(Photo Source- http://www.in.gov/gov/2358.htm)

The Indiana “Republican” Governor Holcomb’s statement on industrial hemp is just further evidence of the government’s commitment to restrict freedom and the free market. The State isn’t ready? For a plant that has no real quantity of any psychoactive substance in it? That has hundreds of applications from cloth to food and could help diversify the state’s agricultural resources and income? His statement is much like every other politician who causes hesitation and fear to remain our protector. He is offering no safety, just over-regulation on behalf of both political parties. How can someone call himself conservative while increasing taxes and needless regulation?

But maybe this particular issue isn’t the most paramount example of the government’s pledge to regulate the citizen’s freedom. Let us not forget we cannot be trusted to buy cold beer at gas stations. Only by the magic of purchasing your cold beer at a liquor store that will allow a citizen’s willpower to overcome the urge to drink it in your car. Only by removing beer and wine from gas station refrigerators will our children be kept safe by the all-loving government. It amazing me how comfortable our regulators have become taking rights in the name of safety, when they are really just being swept off their feet by lobbyists.

One of the most concerning infringement is the fact that the citizens of Indiana are not allowed to submit ballot initiatives. Why are we not trusted to speak for ourselves? Why trust a government that can’t trust us? Are politicians not fallible people like us? They seem to hold themselves over the people, often campaigning for trust. But have no quarrels with usurping more and more rights. Slowly, carefully, over many generations we have allowed the government to assume rights that they were more than happy to take.

I believe that we the people have the absolute right to life and liberty. As long as you are doing to harm physically or monetarily with intent, we should be free to live as we please. I don’t recall giving my consent or asking the government to protect me from myself. I, as well as my fellow Hoosiers, am smart and responsible enough to live freely. We shouldn’t have to ask to grow a plant. We shouldn’t have to ask to keep our property. We shouldn’t have to ask to sell cold beverages in gas stations. I cannot say the government did this alone. Maybe it’s complacency, maybe it’s our short attention span, or maybe it’s our drive to be a part of a winning group that has lead us to this point. The Republicans argue with the Democrats and vice versa. They both pass laws based on their political leaders and the gifts they receive, without much consideration for their constituency. There is no swamp in Washington, or the state house for that matter. There is only federally protected wetlands.

Bad thing can happen and humanity isn’t perfect. But it’s only by working together as one whole group, will we be able to advance as a society. Only by reducing the amount of laws, will Law Enforcement start to be free to address real issues and become American hero’s again. Only by viewing each other as fellow Hoosiers and humans, and not categorizing others by political or ideological values, will peace and freedom be achievable. I believe we as a people can do this, but we will not get there by politicians playing us against each other. It’s time to change the way we vote.