Image via WikipediaThe title link above takes you to an article titled: Our Country is Fine, But the Government is Broken. You may not agree with everything the author presents, however, the point that our government is "broken" is something I think we can all agree on. That is why a restoration of our Constitutional Republic is so important. The reason that many in our country call for a restoration of our founding principles is based on increasing our awareness of events in the past and what we can learn from them. I've said before that the major split in our country today is due to competing world views. It becomes clearer to me with each passing day. Those with a world view based on sound values and principles which are derived from a transcendent source are frequently derided as old fashioned, depicted as white fanatics protecting their "privilege," backwards, stupid, and, with increasing frequency, viciously attacked using vulgar terms. Jed Brandt speaking at the Brecht Forum refers to us as "far right fascists" who "think there are some people who are not invested with rights...are really dangerous...and they will kill us." Does that qualify as fear mongering? It does to me.
The "us" he refers to hold the opposing world view; the progressive world view I have been referring to these past months. It is a world view that sees elites, government elites, solving all the world's problems. So how has that worked out in the past for the totalitarian, socialist, Maoist, and communist regimes? Millions of people have died, but, then again, "you have to crack a few eggs if you are going to make an omelet," right? I love that Jed Brandt moans about having to "apologize" (for self identifying as a Communist) for what Joseph Stalin did because he (Jed) "hasn't killed anyone." No, he has fought for "free speech" and "expanding the realm of possibility." As with anything, though, the devil is in the details. Defining "expanding the realm of possibility" leads to the inevitable goal of a classless society. The problem with this is the equally inevitable gap between theory and practice.
I believe that many people who identify themselves as socialists, communists, maoists, and, as they are more apt to refer to themselves today, progressives really and truly believe human beings and society can be perfected with the right form of governance, social programs, and elites making all the important decisions for masses. They really believe that the world would be a better place. However, what my world view and my reading of history tells me is that if you build the structure necessary for this utopia, the people who will end up at the top will not be the best of mankind, but the worst.
That's why we need to be concerned with:
TSA Screening Procedures
Is the line separating collective security and individual liberty being blurred? We, the fringe who believe in adhering to the U.S. Constitution, might wonder where the Fourth Amendment plays in to these procedures.
Net Neutrality
Net Neutrality and concepts like the Fairness Doctrine have been soundly defeated at the polls and in Congress. The FCC Commissioner, however, seems to believe that it is the government's role to determine what type of news we hear. Does he know about the First Amendment of our Constitution? If you do not have full access to information and are forced to rely on what the FCC deems acceptable are you not at a disadvantage? Senator Rockefeller thinks that his job in Congress would be a whole lot easier if Fox News and MSNBC were taken off the air. According to him, freedom of the press seems to be getting in the way of our citizens having confidence in their government and their future. Do you agree with that?!
The START nuclear weapons treaty with Russia:
There is a good article you might want to read at the Constitutionalist Today: The Kremlin Has No Comment. Our Constitution states that the Federal Government's role is to provide for the common defense. You might want to watch a short video at Liberty Central regarding this role and how it relates to the issues with this treaty.
Obamacare and other Constitutional violations:
Making Stuff Up as They Go from the Tenth Amendment Center is an interesting read. They also have a great article on nullification titled: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Permission.
Finally, consider a recent Op-ed in the New York Times by Thomas Friedman that, among other issues, mocks our concerns about TSA screenings and the concerns expressed about the START Treaty. This is an effective tactic used by those with the opposing world view. If you make people feel "stupid" or "silly" for expressing concerns about the erosion of our Constitutional Republic then others will be bullied into believing there is nothing to be concerned about and will hesitate to speak up. The thing in the op-ed I take the greatest exception to is the mocking reference to our "American Exceptionalism." The friend who shared the op-ed on Facebook and I had a short discussion about the importance of defining terms used in a debate or discussion. According to the "fringe group" that cherishes our Constitutional Republic (because it represents a system of government that respects those God given rights; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) American Exceptionalism means that our country offers opportunities that exist in very few other places, if any. And if we fail to preserve that form of government what will replace it is a structure that, when built, will be controlled by flawed human beings. You might say that our Constitutional Republic is lead by flawed human beings. You are correct. The difference is that our founders KNEW that and built a system of checks and balances to prevent any one part of the government from amassing total control and power. It seems we're diminishing those checks and balances at a breathtaking rate.
American Exceptionalism doesn't mean we are superior. It doesn't mean we are better than everyone else. It simply means that our goal is to protect our citizens' life, liberty and their pursuit of happiness and that we understand that these are God given, not bestowed upon us by the government and the government elites.
History has shown us just how seriously flawed the leaders of socialist, Marxist, Maoist, and communist countries have been. I have found no exceptions to that pattern and, according to my world view, there never will be an exception to that pattern.
Other articles of interest:
Lost Inspiration and the Fall of the Soviet Union (an article discussing the book: Political Will and Personal Belief: The Decline and Fall of Soviet Communism, by Paul Hollander.
Weapons Modernization Hostage to START Treaty?
Chinese Communists Confer with Dem and GOP Comrades
(NOTE: As always, I try to include related articles that present both sides of the issues. In other words, from the each of the world views I refer to. I do this in hopes that you will begin to see the difference. I, unlike progressives, believe that you need to see all of the information in order to determine what the truth is.)
No comments:
Post a Comment