Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Freedom says, CHECK IT OUT

  1. I am becoming quite worried about the increasing trend of criminalizing everything in the United States and around the world. While many laws are necessary, life is becoming so regulated that almost everything humans do is becoming illegal. How can anyone obey the law if everything is illegal? Banning every activity doesn’t make people respect the law more.Americans like to say they love freedom, but there are few freedoms left in the US. The government is tightening the noose to strangle Americans with ever-increasing nanny state laws so much that the US is starting to look like North Korea. Most of the following actions have been outlawed just in my lifetime:
  2. Fast food restaurants have been banned.
  3. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/us/16fastfood.html
  4. Feeding homeless people has become a crime.
  5. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-06-02/news/os-homeless-feedings-arrests-20110601_1_group-feedings-feedings-in-public-parks-orlando-police
  6. Sex tourism has been outlawed.
  7. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-02-18-sex-tourists_x.htm
  8. Sex offenders have been required to register with the police and are forbidden from living near schools and parks.
  9. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123500941182818821.html
  10. Sex offenders can be held for life under indefinite civil commitment laws even after they complete their original sentences.
  11. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/opinion/sunday/sex-offenders-the-last-pariahs.html?pagewanted=all
  12. Drug users have been banned from receiving welfare or student aid.
  13. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/Advice/WhatIllegalDrugUseCanCostYou.aspx?page=all
  14. The US Constitution has been overruled by the Patriot Act that has legalized wiretaps without a warrant and allows the government to deport and strip any American of his or her citizenship.
  15. http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,449497,00.html
  16. Guantanamo has been used to keep and torture suspected terrorists without trial.
  17. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/28/world/meast/guantanamo-former-detainees/index.html
  18. Domestic violence abusers having been banned from having guns.
  19. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/us/06guns.html?pagewanted=all
  20. Mandatory seatbelt use laws have been enacted.
  21. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-18-seat-belt-rear_N.htm
  22. Seatbelt checkpoints are being conducted.
  23. http://wvgazette.com/News/Advisories/201105091168
  24. DUI and drug checkpoints have been allowed.
  25. http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dui-checkpoint-snags-seven-offenders-1.878793#axzz1d8KqudEA
  26. http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Sheriff-using-checkpoint-warnings-in-drug-fight-2229666.php
  27. Governments are now allowed to seize the property of suspected prostitution clients, drug users, and drunk drivers.
  28. http://detnews.com/article/20091112/METRO/911120388/Police-property-seizures-ensnare-even-the-innocent
  29. “John TV” shows that embarrass and punish people arrested on prostitution charges are now allowed.
  30. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970803&slug=2552909
  31. The US now has a secret panel “kill list” of Americans who are targeted to be assassinated without a trial.
  32. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-cia-killlist-idUSTRE79475C20111005
  33. Car owners are now required to have liability insurance.
  34. http://articles.latimes.com/print/1987-10-27/news/mn-16876_1_mandatory-auto-insurance-law
  35. Americans are not allowed to travel to Cuba.
  36. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/05/travel/bush-administration-showing-willingness-to-enforce-law-on-visiting-cuba.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
  37. People who owe child support are not allowed to have passports.
  38. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-welch21aug21,0,123074.story
  39. People who have defaulted student loans are not allowed to have professional licenses.
  40. http://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/DefaultPrevention/default.html
  41. The US is one of the few countries that has the death penalty.
  42. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777460.html
  43. Americans must report any currency that they carry over $10,000.
  44. http://imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5859&Itemid=2
  45. Americans must pay sales taxes on services.
  46. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/us/28taxes.html?pagewanted=all
  47. Americans must now pay sales taxes on mail-order products shipped from other states.
  48. http://articles.latimes.com/print/2009/jul/03/opinion/ed-tax03
  49. Americans must pay US taxes on worldwide income.
  50. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/26/business/worldbusiness/26iht-tax.html?pagewanted=all
  51. Americans must also pay income taxes to foreign countries when they work overseas.
  52. http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=44773
  53. Americans must pay taxes on gifts given and received.
  54. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/your-money/24iht-nwgift.html?pagewanted=all
  55. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0%2C%2Cid=200722%2C00.html
  56. The drinking age has been raised.
  57. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/01/us/wyoming-finally-raises-its-drinking-age.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
  58. Drunk driving has been outlawed.
  59. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/23/us/drunken-driving-showing-decline.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
  60. Homeowners cannot rent rooms in their homes.
  61. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/nyregion/22homeless.html?pagewanted=all
  62. Debtors with defaulted student loans are forbidden from having driver licenses.
  63. http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/driverlicensesanctions.asp
  64. Americans cannot have US or foreign bank accounts while living overseas.
  65. http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/03/10/red-white-and-through/
  66. Americans who do have overseas bank accounts must report them to the US government every year.
  67. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124804796387763807.html
  68. Adultery is illegal.
  69. http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-04-26-column26_ST_N.htm
  70. Foreign workers are forbidden from working in many countries.
  71. http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/9/23/central/2090943&sec=central
  72. Unmarried couples may not live together.
  73. http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2005-07-17-state-law_x.htm
  74. Oral sex is illegal.
  75. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/us/11bar.html
  76. Some countries require websites to be licensed by the government.
  77. http://articles.latimes.com/2005/jun/08/world/fg-chinaweb8
  78. Panhandling is illegal.
  79. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-25/panhandle-ban-louisville/50541244/1
  80. Loitering is illegal.
  81. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090714/ARTICLES/907149911?p=all&tc=pgall
  82. Homeowners are legally required to mow their lawns.
  83. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Jailed-homeowner-reconsiders-mowing-lawn-1811557.php
  84. There is now a 5 year lifetime limit on welfare.
  85. http://articles.latimes.com/print/2002/apr/20/news/mn-39050
  86. Bankruptcy has been outlawed.
  87. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-20-bush-bankruptcy_x.htm
  88. Watering and not watering lawns are both illegal.
  89. http://articles.latimes.com/print/2007/oct/07/nation/na-drought7
  90. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-18-2585115022_x.htm
  91. Fat taxes are being added to food.
  92. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/08/alabama-places.html
  93. Smoking indoors, in parks, at beaches, and on public transportation has been made illegal.
  94. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/25/us/more-california-air-space-set-for-no-smoke-zones.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
  95. Sales of cigarettes to minors has been outlawed.
  96. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/18/nyregion/keeping-teen-agers-smokeless-perth-amboy-moves-combat-cigarette-sales-minors.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
  97. Airline passengers can now be added to “no-fly” lists, searched, and required to have an ID.
  98. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/us/22tsa.html
  99. Driving while using a mobile phone has been banned.
  100. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/01/three-more-states-enact-texting-while-driving-bans/1
  101. Americans are now required by law to have health insurance.
  102. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2011-06-29-health-care-ruling_n.htm
  103. Cars are required to have air bags.
  104. http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/25/autos/airbags/index.htm
  105. Americans are now required to have a passport to visit Canada and Mexico.
  106. http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/03/14/business/doc49bb9a6967f18615571979.txt?viewmode=fullstory
  107. The minimum driving age has been raised.
  108. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/10/automobiles/how-we-drive-the-young-and-reckless-ready-to-drive.html?pagewanted=all
  109. Curfews have been enacted.
  110. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/21/us/atlanta-sets-a-curfew-for-youths-prompting-concern-on-race-bias.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
  111. Homeowners must have a permit from the government to remove trees from their own private property.
  112. http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110930/COLUMNIST/110939996?p=all&tc=pgall
  113. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/jan/25/vero-beach-homeowner-issued-15k-fine-for-tree/
  114. Homeowners are banned from installing fake grass on their lawns.
  115. http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2011-11-15/news/tn-gnp-1116-artificial-turf_1_artificial-turf-fake-turf-fake-grass
  116. Premarital sex is illegal.
  117. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/524859/IDAHO-COUNTY-DUSTS-OFF-FORNICATION-LAW.html
  118. Teaching about polygamy is illegal.
  119. http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=6979
  120. Homeowners are legally required to shovel snow from sidewalks.
  121. http://articles.boston.com/2011-02-02/news/29341996_1_shovel-citations-complaints
  122. Sex toys are illegal.
  123. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-01-2390404063_x.htm
  124. Selling a toy gun is illegal.
  125. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/state_attorney_general_targets.html
  126. Background checks are required for gun buyers.
  127. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1004884,00.html
  128. Soft drinks are banned from schools.
  129. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/business/05junkfood.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1322741106-hCReaBGMgViZUZAYsO/m+w
  130. Skateboarders, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders must legally wear helmets.
  131. http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/argus/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1269631274148530.xml&coll=6
  132. Skateboarding on roads is illegal.
  133. http://articles.latimes.com/1991-10-31/local/me-878_1_laguna-niguel
  134. Sleeping on the beach, in parks, on public streets, in alleys, or in a parked car is illegal.
  135. http://articles.latimes.com/2008/dec/24/local/me-aclu24
  136. Wearing baggy pants is illegal.
  137. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/fashion/30baggy.html
  138. Redlight cameras are being installed at intersections.
  139. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/nyregion/14red.html
  140. Speed cameras are being installed at intersections.
  141. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-13-traffic-cameras_N.htm
  142. Pick-up trucks are required to be parked inside garages at night.
  143. http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/14/2266463/city-to-start-enforcing-pick-up.html
  144. Using leaf blowers is illegal.
  145. http://articles.latimes.com/print/1997/jul/02/news/mn-8967
  146. Bloggers are required to have business licenses.
  147. http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2010/08/23/philly-requiring-bloggers-to-pay-for-business-licenses/
  148. Loud stereos are illegal.
  149. http://articles.latimes.com/2002/oct/16/autos/hy-wheels16
  150. Indoor tanning bed use is banned.
  151. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2011/10/tanning-bed-ban.html
  152. Putting indoor furniture outdoors is now illegal.
  153. http://www.news-gazette.com/news/courts-police-and-fire/2010-06-22/fire-leads-ban-urbana-having-indoor-furniture-outside-home.ht
  154. Fireworks are illegal.
  155. http://www.gazette.com/articles/fireworks-120725-city-tents.html
  156. Plastic bags have been banned.
  157. http://articles.latimes.com/print/2010/may/31/local/la-me-plastic-bags-20100531
  158. Children are now required to ride in child safety seats.
  159. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/700-new-state-laws-which-one-s-yours-1643340.php
  160. Using Silly String is illegal.
  161. http://articles.latimes.com/print/1993-11-26/local/me-61013_1_parades-doo-dah
  162. Selling alcohol on Sunday is illegal.
  163. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-insider14aug14,5623601,4512959,full.column
  164. Feeding pigeons is illegal.
  165. http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/23/local/me-sbriefs23.8
  166. Sitting on a milk crate is illegal.
  167. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/missconduct/2008/01/milk_crate_myst.html
  168. The recently signed National Defense Authorization Act allows the indefinite detention of any American or foreigner accused of terrorism without trial by the US military on US or foreign soil.
  169. http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/02/president-obama-signed-the-national-defense-authorization-act-now-what/
  170. Enough is enough. America doesn’t sound so free if everything is illegal. If you care about your liberty, talk about the changes happening to the US with your friends and family, vote, donate to the ACLU, contact the media, and write to your elected officials. Governments would love to take away all your freedom if they could. Thousands of Americans did not die fighting for freedom and democracy in wars to have liberty denied in the USA. Please do not let their sacrifice go to waste. Our freedoms are diminishing, not growing. Stand up, fight for your rights, and protect our freedom and values now!
  171. http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
  172. http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html
  173. http://www.economist.com/node/16636027
  174. http://www.dumblaws.com/
  175. http://nannystateliberationfront.net/
  176. http://www.aclu.org/
    _________________________
  177. First they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, but I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me, but there was no one left to speak for me.
  178. If only one person is not free, then no one is free.
  179. They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.