Legitimized Violence Against Liberty

"Why should I trade one tyrant three thousand miles away for three thousand tyrants one mile away? An elected legislature can trample a man's rights as easily as a king can."
--Benjamin Martin (The Patriot)

The United States was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and property as inalienable rights. Because people are tempted to obtain something for nothing, these rights have been constantly and quite literally under attack since the beginning of 'civilized' man.

The Constitution was written to protect individual rights--primarily by limiting the power of central government which, as the founders knew, tends to become the strong armed agent by which some forcefully take from others.

But a constitution is only as strong as the morals of a people. When enough people legitimize slavery or plunder, then no document can prevent institutional violence and aggression.

Society either collapses in a sea of violence and destitution.

Or the oppressed seek to throw off that violence and reclaim their liberty.