Talk about a middle class dream home! It was brick with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, concrete patio, fenced-in back yard situated on a half acre plot in the “good” part of town. What more could a young family need? It was truly a wonderful place to live and raise a family. But beneath the surface (literally beneath the floor) there was a cracked drain pipe which leaked warm, bacteria laden water every time the washing machine operated.

   The results, although slow to be noticed, were none the less devastating. The base of the residence became a breeding ground for mold, mildew and who knows what else. The very foundation of the home was “living” and changing. Only a tremendous effort saved the structure from total collapse. The really sad news? A simple inspection followed by some low-skilled maintenance and the whole ugly, costly episode could have been avoided.

The moral of the story is A FOUNDATION THAT IS “LIVING” DESTROYS THE HOUSE.

   Don’t you find it alarming that people claiming the Constitution of the United States to be a “living” document are everywhere trying to kill it? I believe this is the defining thread pulling various groups on the Right together. Give us back our Constitutional government! Let this be the rally cry of Libertarian, conservative and Tea-Bagger alike.

   Let’s not kid ourselves; we are past the point where a simple inspection and a little maintenance will do. We have to do difficult things that are going to be painful. Perhaps most difficult of all will be to admit we were wrong. The truly “Great Society” provides equal opportunity, not redistribution. Redistribution is only a disguise for slavery and tyranny. No more “New Deals” it was a lemon, just give us back Old Ironsides.

   Through neglect, we the people have seen our foundation become infected with a disease called Progressivism. Make no mistake, Progressivism means to progress beyond the Constitution. Those who trumpet this tune mean to completely change America. The infection has spread, our foundation is crumbling, and our civil society is on the brink of collapse.

We can still vote the bums out. The question is, will we?

Thanks for reading.

 Imagination is a wonderful and useful tool, or an awful and wicked weapon, depending upon how and why it is employed. Every act of every man, woman, boy or girl takes place first in the imagination. Sobering, wouldn’t you agree? I don’t believe we could “imagine” a more powerful and significant concept than imagination.

So how does imagination apply to the body politic? The answer is simple: imagination is a factory. Notice that it is not the raw materials but the place where these inputs are built into a product. Next we have to consider the process and it goes something like this. Observations about the current state of affairs are measured against the “way things ought to be.”

Stop right there, don’t gloss over that sentence!

Thoughtful observation yields empirical evidence, objective facts, if you will, most everyone agrees upon. But the word “ought” presents a serious problem, namely, inescapable subjectivity. Appeals to “the way things ought to be” necessarily demand an accepted standard. That’s precisely where it gets sticky, personal and political.

The standard of what ought to be can find origin in only one of two places. Either it is external transcending mankind and is objective, or it is man-made, synthesized and quite subjective. This presents special problems for the so called Liberal as they find themselves on the horns of a dilemma.

The mission and reason for existence of the Liberal is to “liberate” mankind from outside, transcendent values and behavioral standards. But then they must imagine a system which administers this absence of objective truth as, well, an objective truth. The horns of the dilemma are long and Liberal thinking is wholly skewered upon them. Let’s embark upon a thought experiment that will help our understanding.

Imagine a society where everyone does what is “good” (whatever that might mean) for their neighbor, where everyone willingly shares and everyone gives their best efforts regardless of who will benefit from the work. In short, imagine a complete reversal of the observably verifiable nature of mankind. Now imagine the best way to administer such a utopia and, voila, you arrive, more or less, at the core concepts of modern Liberalism. This is the “ought to be” in the Liberal imagination factory. The obvious fallacy is starting with a false view of mankind.

Imagine, instead, a society where we observe man’s natural tendency towards self-interest and then begin to devise a systemic solution that harnesses that selfishness to serve the desires of the society at large. Knowing that selfishness fully applies to those who govern or administer power is kept in check to avoid despotic tyranny. Placing power and faith in a system safe guards our freedom. This is the “ought to be” of the Conservative imagination factory.

To put it in other words and more succinctly, Liberals start with a fictitious view of mankind as an input in their factory. Conservatives begin with observable objective fact as a raw material for their factory.

Like it or not appeals to what “ought” to be imply a transcendent standard of “good.” The standard either comes from outside man, reflected in words like “…we hold these truths to be self-evident, that men are CREATED equal and are endowed by their CREATOR…” or the standard is synthesized by man, reflected in notions such as a “living constitution.” One is systemic and objective; the other is despotic, developed and applied subjectively.

What do you think?

Faith is an absolute requirement for those lacking omniscience. Everyone relies on things they can’t see and don’t fully understand.

Depriving individuals of their inalienable rights is slavery and tyranny, even if 51% vote for it!

Equality of outcomes is immoral. It is also quite impossible outside a completely totalitarian system.

Equality of opportunity is a God-given right the protection of which is a legitimate use of coercive police powers of government.

For a person to disagree with you does not automatically consign them to the “lunatic fringe.”

Classic literature became “classic” for a reason. Read it and discover why!

If you’re not reading Thomas Sowell that could be your problem.

If you’re not reading the Holy Bible that’s definitely your problem!

Rejecting a culture based on the character of what it produces is not bigotry. Accepting a culture in spite of what it produces is not virtuous.

Words and rhetoric can be used to communicate truth or falsehood but only truth can be consistently demonstrated.

To everyone who has supported me through this endeavor, to Bryan Calvert my blogging partner, and to my beautiful wife Renae (shameless plug for her blog), I say thank you!  I wish you all love, happiness, and health in this new year.

May God bless each of you.

With the words of the great James Madison, we look forward to November.

What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue this part [the necessary and proper clause] of the Constitution and exercise powers not warranted by its true meaning, I answer the same as if they should misconstrue or enlarge any other power vested in them…the success of the usurpation will depend on the executive and judiciary departments, which are to expound and give effect to the legislative acts; and in a last resort a remedy must be obtained from the people, who can by the elections of more faithful representatives, annul the acts of the usurpers. – Federalist No. 44, January 25, 1788

Photo credit: Selva Ganapathy

Congressional Democrats have passed so called Health Care Reform legislation and Progressives and Liberals are hailing it as a great victory. Well, the existence of a victor presupposes the existence of the vanquished. Such an immense success surely warrants investigation; so let’s explore the nature of this victory, the victor and the vanquished.

WHO

Political leftists of all stripes are, undoubtedly, the winners in this social and political battle. The legislation has been voted on and, even if by the strictest of party lines, has passed. House and Senate versions must be reconciled, no easy task to be sure, but Democrats are confident and still riding high on the wings of their “victory.”

So…who are the vanquished? It is the American people who have been defeated. Period! An over-whelming majority of the American public is “uneasy” about further government involvement in their health care with a solid majority out and out opposing more government involvement. Democrats have succeeded in overcoming the obvious will of the American people who they are supposed to represent. That brings us to another victim in this struggle: Representative government. But it is in actuality more of a transformation rather than a defeat. We now see operating “special interest” representative government. The will of the governed no longer matters, at least not to the Liberals.

WHAT

The object of victory is legislation which brings the USA by leaps and bounds towards a more thoroughly socialized health care system. Progressives and liberal Democrats move us by design in the direction of European style health care. This comparison makes them nervous for obvious reasons. Where ever socialized health care has been implemented it has proven disastrous. The idea is not new and untried and there’s no need to take my word for it. Please feel free to consult Mao, Lenin or Hitler for verification.

I am compelled to point out just where in the entire world those who are sick and suffering desire to come for treatment…the United States of America! We enjoy the most advanced level of medical care in the world. This is the same care over which the Democrats now claim “victory.”

WHEN

“To the victor go the spoils” the old adage tells and we would expect this political battle to be no different: only it is different. For the so called victors in this struggle do not plan to claim their spoils until after the next presidential elections. Curious! What possible motive could they have for delaying implementation if what they have won is so grand?

In summary I wish to draw attention to the modus operandi of Social Progressives in our nation over the past several decades. Like a malignancy socialistic ideas have lurked, sustained by the healthy host of a free capitalistic society. And like a cancer leftist ideas have attacked the host. If unable to infect the heart the disease takes hold where ever possible and grows. Just as an undetected cancer destroys the life of the host, and thus its own life, so the destruction caused by Progressive ideas has begun. We see it clearly manifested in atrocious public schools, in propagandizing universities and in social programs which have produced nothing but a systematic enslavement of the poor and disadvantaged.

While the Left celebrates we might well ask just how many more of these “victories” our nation can withstand!

On a personal level admitting a mistake can be difficult, especially when you once passionately believed in your decision. This thorny task becomes virtually impossible when individuals are poised to pounce and proclaim “I told you so!” It’s a point of pride for all involved and pride, we all know, is a deadly and destructive sin.

I wish to address my conservative minded friends and challenge you to consider your ways. Do arrogance and condescension win points with you? Are you persuaded to a new opinion by someone who generally makes it known they consider you an idiot? Name calling, personal attack and I told you so serve only to inflate some egos while bruising others.

The chief point I want to make is precisely this: each person is sovereign over their will. Almighty God is the only Being capable of overcoming individual will and he won’t so what makes us think we can? Are conservative values true and good? Absolutely! Do conservative principles reflect the truth about human nature and provide a system whereby freedom serves mankind universally and individually? The answer, proven by the American experiment, is a resounding YES! But no amount of brow-beating will (or should for that matter) change anyone’s mind.

The challenge and opportunity for conservatives is to demonstrate the objective truth inherent in our principles of personal freedom and personal responsibility. But we must not stoop to arrogance and condescension. We must win a hearing and be invited to share and discuss important ideas. I recommend asking gentle questions that invite people to consider issues at a deeper level. When someone willingly considers key ideas and principles you are on the verge of winning the battle with out firing a shot.

Passion plays a vital role in both Liberalism and Conservatism. The enthusiasm of the Conservative is that of the grateful soul, thankful for the manifold opportunities true freedom brings. Yet he is not blind to the challenges and pitfalls which arise from human nature. Unfortunately, the passion must often be exhibited in a defensive posture against those determined to take away freedom.

The zeal of the so called Liberal is at heart subjective. He wishes to have the cake and eat it too, as it were. Consider the slogans Liberals proffer: “Hope” and “Change” and “Fair” or especially “Believe.” There is no lack of fervor in these words but no amount of passion changes their subjective nature. Ask for specifics such as “hope in what?” or “change to what?” or “fair to whom?” and especially “believe in what/who?” If these cannot be answered specifically then we must wonder just how these slogans reference reality. To merely pose questions such as these is portrayed as cruel and heartless by Liberals and Progressives. Yet the questions remain and unanswered.

Millions of American citizens are coming to realize the gravity of their decision to vote for Barack Hussein Obama. The excitement of the campaign is giving way to a creeping uneasiness as rhetoric becomes reality and slogans are sculpted into actual policy. Taxes are rising, jobs are scarce, home prices are depressed and this administration is inflating the currency as fast as the printing machines will drink the ink! Right now we are seeing first hand, not stylistic oratory, but the stiff actuality of Democratic Party policy. People who voted for the current president are nervous.

Let’s make it easy for them to come around!

Remember that that which is false cannot be demonstrated and the truth about modern Liberalism is that it is incompatible with personal freedom. Ask the right questions in a gentle way and encourage genuine discussion. Don’t let pride manifest as arrogant condescension. Be approachable and inviting and people will make up their own minds either factually and objectively or emotionally and subjectively.

Conservatives offer a vision that’s not about greed and class envy, it’s all about freedom and responsibility. Our national character is not about have verses have not or victor verses victim. It is about normal, everyday citizens channeling naturally selfish inclinations into productively meeting the needs of their fellows. That is free market capitalism and it works so well precisely because it recognizes this embarrassing fact about human self interest. But prideful arrogance is an automatic turn-off, so avoid it! Besides, it’s not like we invented Truth, we just take part in it.

Thanks for reading.

We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House.

Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.

A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms

2. No Tenure / No Pension:

A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress looses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

The American people did not make this contract with congress, congressmen and congresswomen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

________________________________________

Amendment 28

Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States.

“When the people fear their government there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

–Thomas Jefferson

“All things in moderation.” A familiar phrase that is, at best, bad advice and, at worst, ludicrous. Think about it! Try being “moderately” married or only breathing “moderately”, or how about letting your children “moderately” play in traffic. See what I mean? The thrust of this article is to point out that moderation usually has no place in things that really matter, in things that are vital.

I submit to all, but especially to those who consider themselves political moderates, that the founding principles of the United States of America are indeed vital and absolutely necessary to preserve our nation. These values and the resultant philosophy are clearly spelled out in the Constitution. I further submit that it is precisely the “moderating” of these principles which has brought us to the brink of financial ruin and moral catastrophe.

Please understand I mean to cast no blame on political moderates. I merely wish to point out the gravity of the situation. Let me ask you to consider what it means to “moderate” that which is foundational. What is at stake when we moderate the principles of personal liberty and personal responsibility? My purpose is to spur your thinking, not feed you answers, but I must point out the alternatives include irresponsibility and enslavement. While we are asking I could pose that oh so embarrassing question “Have you read the Constitution?” (There is often a long silence after that question.)

Political Progressives and so called Liberals have, with out question, “moderated” the founding ideology of our nation. These central ideas were nurtured in the indispensable institutions of traditional family and the Christian religion. The result is the greatest nation on earth, a civil society which has provided freedom and opportunity for millions and is unparalleled in human history. It is these very ideas and institutions which Liberal and Progressives seek to “moderate.” Undermine a structures’ foundation and the consequence is collapse. Can a nation expect otherwise?

I close with an earnest and humble plea for my Moderate friends, be they Republican or Democrat, to give serious consideration regarding what you consider important. Just as I am sure no parent could remain “moderate” about their children playing in traffic, so I believe a clear understanding of what is politically vital must yield conviction. And there is no such thing as a moderate conviction.

Thanks for reading.

Last week our friends over at All American Blogger pointed out that Google missed the importance of December 7. Duane posted pictures of the Google logo versus the Bing.com homepage.

Well, they missed it again today.

Here’s today’s logo:

The logo depicts the banner of Esparanto, an artificial language developed by LL Zamenhof. Who would have been 150 today.

Here’s a better inspiration for Google’s logo:

Today the Bill of Rights turns 218. Ironic, considering without the latter, there would be no former – Google, that is.

Three weeks ago I posted a story about three Navy SEALs who were charged with assault in the daring nighttime raid and capture of Ahmed Hashim Abed, the suspected mastermind of the March 2004 attack that killed four Blackwater employees. Two of those sailors were arraigned this week, the third scheduled next week. See an interview with one of them here.

The folks over at Human Events have posted a petition to send to Defense Secretary Robert Gates to intervene. You can sign the petition here. Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-52) and several other members of Congress have also asked the SecDef to step up.

Here’s a copy of the petition:

Hon. Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, DC

Dear Secretary Gates:

We, the editors and staff of HUMAN EVENTS, and the many Americans who have attached their signatures to this petition, hereby request your personal intervention to dismiss the charges against Navy SEAL operators SO2 Jonathan Keefe, SO1 Julio Huertas and SO2 Matthew McCabe.

These three men are charged with abusing a terrorist they captured in a daring nighttime raid on or about 1 September 2009. On that night, they — as part of a platoon from SEAL Team 10 — captured and detained Ahmed Hashim Abed, one of the most barbaric and dangerous terrorists in Iraq. The terrorist — in a move that is literally right out of the al-Queda training manual — complained of abuse, apparently alleging he was struck in the stomach.

We had hoped that the SEALs’ commanders would dispose of this matter at the lowest level — with a scolding and perhaps a few hundred pushups — for anyone actually guilty of inflicting an inconvenience on this bloody-handed barbarian. But on 29 September 2009, Gen. David H. Petraeus signed a letter authorizing MGen. Charles T. Cleveland to dispose of the allegations of misconduct. In that letter, Gen. Petraeus said that MGen. Cleveland could, “…dispose of these matters in any manner you deem appropriate. This includes the authority to convene courts-martial at any level up to and including General Courts-Martial and to refer charges concerning these individuals to any court-martial.”

The three now face special courts-martial next month. We believe their commanders — including General Petraeus — have failed you, the SEALs and the American people by not preventing the matter from going this far.

You are the person next in line above General Petraeus in the chain of command. You can, legally under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, intervene to dismiss the charges against the three SEALs and direct that they be restored to duty.

We respectfully request that you do so forthwith. For this matter to continue — and to place the honor and fighting future of these three men at stake — is manifestly a gross injustice.

It’s ridiculous to think these three could be demoted or discharged for their heroic efforts.