I would like to remind the "Far Left" that socialism has no future in the United States of America. I will remind them with my sword if need be, but for now I will use the gentile words of Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson's Last Letter
Ten days before the 50th of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote this letter in response to the
committees’ invitation to honor him at the celebration. Being in poor
health, Jefferson had to decline, but sent this letter in his place.
On the eve of this great anniversary, Jefferson was in his home at
Monticello, struggling to stay alive for one more day. Some 500 miles away
in Quincy, Massachusetts, John Adams was also dying. He passed away on the
day of the fourth, his last words reflecting the thoughts of an old
friend: "Thomas Jefferson still survives."
Shortly after midnight, Jefferson woke, and asked his granddaughter who
stood at his bedside, "Is it the fourth?" She said that it was, and then
perhaps he smiled. In one of the most remarkable coincidences in history,
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams--the two great architects of the
Declaration of Independence--died within hours of each other on July 4,
1826, 50 years after they created the words that gave birth to this great
land of liberty.
Monticello, June 24, 1826
Respected Sir,
The kind invitation I received from you, on the part of the citizens of
the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of
the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of the surviving
signers of an instrument pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world,
is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable
accompaniment proposed for the comfort of the journey. It adds sensibly to
the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal
participation in the rejoicing of that day. But acquiescence is a duty,
under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I
should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there
congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host
of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful
election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword;
and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow
citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to
approve the choice we made. May it be to the world, what I believe it will
be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal
of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and
superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the
blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have
substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason
and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of
man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to
every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born
with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready
to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope
for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever
refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to
them.
I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should
have met my ancient neighbors of the city of Washington and its
vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social
intercourse; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of the
public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections, as
never to be forgotten. With my regret that ill health forbids me the
gratification of an acceptance, be pleased to receive for yourself and
those for whom you write, the assurance of my highest respect and friendly
attachments.
Thomas Jefferson
Freedom belongs to all men and woman no matter where they are. Freedom is not an American enigma, nor is it something only for Americans. Our Founding Fathers knew this, we cannot forget nor be forced to do so. Our first flag bore these words, "Don't Tread On Me". I would remind the socialists again that these words hold true today... You will not steal away my liberty, and you will not stand in the way of those who would seek it for themselves.
I visited Monticello many years ago, and what an appropriate home for such a remarkable man. I recently bought a copy of The Worlds of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello (ISBN 0-8109-3967-3 -- it's available at Amazon), and it is a fine tribute to Jefferson and his home.
Something tells me that President Jefferson would not be happy with a government that required a license to buy and sell firearms as a business, or even wine of which he was also a famous aficionado. It would be entirely appropriate the next time that you raise a rifle at the range or a glass of good red at the table to think of and thank one of our finest presidents.