The “Patriot” trap and the 2nd Amendment
Every public servant, elected official, military member, judge, takes an oath of office to uphold and defend our constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.
Violating said oath can be a criminal violation of federal law. Each member of congress in addition to reciting said oath when sworn in must also sign an affidavit to certify that oath. 5 U.S.C. §3331, §7311
The recent events regarding the insurrection, attempts to block certification of election, voter suppression and other anti democracy statements and actions violate this oath and subject those elected officials to criminal sanctions. 5 U.S.C. §1918 Disloyalty.
Throughout our history our nation has relied on voters to hold public officials accountable. In today’s climate that is not working because a large number of citizens simply do not care if their chosen representatives follow the constitution as long as they get the result they wish.
Beware this selfish and dangerous attitude. It could back fire on those who subscribe to that philosophy.
We have a “class” of people who like to call themselves “patriots” who really do not understand the meaning of the word. They cling to guns ready to fight for freedoms they already have against an imaginary enemy. They have been trained to fear those enemies if they don’t support those propagating that fear for political advantage.
When such people proclaim they are ready to take up arms or start a “civil war” that could lead to authoritarian rule they ignore the consequences of such an outcome.
There are 5 Amendments that do far more to protect democracy than the 2nd, which is useless for that purpose today. None of these self-proclaimed militias stand one iota of a chance against a modern military, national guard or even well provisioned police department. It’s hot air and false bravado. The only amendments standing between us and authoritarianism are the 1st an the four that guarantee your right to vote.
In plain sight the radical right is attacking those democracy-protecting rights and protecting only the one right of least value to protecting your freedoms, using that as a fear tactic.
If they succeed in placing themselves in a position to call future elections in a way that suits them despite the people’s votes. What does that do for these “patriots” and their 2nd Amendment, not to mention the rest of the constitution including voting rights?
A loud proclamation about taking up arms to protect “freedoms” sends the signal to any successful power grab that those very patriots now pose an armed risk to their continued grip on power. With a firm grip of power not only are your constitutional rights to vote null and void, the 2nd Amendment right becomes a threat to their power.
Having taken away fair elections, when the radical right come for your guns you find you no longer have a functional right to vote to rid yourself of their tyranny.
That’s how authoritarians roll. Use your fear to gain your support until the spring the trap with you inside. Taking your vote is throwing away the key.
