htm">a new study from MIT on wind power says that large wind farms could increase temperatures: