It is said that when Ben Franklin was asked what kind of government the Constitutional Convention had given us, he responded "A republic, if you can keep it." Knowing Franklin's personality I believe that he also added "Good Luck", or words to that affect. As the founders knew from their study of history, cultures that run out of hardships to overcome, loose their ability to fight evil and eventually succumb to it. When the majority of the citizens believe that the responsibility for 'educating' our children BELONGS to government, we have set the trap which we have fallen into.
Willful ignorance and laziness confound the power that was meant to be manifest in each citizen. I have little confidence that sufficient change will take place within the minds, hearts, and spirits of individuals within our nation. We have become too complacent and bound within our physical and mental "comforts". To many, it is simply too much to become informed... it's too much work. It is also too much work to engage in the process of managing the best interests of our nation. It is incompatible with our desire for contant comfort. Regretfully, it is just too much. We the people are our own worst problem. Meaningful change will occur only after WE effect the change, individually and collectively, from an informed, principled, and steadfast stance.
I think you are correct Jim. I saw this in the former East Germany. Of course behind the curtain, everything was provided for, to the extent there was anything to provide, by the state. When the USSR dissolved, and West Germany reunited with the East, all of sudden these East Germans had to manage their individual lives to a much greater extent. This was a lot of work of course, with the attendant anxiety, and many harkened back to the "good old days" when the state took care of everything. Propped up by the state, we have become weak, as a citizenry. We are no longer the People that the Constitution was written for.
John, having been a part of the machine, serving as you did in the US Navy I have since always questioned authority. My dad and mom encouraged me to do so, but to do so with respect. The respect part has been lost. There seems to be a solid disconnect between the states and the federal government and it is in some cases, Washington/ California/ Oregon/ New York/ etc. the disconnect is relative to the larger cities. The task as I see it, is to focus first within our borders, we must as a nation come together to LISTEN with our hearts and not our ears. Most every situation could be resolved with honest, quiet, and again I use this term loosely empathetic respectful heart. It is the eye story, between the left and right currently. Speck versus log. We must educate our young people, and I place huge emphasis on WE as parents, as men, and women. You are correct in this summary, and the facts cannot be disputed, that is the best part of facts. However, in my experience the minute you involve attorney like say most elected federal politicians you just muddy the issues with most issues. This country must learn again that passing new laws is not the answer. The foundation was laid with the constitution, the States must take back that balance of power. We have seen the enemy, and it is us. That statement scares me to death. You wrote about this very thing a while back. I told someone the other day the only way anyone can be free the way our forefathers intended is to go to the Wilderness. Funny that is where Jesus went to do battle. Love you brother, keep up the necessary work.
Your parents are exceptional, which is to say exceptions to the rule. Which shows up in everything you have been and are being for the world. I truly appreciate your friendship. Love you brother.
John, I agree with about 95% of what you said. Regarding the rise of the Leviathan we Citizens allowed to exist through our ignorance of how Power corrupts as an addictive behavior, I say:
"We, the People must always have the tools at our disposal to prevent and resist the imposition of tyranny."
Thanks Tom. I’m wondering what the 5% is!? As for the tools; my only fear is that there won’t be enough folks around who are willing to wield the hammer, have a hammer, and know how to use the hammer.
The 5% is this: I understand your concern about excesses of both the Right and Left sides of the political spectrum. I also agree that the extremes represent tyranny.
The current situation, although not ideal from a philosophical perspective is understandable from a corrections perspective.
The governance as well as the machinery of Government of the US has become so inoculated with Progressive Socialist philosophy that it requires a massive effort to correct it back to a Constitutional/Libertarian way of governance that the US was founded on.
The medicine may not taste good, the cure will be restorative. I hope.
It is said that when Ben Franklin was asked what kind of government the Constitutional Convention had given us, he responded "A republic, if you can keep it." Knowing Franklin's personality I believe that he also added "Good Luck", or words to that affect. As the founders knew from their study of history, cultures that run out of hardships to overcome, loose their ability to fight evil and eventually succumb to it. When the majority of the citizens believe that the responsibility for 'educating' our children BELONGS to government, we have set the trap which we have fallen into.
Not coincidentally, my next Resist Evil series is "Schooling & Indoctrination."
All great minds.........
Willful ignorance and laziness confound the power that was meant to be manifest in each citizen. I have little confidence that sufficient change will take place within the minds, hearts, and spirits of individuals within our nation. We have become too complacent and bound within our physical and mental "comforts". To many, it is simply too much to become informed... it's too much work. It is also too much work to engage in the process of managing the best interests of our nation. It is incompatible with our desire for contant comfort. Regretfully, it is just too much. We the people are our own worst problem. Meaningful change will occur only after WE effect the change, individually and collectively, from an informed, principled, and steadfast stance.
I think you are correct Jim. I saw this in the former East Germany. Of course behind the curtain, everything was provided for, to the extent there was anything to provide, by the state. When the USSR dissolved, and West Germany reunited with the East, all of sudden these East Germans had to manage their individual lives to a much greater extent. This was a lot of work of course, with the attendant anxiety, and many harkened back to the "good old days" when the state took care of everything. Propped up by the state, we have become weak, as a citizenry. We are no longer the People that the Constitution was written for.
John, having been a part of the machine, serving as you did in the US Navy I have since always questioned authority. My dad and mom encouraged me to do so, but to do so with respect. The respect part has been lost. There seems to be a solid disconnect between the states and the federal government and it is in some cases, Washington/ California/ Oregon/ New York/ etc. the disconnect is relative to the larger cities. The task as I see it, is to focus first within our borders, we must as a nation come together to LISTEN with our hearts and not our ears. Most every situation could be resolved with honest, quiet, and again I use this term loosely empathetic respectful heart. It is the eye story, between the left and right currently. Speck versus log. We must educate our young people, and I place huge emphasis on WE as parents, as men, and women. You are correct in this summary, and the facts cannot be disputed, that is the best part of facts. However, in my experience the minute you involve attorney like say most elected federal politicians you just muddy the issues with most issues. This country must learn again that passing new laws is not the answer. The foundation was laid with the constitution, the States must take back that balance of power. We have seen the enemy, and it is us. That statement scares me to death. You wrote about this very thing a while back. I told someone the other day the only way anyone can be free the way our forefathers intended is to go to the Wilderness. Funny that is where Jesus went to do battle. Love you brother, keep up the necessary work.
Your parents are exceptional, which is to say exceptions to the rule. Which shows up in everything you have been and are being for the world. I truly appreciate your friendship. Love you brother.
John, I agree with about 95% of what you said. Regarding the rise of the Leviathan we Citizens allowed to exist through our ignorance of how Power corrupts as an addictive behavior, I say:
"We, the People must always have the tools at our disposal to prevent and resist the imposition of tyranny."
Thanks Tom. I’m wondering what the 5% is!? As for the tools; my only fear is that there won’t be enough folks around who are willing to wield the hammer, have a hammer, and know how to use the hammer.
The 5% is this: I understand your concern about excesses of both the Right and Left sides of the political spectrum. I also agree that the extremes represent tyranny.
The current situation, although not ideal from a philosophical perspective is understandable from a corrections perspective.
The governance as well as the machinery of Government of the US has become so inoculated with Progressive Socialist philosophy that it requires a massive effort to correct it back to a Constitutional/Libertarian way of governance that the US was founded on.
The medicine may not taste good, the cure will be restorative. I hope.