"When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." - Benjamin Franklin;
"And when politicians find that honor and character matter less than buying votes and a constituency, that too will herald the end of the Constitution. When that happens we must work tirelessly to change their minds, or their occupation!" - Hoping The Blind Will See

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Responsibility For The Mess In Which We Find Ourselves, Lies Squarely With Us

I make this statement because, over the course of a hundred years or so, We The People have not upheld our responsibility to protect the Constitution. We consciously or unconsciously made a choice to abdicate that authority to those we elected to national office. Once we did that, we, in a fat, stupid, happy and carefree way, completely closed our eyes to what Washington did, assuming all the while that good men would do good things and conveniently forgetting or repressing the fact that "absolute power corrupts absolutely". So, if we want our Liberty back, we had better be prepared to work long and hard, and talk loud and plain, in order to reclaim it.

The problem that I see with that process is this. There are generations of Americans who don't even recognize how much Liberty has already been lost. We are in for tough times my friends, and great resolve and vision will be required for us to see our way back to the past. Do you have the stamina? Can you withstand the pain that is coming - financial, economic, etc.? Prepare...

What Our Constitution Permits

By Walter E. Williams 1/12/2011

Here's the House of Representatives new rule: "A bill or joint resolution may not be introduced unless the sponsor has submitted for printing in the Congressional Record a statement citing as specifically as practicable the power or powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the bill or joint resolution." Unless a congressional bill or resolution meets this requirement, it cannot be introduced.

If the House of Representatives had the courage to follow through on this rule, their ability to spend and confer legislative favors would be virtually eliminated. Also, if the rule were to be applied to existing law, they'd wind up repealing at least two-thirds to three-quarters of congressional spending.

You might think, for example, that there's constitutional authority for Congress to spend for highway construction and bridges. President James Madison on March 3, 1817 vetoed a public works bill saying: "Having considered the bill this day presented to me entitled 'An act to set apart and pledge certain funds for internal improvements,' and which sets apart and pledges funds 'for constructing roads and canals, and improving the navigation of water courses, in order to facilitate, promote, and give security to internal commerce among the several States, and to render more easy and less expensive the means and provisions for the common defense,' I am constrained by the insuperable difficulty I feel in reconciling the bill with the Constitution of the United States and to return it with that objection to the House of Representatives, in which it originated."

Madison, who is sometimes referred to as the father of our Constitution, added to his veto statement, "The legislative powers vested in Congress are specified and enumerated in the eighth section of the first article of the Constitution, and it does not appear that the power proposed to be exercised by the bill is among the enumerated powers."

Here's my question to any member of the House who might vote for funds for "constructing roads and canals, and improving the navigation of water courses": Was Madison just plain constitutionally ignorant or has the Constitution been amended to permit such spending?

What about handouts to poor people, businesses, senior citizens and foreigners?

Madison said, "Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government."

In 1854, President Franklin Piece vetoed a bill to help the mentally ill, saying, "I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity. (To approve the measure) would be contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and subversive to the whole theory upon which the Union of these States is founded."

President Grover Cleveland vetoed a bill for charity relief, saying, "I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, and I do not believe that the power and duty of the General Government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit."

Again, my question to House members who'd vote for handouts is: Were these leaders just plain constitutionally ignorant or mean-spirited, or has our Constitution been amended to authorize charity?

Suppose a congressman attempts to comply with the new rule by asserting that his measure is authorized by the Constitution's general welfare clause. Here's what Thomas Jefferson said: "Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."

Madison added, "With respect to the two words 'general welfare,' I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."

John Adams warned, "A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." I am all too afraid that's where our nation stands today and the blame lies with the American people.

Stand With God, Stand For Liberty, Prepare To Fight For Both!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Empathy, Compassion And Common Sense

I could have posted about the tragedy that occurred in Tucson last week. But instead, I chose to let the left sink in the pit of quicksand they created for conservatives, but fell into themselves. This post is about leadership, and leadership response to tragedy. We saw it on 9/11 when George Bush took calm control of the war zone in New York, and calmly and seemingly effortlessly guided us through the weeks and months that followed. And we see it again here.


As you watch this video, imagine that Barack Obama is giving it. I tried, but couldn't. He doesn't seem to have the qualities of empathy and compassion. He doessn't seem to have the ability to express those traits if he does have them. And he doesn't seem to have the ability to paint a landscape of America's greatness in words.

So, as you watch this video, ask yourself who appears more presidential. Barack Obama, who often when speaking without a teleprompter seems to falter in his thought process as he searches for words or a phrase, probably because he doesn't "feel" the truth of what his words are meant to convey. Or, Sarah Palin who is obviously comfortable with the words she is using, most likely because they are part of her belief system.

This post is not really about the tragedy that occurred in Tucson last week. It's about leadership, and leadership response.



Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.
 
Stand With God, Stand For Liberty, Prepare To Fight For Both!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Answer Is ALWAYS "Turn To God"

We have been living in a world increasingly chaotic, increasingly irresponsible, increasingly amoral, increasingly unlawful. We watch events unfold both within our country and our government, as well as in other countries, that we would never have thought possible 20 years ago. Countries around the globe, including our own, are facing dire consequences because of years of governmental intrusion, abuse and corruption.

We have seen our own government become increasingly tyrannical, increasingly fascist-like over the past two years. We witness illegal immigrants, and thus criminals, cross our border daily with no effective, no apparent, response. In fact the government wants to "legalize" these criminals. How is that possible in a Republic where the rule of law is paramount?

We witnessed yesterday a heinous act by a deranged individual, when he shot multiple persons including a nine year old girl, a Congresswoman and a Federal Judge. That act in itself, is despicable enough. But now we have media reports that even include Congresswoman Giffords' own father pointing fingers at the Tea Party.

The alleged shooter was not a member of the Tea Party. If you care to know the truth about him check this link.

But the point of this post is that regardless of how out of control our country is, or the world is, remember that God is always there to support us. So if you haven't, turn to Him. And remember that no person or circumstance can rob you of the presence of God. No one can take your belief from you. Only you have that power. You can choose to believe, or you can choose not to. Neither option can be proved in this world, other than by the acceptance (or not) of miracles.

I choose to believe. I have witnessed miracles in my own life, so I know God exists. That is comforting. And knowing that no matter how much "pain" in inflicted upon us in our lives, He is always there to support us. Many who are skeptical ask "if there is a God, why does he allow things like the Arizona shooting to occur?" And my answer is simple. Because there is also a satan. And while God is there to support us in all things, satan is there to tear us down just as often, and in as many ways, as possible. In our personal lives, in our government, in our world. And while God may not be able to prevent satan from acting, we have a choice in how we react to those things satan places in our paths. We can choose to stand with God and trust in Him, or we can turn away from God and try surviving on our own. The former allows God to work his plan to reward us at some point - in this world or the next. But the latter does not allow Him to work His plan, because we no longer have an open heart to Him.

We are living in trying times. Certainly more trying for some than for others, but historically, this period of world history will be discussed and studied by generations yet to come. And only if we turn to God, will that history turn out good. So join with me and stand with Him!

Stand With God, Stand For Liberty, Prepare To Fight For Both!