Comments on: Give Up? Are You Kidding?

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:01:55 +0000

Want to understand what the concept of “freedom” is? Go to streamingliberty.com for the 10 Attributes of Liberty vs. ‘Soft’ Tyranny

By: Weather-proof Patriot

Weather-proof Patriot — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:37:14 +0000

That piece was very well written and very encouraging to those of us who see this country falling apart so quickly. As I think about what I can do to serve my part in defending Liberty, I get discouraged.

But you know what? I’m not giving up, and your article has helped my morale and I’m going to forward it to a few other patriot friends.

By: James Madison Fan

James Madison Fan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:23:40 +0000

Rob,

It seems strange to me that freedom is such a difficult concept for people to understand. It is a sad commentary on what our nation has become.

I have heard people say, Show me where it says that you have the right in the Constitution. The Constitution does not exist to enumerate rights, it exists to protect them. Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence:

\"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Founders believed that rights existed independent of the Consitution, not because of it.

One tool you might find useful in examining freedom is a quote by Oliver W. Holmes:

\"The right to swing my fist ends where the other man\’s nose begins.\"

This may seem a strange sentence to hold so dear but it encapsulates what true freedom is. Freedom is anything you want it to be so long as it does not infringe on another man\’s freedom. Any law that goes beyond that is tyranny.

By: gleason greene

gleason greene — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:55:47 +0000

Pessimism tugs at many of us who are concerned about the tremendous growing belief that people can not survive without direction from some super entity to provide direction and protection from evil and misfortune. It is indeed very sad, almost pathetic, that Americans no longer feel they have the capacity to work the economic miracles their ancestors were able to perform in our first 200 years. We have no confidence in ourselves or each other. A very sad state of affairs indeed.
But, Give Up, certainly not. Let me tell you a little story about my relationship with FEE to tug you a little more away from pessimism and towards hope.
I have always been a free spirit, a maverick from day 1. At age 68, after 33 years at IBM, and thinking like many others we would never leave, other than on a stretcher, pine box or whatever, I quit under the guise of retirement. I could no longer tolerate the increasingly controlled environment created by the increasing invasiveness of government rules and regulation supported, even then, by much of society.
Still a firm believer in freedom, not knowing where to turn or what to and knowing little more about economics than one should not remove more from the bank than was entered, I somehow came in contact with FEE; how or why I don’t remember. FEE has changed my life. Now I not only understand what I so firmly believed, but more importantly, am often able with my increased knowledge and understanding, to influence others or at least somewhat intelligently discuss the issues.
Some twelve years ago in my search for some way to make a difference and my experiences with FEE behind me, I partnered with a person half my age to start a company. Not only is every employee a captive member of FEE but our company is run based on Austrian economic principles which hold true for all levels and forms of society, whether it be government, farmer or laborer. That is, productivity, wealth, happiness, success are directly proportional to the freedom of the environment within which people work. As the true economist knows, economics is inextricably interwoven with the workings of human thought. Tom Watson Sr. and his son understood this as many other past great industrial giants.
Our company is small; I still work a full schedule with pleasure. Why? First, in defiance of government controls, rules and regulations. More importantly, what a way to influence a small group to understand the power of free minds working in an open environment.
So Mr. Reed don’t even think about giving up. I am sure many others could tell you similar stories. FEE is very important and helps many of us, not to mention the tremendous strides you have made in improving the FEE image in such a short time.
Thank you; keep up the good work.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:38:56 +0000

Well said.
Do any of you know of a website that teaches the simple basics about our freedom and the threat to it? FEE is great, but seems a bit complex for those not familiar with the whole issue. Is there somewhere I could direct people to look for good basic information?

By: dave killion

dave killion — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:40:59 +0000

My youngest son has recently returned from Freedom 101, where he heard Mr. Reed and some of his colleagues speak. He is inspired and enthused, and ready to to join the rest of us in defending freedom. Already, he challenges his teachers and exposes his fellow students to ideas they might not otherwise hear. We can be confident! Re-enforcements are on the way!

By: MOCKBADOC

MOCKBADOC — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:56:01 +0000

Dear Lawrence:

Thank you. You don’t know me, and so, of course, you couldn’t know how powerful and appropriate this piece is for me at this exact moment in my life. I have been dreadfully in need of just such an exhortation.

I am suddenly reminded of a scene in one of my favorite movies, when the hero at last faces his nemesis in person, but severely weakened:

“I am only lying here because I lack the strength to stand. Then again,….”

Once again, thank you. May God raise up our own Paine, Washington, and Adams, in just the right moment to preserve our dear Liberty.

Bless you, sir.
MOCKBADOC.