This is a guest post by Mike Dee. Mike is an engineer from Western NY who is on the right side of the issues (like wind energy). He frequently writes for local papers there. I’ve enjoyed his commentaries, and asked that he do a special one for us. Enjoy!
Great article. Discussing this with “agnostics, rabid separatists” is frustrating, especially with younger people, so I tried to find something relatable for them: video games. (probably lame but, as said, frustrated)
Think Video Games, Gamers, Magic Tokens, Shields, Used Against Evil Adversaries.
You don't have to believe in God (sometimes mocked and labeled as your sky god), though you should, but as a "magic card, token, protection" against HUMANS telling you what rights, your protections are. I'll go with the unassailable "Magic,” The Creator.
That anyone wants to give up a “lifetime warranty,” issued at birth, against defective government, is astounding, but that is being sold hard.
Example: “Last night I checked my Oura ring app and was surprised to see my gender listed as 'sex assigned at birth."
“I consider myself an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. I believe in the right of gay people to marry. I believe in equal rights. But I do not - for ONE second - believe my gender was "assigned to me" by a nurse. It is a core part of my biology. Not an output of the State.”
If adults stop dignifying left-wing propaganda, and treat it as childish emotional tantrums, then it would subside.
Example: My step-daughter, public high-schooler at the time, "argued" with me that it's "racist" to want Mexican illegal aliens to be deported. I responded "Mexico isn't a race". She stopped talking.
The permanent political class wants Americans to forget natural rights because natural rights limit the state. Once liberty becomes a benefit granted by bureaucrats, it can be rationed, conditioned, redefined, or revoked. That is why DEI is not harmless corporate jargon. It is a direct attack on equality before law. That is why “social justice” so often becomes state-sponsored favoritism. That is why postmodern nonsense matters: if truth is whatever power says it is, then freedom has no anchor. Western civilization will survive only if families, churches, schools, and citizens teach the old truth again: rights come from God, not government.
Exactly, and we need to stop ignoring the assault. We can claim our rights come from God, but we only have the rights we can defend. It is necessarily a world governed by the exercise of physical force.
Excellent précis. I would add that natural rights and laws are based on common sense, or the theory that the universe exists and operates by discernible rules which are not subject to random or magical influences.
Both Einstein’s relativity and the 2023 Nobel prize in physics agree with or are corollary to that definition of common sense. The scientific method is anchored by Einstein’s specific proof of relativity using experimental physics.
Mental competence requires the ability to reason from evidence and the ability to remove bias or ideology from decision making.
As my Granny said “It takes a really stupid crook to claim taxes can alter entropy”
Exactly, and it is "Reason" that underpins the whole of Modern Philosophy, and differentiates Modern from Post-Modern philosophy which does not believe in Reason - only Power.
Not sure how to sway the voting public when they are ideologically possessed by Woke. That alone allows them to comfortably deny any truth they don't want to hear. It's like a spoiled brat covering his ears.
I've enjoyed sitting with Mike Dee at several meetings focused on keeping offshore wind turbines out of Lake Erie. Mike and a writing partner enjoy frequent publication in a local newspaper where Western Civilization principles are applied to energy policy.
The man who wrote "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" was a slave owner. To me, the concept of Natural Rights is not something which we can accept without question but is a framework to be applied each time when critical thinking is required to continue the work of improving the human condition.
Remember the article I wrote called the "1503 Project"? In it I debunked the Left's "1619 Project". We can ask one question of them: Was there any country (or region) on the planet where human slavery was not practiced then? Can they show us where women (or anyone!) had the right to vote in 1619? Yet we are supposed to feel guilty about an "imperfect" US? Nonsense!
Also, DEMOCRACY is not the point of the Declaration or Constitution. In fact the word "democracy" does not occur in either document. Madison warned about the "Tyranny of the Majority", and they knew democracy would become tyrannical.
The point of the founding of the US was to protect Natural Rights, not to install democracy. Democracy is just the least worst way to achieve liberty.
The point is that "Democracy" is not mentioned. The term "Representative Republic" is. Initially, for example, Senators were chosen by State Legislatures, not by the people. The main point is that our founding is based on Natural Rights. "Democracy" is not the main goal. This is why the LEFT pushes "Democracy" - they do not want Natural Rights (Obama), and they know that Democracy opens the door to "Tyranny of the Majority" (Madison).
Is it possible to reeducate people who have been brainwashed their entire lives? Is it possible to reverse "ideological possession"? All we can do is to call BS when we see it.
Nadia: The problem is that this is a national issue that no State will touch — just like the teacher union issue. The federal government (DOEd, like it or not) is the only hope we have for fixing both of those teacher related issues.
Civilization arose with man the cultivator and if man is to be successful in conquering space, he must remain a cultivator for it is food upon which civilization depends. Will Western civilization prove to be the most successful organization for man the cultivator? Given the outstanding performance of cultivation in the United States. I would say the answer is yes. The freedom of intellect inherent in our democracy is the basis for our scientific advancement, which includes the science of agronomy.
will know this…the problem being sloppy use of “democracy”. Protected from pure democracy by our
Constitution the citizens
vote for officials who, once elected, become our
Representatives…and they do the voting on the issues…local, State & Federal. In a “Democrat” form of govt the citizens vote directly on the issues…thereby risking what ne could call “the tyranny of the majority”…which, based on voter turnout in the US would amount to control by approx 25-30 % of the eligible voters. So in reality the society becomes controlled by “tyranny of the minority” Tis a simple cause/effect reality.
Great article. Discussing this with “agnostics, rabid separatists” is frustrating, especially with younger people, so I tried to find something relatable for them: video games. (probably lame but, as said, frustrated)
Think Video Games, Gamers, Magic Tokens, Shields, Used Against Evil Adversaries.
You don't have to believe in God (sometimes mocked and labeled as your sky god), though you should, but as a "magic card, token, protection" against HUMANS telling you what rights, your protections are. I'll go with the unassailable "Magic,” The Creator.
That anyone wants to give up a “lifetime warranty,” issued at birth, against defective government, is astounding, but that is being sold hard.
There appears to be a pattern
https://x.com/zerohedge/status/1830705646335074433?s=43
See Also, "Negative Rights" Meaning It Tells Us WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO TO US AND SOME WANT TO GIVE THAT POWER OVER TO WHOM, MAMDANI, SANDERS, SCHIFF, NEWSOM?) Negative Rights: https://govfacts.org/rights-freedoms/constitutional-rights/negative-vs-positive-rights-what-every-citizen-should-know/
Example: “Last night I checked my Oura ring app and was surprised to see my gender listed as 'sex assigned at birth."
“I consider myself an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. I believe in the right of gay people to marry. I believe in equal rights. But I do not - for ONE second - believe my gender was "assigned to me" by a nurse. It is a core part of my biology. Not an output of the State.”
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/2065152128595743035.html?utm_source=pdfs_mailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert
The Best Way To Save The Constitution From Donald Trump Is To Rewrite It
Deference to our founding document is essential to democracy. But mystical devotion is not.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/22/donald-trump-constitution-jan-6-00058208
Thank you for keeping this debate at the forefront. It’s vitally important.
Eric: TY for the good examples of looney-tunes.
Excellent essay! Thank you!!
Another vote for "excellent precis."
Everything not defended perishes.
If adults stop dignifying left-wing propaganda, and treat it as childish emotional tantrums, then it would subside.
Example: My step-daughter, public high-schooler at the time, "argued" with me that it's "racist" to want Mexican illegal aliens to be deported. I responded "Mexico isn't a race". She stopped talking.
Good call on "Mexico isn't a race". Funny how people confuse race with nationality or ethnicity.
Agreed. The whole "Woke" thing seems like permanent intellectual adolescence.
DD: Good for you.
The permanent political class wants Americans to forget natural rights because natural rights limit the state. Once liberty becomes a benefit granted by bureaucrats, it can be rationed, conditioned, redefined, or revoked. That is why DEI is not harmless corporate jargon. It is a direct attack on equality before law. That is why “social justice” so often becomes state-sponsored favoritism. That is why postmodern nonsense matters: if truth is whatever power says it is, then freedom has no anchor. Western civilization will survive only if families, churches, schools, and citizens teach the old truth again: rights come from God, not government.
Exactly, and we need to stop ignoring the assault. We can claim our rights come from God, but we only have the rights we can defend. It is necessarily a world governed by the exercise of physical force.
Richard: Well said.
Excellent précis. I would add that natural rights and laws are based on common sense, or the theory that the universe exists and operates by discernible rules which are not subject to random or magical influences.
Both Einstein’s relativity and the 2023 Nobel prize in physics agree with or are corollary to that definition of common sense. The scientific method is anchored by Einstein’s specific proof of relativity using experimental physics.
Mental competence requires the ability to reason from evidence and the ability to remove bias or ideology from decision making.
As my Granny said “It takes a really stupid crook to claim taxes can alter entropy”
Exactly, and it is "Reason" that underpins the whole of Modern Philosophy, and differentiates Modern from Post-Modern philosophy which does not believe in Reason - only Power.
Henry: Now you can see why the Scientific Method is no longer taught in most US K-12 pubic schools...
Post Modernists claim there is no such thing as absolute truth, but never explain how that statement is self-contradictory.
Yes, “mental competenc”,
Troubling is the 2026
cacaphony of ideological
“dlogans”…apparently dereft
of such competence. Do you think that communication strategy will sway the
voting public?
Not sure how to sway the voting public when they are ideologically possessed by Woke. That alone allows them to comfortably deny any truth they don't want to hear. It's like a spoiled brat covering his ears.
Hmmm…Trump 2024 total
vote = approx 30% of the eligible. Wonder how the
70% split ideologically?
I've enjoyed sitting with Mike Dee at several meetings focused on keeping offshore wind turbines out of Lake Erie. Mike and a writing partner enjoy frequent publication in a local newspaper where Western Civilization principles are applied to energy policy.
The man who wrote "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" was a slave owner. To me, the concept of Natural Rights is not something which we can accept without question but is a framework to be applied each time when critical thinking is required to continue the work of improving the human condition.
Remember the article I wrote called the "1503 Project"? In it I debunked the Left's "1619 Project". We can ask one question of them: Was there any country (or region) on the planet where human slavery was not practiced then? Can they show us where women (or anyone!) had the right to vote in 1619? Yet we are supposed to feel guilty about an "imperfect" US? Nonsense!
This is as clear an articulated analysis
I’ve seen lately of the moral and spiritual antecedents driving the
genius of our Constitutional Republic…
with its built-in elements of the
democracy process. Kudos. f
Also, DEMOCRACY is not the point of the Declaration or Constitution. In fact the word "democracy" does not occur in either document. Madison warned about the "Tyranny of the Majority", and they knew democracy would become tyrannical.
The point of the founding of the US was to protect Natural Rights, not to install democracy. Democracy is just the least worst way to achieve liberty.
It seems simple, but...
Yes….meanwhile the Const
does provide for voting
in a democratic manner…
not sure I m expressing this correctly? Help..
The point is that "Democracy" is not mentioned. The term "Representative Republic" is. Initially, for example, Senators were chosen by State Legislatures, not by the people. The main point is that our founding is based on Natural Rights. "Democracy" is not the main goal. This is why the LEFT pushes "Democracy" - they do not want Natural Rights (Obama), and they know that Democracy opens the door to "Tyranny of the Majority" (Madison).
How do we reeducate the teachers who are brainwashing our young?
Is it possible to reeducate people who have been brainwashed their entire lives? Is it possible to reverse "ideological possession"? All we can do is to call BS when we see it.
Nadia: The problem is that this is a national issue that no State will touch — just like the teacher union issue. The federal government (DOEd, like it or not) is the only hope we have for fixing both of those teacher related issues.
Civilization arose with man the cultivator and if man is to be successful in conquering space, he must remain a cultivator for it is food upon which civilization depends. Will Western civilization prove to be the most successful organization for man the cultivator? Given the outstanding performance of cultivation in the United States. I would say the answer is yes. The freedom of intellect inherent in our democracy is the basis for our scientific advancement, which includes the science of agronomy.
Yes, our CR has proved to be the
best way to release..and protect…mankind’s voluntary release of creative human energy.
Meanwhile, the discipline of “protecting” is sustained because we are not a “democracy” form of governance.
Perhaps I should clarify….
though most folks on this list
will know this…the problem being sloppy use of “democracy”. Protected from pure democracy by our
Constitution the citizens
vote for officials who, once elected, become our
Representatives…and they do the voting on the issues…local, State & Federal. In a “Democrat” form of govt the citizens vote directly on the issues…thereby risking what ne could call “the tyranny of the majority”…which, based on voter turnout in the US would amount to control by approx 25-30 % of the eligible voters. So in reality the society becomes controlled by “tyranny of the minority” Tis a simple cause/effect reality.