A Personal Declaration of Independence?
You're declaring your own independence—what do you say? (DN 4.XZ)
Do you remember this classic scene from Network?
I probably don’t need to ask you to imagine that you’re mad as hell, and that you don’t want to take this anymore. Chances are, you’re already there.
We all are at various points of coping—some better than others—but we’re also all aware of the tyranny around us. It’s not the blatant, ham-fisted oppression of 20th century totalitarianism. It’s more subtle and pervasive, and something is telling us that it will be far harder to dislodge than its 20th century counterparts.
The American Declaration of Independence included a few words on natural rights, and then it provided a list of grievances: “abuses and usurpations” of sufficient severity to justify the extreme and perilous course of declaring independence from the Mother Country. If the human species were to make such a declaration now, there would be plenty of grievances on the list.
But what if YOU were to make such a declaration? Yourself. As an individual.
After all, groups do not think, act, choose, or experience. Only individuals do. Oppression does not happen to some amorphous notion of “the group.” It happens to individuals. It happens to you.
So if you were to issue your own declaration, what would it say?
Would you focus only on external oppression? There’s plenty of that, to be sure, and it must be a part of any such declaration.
But what about internal stuff? Would you also want to make a statement about your own defiance? Your own reactions? Your own independence?
Would you make any declarations about yourself, your life, your attitudes? Do you want to declare independence from addiction? From fear? Do you want to declare your own personal power?
You might want to make a statement toward your oppressors that your life is your own. But you might also choose to make a statement like Viktor Frankl’s—that even if they do horrible things to you, your life is still your own.
Take my love, take my land,
Take me where I cannot stand;
I don't care, I'm still free…
I don’t want to further influence you with suggestions. I want to hear from you. I want to hear what YOU would say.
Let it fly—let it all hang out. Let’s talk about it. There are no wrong answers!
Well I already did that on July the 4th 2008.
Notice of Understanding and Intent
Whereas I understand that The United States of America is a nation founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law, and,
Whereas I understand the only form of government recognized as legitimate and lawful in the United States of America is a representative one, and,
Whereas a representative relationship relies upon a foundation of mutual consent, and,
Whereas I understand the appearance of consent can be achieved by silence and inaction, and,
Whereas I understand no one can be my representative without my consent, and,
Whereas I understand neither I nor anyone I know signed the US or Texas constitutions, it appears the governments of this nation rely upon deception to gain the right to govern, and,
Whereas I understand that public servants must provide a service to the public within the legislated framework within which public service is provided, and,
Whereas I understand that if they are unable to define the legislated framework they are also unable to claim to act with respect to it, and,
Whereas I understand a 'statute' is defined as “a legislated rule of society which has the force of law,' and,
Whereas I understand a 'society' is defined as 'a number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act for a common goal,' and
Whereas I understand statutes do not have the force of law over those who have not consented to be governed, and,
Whereas I understand that a principal has a duty to ensure that the people acting as their agents understand the source, nature and limits of their mandates, and,
Whereas I am desirous of living my life with love, compassion and truth, and,
Whereas the only people who can possibly expect me to follow them must have more love compassion and truth than I do, and,
Whereas due to the deception found in so many statutes and government institutions I can no longer believe that any government agent or principal acts with the truth, and
Whereas I could not find the word 'love' in any statute, bylaw or regulation and,
Whereas I cannot in good conscience support an organization that uses deception to cause people to register themselves, their offspring, their property and chattel, and,
Whereas I am desirous of following only those who are guided by love, compassion and truth, and,
Whereas I understand I give up certain benefits and legal rights by existing outside of society, and,
Whereas I understand I recapture Common Law rights by existing outside of society,
BE IT KNOWN TO ANY AND ALL, THAT ON THIS DAY JULY 4TH, 2008, I
Hat Bailey, A FREE SOVEREIGN HUMAN BEING, DO HEREBY STATE MY INTENT TO DENY CONSENT TO BE GOVERNED BY ANY AND ALL PARTIES.
ALL CONCERNED PARTIES HAVE TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO DISPUTE, DISPROVE OR DENY ANY OF THE FACTS MENTIONED HEREIN. FAILURE TO DO SO INDICATES FULL AGREEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE.
No statutes will apply to me, for they are the product of a governing body from which I have withdrawn my consent.
I recognize no duty to pay taxes, for the collection of taxes is a function of government, and with my denial of consent I free myself completely from all governing bodies, agencies and institutions. A signed and witnessed copy of a Constructive Notice of Denial of Consent will follow this document in twenty-one (21) days.
Signed: ____________________________________________________
Thanks Christopher. My own declaration would be that I believe I alone own my life and body and whatever I produce with them, and I believe the same is true for all other humans. Therefore any coercion others use on me, or that I use on others, is morally wrong. I believe we need a new social system that can enable billions of humans to live in peace while living by this ethos.
My shunning of coercion against others is why I never vote in political elections.