Kowtowing Before the State: A Real Irritation

[Porcupine_in_MA]

Kowtowing Before the State: A Real Irritation


by Jim Fedako

         
Maybe it's an age thing. Or maybe it's a deeper understanding of how things really work. Regardless, as I grow older I find myself growing more resentful of the state and more irritated by my own actions before it.

Where I used to kowtow without even a moment's reflection, I now fume for days after showing any subservience to the state, its laws, and its officials.

A case in point: The Ohio State School Board recently reviewed its rules and regulations around homeschooling. The Home School Legal Defense Association sent an alert to its members and associates: The state school board is seeking online comments from "stakeholders" regarding possible changes to the rules and regulations around homeschooling. HSLDA wanted supporters of homeschooling to register their approval of the current system – the system is working, do not change anything. I acted.

I clicked over to the Ohio Department of Education website and entered my comments. At the time, this didn't seem to be such a big deal – simply throw some formality around the do not change anything message and hit send. Done.

Yet the irritation started right after the return message "your comments have been registered" appeared on my computer screen. Who are those folks at the state board of education? What makes them believe that I must beg their permission to educate my children as I see fit? And why did I justify their power and position by kowtowing to them – or, e-kowtowing, anyway?

Some irritations never seem to go away. They – like the unscratched itch – grow in intensity the harder they are ignored. So I scratched. I emailed the Ohio Department of Education requesting copies of all responses to the survey – a request covered by Ohio's open records laws. My reason for this request? I wanted to see where folks in Ohio stood on the issue of homeschooling prior to the state board's vote.

Of course, with the state, nothing is easy. Before I finally received the responses on CD, the state board of education made its decision (thankfully no significant changes, only some minor language corrections). Nevertheless, I took a look at the 5000+ responses to read some of the comments.

Sadly, just like me, the majority of those commenting wrote from a voice that begged the political class for favor. We began by establishing that the state has first claim to our children. And then we begged them some leave: We only want to educate our children. And we will continue to do it by your grace.

There were a few indignant comments – You, the state, have no authority to rule my family. While I cheered these writers, I noted the inherent fallacy: The state does have the authority to rule my family. Not in a moral sense, but in a real sense – it has the gun.

In addition, there is another fallacy that is generally accepted by the majority of Americans (not by homeschoolers, of course). It is the assumption that receiving one more vote than any opponent is sufficient to assume authority over all families within the political boundary. It is as if omniscience is the result of the ballot box – an over-the-rainbow vision of the wizard of democracy bestowing omniscience from behind the curtain of the voting booth.

Yet many folks readily look to the state and its officials and minions as all-knowing. Homeschooling families recognize this every time someone questions a parent's ability to educate. How can you teach math at the same level as the local high school? Of course, we snicker under our breath: We can't. We're not that incompetent. But that question alone is enough to raise concern about your friends, family, and neighbors should you wind up standing against the state. Do you think that most of those folks will side with you? Given the current majority view of the state as the supreme paternal and maternal figure, I wouldn't bet on it.


Regardless, my irritation with my own actions continues to grow. Why? I played the game. I didn't even consider the premise of having to beg the state for the ability to act as parent. And I didn't allow my indignation to come out in my comments. Instead, I wrote as to hold them higher than me. In this, I have no one to blame but myself.

My salve is the fact that this year has seen a great awakening of Liberty. Folks are speaking about freedom and against the state. And these discussions will change the minds of Americans. When the across-the-board response to the state is, Get out of our lives, we will be back on track.

My hope is two-fold. On one hand I see and hear the beginnings of a greater movement toward freedom in the near term. While, on the other hand, I know that homeschooled children – freed from the state's nonsense – will be less willing to kowtow than their state-educated parents – parents like me who, on occasion, reflexively bow before the state.

Despite our seemingly grim present, the future looks bright, indeed.

September 12, 2008

http://www.lewrockwell.com/fedako/fedako11.html

[KBCraig]

 

[FreelanceFreedomFighter]

(FROM: Kowtowing Before the State: A Real Irritation   by Jim Fedako)

In addition, there is another fallacy that is generally accepted by the majority of Americans (not by homeschoolers, of course). It is the assumption that receiving one more vote than any opponent is sufficient to assume authority over all families within the political boundary. It is as if omniscience is the result of the ballot box – an over-the-rainbow vision of the wizard of democracy bestowing omniscience from behind the curtain of the voting booth.

Response to fallacy:

As long as "We, the People" allow this collectivist myth to perpetuate and allow "mafia goons carrying a flag" to propagandize this myth, we will continue to lose ground. Just as exercise is needed to keep the body healthy, the best way to maintain our rights is to exercise them. But that is not the only thing we need to do. We must fight the continuous erosion of our rights through the state's "back-door" UN-Constitutional legislation worded to steal our freedoms "legally". (Nothing is legal about it and anyone that votes for it is properly called a legisTraitor!)

Yet many folks readily look to the state and its officials and minions as all-knowing. Homeschooling families recognize this every time someone questions a parent's ability to educate. How can you teach math at the same level as the local high school? Of course, we snicker under our breath: We can't. We're not that incompetent.

I recently asked the following things of a certified high-school teacher who is considered "one of the best":

Where the phrase, "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" comes from and Who wrote it?

She failed on both answers!

Next I asked her:

How far is it from the Earth to the Sun and what is the speed of light?

After not having a clue on the first part, she guessed (completely wrong) on the second part... I even told her that I'd take either answer in U.S. measurements OR metric.

I tried one more time:

What's the cosine of a 90 degree angle and what's the Quadratic Formula?

Failed the first one and when I wrote out the Quadratic formula to solve ax^2 + bx + c, her response was, "Oh yeah... I've seen that before. It's in the 'Teacher's Edition'..." 

Having miserably failed my queries and knowing that I was presenting myself as ridiculously obtuse, I asked, "What exactly do you teach?"

The (not-so-astonishing) answer was, "Democracy, current events, science and math." 


Sooooo... with that "quality" and the "competence" of these "educators"... ANY parent should be able to do just as well as long as they buy the "Teacher's Edition"!!! 

But that question alone is enough to raise concern about your friends, family, and neighbors should you wind up standing against the state. Do you think that most of those folks will side with you? Given the current majority view of the state as the supreme paternal and maternal figure, I wouldn't bet on it.

I wouldn't bet on it either. Which is why we have the right to defend ourselves against an evil "majority". If the majority voted that your child should be stoned to death, would you allow that to happen without a fight? I thought not. Are there others who would step forward to stand with you against that murder? I hope so. If no one steps forward to help would you fight anyway? I'd bet on it.

Despite our seemingly grim present, the future looks bright, indeed.

Take off the rose colored glasses, Mr. Fedako... Behold the collectivist reality that we must fight to our last breath and home-school our children to recognize and fight to their last breaths.

[dalebert]

For those who aren't philosophically anarchist, I like to ask them if they know where their line is. Where is your line where you will stop seeing the government as legitimate? Is it when they start disappearing people to camps, confiscating guns, killing people out in the open? Whatever it is, don't tell me. Just picture it very clearly in your head. OK, now DON'T FUCKING EVER MOVE THAT LINE AGAIN!

[Lloyd Danforth]

 

[Kat Kanning]

For those who aren't philosophically anarchist, I like to ask them if they know where their line is. Where is your line where you will stop seeing the government as legitimate? Is it when they start disappearing people to camps, confiscating guns, killing people out in the open? Whatever it is, don't tell me. Just picture it very clearly in your head. OK, now DON'T FUCKING EVER MOVE THAT LINE AGAIN!

I used to like to ask people....if you were in early Nazi Germany, what would it take for you to pack up your life and leave the country? (I always used to wonder why people didn't just see what was happening and leave....now I don't have to wonder.)

[FreelanceFreedomFighter]

I used to like to ask people....if you were in early Nazi Germany, what would it take for you to pack up your life and leave the country? (I always used to wonder why people didn't just see what was happening and leave....now I don't have to wonder.)

My best friend's mother grew up in Nazi Germany as a child then teenager during WWII. (She's in her 80s and is a U.S. citizen.) She's told us of the propaganda. How it was so pervasive, convincing, and how the beginnings of the Third Reich were so "Patriotic". She recalls that many of the population, even at the end of the war, simply did not know about the atrocities that were being committed. And that by the time good folks realized what was happening, even in the early days, it was too late to stand up. Standing up meant death... simple. So, many otherwise good folks kept their heads down and just tried to survive. Even if you wanted to leave, it was denied and trying to leave after being denied would get you and your family shot. The lesson is not to let it get to the point where you can't leave and can't stand up to the evil. With the "Patriotic" atmosphere here now, the sheeple are at the same point as the Germans were in the early 30's. There are still enough folks to prevent a quick (ala Nazi Germany in less than 7 years) slide into evil, but those folks are no guarantee. Things are still sliding, just slower than the power brokers desire. Some of the things she's pointed out recently that also happened in Germany and she finds greatly disturbing to her are: 1>The ultra-patriotism/nationalism that is not patriotic at all. (Just like "National Socialism" in 1930s Germany.) 2> The economic failures that are robbing people of their life's savings, their well-being & their hope. (Just like the hyper-inflation of 1930s Germany.) 3> The national focus on "enemies". (Just like the Jews, Gypsies, foreigners, and anti-government people in 1930s Germany.) 4> The over-emphasis on support for "the troops" and their "efforts". (just like... ) 5> The squashing of any dissention and the lack of any voices for alternate options... such as 3rd Party candidates. (Just like... well... you get the idea.) The list goes on...

For those who aren't philosophically anarchist, I like to ask them if they know where their line is. Where is your line where you will stop seeing the government as legitimate? Is it when they start disappearing people to camps, confiscating guns, killing people out in the open? Whatever it is, don't tell me. Just picture it very clearly in your head. OK, now DON'T FUCKING EVER MOVE THAT LINE AGAIN!

I agree. However...

My line was drawn many, many years ago and while I agree with not moving it, sometimes it is better to "bend it" a little in order to be able to protect others and to make a better stand later. IMNSHO, it does neither the cause nor you (or your loved ones) any good for you to be hauled away and basically taken out of the fight. The best way to fight back is something that depends strongly on each person's private situation. What is right for me may not be right for you or Lauren or Russell or others... and vice-versa. While I, personally, might be willing to stand up and go toe-to-toe with the JBTs (Jack-Booted Thugs), there are other considerations that I must take into account. A decade ago I was right in the thick of it... when it seemed that it wasn't popular. Things in my life (as they do for all of us) have changed. Some folks I've talked to know exactly what I mean and understand. Their simple voicing of their understanding is nice to know and makes our resolve to help even stronger. Also, while putting "the line" down is nice, the truth is that one may draw different lines for different personal reasons. Don't think that means that the line has actually moved, just that sometimes it is better to allow the JBTs to believe that the line is at a different place than it really is.

Besides... for most folks here and who've been active in the Freedom movement for anything more than a short period of time, our spots on the cattle-cars are already well reserved! 

[Sam A. Robrin]

I used to like to ask people....if you were in early Nazi Germany, what would it take for you to pack up your life and leave the country? (I always used to wonder why people didn't just see what was happening and leave....now I don't have to wonder.)

Those who profit from history are condemned to watch helplessly as others repeat it.

[FreelanceFreedomFighter]

Is it when they start disappearing people to camps,

They do that now! (Gitmo, etc.)

confiscating guns,

They do that now! (New Orleans - Katrina, various gun bans & onerous gun laws, etc.)

killing people out in the open?

They do that now! (Waco, Ruby Ridge, "enemy combatant" or "domestic terrorist" designation at the stroke of a pen, etc.)

It comes down to hassle and comfort levels. Currently, it is far easier for the general population to ignore things and "go along to get along" so that they can have their Sunday afternoon football, Thursday night "Survivor" episode, Saturday afternoon game of golf, and take the kids to the latest after school activity. Currently it is less hassle to just comply with the authorities on all manner of JBT activities and actions. I think that at some point, rather than people disappearing, gun confiscations or open murder, what will change the population will be the "hassle factor". When the tipping point occurs such that people think that it will just be less hassle to "shoot the bastards" than comply with their arbitrary and capricious demands, then you'll see where the lines in the sand have been drawn.