James Bovard's New Book - Lost Rights

Lost Rights is the title of James Bovard's book that was so prophetic and ominous in the implications for Americans. The Bill of Rights was attached as an amendment to the Constitution and many think that was a mistake since it should have been the foundation of any government document. Our government is unique in recognizing rights that are written and numerically defined which is far more than most countries and nations. If by judicial deceit, treachery, and government edict those rights can by taken and destroyed then our republic is finished as an experiment in self-government and we can look forward to tyranny and despotism for an ignominious end to the experiment.

Americans have been slow to recognize the lies and deception that precede and follow any war effort that is entered into by policy makers in key positions. An old but true saying is, "truth is the first casualty of war". A simple fact is that no war since World War II has Congress declared war as the Constitution expressly allows. Wars against "Communism" have been replaced by Wars against "Drugs", "Terrorism", etc. It should be obvious by now that neither the Iraqi people nor the American people have the freedoms that were available before the "War against Terrorism" started. If that is true then the opposite is also true, both countries have lost freedoms and will be very difficult to gain them back.

Basic foundational concepts such as the right to own, possess and control property have been taken by no less than our most important judicial body, the Supreme Court.

In a landmark case that has gotten much publicity, (before and after the ruling), which allowed a local government to use eminent domain to take property from one and give to another. Americans were appalled and shocked by the lack of common sense and basic sense of fairness that marked the elite Judges ruling eliminating property rights. Many wonder what would be the result if this ruling were given one hundred years ago. Without property rights, it would seem no other rights can be maintained by the Rule of Law.

Our founding fathers could not foresee government growth that would destroy the basic rule of law and replace it with institutionalized tyranny and despotism. A government of the people, by the people and for the people must have some safeguards that allow for removal of judicial officers, government agents and even elected officials. Perhaps only by an informed and educated populace can we enforce basic rights that a government is set up for initially. The Internet communication network may aid us in a return to the rule of law and away from the chaos that has engulfed our world.