Tiny Steps
Charlie Earl
Have you
ever watched a baby attempting to walk? He or she grasps the coffee table,
pulls up and stands erect while weaving and bobbing. The little feet begin to
move, but the chubby fingers are afraid to release from the stability of the
table. The first attempt is doomed because the reluctance to let go from the
table destroys the balance and equilibrium. After a faltering step or two the
child’s diapered bottom hits the floor with a noticeable “thud,” and we get a
glimpse into the personality of the little one. Does she sit there bawling
uncontrollably, or does she reach for the table once again? Or…if she is
resourceful, she may crawl towards another starting point such as an ottoman to
begin the process again. The liberty movement in the United States is somewhat
like that determined toddler.
The
toddler’s halting efforts are merely an expression of the little person’s
desire for independence. When one can move, a whole new world awaits. The
movement to restore individual liberty as status
quo within the United States is in the exploratory toddler phase at the
present time. The early stages of the effort found many of its adherents
clinging to the ‘safety’ of the GOP coffee table, but as time goes on and
obnoxious freedom-destroying legislation has been passed with the willing
compliance of many Republicans, many patriots are questioning their original
allegiances. When one decides to hitch his wagon to a star, it had better not
be a falling one. Statism-lite is not a recipe for liberty.
Just like
the toddler the liberty movement stumbled a couple times either from supporting
candidates who failed them or by endorsing candidates who did not win. As the
freedom lovers crawled across the national floor to find a friendlier place for
standing, they found barriers along the way. Erected by Democrats and
Republicans to make it difficult for contrarian candidates, the hurdles were
sizable in some states and more manageable in others. After many stumbles and
tumbles the freedom movement is beginning to gets its legs….to stand on its
own. The crawling child is about to step out for liberty.
Like nearly
any child, the liberty movement is still immature and vulnerable. It is a
tragic shame that a nation founded on the principle of liberty must rediscover,
reboot and reestablish itself as safe harbor for freedom. There are no viable
options, however, because our political, social and cultural leadership has
proven unwilling to carry the torch. Our people have been so engrossed with
minor pursuits that the notion of liberty and its benefits have disappeared
from the collective DNA. Our desire for liberty has been given by God, but as
His role in our individual lives has been diminished so too has our insistent
passion for freedom. As a relatively young movement, we must learn to stand
alone as persons and join together as warriors to regain and retain our
God-breathed legacy.
Collective
action for personal independence cannot be effective if the individuals
involved are not committed, convicted or centered. Each person must possess the
passion for liberty or the movement will stagger as the weaker members fall
away. It is vital, therefore, that if one is yearning for freedom and
self-expression, one should proceed warily before forming ineffective alliances
with those who are not so committed. A stand-alone zealot can be more powerful
than a massive coalition of tepid “activists.” The milquetoast collective will
sap and divert the energy of the true seeker of freedom. This is an issue I see
among many who still cling to the two old parties. Their passions are diluted
because of the lack of commitment to individual liberty within the current
power structure.
Find those
whose hearts and minds are absolutely and unabashedly committed to freedom. Join
with them, but never defer to them. It is time to stand up and stand tall for
Liberty. Our freedoms of movement, speech and self-defense are becoming more
curtailed each day. We must stand now while we can.
Charlie Earl
No comments:
Post a Comment