"Compliance Is Not Freedom" by Stefan Molyneux

"If you fail to file a tax return, you are not immediately dragged before a kangaroo court, and shot after a speedy and Stalin-esque trial. That takes time.) Rather, you will get a letter – often a rather polite one – asking if there may be some kind of problem. If you do not respond to this letter, very little will happen.

For a while, anyway."

Read the rest here.

Driver's License = National ID

Do you have a driver's license? Why do you believe the government has the authority to number and track you and control your travels? The licenses have very little to do with your abilities to handle a vehicle anymore. They are simply your national ID. They have become the "papers" in the Nazi demand of "Your papers, please!" Now with the new requirements implemented by the feds, it really is your national ID in all but name. There are now national standards that the states must follow or lose a bit of their place at the federal teat. The government thinks it has the authority to tell you what you must do in order to "legally" travel in America. Just try to live without one of these citizen permits today, even if you never "drive". It can be done, but you will be regarded as a trouble-maker. I have known a few people who refused to be "permitted" to drive. They were in no way a danger to anyone but the authority of the government. Still want to have a driver's license? You might as well have a number tattooed on your head.

If safety were the real issue, there are better ways to administer licensing. Insurance companies have the biggest stake in driver safety. Let each of them have their own testing requirements in order to get their coverage. Good drivers would get a discount (off an already lower price because of the government-mandated insurance scam being ended). This would be much more fair, cheaper, and without the privacy and rights violations inherent in the current system.

Banning Unhealthy Behaviors

Smoking bans and bans on "trans fats" keep making the news. Call the proponents "nannies" or "health nazis" or your epithet of choice. What makes the joy-vampires think they have the authority to control your life? These bans are ridiculous. Smoking is bad for your health. Too much fat is also bad. Nobody denies that. Counterfeit laws, however, are even worse for your health and for the health of America. If you wish to prohibit unhealthy behaviors, then why not ban a person's choice to not own or know how to use a gun? That is a very unhealthy decision. Ban anything that shortens life. Pet owners live longer, heathier lives. Should we ban the choice to not own a pet? Married people live longer. Ban bachelorhood? Stress shortens life, so should everyone be drugged into bliss?

I do not smoke. I do not have a "right" to never breathe smoke. If I don't like to eat at a restaurant where the owner allows smoking, I have the right to go elsewhere. I do not have the authority (and neither does any government, anywhere) to tell the restaurant owner what he can or cannot allow in his business. (Yes, I realize that opens other issues as well. And it should) A much wiser man than me has suggested that non-smokers carry a pipe with them to display at any state-mandated smoke-free venue where a smoker is being harrassed to show support. You don't have to smoke it or even have tobacco, just let the anti-liberty trolls see it. I suppose that you could also carry a donut into the no-fat zones.

Help Me Get the Word Out

I need your help promoting my candidacy. Since I do not accept donations I need my supporters to do a lot more work than the average candidate. This doesn't necessarily involve spending any money. One big way to help is to engage in "guerilla marketing" techniques. Write the address for my campaign website ( KentForLiberty.com ) on public property (on paper money, in chalk on sidewalks, on scraps of paper that you "accidentally" leave in public places, in the dirt on the backs of your cars, whatever.) Please respect private property, though. Make up business cards that you can give out or leave lying around. Send your friends who might be interested links to this blog or my campaign page. If you have a blog of your own, mention my campaign and link to me. Contact me to let me know what you are doing. I am trying to keep abreast of things. You can also visit my CafePress Shop where I am selling "Kent for President in 2008" bumper stickers and other items. If you have a "Time's Up" flag or other item, tell people what it represents and direct them to my blog.

"Time's Up" Flags Still Available

Don't forget your "Time's Up" flags. The new ebay listing is here.

See the pics at my earlier blog announcements.

Peyton Strickland: Death by Cop

Peyton Strickland, a college student who was 18 years old, was murdered by cops Friday, December 1st. He may have committed an armed robbery. Or perhaps he didn't. He will never get to face his accusers in a trial and have a jury decide his fate, because the cops, with a warrant (so they claim) went to his house, kicked in the door as he was opening it, and shot him to death. He may have been armed with a video game controller. They killed his dog as well. This is becoming standard operating procedure in America. Cops are now enforcers, judges, jurors, and executioners. And apparently, most of the citizens see nothing wrong with this as long as it is not their own door getting kicked in; their own dog being shot; their own kitten being stomped; and their own life being brought to a violent conclusion by "Law-Enforcement-Only Ammunition".

I have no clue whether this kid robbed someone. I did not know him personally. What I do know is this is not the way America is supposed to be. Remember "innocent until proved guilty"? The United States is stomping America into the ground as fast as it can. Remember the Vicky Weavers, Kathryn Johnstons, and Peyton Stricklands that are piling up in our burgeoning police state.

Bill of Rights Day: December 15th

December 15th is Bill of Rights Day. Read the Bill of Rights.

After the Constitution was written it had to be accepted by the states. They wouldn't adopt it without a guarantee that the federal government would be strictly limited in its authority. This is what the Bill of Rights was written to do. It is a package deal. No Bill of Rights; no Constitution. No Constitution; no authority for a federal government. As you read over the ten amendments consider whether the US government has left any of them unbroken. Perhaps the Third Amendment hasn't been commonly violated, but every single one of the other nine has been (and is daily being) violated by a government which is out of control. The Bill of Rights was written in common (for that era) language so that the common person on the street would know and understand what was being guaranteed. Do not let government sympathizers fool you into believing that lawyers or judges must tell you what the Bill of Rights means. They lie to you to protect their power.

You have ten days to prepare. Find a way to celebrate the day in your local area. Write a letter to the editor. Make copies of the Bill of Rights and hand them out. Exercise some or all of your rights that are guaranteed (and see how quickly "our" criminal government labels you a "terrorist"). I had a friend who would talk about the Bill of Rights very often. His "thanks" was having the local sheriff slam him against a wall and threaten him to stop talking about "that Constitution and Bill of Rights garbage". Perhaps you will get a different response, or maybe you will discover which side of the Law your local bad(ge) guys are on.

My Christmas Wish List

I wish the government would release Wayne Fincher, apologize to him and make the government agents (who have so seriously molested him) pay him back for his lost time and property directly from their own pockets.

I wish that the cops who murdered Kathryn Johnston would be fired and spend the rest of their lives educating the public about the stupidity of the drug war, and the foolishness of allowing cops to be armed and militarized, from their jail cells.

I wish that all of America would wake up Christmas morning and realize that we don't really need government, because we are perfectly capable of living up to our potential and running our own lives without robbing and murdering each other, and of dealing with the few who can't control themselves.

I wish I could afford to send a "Time's Up" flag to every person who wants one, free of charge, so that authoritarians would see a sea of those flags flying from poles all across the country.

I wish that no peaceful, honest person would need to fear government on any level ever again. There would no longer be "paperwork violations", or any bully agancies tying to make lives difficult and confusing.

I wish I had a huge expanse of land all around me where I could explore (and shoot) without any danger of trespassing. Oh, and if it had a cave where I could live sometimes that would be wonderful!

And, finally, whatever you call the winter holiday you choose to celebrate, I wish you and your loved ones the best times ever.

L. Neil's Roadmap to Freedom

L. Neil Smith is writing a series of articles in The Libertarian Enterprise detailing what he sees as the way for America to get to the freedom that we need so badly. Please read "Back to Basics, part 1" and "Part Two".

Worth Dying For?

Someone known to me only as "Mr. Dare" recently had something profound to say in response to the question "Is anything worth dying for?"

"The only things worth dying for are the things you couldn't live without if you lost them. Liberty, Loved Ones, Principals of Self Respect. These can not be replaced or substituted with lesser values and still suffer a man to continue living."

I couldn't agree more. This is a question that has crossed my mind. I think that one day it may be more than just a mental exercise. I feel that there are more things worth living for than dying for, fortunately. I hope it stays that way.

The "Time's Up" flag

We have all seen the wonderful old Gadsden Flag with the coiled rattlesnake proclaiming "DONT TREAD ON ME". For hundreds of years it has warned enemies of freedom that we should not be provoked. For those same "hundreds of years" we have tolerated crimes by government without striking back, with a few notable exceptions. After all these years of being poked with the stick of government and stomped with jackboots, the snake has had enough. That is why I designed the "Time's Up" flag. I came up with the design while relaxing near Albuquerque, New Mexico this summer. It is the new flag of the resistance. I have "Time's Up" flags and merchandise available from eBay and CafePress. Show your support of liberty. These are not just for supporters of my campaign, but for everyone who knows that "Time's Up!"

Welcome to December

I want to thank everyone for their votes on The Next Prez poll. I came in second behind Steve Kubby (congrats Steve!). Feel free to continue to vote for me in future months, although I don't think I will be sending out reminders. I was curious how well I could do if I really pushed the issue, and I was pleasantly surprised. I appreciate the good response.

Also: Thanks for the good response I am getting on the "Time's Up" flags. I am grateful for the kind words and the enthusiasm that has been expressed over the design. I will re-post my earlier blog about it later. I apologize for the expense of the flags, but I was not able to have them made in a large enough quantity to really get the price down (and still keep the quality up). Remember that "Time's Up" flags are not just for supporters of my campaign, but for everyone who wants to tell government that we warned them "DONT TREAD ON ME" for over two-hundred years to no avail. Time's up!

Last Poll Reminder

Here is the last reminder about the online poll at The Next Prez. About halfway down the page on the right side is the Libertarian Poll. You can vote for me or the candidate of your choice there. After November ends, I will leave you alone about this. Thanks.

Social Security

Imagine a little scenario with me. A mugger whom you cannot avoid nor fight back against takes your money for years, then one day says "I have preyed on you long enough. I gave all that money to the needy. Now in your old age I will give you a few dollars every month. Ignore the fact that the money I give you will be stolen from new victims." Do you accept the money from him? This is what the governmental ponzi scheme known as "Social Security" does. It also conditions people to believe that they are entitled to government handouts, just as every other form of welfare does. For generations now, America has been devouring its young. All on the false claim of "taking care of the elderly". The harsh reality is that Social Security is theft. It is an unsustainable scheme that will collapse on the retired Americans who have been tricked into depending on its handouts. Redistribution of wealth is a socialist contrivance. There is no Social Security bank account where all of your "contributions" are deposited, earning interest until the government begins refunding your money to you. No, your stolen money was given to other people long ago. Just because it has been stolen from you for years, does not make it OK for you to accept the laundered money. I do not ever wish to be a thief's "kept man". Social Security, along with its associated tracking number, must be eliminated. It will be painful for some, just as cancer surgery is, but in order to save America's life, it is necessary. Glossing over the truth does no one any good.

"Time's Up" Flags Now Available

I now have a supply of my "Time's Up" Flags available for purchase. They are high quality flags made by Annin & Co. They measure 3' by 5' and have headers and grommets for hanging. They are digitally printed and made for indoor or outdoor use. They are better than I had hoped. The cost is $60.00 each delivered. Email me at dullhawk@hotmail.com if you are interested in one.

The Danger of Militarized Cops Goes Mainstream

Here is a very interesting article from Popular Mechanics: SWAT Overkill: The Danger of a Paramilitary Police Force

Perhaps America is becoming aware of the dangers. We can only hope.

Kent McManigal: The Silly Candidate

I will admit that sometimes I feel a bit silly running for president. I have no war-chest of funds for campaigning. I don't even accept donations. I am not a famous activist or celebrity. I haven't staged theatrical protests (although I really enjoyed reading about the "V in DC" events). I do not play politics the way I have been told is necessary in order to be elected. By which, I mean I have not toned down my libertarian views. Not even most of my own family would vote for me, since they are textbook examples of the religious-right. Will I win? No. But if I abandoned my principles in order to win, even I would not vote for myself, and would be disgusted at anyone who did vote for me. We do not need more politicians. We have a vast overabundance of that breed now. That is why I stay in the race. I still believe that of all the choices out there, I am the one who could straighten out the mess the best. I would not spare government programs that I may like if they fall outside Constitutional authority. There are no sacred governmental cows to me. I may be called a "utopian dreamer" for this. I don't believe in Utopia. I do believe in (and live in) a growing Distopia. I aim to stop it. What will you do?

The DOJ is Watching

I have noticed that the Department of Justice (a laughable name) is checking on blogs that mention "Wayne Fincher". My blog has gotten "hits" from computers at the DOJ twice that I know of since his kidnapping by the feds. It makes me wonder why. Are they testing the waters to see if anyone notices that they are railroading an innocent man? Are they compiling lists for their next kidnappings? Are they simply curious as to what is being said about the case? Or perhaps an automated program visits websites that mention their latest victim in order to intimidate vocal critics into silence. I can't say for certain that it will not work. I have not been tested, so I do not know how I will measure up. If I am taken down, more will rise up in my place. If I am silenced, others will begin to speak. I think it shows that the government is uncomfortable with its actions being watched. I know I have done nothing wrong, but the thugs of the BATFE can't say the same. They have been shown time and again rigging tests in order to get a conviction. Remember, according to them, a shoestring is a machine gun. In this time of government surveilance, we need to be especially thorough in watching the watchers. We still outnumber them, and we are the good guys.

Drug Warriors & Gun Confiscators: Stand Down

As horrible as these murder-by-cop incidents are, keep in mind that this is an inevitable result of the drug war, the gun war, and whatever other culture/morality wars the government declares on America. These murders will continue unless the murderers are told to "stand down". America, it is time to tell them to "stand down!" permanently.

More "Murder By Cop"

If I see a gang of armed, agressive people coming at me; guns drawn, I will not automatically assume that they are cops upholding "justice and liberty for all", or "securing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". I will assume that they are freelance criminals out to cause mayhem and death. Would you make a different assumption? I don't know a lot about the case of Sean Bell yet, but with this and similar cases I see the same scenario played out repeatedly in the news. Cops high on "authority", not in uniform, begin an attack on a regular person. When the person sees himself or herself being attacked by armed people of unknown intent, they try to fight back. The victim dies in the resultant one-sided shootout. Then the official cover-up begins, with the eager tail-wagging media spreading the official story far and wide. A badge carries with it a higher standard of behavior and a higher cost for misusing that authority. Guns and badges are a deadly combination.