Stand Because The Politician Says So?

By Chris Rossini

Ok, so President Trump thinks that NFL owners should fire players for taking a knee during the national anthem.

In his usual shock jock method of communicating, the President said:

"Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he's fired. He's fired!"

That's colorful for sure, but the president has a right to his own opinion, like everyone else. They're just words, that no one has to take seriously.

Unfortunately, many in America view politicians as having divine status. Politicians are considered the Church Elders in the government religion.

From the perspective of Liberty and Freedom, what if Trump's words are taken seriously? What if someday the rest of the government's Church Elders decide to take out the guns to enforce this edict?

Well, first, it would violate the core belief of libertarians --- no person or group can use aggressive force against any individual. Force is only justified in self-defense to repel an aggressor.

Someone that kneels at home, on a field, in the ocean, or anywhere else is not using aggressive force against anyone. 

As long as you're not trespassing on someone's property, and the property owner has no problem with you kneeling, go ahead and kneel until your knees bleed.

Which leads to the next point. If the NFL were forced by law to fire a player that kneels, the government would be abolishing the property rights of the NFL.

It is the property owner who has the right to decide if someone can give a speech, kneel, smoke, or anything else that's peaceful on his property.

Kneeling during the national anthem is an issue between NFL players and NFL teams only. They should make their own voluntary contracts, which stipulate what behavior is and is not acceptable on NFL property.

​Should we worry about government using force against the NFL?

Of course....This isn't 1776 America.

You have to remember, starting around the 1900's, the government religion has been getting the kids when they're young. Most people are forced into government buildings to be "schooled" for about 18 years.

Government is always scheming to  get the kids younger and younger too. Universal Pre-K is the new thing.

Perhaps someday a government agent will be in every hospital delivery room. Who knows?

But for 18 years, in those government "schools," every single day starts with rising at your desk, and saying your morning prayer to the state --- known as the pledge of allegiance.

Do morning prayers happen once a year? Once a month? Once a week?

No!

Every single day.

By the time you're an adult, your ability to contemplate freedom, private property and voluntary contracts has been considerably diminished.

"Of course everyone must stand for the National Anthem --- And of course the President should force them."

We naturally would never come to such a conclusion. We'd have to be "schooled" first.

So while the president's words might just be words (for now) we should always be vigilant against taking them any further.

Private Property ... Freedom to think and make your own choices ... Voluntary Contracts ... Anything that's peaceful ... Live and Let Live.

Those are the ideas that are far more attractive than "Get that son of a bitch off the field..."