America. The Land of the Free. 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men This novel idea, that people have rights that are not bestowed by government but are inherent to their nature as human beings, has sustained us as the freest country on earth for over 200 years.

The question for us today is: Can we hold onto it? On both the Cato and Heritage Foundations Index of Economic Freedom among nations, the U.S. has slipped from #2 in the year 2000 to #12 today. Why? Could it be the 175,496 pages (as of 12/2013) of rules (laws) listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, all enacted by unelected federal agencies and departments? For example, the EPA has passed regulations that will deprive coal mine owners of their property and mine workers of their freedom to choose their line of work. OSHA rules determine how many toilets a business must have, IRS ever-changing regulations can determine your guilt without due process (civil forfeiture), and on and on, thousands of rules diminishing your freedom to run your life or your business. Not to mention actual Congressional laws such as Obamacare that destroys your freedom to choose the doctor/hospital/insurance plan that is right for you. Oh yes, you can choose from the governments selections.

Then there are the latest government entities: regional boards. Throughout the U.S. these are popping up with appointed bureaucrats having the power to control land use, public schools, water usage, transportation, roads, public utilities, agriculture, and mixed use development, and any other areas they deem essential. Based on the U.N.s Agenda 21, they supersede local elected governments. So far, the regional board governing Ridgefield requires that the first selectman of each town be board members. Typical example of a regional boards power: The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission covering Washington Township in Ohio decided, as part of Sustainable Development, that a bike path was needed. They took part of the property of Jennie Granatos 150 year old farm by eminent domain and began bulldozing her trees and lawn, all without even a public hearing. The bike path runs in front of her house only a few feet from her front steps, rendering the value of her property worthless. Suing in court, Granato was given $200 as compensation. Remember Kelo vs New London?

Freedom of Speech has always been the freedom barometer for us. Have you noticed whats happening on college campuses today? No speech is allowed that might offend Muslims or the Progressive ideology on many campuses. Diversity of thought or speech is anathema.

The purpose of government is to protect our freedom, not destroy it. But the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Busy with our own lives, we are failing that task. Is it too late?

This column is supplied by the Republican Town Committee.

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Freedom lost to rules and regulations