Welcome to the Police State! No, this isn't something that just happened. It didn't happen over night; it's been a long time coming, just like the story of catching wild pigs. In the documentary “America: Freedom to Fascism” Ron Paul says, “You have to get permission from the government for almost *everything*. And if that is the definition of a Police State -- that you can't do anything unless the government gives you permission -- we're well on our way.”

I recently came across the following quote from Chief Joseph, “I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more. I will tell you, in my way, how the Indian sees things. The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth. If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian... we can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike.... give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who is born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. Let me be a free man...free to travel... free to stop...free to work...free to choose my own teachers...free to follow the religion of my Fathers...free to think and talk and act for myself -- and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.”

Change just a few words, and most anyone in the Freedom Movement could have written that today. “You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who is born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.” I would argue that we are on our way to being “penned up and denied liberty”.

“Let me be a free man....” We all wish to be free!

“...free to travel...” We're not really “free to travel”; think about it: if you drive, you risk the possibility of random traffic stops to check your ID. If you fly or use other forms of inter-state Mass Transit, you must present ID to prove who you are to go through the security check-point.

“... free to stop....” You could possibly “stop” where you please, so long as you're not trespassing on “public” land (i.e. National, State or Local property) with a “no loitering sign” or an area not zoned for “residential use”.

“...free to work....” While you technically have a legal right to work, if the company you work for has your Social Security Number and reports your “earnings” to the IRS, you most likely will not be able to keep what you work for nor will you have a say in how the fruits of your labor are apportioned in their State-sanctioned use]

“...free to choose my own teachers....” For the most part, you cannot choose your teachers, thanks to the government education monopoly. Sure, some people opt-out and home-school or use Private-School, however, the government still controls the education system with “compulsory education” laws.

“...free to follow the religion of my Fathers....” You're “free” to follow whatever religion you choose, so long as it “conforms” to “societal norms” and doesn't involve the use of “illicit drugs”, polygamy or if your church registers with the government there is a lengthy list of other regulations.

“...free to think and talk and act for myself --” This last fundamental right is now slowly being eroded. You are still “free to think”, but not for long. Freedom of speech and “freedom to act for one's self” are being curbed, not via laws, but rather via “reports” on “potentially dangerous activity”.

The “home of the brave” is becoming the “home of the slave”; but don't worry, the Police will “protect” you – as long as you do exactly what they say and “have your papers”!