By Matthew Hayward The Slippery Slope: When Government Overreach Erodes Its Own Authority Introduction Governance and citizenry balance delicately on mutual understanding, trust, and respect. The bedrock of this pact? The expectation that government safeguards citizens' rights and freedoms. Yet, this trust erodes when governmental actions undermine their own authority—a specter haunting my experiences with escalating firearms laws in Washington State. Background: The Gradual Tightening of the Noose Federal laws have long existed in a state of forced compromise to my principles, not allowing me to purchase a suppressor or automatic weapon without an additional fee and registration. Similarly, Washington State laws compelled me to pay for permission to carry a firearm in a concealed manner. However, Washington State disrupted the equilibrium between personal freedom and government regulation in 2014, introducing transfer fees on firearms, effectively creating a registry of gun owners...

Often, the American conversation is stuck in a never-ending loop, repeating the same tired debates. But the reality is, the tracks we're replaying aren't even the ones we should be listening to. Instead of discussing the root causes, philosophical underpinnings, and societal implications of our policies, we often argue over them. It's time to shift our attention and focus our debate on the fundamentals. Abortion Rights: A Societal Reflection Consider the perennial issue of abortion. It's a subject that incites heated debates and strong emotions, yet the conversation almost always centers on the policy itself. Should it be legal? Under what circumstances? What restrictions should there be? These questions, while important, ignore the more profound issues at play. At its core, the debate on abortion is really a philosophical discourse on the sanctity of life, women's autonomy, societal responsibilities, and the role of government in personal decisions. Our discussions...

By Matthew Hayward The right to freedom of speech, expression, and assembly, with recognition of the need for safe spaces, trigger warnings, and accommodations for individuals who have experienced trauma or are sensitive to certain topics or stimuli. The right to bear arms, with recognition of the need for responsible gun ownership and regulations to address systemic bias and gun violence in communities of color. The right to protection against the quartering of soldiers, with recognition of the need for protection against government surveillance and the right to privacy. The right to protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, with recognition of the need for protection against implicit bias and discrimination in policing and law enforcement. The right to protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, with recognition of the need for protection against systemic oppression and unfair treatment in the criminal justice system. The right to a speedy and public trial...

These are not debates! By Matthew Edward Hayward on Saturday, November 12, 2011     There has not been a true debate in my lifetime. Are there any history buffs that care to share how long it has been since there were actual debates? What happens today is nothing more than cookie-cutter propaganda and showmanship. A substantive and philosophical dialog cannot take place in the current settings. The candidates do not get enough time to speak, and they often fail to use the time they get to answer the questions; instead, they artfully attempt to gain emotional appeal. They often banter with one another and toss around catchphrases and slogans. The whole thing is disgusting. They don’t all get asked the same questions, nor do they get equal time to speak. Sadly, many Americans are uninformed beyond reading the newspaper and watching their propaganda box. People either do not know how to do their own research or are too lazy to do so. Most of us sub...