09 January 2014

A Nation in Crisis & "The Spirit of Seventy-Six"

(Note: this is a follow-up to two previous posts: When a Nation Disobeys God, and Turning the Nation Back to God.)

I've just begun reading the titular book, linked below, first published in 1958. This statement in the introduction caught my eye:
John Adams saw "the real American Revolution" as a "radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments and affections of the people," and thought it was, above all, "in the minds and hearts of the people."

Indeed.

Proverbs 23:7 says, "for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." The New American Standard Bible translates it this way: "For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

You can't expect the so-called low-information voter to see the problems with an unConstitutional program as long as that voter is happy with the freebies that the program gives away. 

People on welfare for life ... for multiple generations ... food stamps as a way of life* ... EBT cards which can be used for far more than food ... it goes on and on.

We've all seen how hard it is to convince the abusers of the system that it's wrong to do so, and wrong of the programs to not only turn a blind eye to those who do, but to (in many cases) encourage it. Those who get the free stuff are more than happy to vote for those who authorize the giveaway.

It could be said that the Progressives/nanny-statists have been lying well, while we've been telling the truth poorly.

This country is dangerously divided, as has perhaps not been seen since prior to the War Between the States. That was, as much as anything, a war for States' rights versus Federalism. 
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand..." (Matthew 12:25)
This is a war for individual rights and freedoms (but I repeat myself) versus subservience to an all-encompassing nanny state. 

So, what say you? Is what we're doing now effective? Are we winning the hearts and minds of the people? Are they being convinced of the historic view of individual rights and responsibilities?

If not, perhaps a different approach is warranted. What do you think it should be?



* I'm speaking of those who habitually abuse the system, not those in genuine need.

5 comments:

juvat said...

Clearly it's not effective. We've elected him twice whether fraudulently or not. I'm thinking that Secession is becoming more and more likely as the National Government continues to disregard that document that begins "We the People". And, to those who say the right to Secede was settled in 1865, I'd like to quote another document.
..."We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Pretty sure the Brits, to whom that document was directed believed the right of the Colonists to leave had been "decided".

Do I want this to happen? Absolutely not! But I believe that the Constitution is a contract between We the People and the government. In simple fighter pilot terms, it says "if you follow these rules, we'll allow you to govern us. If not, we won't, and VERY bad things happen to overthrown dictators." April 28, 1945, December 25 1980, December 30 2006 being three of the most recent examples.

Rev. Paul said...

juvat, there is much to what you say. Re the Brits' attitude toward the Colonies in the 1770s, in Parliament they referred to us as "our Colonies". There was no doubt in their minds at all, and thought the colonists had taken leave of their senses.

I don't want it to happen either, but I'm pretty sure it's going to happen at some point. The only questions are "which states" and "when".

Cathy said...

A watershed time in our history.
If you get time . . 3 hours of Mark Levine on Cspans "In Depth".
It's all about getting back to the founding principles. The Constitution. He addresses the slow erosion of our liberty as progressives have grown the government.

Cathy said...

Oops.......
Here's the link:
http://www.booktv.org/Featured/15236/In+Depth+Mark+Levin.aspx

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Cathy. I will try to find the time - sounds like it's worth it.