Benjamin Franklin said in 1783, "Where LIBERTY DWELLS, there is MY COUNTRY". For emphasis, I capitalized the importance of this statement. Freedom, Self Government, Free Will are some of the descriptions used to define Liberty.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence, "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."
Google dictionary says "The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views."
When I look at these Founding Fathers, and their statement which we based our Country upon, when I think of their lives being on the line to uphold such views, I have to wonder what happened?
Today more people are fighting for the right to be who they are or want to be, through civil rights arguments and amendments. But those rights of Freedom and Liberty which we fought so hard for, long ago are ignored. This has left many of us open for our Freedoms to be taken away.
Freedom was based on people being allowed to own their own land, build homes, grow crops, and raise their families. But we are now governed to pay high taxes, regulated on the structures we can build, and told whether or not we must hook up to a utility grid. If We don't comply, we can lose our homes, and everything that we have put into them. How is that Freedom?
There are many people, and families who want to feel Freedom once again. They want to have their God-given right to own property, and as long as they pay their taxes and don't harm anyone, have the right to live on it Freely. So many States have come against people who want to catch rain water, or have a composting toilet, or use solar and wind power.
One problem with this beside infringing on our Freedoms is most of the people living this lifestyle are helping to save the planet. They are using natural resources that is not harmful to the Earth. They are removing their carbon footprint, therefore making a safer place for generations to come.
I understand that not everyone wants the benefits of the old ways and would rather live in modern times. But there are those of us who like to live in peace, growing and canning our food, relying on nature for resources, and living comfortable lives the same way our ancestors did.
All I am asking is that we be allowed to be Free to make that choice. Not have someone who hasn't lived that lifestyle or researched today's new healthier ways to live Off the Grid, put the thumb screws on us and tell us "No!"
If The United States of America is still the FREE COUNTRY we are told it is, and Freedom Reins, than I for one want to see the proof of this. I want to see more people getting involved until our Government lifts its bans, and lets people live on their land without penalty of laws harming them.