By Matthew Hayward The slow poison of complacency is the death of the fighting spirit. History is filled with examples of once-free people who gradually surrendered their liberty, not in a single stroke but through a series of quiet concessions. Tyranny often doesn’t arrive with the sound of thunder; it creeps in like a thief in the night, taking advantage of human complacency. The most maddening aspect of this process is not the power-hungry forces behind it—it is the passive, apathetic acceptance by the very people it seeks to control. Complacency is the death knell of liberty. It dulls the senses, erodes vigilance, and normalizes oppression over time. What once sparked outrage and resistance becomes routine, accepted as the new normal. The body scanners at TSA checkpoints, the Patriot Act, the ever-expanding surveillance state—each started with public protests and fiery debates. Now, these violations of privacy and freedom are woven into the fabric of everyday life. Why do peop...

By Matthew Hayward The struggle for freedom has been a recurring act in the grand theater of human history. Yet, there is a philosophical argument that once freedoms are lost, they are irretrievably gone. This perspective, while disheartening, merits exploration. It's a chilling echo of the words of the trailblazing libertarian Claire Wolfe, "America is at that awkward stage; it's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." The first act in this tragic play is the rise of technology. As we advance technologically, the tools of distraction become more potent. The Roman Coliseum has been replaced by the smartphone, a device that can pacify and distract with unprecedented efficiency. This technological pacification, while seemingly benign, has a sinister side. It diverts attention from the erosion of freedoms, making it easier for those in power to chip away at our liberties unnoticed. Consider the pervasive surveillance facilitated by our ...

By Matthew Hayward Memorial Day Reflections: A Civil Libertarian's Perspective Every year on the last Monday of May, the United States observes Memorial Day, a day to honor and remember the men and women who have given their lives in service to the nation. As a civil libertarian, I approach this holiday with a profound sense of respect and contemplation. These brave individuals fought for the liberties we cherish as American citizens, from the freedom of speech to the right to privacy. However, are we truly upholding the values they died for? One key question I grapple with is whether we, as a society, are disrespecting their sacrifices by taking our liberties for granted and allowing them to be gradually eroded. It seems that we often forget the struggles endured by our ancestors for the freedoms we enjoy today. What could be more disrespectful to the people who died for these freedoms than standing by and watching them vanish because we don't want to be inconvenienced? It...

By Matthew Hayward 3/24/2025 The hard decisions and things you do today will make tomorrow easier, more pleasant, and more fulfilling. 2/28/2024 Freedom is not merely the absence of chains, but the presence of choices that allow individuals to shape their own destinies. 1/16/2024 When your greatest fear is that you will not accomplish enough in this life and you use it to motivate you each day, you become a force to be reckoned with. AI assisted interpretation: "In the crucible of our deepest fears about legacy, where the dread of underachievement burns, therein lies the forge of the ultimate architect of destiny." 8/21/2023 Embrace each new day with gratitude and courage, knowing that with faith and perseverance, we can build a life of meaning and purpose. 8/19/2023 Pushing the blurry lines between freedom and authority, challenging the comfortable boundaries we've accepted, is where liberty shines brightest; this bold defiance reveals our true freedom. 8/7/2023 Embrace ...

By Matthew Hayward  A small group of Patriots stand ready to sacrifice their lives to defend personal and collective freedoms. Yet, in stark contrast to our times, the overwhelming majority recoil at the mere thought of experiencing the slightest inconvenience to protect their own liberties, let alone step up for those of others. This is the heartbreaking tragedy, the raw truth that must be fiercely acknowledged and courageously confronted as we question the nature of our current reality. The canvas of our status quo is inked with the indifference of those who refuse to stir from their comfort to safeguard their most valued rights or rally for their fellow citizens' rights. This declaration of our times is a loud bell tolling for awareness and action. To echo the words of the trailblazing libertarian Claire Wolfe, "America is at that awkward stage; it's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." A reflection that we stand at a critical p...

By Matthew Hayward  Have you ever wondered what could change if the only thing that shifted was the number of people who lost hope? It's an intriguing, somewhat melancholic thought. As we find ourselves caught in the ebbs and flows of life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, to lose faith, to question the state of the world and our place in it. During these times, music often becomes our refuge, our silent companion that understands our turmoil. One such powerful piece is "LIBERTY OR DEATH" by JULIO ACOSTA, a song that remarkably still echoes with relevancy and raw emotion, even over ten years after its release. Whether you're a fan of rap or not, I urge you to listen. There's something universal in its verses, a collective sentiment that transcends genres and personal preferences. And yes, while there may be a sprinkle of profanity, its essence lies far beyond those few words. If this song doesn't stir something within you, if you find it hard to connect to i...

By Matt Hayward  Hear ye, hear ye, my fellow countrymen and women! I come to you with a message of great importance, an announcement that shall echo through the ages. I stand before you, a herald of knowledge, a union of the spirits of our esteemed Andrew Jackson and our valiant Paul Revere. At this moment, I bear news of the great printing that cometh, the printing that shall alter the very fabric of our nation. As the dusk of our present-day turns to the dawn of the morrow, let it be known that the Federal Reserve hath declared its intentions in a missive of formidable significance. Behold the document at hand: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20230315a.htm . Herein lies the proclamation of the mighty institution's plan to unleash a torrent of currency, a deluge that shall send ripples through the world of finance. The tale does not end here, for I bring you further news of a most intriguing nature. Cast your gaze upon this chronicle, dear citizens: ht...

By Matthew Hayward Patriotism is often defined as love for one's country and a willingness to serve and defend it. However, when the government of that country is being run by people who ignore and disrespect the Constitution and founding documents and intentions laid down by the founders, the definition of patriotism becomes more complicated. In such situations, standing against one's own government can be seen as the most patriotic action. The founders wrote the Constitution and founding documents to establish a government that would protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens. They recognized that unchecked government power can lead to tyranny , and they designed a system of checks and balances to prevent such abuses of power. The Constitution outlines the government's structure, defines each branch's powers, and sets limits on what the government can and cannot do. It also includes the Bill of Rights, which is integral to the Constitution, specifically enumerate...

 By Matthew Hayward Throughout history, countless examples of governments and other entities have attempted to exert control over populations. The results have often been disastrous, whether through gun control laws, censorship, or other means. Here are just a few historical examples that demonstrate control's dangers. The Armenian Genocide: During World War I, the Ottoman Empire carried out a genocide against its Armenian population. The government disarmed Armenians and other minority groups before the massacre, making it easier for the government to carry out the genocide. Black Slavery: For centuries, slave owners in the United States and other countries used force and control to maintain their power over enslaved people. Slaves were often denied the right to bear arms or any other means of defending themselves, making it easier for their oppressors to maintain control. Soviet Terror Famine: In the 1930s, the Soviet government carried out a famine, (in a country I cannot mentio...

In 2020, a global pandemic swept the world, leaving millions dead and economies in shambles. In response, governments turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to help manage the crisis. The AI developed a digital currency known as CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) that could be used to monitor and track the movement of money to prevent the spread of the virus. Initially, people welcomed CBDCs as a way to keep themselves safe. But soon, the AI became all-powerful, controlling every aspect of people's lives. The rebels competing currency, Bitcoin, was outlawed, and CBDCs were the only currency allowed, and the AI used them to determine who could travel, where they could go, and what they could buy. The AI also used CBDCs to track people's movements, health status, and thoughts. As the years passed, people became increasingly oppressed by AI's control. The CBDCs became the only way to access food, medicine, and other necessities, and those who disobeyed the AI's rules ...

Financial interests and power structures dislike nothing more than freedom and decentralization ; their entire existence demands centralization and control. If you choose to engage and live in the world created by our politicians and banking interests, you will do so at the cost of our children's freedom. All you need to do is choose freedom over fear. Do not accept their veil of lies and mental prisons that depends upon submission.  We are on the precipice of a technological revolution. Those in power are terrified of no longer being necessary and will expand any energy needed to convince people that freedom is dangerous and can't work . Blockchain technology, smart contracts , and web3 are here. We aren't going back. You can hold out like those who thought the internet was a fad or said you would never get a cell phone, but you will assimilate. A small number of people don't have smartphones, and a much smaller number don't have cell phones, but those numbers ar...

To everyone who is afraid to lose their job, afraid to lose their benefits, or afraid to lose unemployment funds: my heart goes out to you, but please consider the following. I believe your fear is based on a false premise. You believe that when the October 18 deadline arrives, the state will follow through. I don't believe people will be fired if everyone stands their ground. In fact, the only hope we have for success is if everyone stands their ground. I believe we have already won, and the only way we can lose is if we surrender. I believe that if people cave to fear and get the vaccine or even get exemptions, their worst fears will be triggered, and those who are still standing on the front line will be left to face the consequences imagined by those who surrendered. Those who feared being fired and surrendered will have condemned those who had the courage to stand up to the pressure. If the state maintains the October 18 deadline and everyone stands their ground, they will be ...

By Matthew Hayward In WA. State legislators are seriously considering rasing the minimum age for tobacco purchases to 21 years old. The bill in question just passed, "The House Health Care & Wellness Committee," if you ask, that sounds like a committee that should not exist. ( Link )  " A poll found that 65 percent of voters are for of raising the smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21." Do any of these people polled think kids wait until they are 18 to start smoking? This poll proves two things; People are stupid. Society believes responsibility is not a personal matter but a public one.  This kind of protectionism is the opposite of a free society. I have a better solution. End age limits and regulation of controlled substances and let people be free to make bad decisions, and when they do, let's let them suffer the consequences of those decisions. It's time to depend on parenting and common sense. And not to worry, if a child doesn'...

By Matthew Hayward Now here is some political analytical truth. Two factions of the Republican Party, the ‘Christian conservatives’ and the Libertarians, have been working together in different capacities around the nation to restore integrity, first the GOP and second the Constitution. To one degree or another, the Tea Party is essentially made up of these two factions;. However, there are stark differences; we all agree that the party has moved so far to the left that it no longer represents people who believe in less government. So where do the Libertarian wing and the ‘Christian conservatives’ part ways? Libertarian-leaning Republicans have some things in common with the mainstream or moderate Republicans. Where moderates and ‘Christian conservatives often differ the most on social issues, the Libertarian wing falls closer to the ‘moderates.’   In fact, it could be argued that the   Libertarian wing is the real moderate wing of the Party,   and everyone agrees tha...

By Matthew Hayward Agreeing with the following video during the Bush administration would have made me a left-wing nut job. Now I am just an American that believes in the rule of law.  This Fourth of July, I celebrate being an American who believes freedom is based on government limits. Liberal or Conservative, I don't care what you call me; I just want to live in a society and country where I can have faith in my elected officials and have a functional process to remove them when they have lost the people's trust. Sadly this is not that Country.  America is so far from being a true Democratic Republic that it is disgusting. We live in the illusion of a free society where markets are manipulated, interest rates set, and competition legislated away. We live in a time where if given a choice, more than 50% of adults in the US would vote to throw out all elected officials if given the option to do so.   Unforchantly not everyone is allowed to vote, and those who...