Americans have given much to fight tyranny around the world. But what about all the creeping tyranny right here in America? The following two stories illustrate in different ways just how overbearing the United States government has become since its inception as an institution once designed to protect, rather than infringe upon, basic rights.

First, we have the story of Mike Mette. He’s about to be kidnapped by the state of Iowa and held against his will for five years. Normally, government is only allowed to engage in such behavior when a member of society has demonstrated that they are incapable of coexisting with the rest. Mike Mette, however, is being kidnapped for no other reason than that he exercised his natural right to self defense.

Self-defense is, inexplicably, no defense

It went to hell for Mike Mette, too, in Dubuque on Oct. 8, 2005. What happened shouldn’t have happened, but it did. Mike and his buddies were drinking, a testament to what happens when young guys mix with alcohol. They heard about a house party, the party was a dud, they left without taking a drink, but the alleged victim and another man, a basketball player standing 6-foot-8, were highly offended.

The victim said his cell phone had disappeared. Angry words were exchanged. Mike and his friends left. The victim, a college student, and the basketball player chased them down the street, picking a fight. Mike wasn’t armed. He tried to avoid the confrontation until the other guy began pushing him, punching him in the chest with both hands.

So Mike did what anyone would do. He threw a punch. One punch. The victim went down. Unconscious. There was no testimony that he did anything other than throw that one punch. Prosecutors spinning their local paper talk about the victim being kicked, but even the victim’s friend wouldn’t testify to that. The victim was released from the hospital four days later. A month went by, and Mike was charged with assault causing serious injury, which carries a mandatory five-year term.

This next story, which Rush talked about a couple days ago, is absolutely ridiculous.

Deputies seize baby boy from parents so state can test blood

A nearly 7-week-old baby is home after sheriff’s deputies seized him from his parents so doctors could perform a mandatory blood test that the boy’s parents object to on religious grounds.

Mary and Josue Anaya of Omaha say their due process rights were violated and they’re considering legal action against the state and county, which decided to “grab the baby and ask questions later,” said their attorney, Jeff Downing of Lincoln.

Mary Anaya gave birth to their ninth child in Iowa, which offers a religious exemption to the blood tests.

…Mary Anaya told a health worker they would not have Joel tested, and health officials told the county attorney’s office, which got an order from a juvenile court judge, saying the child was in “imminent danger.” With the order came permission to place the baby in foster care while the test was performed.

And just what was this “imminent danger”? Well, the screening is for rare diseases, which should give a clue right there. With 43 confirmed positives out of 27,000 tests conducted last year, “imminent danger” has been stretched well beyond the breaking point. At this point it’s clear that no personal liberty can remain so long as do-gooder liberals are allowed to use government force to decide what is best for you and yours. Sometimes I can’t tell what country we’re in anymore.

You can also find this post and more at Conservative Compendium.

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