by June Griffin

The Chattanooga Times/Free Press, December 9, had a most insulting article, "Seat Belt Laws Working." By "working," I assume it means that many more people are "buckling up," rather "knuckling under" out of fear of being incarcerated or fined. Anything "works" once you put the heel of government behind it.

The Dept. of so-called "Safety" knuckled from pressure of Triple A Insurance Company, using OUR income tax dollars, forced by the IRS gun i.e., 1040, shipped to Washington, where it filters into the pockets of the manifold layers of bureaucrats, turned over to the control of insurance lobbyists and other leeches, shipped back to your local police to make you "click-it-or-ticket.

This money-go-round is practiced from every ABC agency in Washington and the carnivorous plan of "revenue sharing, grant-bribes" has been parroted by the legislature in Nashville.

The article also stated that Sgt. Shrum of the Winchester Police Department reported that "there has been some resistance by officers and drivers to enforce or follow the seat-belt law." Those with any Tennessee gumption and savvy will recognize that we have a God-given right to take care of ourselves and not succumb to the tyranny and snitches that have emanated out of this Hitlerian safety clique. Our Tennessee Declaration of Rights which can never be abrogated plainly states that we are ordered to resist arbitrary power, which is "slavish and absurd." The above-described tyranny of being robbed of our rights after our own tax dollar is confiscated sticks in the craw of any real Volunteer.  As the head of the Tennessee Commission for the Bill of Rights, I would like personally to commend these officers and drivers everywhere who refuse to insult or be insulted and hold to their own right to be unmolested in their pursuit of legitimate happiness, not having some snoop's long nose peering through your windows to "save you."

When I loudly protested this latest piece of dictatorship, Peter Loskoski of Triple A Insurance Company told me that Congress didn't listen to me; they listened to him. Why? Is it because they want a discount or a cheap cup of coffee?

Remember, it is not the price of gas that is shutting down the airlines; it is the insulting security measures. Even employees are refusing to fly because of the extensive nonsense. It was the social security number that aided the terrorists; they went through security checkpoints with the best of us. Likewise, these "safety" measures will also shut down the travel and tourism. Too much hassle. Who wants to travel, living in fear of being stopped by some snoop law? We used to enjoy traveling with our four children, bedded down in the station wagon, sometimes giggling, sometimes quarreling. No more. Tied down in their rigid positions, should one break loose from their safety prison, it is: "Kids, get in the floor; there's a patrolman."

It looks as if the day has come when it will cost you something to stand up for our God-given rights. After all, those "swarms of officers" who needled the forefathers into writing the Declaration of Independence were goaded into action by none less than Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. "He who would give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither." "Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God." I like to obey God.

Shame, shame on officers and neighbors who would follow such hideous invasions of privacy. My safety is not the business of the State. It's a matter of principle. Ever heard of principle? Seat belts save insurance companies. Such love.