Too Much Freedom! Too Much Freedom?
IS A CONSTITUTIONAL LICENSE THE ANSWER?
By Robert Denson

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence. America’s Constitution guarantees humans certain freedoms once they cross the borders into the ‘land of opportunity’. As a continuing political science student, I often ask, "Does anyone else have a problem with this?" (ACLU alert)

Hey people; I believe in freedom just as much as the next guy. As a matter of fact, growing up as a black male in Alabama, I feel there are many constitutional rights that should remain sacred (such as a right not to be victimized by fire hoses, police dogs and billyclubs). Nevertheless, freedom is beginning to get out of hand. Let me explain.

Does anyone have the freedom to decide who comes near them and who doesn’t? Can a person pursue their happiness if some weirdo is following them around? Sure, stalking laws have helped, however, a person is free to remain in any public place unless he/she first breaks the law. A restraining order can only be obtained if eminent danger can be proven. Unfortunately, sometimes eminent danger does not reveal itself until that danger equates with death. Too late…huh?

It is these freedoms of America that makes it vulnerable to its enemies. Were it not for these freedoms, the 19 hijackers of September 11, 2001 would not have been able to come to this country, learn to fly airplanes and fly them into American buildings. Because of these freedoms, terrorist cells are allowed to lie dormant—building their resources from the very system they seek to destroy—and strike like a serpent because they are unable to be monitored.

There is a flip side to this…however.

Should the FBI come knocking on a door if someone chooses to read the ‘Koran’ or visit a mosque? Should a person be monitored if they buy a large amount of fertilizer? Should the websites visited and the emails sent and received be catalogued to protect our country from us? Should a person be pulled out of the line of a theater or airport because they fit a ‘profile’? If anyone reading this answers these questions ‘yes’……..ummmm, well, anyway—I think that is a bit much…but I do have an idea. I would like to introduce the ‘Constitution License’.

What is a Constitution License? I’m glad you asked (you really didn’t ask, however, if you are still reading, you asked mentally). I’ll gladly explain.

Do we hand car keys to children before they reach elementary school? Do we pass out cigarettes in grade school? Do we serve them beer with their school lunches? Why not? Because they do not understand the ramifications of any of those actions, therefore, they are prohibited from enjoying those privileges. In fact, until they are mentally stable, these things privileges are actually a danger. The American Constitution is no different. Freedom is such a precious commodity, however, in the hands of the mentally unstable, it can do more harm than good.

Just because a person is born in this country or enter its borders, they should not by ‘given the keys to the family car’—and that is exactly what is happening in this country. Should we not make sure they know how to obey traffic laws before we let them drive on our ‘streets’? Even becoming of age, a teenager is not ‘given’ drivers’ license---THEY HAVE TO EARN THEM. And once a person has earned their drivers’ license, they have to obey the laws in order to keep them. If they are continually caught speeding, fail to pay parking tickets, driving intoxicated or not even having insurance—those license are suspended or taken away! Why doesn’t anyone feel that "American Constitutional Rights" are as precious as a common drivers’ license? How do people who REFUSE to uphold or follow the laws of this country be PROTECTED BY the laws of this country? Am I the only one confused here? (Maybe)

Constitutional Rights should be preserved for people who are willing to follow, honor and uphold that very constitution that protects them. If they break those laws; if they dishonor their obligations to it, their Constitutional License should be suspended—thus not allowing them the privilege of the protections in which the constitution allows.

If I want to buy a gun—they check my background. If I want to buy a house or a car—they make sure I can pay for it. If I want to give blood—they make sure its not contaminated. If I want to get a job—I have to follow the rules of my employer. If I want the freedoms or to be protected by all of the rights of the United States Government, all I need to do is make sure I’m within the borders. Why check me out first? No need to see if I have a sorted, illegal past. No need to check my ‘respect’ credit to see if I’ll honor the country in which I want to be granted freedoms. No need to make sure I’m not going to contaminate the country. I don’t even have to follow the laws of the country---I’M HERE SO THE PROTECTION IS AUTOMATIC!

Now I’m not advocating that inalienable rights be taken from anyone. If someone is born under this constitution, they should be afforded a certain amount of protection. If a person is born here, there is a high percentage that these laws and the sacrifices made to enable us to enjoy these freedoms have been implanted into their hearts and minds. Let’s face it; Men and women have shed their blood to afford us these rights. Doesn’t that mean anything? Should the blood of these men and women be so easily divided to people who refuse to honor that sacrifice?

Constitutional License. America—I’ve had to earn mine. I’ve paid taxes. My Uncle Sam gets his before I get mine. I’ve followed its laws. I’ve participated in its political process. I’ve supported this country and what it is all about. What incentive are we giving our children to continue to carry that burden if we are giving that license away to just anyone without ANY SACRIFICE IN EXCHANGE. Think about it.