Everyday Americans, state lawmakers and local officials recently came together to protect a veteran threatened with having his guns confiscated by the feds. The peaceful demonstration shows exactly what happens when people stand up against the federal government – it backs down.
Although the federal government likes to gives off the impression that its authority is supreme, all it takes is a small group of folks saying no to them to show that’s not the case. A Breitbart report elaborates on how resistance effectively worked in Idaho:
On August 6, residents and Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler lined up outside the Priest River, Idaho, home of veteran John Arnold to prevent the Veterans Administration (VA) from taking away his guns…
Roughly “100 people” showed up, including Sheriff Wheeler. Those assembled waved an American flag, a Gadsen flag, and sang patriotic songs. Wheeler said: “I took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and uphold the laws of Idaho. This seemed appropriate to show my support. I was going to make sure Mr. Arnold’s rights weren’t going to be breached.”
The individuals in this small Idaho community didn’t just rant and rave about the evils of federal oppression; they banded together and did something about it. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wanted to essentiall revoke Arnold’s mosr basic freedoms because he supposedly couldn’t handle his own finances anymore. But when the people came together and stood up, the VA backed down.
Far from an isolated incident, this is part of a greater trend sweeping the country. In addition to the actions of individuals in Idaho, states such as Colorado, Alaska, Washington and Oregon have fully legalized marijuana in spite of federal law to the contrary. The feds have been virtually powerless to stop it. There is no reason why this principle cannot work on guns, health care, education or any other issue. The feds bluster around like they’re unstoppable, but when push comes to shove, their authority ultimately hinges on our compliance.
These principles reach all the way down to the local level. In Priest River, even state legislators and the county sheriff got in on the resistance. Making federal overreach a rallying cry brings freedom-minded individuals together from both the private and public sectors. It can also gain media attention, awaken people to their rights, and resonate up to the state level. This demonstrates the way to push back with effectiveness – not politely asking Washington D.C. to respect our rights.
The lesson to be learned in this case is to follow in the footsteps of the people of Priest River. Simply refuse to comply with the federal government’s unconstitutional acts. They will ultimately crumble under their own weight. Saying, “No!” can make all the difference in the world. Just ask Rosa Parks. Noncompliance creates a powerful check and balance necessary in the American system. After all, James Madison himself advised in Federalist #46 a “refusal to cooperate with officers of the Union,” as the way to stop unpopular federal acts.
Join us, and help us to cultivate non-compliance with unlawful federal mandates in your state!
