Letter: The basis of our founding

We keep and bear arms for self-defense and to deter government tyranny. Without guns the American revolution would have failed.

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration, penned perhaps the most famous, elegant and profound statement ever written. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This glorious ideal is the basis of our founding. It affirms our rights emanate from God; not man.

Jefferson’s lesser known but equally illustrious affirmation. “Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.” Is a warning to would-be-tyrants, duly elected or not, that our rights are divine and inviolate. The founding fathers limited government’s scope and power because they recognized corruption was inevitable. As Lord Acton observed, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Deeply suspicious of authority, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance” Jefferson believed government expansion was a threat to liberty. “History shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.” He cautioned future authoritarians to tread lightly or risk armed conflict. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Disarmed we are at the mercy of tyrants and history shows, mercy is not their strong suit.

Mike Rodgick

Carson City