Over time this transformed into the celebration of Halloween on October 31st as it was thought the day when souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes. And, assuming that not all souls are good, this festival acquired a sinister significance. Thus the birth of stories of ghosts, goblins, black cats and demons of all kinds.
The Irish brought Halloween to America when they migrated. Over time, it became a celebration of scary fun in this country. Perhaps that’s because early in our history people were happier here than in most places in the world, due to the “promise” of freedom. I enjoy Halloween, even though I do not believe in supernatural powers. Yet I cannot help but wonder if souls did roam, how many would look at us and cringe with fear themselves, given that the promise of individual freedom has not only gone unfulfilled, but is becoming destroyed.
Indeed, the right of the individual is denied at every turn, especially when it comes to ingesting a natural plant. Some interesting statistics to ponder: The US War on Drugs (Freedom) costs approximately $51,000,000,000.00 annually; In 2015 marijuana arrests in the US exceed 643,000; and 1 out of every 11 persons in the US is incarcerated (the highest incarceration rate in the entire world).
Is it the souls of the dead, or the living that haunt us? Clearly it is not ghosts who make and enforce laws which deny freedom. Next, who is it that is denying these rights? Well, lawmakers and law enforcement create and enforce these laws. Interestingly, its big business for these entities to make and enforce these laws which deny our freedoms. To be sure, in Kent County alone forfeiture is used to take the property and money of people accused of drug crimes as a way to enhance tax revenues. For example, according to Kent County’s budget for fiscal year 2015, which is set for the year ahead, the Kent Narcotics Enforcement Team (“KNET”) expected revenue from fines and forfeitures would be $418,258.00, with the total expected expenditures for Drug Law Enforcement estimated to be $542,238. This means that drug law enforcement operates with a budget that is approximately 95.4% funded by fines and forfeiture. And, because it is set forth before the year, this means that law enforcement must seize property and money in that amount to make their budget. In other words, a quota system to enhance tax revenue.
But there are others whose souls haunt us in order to deny freedom. These include anyone who support laws that deny freedom. For example, as a stark example of this, I spoke to a couple very religious people who were complaining that in their town in Colorado, it is now against the law to carry a bible in public. Apparently the town council deemed the bible offensive to the gay community due to its anti-gay words. I asked them if they supported the right of gays and lesbians to marry, and they refused. I pointed out that their denying the rights of others led to the denial of their right.
In essence, this is how I recognized Parasitic Anthrophopagy Syndrome (PASY). When we support the denial of freedom to others, we support the denial of our own freedom. In this case, these two otherwise good people who were willing to deny freedom to others, were now faced with those “others” denying them their right to freedom. Worse, they gave their consent to this, when they supported the denial of those “others” their freedom.
This is only one of the thousands of issues when it comes to the denial of freedom. Whether the denial is due to a trait with which one is born, such as color or gender, or due to a choice, such as using marijuana or marrying someone of one’s own gender, it is still a denial of freedom. What is more, sooner or later someone will deny your freedom, and if you support the denial of theirs, then the denial of yours is with your support.
Finally, can you imagine the reaction of these lawmakers and law enforcement personnel when marijuana is forced upon their children marijuana against their wishes? It can happen, it already does with other drugs. And, so long as they continue to support laws which deny freedom, they will be supporting the denial of their freedom to choose not to have their children forced to ingest marijuana.
Till next month, Happy Halloween, and as always, keep rolling on.
Disclaimer: This is an informational article only. It is not to provide individual legal advice. If you need legal services, feel free to contact me, or any attorney of your choosing.
