You can call me a geek if you want, but my son and I had a moment that really opened my eyes about being a Conservative, an American, my responibilities. My son is getting real interested in Social Studies. He is doing real well in it, so I took this moment to teach him a real life lesson.
They are going to start the American Civil War next week. So, I got out the of the library an American history book for his age. When I showed it to him today, his face lit up and he grabbed it. He turned the book directly to the Civil War.
Soon, we were sitting on the coach. He was reading about one of our most crucial moments in history and I was reading my book. Then he got to the Gettysburg Address. We discussed the battles that led to Gettysburg and Gettysburg itself. Then, without any prompting, as if he knew how important these words are, he began to read:
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”—Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863
At the end, my son emphasized and repeated, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
When you think what happened at Gettysburg and during the Civil War, it really brings to light how fragile our nation and freedom really is. After nearly 150 years, these revered words by such a great President still mean so much and are still so fitting.
We now find ourselves in such precarious times and events where our liberties and freedoms seemed threatened once again. To hear such words read by such an innocent voice underscores what is at stake and what is important.
As Lincoln understood, he was the steward of our nation and principles, as we are today. We are to pass down to the next generation this nation, hopefully better than we received it. We are to pass down the values, principles, and the way of life. We are to stand up and fight for our freedoms and liberties for us and future generations. We are to educate the next generation so they understand where America came from and why and how we are here. We are to insure we do not perish.
Ronald Reagan said in his California Gubernatorial Inauguration Speech in 1967, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”
After this enlightening moment, I believe it is time to talk to him about our founding and have him read some of the Declaration of Independence. It is time to introduce him to Jefferson, Washington, and the other Founders. It is time to educate so that our fragile nation shall not perish.
Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Unrest! People have risen up!
The people have heard his speeches. The people have heard his words. The people have seen his actions. He is the great unifier. Obama has reunited the nation. He has reunited us under the U.S. Constitution. The people have risen up on his words. AND…we are MAD!
Check out these links:
Rick Santelli from CNBC: The Chicago Tea Party
Dobson High School government students
Michelle Malkin and Kansas marches
Obama has successfully united the Right and now the Right is converting people to their cause. They have seen enough and heard enough. The people are seeing their freedoms, liberties, and property being taken away from them. They will not tolerate it! The citizens are marching in the streets and speaking out, and it is about time. The sleeping bear has awaken!
Now, we, the People, need to continue the protest of the President and his suppressive policies. We need to tell our Congressmen, our friends, our families, our newspapers, and to anyone who will listen and spread the word. Peaceful protest and speaking out will reap great awards. The rest of the nation can no longer ignore us and it is time to have our voice heard. The media can no longer ignore the dissension. If we speak loud enough and long enough and we are right about our beliefs, they will hear us.
Thank you, Mr. President. Please continue touring America making your speeches that infuriates America. Congress, please continue telling us, the “chattering” class, that we don’t care and forcing us to fund your regressive programs. Government agencies, (FCC, EPA, etc) please continue trying to rip our liberties away. You will not prevail. We will. Every time you do these things, you raise the ire of the People. The People rule this nation, not you. We want our power back and we will have it!
Check out these links:
Rick Santelli from CNBC: The Chicago Tea Party
Dobson High School government students
Michelle Malkin and Kansas marches
Obama has successfully united the Right and now the Right is converting people to their cause. They have seen enough and heard enough. The people are seeing their freedoms, liberties, and property being taken away from them. They will not tolerate it! The citizens are marching in the streets and speaking out, and it is about time. The sleeping bear has awaken!
Now, we, the People, need to continue the protest of the President and his suppressive policies. We need to tell our Congressmen, our friends, our families, our newspapers, and to anyone who will listen and spread the word. Peaceful protest and speaking out will reap great awards. The rest of the nation can no longer ignore us and it is time to have our voice heard. The media can no longer ignore the dissension. If we speak loud enough and long enough and we are right about our beliefs, they will hear us.
Thank you, Mr. President. Please continue touring America making your speeches that infuriates America. Congress, please continue telling us, the “chattering” class, that we don’t care and forcing us to fund your regressive programs. Government agencies, (FCC, EPA, etc) please continue trying to rip our liberties away. You will not prevail. We will. Every time you do these things, you raise the ire of the People. The People rule this nation, not you. We want our power back and we will have it!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Why Socialism is so Dangerous
So many people today throw the word Socialism around without really considering what it really means. Socialism is the opposite of what America stands for. It is the antithesis of what the Founders planned for this nation. It is in essence why we fled from Europe in the 1500s and 1600s and why we fought the Revolutionary War. The essence of Socialism is why immigrants flooded Ellis Island fleeing Europe and illegal immigrants risks their lives today crossing the U.S.-Mexican border. Socialism is the lack of freedom and liberty. Socialism limits both to control its people and its economy while we are for freedom for both.
When this country was founded, the Framers had a choice between the ideas Adam Smith, David Hume, and John Locke--free market ideas (capitalism)-- or the Old World ideas of mercantilism The Framers chose capitalism because is exemplified the founding principles of America—freedom, liberty, and ownership of private property. Capitalism placed the power with the people and not the government, which mercantilism did and socialism does today. This choice of freedom allowed this nation to grow and prosper and become a beacon to the world—“a shining city on a hill.” It exemplified what is “good”. It exemplified true freedom. It still does.
Our free markets and our people’s freedom are one in the same. One cannot be without the other. When the government interferes with either it affects the other. For example, when the government taxes the people or business excessively, it drastically affects the freedom of what they can or will do. Socialism limits both its people and the economy; therefore, it impedes their ability and desire to create anything.
Not only did our Founders have the wisdom that we should have free markets and a free people, but they also saw the enormous benefit of the people having private property rights. This allowed the people to generate great infinite wealth. Wealth that we still create today. Socialism is the opposite. The State eventually owns the property. All the property. Eventually, the State controls everything—without personal freedom or liberty for the people.
We, as a country, are losing the sense of our roots. We are forgetting what we stand for. We are losing our freedoms. First and foremost, the U.S. government must promote liberty and private property rights—not limit or control them. Private property is not just physical property, such as land, but ALL property, such as businesses, money (income and profits), intellectual, and so on. In accordance, the government must advance capitalist (free market) principles. Capitalism creates endless wealth for all indiscriminately. Capitalism sustains the freedom and liberty of the Republic.
In the last few months we have, not just slipped, but raced toward Socialism. Any form of socialism retards economic, social, and personal growth throughout our society. Just look at Norway, Russia, France, Cuba, and list goes on. Socialism in any form limits freedom in countless areas. This impediment of freedom and liberty limits creativity, creation of any wealth, and free will. Socialism is not just economic but infests all parts of a society.
Socialism seems in the short term a great idea. It soothes whatever economic ailments are immediately felt--job losses, bankruptcies, limited funds, etc. However, in the long run, without the freedom of personal creativity, creation of any wealth, and free will resources begin to crumble and waste away. There is not any incentive to create anything since it does not benefit anyone but the State. Eventually, there is nothing left. Again, look at Russia, Cuba, China and others.
Now, if Socialism is so horrible, why are we racing toward it? Throughout history when events of turmoil and tumult arise, such as an economic collapse, governmental turmoil, or social unrest, Socialism seems to be the best support during the trying times. It soothes the immediate ailments of the time. Such examples are Russia of 1910s, Germany of the 1930s, Italy of the 1930s, and U.S. of today.
The problem is that, although the immediate ailments may seem soothed, in the long term the people eventually end up in much worse circumstances. Take the prior examples of Russia, Germany, and Italy. All of them went from a national socialism, the government owing major industries, to a dictatorship (tyranny), which is the natural progression. All them ultimately went to war and in time collapsed in absolute ruin. By looking at Socialism in this manner, it seems not only immoral but also definitely anti-American.
The fact is that Capitalism naturally has it up and downs—its cycles. This is how it naturally cleanses itself of weaker participants of the system, such as our car companies or the financial companies. It is not only natural, but it is painful. But, it is humane. It is better for the economy and the people as a whole to have failure. It is better to have tried and failed than to be falsely supported by the government with a faulty product or industry. It is better to try, fail, and then find something better than to keep doing more of something that does not work. This is what one with common sense would call waste—something the government is very good at.
So, as the U.S. government buys into its industries, it is practicing Socialism. It is propping up industries that need to learn from failure. It would be the best for the economy as a whole, if they failed. By flirting with Socialism, the U.S. is undermining its core principles and marching toward the economic and social models it abhors and has called evil in the past. Tyranny.
As more Socialist principles are incorporate into the U.S. economy and government, the people will lose more and more of their freedom, liberty, and happiness. If we do not stop this now, the U.S. could become the next Russia, Germany, or Italy on the dust heap of history. All of this would be because we left our core principles of freedom, liberty, and ownership of private property. All of this would be because we would not take a little pain of a recession. All of this because the people listened to a few people in the government who want more power and control for themselves and less freedom for the people.
When this country was founded, the Framers had a choice between the ideas Adam Smith, David Hume, and John Locke--free market ideas (capitalism)-- or the Old World ideas of mercantilism The Framers chose capitalism because is exemplified the founding principles of America—freedom, liberty, and ownership of private property. Capitalism placed the power with the people and not the government, which mercantilism did and socialism does today. This choice of freedom allowed this nation to grow and prosper and become a beacon to the world—“a shining city on a hill.” It exemplified what is “good”. It exemplified true freedom. It still does.
Our free markets and our people’s freedom are one in the same. One cannot be without the other. When the government interferes with either it affects the other. For example, when the government taxes the people or business excessively, it drastically affects the freedom of what they can or will do. Socialism limits both its people and the economy; therefore, it impedes their ability and desire to create anything.
Not only did our Founders have the wisdom that we should have free markets and a free people, but they also saw the enormous benefit of the people having private property rights. This allowed the people to generate great infinite wealth. Wealth that we still create today. Socialism is the opposite. The State eventually owns the property. All the property. Eventually, the State controls everything—without personal freedom or liberty for the people.
We, as a country, are losing the sense of our roots. We are forgetting what we stand for. We are losing our freedoms. First and foremost, the U.S. government must promote liberty and private property rights—not limit or control them. Private property is not just physical property, such as land, but ALL property, such as businesses, money (income and profits), intellectual, and so on. In accordance, the government must advance capitalist (free market) principles. Capitalism creates endless wealth for all indiscriminately. Capitalism sustains the freedom and liberty of the Republic.
In the last few months we have, not just slipped, but raced toward Socialism. Any form of socialism retards economic, social, and personal growth throughout our society. Just look at Norway, Russia, France, Cuba, and list goes on. Socialism in any form limits freedom in countless areas. This impediment of freedom and liberty limits creativity, creation of any wealth, and free will. Socialism is not just economic but infests all parts of a society.
Socialism seems in the short term a great idea. It soothes whatever economic ailments are immediately felt--job losses, bankruptcies, limited funds, etc. However, in the long run, without the freedom of personal creativity, creation of any wealth, and free will resources begin to crumble and waste away. There is not any incentive to create anything since it does not benefit anyone but the State. Eventually, there is nothing left. Again, look at Russia, Cuba, China and others.
Now, if Socialism is so horrible, why are we racing toward it? Throughout history when events of turmoil and tumult arise, such as an economic collapse, governmental turmoil, or social unrest, Socialism seems to be the best support during the trying times. It soothes the immediate ailments of the time. Such examples are Russia of 1910s, Germany of the 1930s, Italy of the 1930s, and U.S. of today.
The problem is that, although the immediate ailments may seem soothed, in the long term the people eventually end up in much worse circumstances. Take the prior examples of Russia, Germany, and Italy. All of them went from a national socialism, the government owing major industries, to a dictatorship (tyranny), which is the natural progression. All them ultimately went to war and in time collapsed in absolute ruin. By looking at Socialism in this manner, it seems not only immoral but also definitely anti-American.
The fact is that Capitalism naturally has it up and downs—its cycles. This is how it naturally cleanses itself of weaker participants of the system, such as our car companies or the financial companies. It is not only natural, but it is painful. But, it is humane. It is better for the economy and the people as a whole to have failure. It is better to have tried and failed than to be falsely supported by the government with a faulty product or industry. It is better to try, fail, and then find something better than to keep doing more of something that does not work. This is what one with common sense would call waste—something the government is very good at.
So, as the U.S. government buys into its industries, it is practicing Socialism. It is propping up industries that need to learn from failure. It would be the best for the economy as a whole, if they failed. By flirting with Socialism, the U.S. is undermining its core principles and marching toward the economic and social models it abhors and has called evil in the past. Tyranny.
As more Socialist principles are incorporate into the U.S. economy and government, the people will lose more and more of their freedom, liberty, and happiness. If we do not stop this now, the U.S. could become the next Russia, Germany, or Italy on the dust heap of history. All of this would be because we left our core principles of freedom, liberty, and ownership of private property. All of this would be because we would not take a little pain of a recession. All of this because the people listened to a few people in the government who want more power and control for themselves and less freedom for the people.
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