December 15: A day patriots should celebrate

For tyrants, December 15, 1791 is a day that lives in infamy. It is the day the Bill of Rights was ratified. The Bill of Rights not only confirmed that the federal government was meant to be one of limited powers, it also crucially underscored the existence of inalienable natural rights that are beyond the power of any legitimate government to deprive.

Our Founders designed a nation for independent and self-responsible individuals who would have a legal claim on the freedom to pursue their own happiness, not an entitlement to bailouts, health care or welfare. Their vision of citizenship was not that of ear-tagged human cattle, to be raised, fed, housed, herded, monitored and medicated by bureaucrats. Such a vision must never be confused with what is contained in the Bill of Rights. Unfortunately the risk of confusion is high when most native-born high school students cannot pass a test of basic civics.

The good news is that we can protect our life, liberty and property from federal overreach. Spread the word about the Arizona Health Care Freedom Act, which could stop the federal government from dictating your health care choices under the guise of health reform. Tell the FCC you know “net neutrality” is really the federal government’s foray into seizing control over the private Internet. Stand against union bullying by learning more about the Arizona Save Our Secret Ballot Act, which could preserve your right to reject unionization by secret ballot. Use state sovereignty as it was meant to be used—as a double layer of security against the violation of rights secured by the Bill of Rights.

Here’s hoping that Bill of Rights Day will never be a day that lives in infamy for patriots.

Nick Dranias holds the Goldwater Institute Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan chair for constitutional government and is the director of the Institute’s Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Center for Constitutional Government.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: Net neutrality regulation violates First Amendment

Bill of Rights Day Celebration: 12/15/2009

Azhealthcarefreedom.com: Protecting your healthcare decisions

SOSBallot.org: Save Our Secret Ballot