Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

April 13, 2010

Most of the time, a crisis provides an unwelcome opportunity for government growth. In Ohio?s Ashtabula County ? the largest in the state -- the ongoing economic collapse may lead to exactly the opposite result.

The Ashtabula County Sheriff?s Office has reduced its force from 112 to 49 deputies. The jail population, which has been as high as 140 prisoners, has been cut to 30 because of a reduction in the number of available guards.

Asked how residents should deal with the cutbacks, Judge Alfred Mackey of the County Court of Common Pleas replied: ?Arm themselves. Be very careful, be vigilant, get in touch with your neighbors, because we?re going to have to look for each other.?

Since law enforcement officers have no enforceable legal or civil responsibility to protect an individual citizen, residents of Ashtabula County ? like the rest of us ? have always been responsible for their own defense. In this, as in so much else, the economic crisis is providing a painful but useful reality check.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.