Constitution Free Zone Expanded In State Of Washington
December 15, 2008 4 Comments
Kudos to the Associated Press for running a story about the impact of the Constitution Free Zone on US residents. The Border Patrol, by executive order, has been granted authority to set up road blocks and stop Citizens at will up to 100 miles from land or coastal borders. This zone includes 2/3 of all Americans. Hundreds more Border Patrol agents are to be hired in the next year.
These checkpoints are not only a nuisance to Citizens, but also to the Federal Government! Former Yakima County Prosecutor Jeff Sullivan is now a US Attorney. He has bluntly told the Border Patrol to stop sending petty marijuana cases to his office. The marijuana busts that occurred had come from inland road blocks on state highways according to the article. Mr. Sullivan told the Border Patrol that the longstanding policy of his office has been to use Federal resources to pursue sophisticated criminal organizations.
In one area where my beliefs differ from the Libertarians, I am not in favor of legalizing drugs. However, when the Federal Government does not have the resources to prosecute every drug case it finds, that should tell us something. If an argument can be made to legalize drugs, the argument for marijuana legalization probably has the most merit. As budgets get tighter, the government should prioritize its focus on the most serious cases.
However, the Border Patrol, part of Homeland Security, is awash in money and unapologetic about its expansion in Washington, and other states along the northern border. Citizens are starting to sound off, such as this quote from a Washington resident:
“We’re going to become a military zone in effect, where the federal government has dozens of police on the street, stopping people at will”, said Eric Chester of Port Townsend, Washington
Hopefully, the new Administration will scale back the 100 mile belt of jurisdiction, and keep the Border Patrol where it traditionally has operated: on the border. If not, we face yet another erosion of our freedoms. The freedom to travel our country without being stopped at random Federal checkpoints is but one of these.
See the Associated Press Article: Washington a hot spot in Border Patrol’s expansion
See also my December 2nd post about the Constitution Free Zone.
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Here at home, US citizens are not required to carry proof of citizenship. The standard driver’s license does not prove citizenship- so how does a verbal citizenship check (Honor System) stop a terrorist?
Alex,
That is an excellent point! Of course, they tried to get a Federal driver’s license, but that failed in Congress. Instead, they are making a Federal database that all States must comply with when issuing a driver’s license. It is called the REAL ID Act, and it tramples on State’s Rights. The larger question is: why they are doing these checkpoints so far in our country’s interior, while leaving the border open?
I object to the checkpoints. I went to a local meeting where others objected. BP advised us that it would just take a few seconds to answer a simple question- then we’d be on our way. This is about the time I began to wonder about how all this would stop a terrorist.
I do not advocate any sort of National ID card.
What if we were required to carry papers? Would we be more safe?
How many stories have we heard about people in jobs that require a fingerprint background check- people who would qualify for an “enhanced” driver’s license or passport- that get busted for criminal behavior?
It happens at public schools, military bases, daycare centers, police stations, and correctional facilities.
We hear of doctors, foster parents, religious leaders and people who hold trusted positions at the highest levels of business and government who abuse their trust.
Even people who work at the airport- post 911- have been caught committing crimes.
A false sense of security isn’t worth turning the tables to make government our master rather than our servant.
Government databases contain false status reports relating to “no fly” lists, etc. Sloppy protocols in government workplaces along with chronic lack of discipline allow laptop computers to go missing creating massive exposure to personal information.
If you are driving a safe car in a safe manner- you should not be pulled over.
If the terrorists hate our freedom, maybe they are pleased to see it restricted.
Thanks for the comments, Alex.
I agree with you, and share your concerns about losing our freedoms in the name of “security”. Our founding Fathers were right to limit the power of the Federal government in the Constitution. We should demand they follow these principles. Yes, there are risks being free, but I will accept them in order to maintain our Liberty.
As a nation, we should not be so willing to give up our rights because those in power tell us it’s in our best interest to do so.