"Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people."
- John Adams, second president of the U.S.
"Unfortunately, you've grown up hearing voices that incessantly warn of government as nothing more than some separate, sinister entity that's at the root of all our problems; some of these same voices are also doing their best to gum up the works. They'll warn that tyranny is always lurking just around the corner. You should reject these voices."
- President Barack Obama, May 5, Ohio State University commencement speech
Memo to the president: Not so fast, Oh Great One.
Below are the Top Five Reasons why your college audience, as well as the entire U.S. citizenry, should pay close attention to those cautionary voices against tyranny:
1. The IRS Scandal. You first read about it in the papers, did you? Sure.
2. The Benghazi 9/11/12 Terrorist Attack. Read the transcript of your remarks the next day and then tell us again how you called it "terrorism." Please. We're not stupid.
3. The A.P. Phone Scandal. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. The implication is that you think you can get away with anything. That's probably because, so far, you have.
4. The EPA Scandal. Less well-known (for the moment) but similar to the IRS mess in that it is equally abusive in rewarding friends and "punishing enemies," to use your terminology.
5. The HHS Scandal. Soliciting contributions from the healthcare industry to fund Obamacare? Of course, I'm sure you knew nothing about it. You profess to have no connection with the U.S. government whatsoever, at least when it comes to your administration's proliferating scandals.
These are my current top five reasons to be on guard against tyranny. I'm staying in the moment and not even looking back at the squashed scandals of Solyndra, Fast and Furious, or your various executive actions to change existing laws on immigration, marriage, and gun laws.
Does pride really go before a fall? In your case, time will tell. Meanwhile, I think Americans are best served by being a bit suspicious of government. Lately there always seems to be something "lurking around the corner," as you say. If We the People stay vigilant, you can bet it won't be tyranny. Sorry to disappoint you.
