Substitutes for substance

Substitutes for substance

"Patriotism" and "citizenship" are often used as substitutes for principles, like religion and "morality" are used as substitutes for living an ethical life. In either case, ritual is relied upon rather than doing what is right.

Waving a flag or worshiping the Constitution is no substitute for standing up for the principle of respecting the rights of all people in all situations. The Constitution is OK in some ways, but it still authorizes evil in others. The US flag (notice that it is most assuredly NOT "the American flag") has been co-opted by the federal government, and flying it is normally seen as an endorsement of that government. This "federal flag" stands against everything America should be, and has done so since before the "Civil War". Let the statists have their symbol.

Most advocates of "good citizenship" are advocating that you and I obey the Constitution and support the "Constitutional actions" of the US government- at least as long as it does what they think it should be doing- whether those actions are right or wrong. A "good citizen" is expected to waste effort by working "within the system" when bad things are done by those in that "system". It doesn't work, and if it did it would be made "illegal".

Giving up your own conscience and letting the State dictate your principles may be easy, but it will not lead you where you need to be. The destination will shift with each new crisis the State invents. That crisis may be "illegal immigrants" or "drugs" or "crime". It may be your religion or your guns. It will always be about someone's liberty. As long as you stand up for liberty for all in every situation, you will never be led astray.

I always try to put thought into where I place my support. I don't do what I am told, unless what I am told is in line with my principles. It means I may have to think more, and consider things more deeply. That's OK. Thinking is good exercise. Accepting as truth what you are told, by those who are holding you at gunpoint and have a vested interest in deceiving you, is not smart. But, as in all things, don't take my word for it. Think for yourself.
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The bad "immigration law" from Arizona is already causing an influx of immigrants into the Albuquerque area. I'd be willing to bet it is not only "illegal immigrants"- or even necessarily immigrants at all. If I were Hispanic-appearing, and I lived in Arizona, I'd probably want out before the "law" went into effect, too. Let Arizona's loss be Albuquerque's gain. And, as always, if aggressive individuals follow the crowd to New Mexico, as the fear-mongers claim is happening, let people use justified self-defense and eliminate them from the population. It's the civilized thing to do. Remember, New Mexico is a "Gold Star" open-carry state. So do it.