You Can't Tell Me What To Do

Posted 4:05PM on Monday, May 23, 2011

We all like to think that we do exactly what we want to do. We don't care what anyone else says. We have all made the statement at one time or another; "you can't tell me what to do." We will do whatever we want. We like to think that. We all know that it is not true, but at least we like to think that it is. The truth be known, someone is telling us what to do most of our lives and we just do it. We don't always like it, but generally we do it anyway. And, that's just the way that it is. Now, we have always had those who have a hard time in keeping with the program. From the spoiled kids to the teenager who extends their rebellious period a bit too long and all the way up to those who have to make a trip or two to the county jail before they understand the importance of compliance. It is simply necessary that someone be in charge in order for this whole process that we know as civilization to survive. But, typical rebellion that is experienced in the process of maturation pales in comparison with a whole new level of non-conformity that we are seeing today. We now have a segment of our population that has evolved into a mindset that nobody, and I mean nobody, has the right to tell him or her what to do. Not the police, not our criminal or civil laws, not anyone or anything. In their minds, the whole process of conformity is a sign of weakness and in some cases a violation of their so-called sovereign rights as human beings. This way of thinking is much more than political or otherwise ideological musings. This is a way of life that some are willing to die for; some already have. Sovereign citizens refute any countries right to tell them that they must pay taxes, that they must have an automobile tag on their car and that they must have a license to drive the car. They do not acknowledge the basic statutes that the rest of us abide by and equally do not recognize the criminal justice or judicial officers whose job it is to enforce those laws. They do not recognize the court system, land boundaries or basically anything else that calls for them to abide by any rules that "man" attempts to place on them. They are totally oblivious to the policies, procedures and laws that they say are useless and non-applicable to the world in which they live. The result of this type of mentality and the conflict that is causes with the rest of the conforming world has been complicated and at times violent. Several high profile incidents have resulted whereby those who claim to be sovereign citizens have refused to go along with the system. This has ended in stand offs with those whose job it is to make sure that they do. The genesis of people who settle into these lifestyles of absolute independence come from various backgrounds. Some claim religious exception, others will site constitutional interpretations as the basis of their position, and others fall into groups whereby the teachings of their leaders or founders, which is instilled upon them, are in conflict with the prescribed rules and laws of typical governmental influenced societies. In some of these situations, while the leaders and founders may be convinced of their beliefs, other members who have eventually left or escaped from the various groups claim that their decision to be a part of the group was forced and not voluntary. Obviously, the leaders would argue differently. We all would like to believe that we have the right to independent thought, and that we have the right to make our own decisions. Most of us have been taught this by our parents and we instill that same line of thinking with our own children. It is through independent thought that truly makes a person who they are. But, obviously, there is a limit and a scope to this process. This freedom cannot be expanded or exaggerated to the point where we refuse to abide by any process that prohibits us from doing exactly what we want and exactly when we want. Such a process would create havoc across the board that did far more damage than benefit. The total and unquestionable autonomy could never justify this situation. Obviously, we will all be faced with certain regulations, policies and laws that have been put in place by others that we may not agree with. Fortunately our system, which surely has some flaws, does give us the opportunity to question, challenge and fight these mandates in a civil and lawful manner. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose, but we always have the opportunity to voice our opinion in these incidents. Our disagreements or our opinions to the contrary of those objectionable policies can never give us the right to refuse to recognize and abide by them under some sense of sovereignty. While we have the privilege of living in a sovereign nation, that privilege does have certain limitations. Man is a species that must have organization. Not to the point where we are a series of mindless machines that simply go through the motions that have been prescribed to us, but in a manner of coexistence that allows us a sense of independence in a rational manner. Without such a process, we would become a lesser world, a lesser nation and inevitably a lesser people. You of course, as an independent thinker, have the absolute right to disagree. Featured columnists' opinions, views and comments are not necessarily those of AccessNorthGa.com or JACOBS Media.