Freedom in the balance By Henry Lamb web posted June 3, 2002 George W. Bush has put a hitch in the come-along of the global governance crowd, and they are fit to be tied. During the days of indecision following the 2000 election, I was attending a U.N. meeting at The Hague, which hoped to finalize the Kyoto Protocol. The only topic of discussion outside the official meetings, was the tragedy of a possible Bush presidency. The concern of the delegates was well founded. Bush withdrew the United States from further participation in the fatally flawed treaty despite scathing criticism from the international community and the one-worlders at home. Al Gore, a strong supporter of the Kyoto Protocol, would have turned over control of our energy emissions - and therefore, our energy input - to an international body. Howls of criticism emerged again when Bush announced that he would move forward the Strategic Defense Initiative, even if it required withdrawing from another treaty. And, again, criticism followed the Bush delegation that walked out of the anti-Israel propaganda-festivities which the U.N. called a "Conference on Human Rights" in Durban, South Africa. Much of the world was bitterly disappointed when the Bush administration insisted that the U.N.'s High Level Panel on Financing Development remove from its final report all references to a global tax, and to a Global Taxing Authority. Bush folks not only insisted that pro-abortion language be removed from another U.N. policy document, they shut-off the funding faucet for U.N. programs that promote abortion. The Clinton/Gore's last minute endorsement of the U.N.'s International Criminal Court was heralded by the international community, but their elation turned to scorn when Bush withdrew the U.S. signature in a one-paragraph letter to the U.N. Most importantly, when the U.S. was attacked, Bush did not go to the U.N. to ask for permission or help. He acted as an American, an enraged American, who set a course of action and invited all who are with us, to join us. He warned those who are not with us, that we are coming. Gore's past performance strongly suggests that his first response would have been to go to the U.N., and then set a course of action designed to appease the U.N.'s anti-American majority. George W. Bush has pulled the United States, and the world, back from the brink of a disaster-in-waiting: world government. A world socialist government in which American style freedom cannot exist. But the quest for world government has not ended. Its proponents see Bush as a temporary obstacle who will be removed shortly, so their plans can continue to unfold with the full support and cooperation of the U.S. under, preferably, Al Gore, or at least, another Democratic administration. Socialists, and so-called progressives in this country, are working diligently to replace the Bush administration, and gain a majority in both houses of Congress. The mid-term elections in November will be an indication of things to come. If Democrats significantly strengthen their position in Congress, the United States will list toward world government. Bush policies will be further entangled in political maneuvering. Should Al Gore, or his party regain the White House in 2004, world government is inevitable. Expect implementation of the Kyoto Protocol - with or without ratification by the U.S. Senate; expect re-entry into the International Criminal Court; expect abandonment of the Strategic Defense Initiative; expect a global taxing authority which will require the U.S. to increase its taxation to bring the U.S. into balance with the socialist nations; expect global taxes on currency exchange and energy use and air travel; expect U.N. control of the manufacture, sale and distribution of firearms - including hand guns and rifles; expect an end to the veto and permanent member status in the U.N. Security Council; expect U.N. regulation of multinational corporations. Don't expect to live wherever you choose; expect to live in a government-mandated sustainable community. Don't expect to buy the car that you choose; expect to buy only the type of vehicle the government will allow - and pay whatever price may be imposed. Don't expect to choose your vocation; expect to be channeled into a work category the government has decided the market requires. World government is a beautiful vision for a true socialist - a government-managed economy that enforces equitable distribution of the earth's resources without damaging the environment. Those who have tasted America's freedom must realize how close we are to losing it. Whether or not we continue to step back from world government, depends upon the leaders we elect to represent us. Never has our vote been more important to the future of America, and to the world. Henry Lamb is the executive vice president of the Environmental Conservation Organization, and chairman of Sovereignty International. Enter Stage Right - http://www.enterstageright.com