Doug Huffman wrote:
Society is made up of individuals balancing security, from community, and liberty's freedom and its risks. Some sway to the left while others hew to the right - to massively mix metaphors.
(Not contradicting, just using the quote as a jumping-off point.)
Dangerous word that---balancing.
I'm convinced its sloppy thinking or sneaky spin, depending on who is saying it. Perhaps add in a little "manner of speaking" if its a solid liberty-minded fellow like Thomas Jefferson.
There is no need to "balance" liberty and security. Security exists to secure Liberty. Not balance it, not be opposed to it, not gain some security at the expense of some Liberty.
Readonce again from theDeclaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men... (emphasis added)