Archive | January 7, 2008

There are websites that will host a petition, for free, so I’m planning an anarchist one; I’m curious how many signers I’d get. Here‘s a draft. Feedback? Suggestions for rewording? (I want to make it generic enough that anarchists of multiple flavours could sign on.)

To all those currently exercising positions of responsibility in the Government of the United States of America, whether elected or appointed, and whether at the federal, state, or local level:

Whereas the United States Government’s claim to legitimacy is purportedly based on such principles as the consent of the governed, human equality, and the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

Whereas few if any of those over whom you claim authority have ever consented to such governance; and

Whereas governments, as claimants to such authority over others, are by their nature inconsistent with human equality; and

Whereas your laws, ordinances, decrees, and policies generally stand in violation, directly or indirectly, of the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

We, the undersigned, hereby demand:

That you cease to claim to be acting in our name or as our agents; and

That you cease all attempts to exercise authority over your fellow human beings, on this continent or elsewhere; and

That you work to dismantle the institution or set of institutions known as the Government of the United States of America, in every branch and at every level, as speedily as possible; and

That you make no attempt to interfere with its replacement by voluntary associations of free and equal individuals.

Two possible objections that come to mind are: “Why just the United States? Why not all goverments?” and “Why petition these bozos? Why not instead petition our fellow citizens to withdraw consent?” To both of which I reply – I never said that this should be our only petition.