The United States became its own country to keep its Constitution; at that time the unwritten tradition of common law and government protecting foremost one’s right to relationships (free association), to govern one’s self. King George ignored that common law, conspired to dominate the Colonists using civil law’s admiralty tribunals, and backed unconstitutional legislation. Unlike the common-law tradition, civil law spawns piles of legislation by decree, expanding state power, shrinking freedom.

The ideals of common law has become our Constitution. It is our duty to foil those that scorn this common law and try to displace it with bureaucratic decrees. The enemy’s weak point is his dull scorn for the common-law principles our Declaration reveals and our Constitution puts in order. Only by wielding a sharpened esteem for the principles of common law, will mankind overcome the deep-seated contempt for the laws of Nature.

Brent Allan Winters is an American geologist, common lawyer, author, and teacher. “Our common-law way of life and thought,” says Brent, “it is not only the lifeblood and backbone of our U.S. Declaration of ’76 and Constitution, but is also the object of zeal that delivered our country to nationhood and remains the fellowship that defines Americans to the world.” Brent grew up on a farm north of Moonshine, Illinois; served as diver, U.S. Navy Mobile Diving Unit 1 and aboard carrier USS Coral Sea; worked as a geologist, mine operator and ran for U.S. Congress. Winters has briefed cases in the United States Supreme Court, argued before the jury and appellate courts (both State and Federal), and has represented clients in foreign countries.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx