On the 235th anniversary of one of the greatest calls for liberty – “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” – the President of the United States signed one of the biggest curtailments of human freedom in United States history.  The irony may have been lost on Washington leadership today, and perhaps the quotation from Washington, DC, today would have been “Liberty or death? Why so extreme? Screw the liberty, just give me health insurance!”

Remember this quotation, it is all the more relevant today:

“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775