Problems and Solutions For Defending My Rights

Second Place Winner, Child Category

By Arron Powell (age 12)
[email protected]

Special to The Libertarian Enterprise

         When I began to think of "Defending My Individual Rights", I realized that even as a child, I do have certain rights that I should be ready to fight for. Because of the blessing of being born free in the United States of America, I have the gift of having certain rights that people in other countries do not have, "an American Citizen's rights". I also have some rights that all people have -- "God-given rights".
         The most important God-given right is "The Right to Live". I believe that it is my duty to try to defend this "right to live" for those who cannot defend themselves. Therefore I have volunteered to participate in anti-abortion marches, and have helped provide entertainment for a local crisis pregnancy center fund-raising banquet.
         My citizenship rights can best be defended if I educate myself about them. Some of my American rights are: the right to free speech, to practice religion as I wish, to a free press, to assemble peaceably, to petition the government for redress of grievances, and the right to not be deprived of my private property without due compensation.
         The right to not be deprived of my private property without due compensation is violated mostly by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS continues to be powerful because of the support of our so-called "political leaders" (aka Presidents Hillary and Bill Clinton, and other liberal policy makers). The main outrage is the complete corruption of the IRS. This horrible agency has been playing "God" for many years now; squandering taxpayers' money by overcollecting taxes, and confiscating houses, cars, bank accounts, and other property of "delinquent" citizens. The only reason that the American people put up with the Internal Revenue Service and its rude tax collectors, is because of the fear of losing the court battle that would surely happen if a taxpayer challenged the agency. It is often the case that if one challenges the IRS, the IRS is able to continue the court battle until the challenger has no more money with which to keep fighting.
         The reader may wonder "Why would a twelve-year-old be concerned with the IRS and its actions?" Let me explain. My grandparents have set up a Savings Account for me that earns interest. For the past several years I have had to pay taxes on this account. I also earn money by doing yard work for my family and others. I try to save as much of my earnings as possible, and I am required to report the interest that accumulates to the Internal Revenue Service. I believe that this is a violation of my right to privacy and my right to go into business, compete, and earn a living. To try to stop what I consider to be an invasion of my privacy and an assault on my rights I believe I should write my Senators and my representative and petition to have the IRS's power greatly limited or taken away completely.
         Though it is not mentioned in our United States Constitution, I believe that I have the God-given right, and in fact, the duty to become educated. Unfortunately, our government has become entangled in the education process in our nation. The School-to-Work, or School-to-Careers policy that is being implemented in many states is an example of government interference in education. In Tennessee the School-to-Work program is now called Education Edge. This policy demands that each child in Tennessee be placed in a certain "educational track" for one particular career and will learn to do the one job that the government wants them to do. This law particularly effects people my age, as we are beginning to be just the right age to start our so called "Tracks".
         To defend my right to education, I believe I must assume the responsibility for my own education, under the guidance of my parents. After all, I have aspirations of needing to know more than just how to say, "Do you want fries with that?".
         The great Roman orator, Seneca, once said, "Slavery enchains a few; more enchain themselves to slavery." I do not wish to be enslaved, therefore I intend to defend my individual rights and the individual rights of others in whatever lawful means I can. I am convinced that I and my peers are obligated and able to defend and protect the individual rights of all humanity.

Next to advance to the next article, or
Previous to return to the previous article, or
Table of Contents to return to The Libertarian Enterprise, Number 40, July 9, 1998.