You know, Congress really botched it up. It has stepped over the line and must be called to task. When these politicians, from their gilded halls, declared that I must buy something, they violated the very essence of what it means to be an American. The government doesn’t have the right to force me to buy anything.

I understand their thinking. It’s in the public’s best interests, but what is to stop them from saying I must purchase anything they “deem” to be in the best interest of the country? They could make me buy broccoli because they think I should eat healthier.

Just plain not American.

And let’s not even talk about freedom of religion. That is going to force me to buy things I find morally repugnant.

So when Congress passed, and President George Washington signed, the Militia Act of 1792 that, as part of it, could force me to buy a gun, they crossed a line.

Next thing you know, they might require me to buy insurance. Oh wait, President John Adams already did that in 1798 with “An act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen,” forcing sailors on privately-owned ships to buy insurance.

Man, the founders must be spinning in their graves.

Oh, wait, they were founders.

Jason Theriault, Auburn