A while back (August 2008), I posted a list of items representing the proper role of government. It was extracted from an article written by Ezra Taft Benson, former Secretary of Agriculture to Pres. Eisenhower in the 1960's. That article, as relevent today as ever, was linked to in my post. I encourage you to go back and read it.
My thoughts have lately been consumed with the state of our economy, our God-given, constitutional rights as citizens of the United States of America, and other themes in common with those ideas. It is nearly impossible (if not impossible!) to make sense of it all. Things change in our country and world at a lightning pace, things that potentially affect all of us. Keeping up on it all is hard enough, let alone making sense of it and drawing conclusions from and connections between events.
I also sent out email messages to friends and family regarding my beliefs and feeling that we need to stand up and be guardians of our liberty. After all, if we don't, who will? It is up to us as citizens to watch our government and make sure they are promoting the general welfare and generally doing what they have been hired to do.
I see our government as a pavilion which protects us as individuals and collectively as a sovereign nation as we, as individuals, pursue life, liberty, and our own pursuit of happiness. That is their entire role in my estimation. I think the constitution supports that view. There should only be enough money in government to support its true cost. That means getting rid of all lobbyists and congressional perks and benefits that extend beyond their terms of service. Government should only be involved in the regulation of industry to the extent that individuals' (and their businesses') rights are protected. (Some environmental policies are therefore necessary... for the protection of individual rights of health and happiness). There should be no benefit, profit, or gain of any kind for a politician to be involved in the regulation of industry.
I think our government leaders have been corrupted by the system we have allowed them to install, particularly in Washington. They seem daily to be tripping over each other to blame parties, politics, politicians, and "greedy corporate America" for their failures. (And often they are right!) They continue to enact wasteful and tangential legislation that does nothing but expand their power and influence where it does not belong. Most egregious, though, is that they seem to have forgotten to whom they are really accountable. And if we're looking for someone to blame for that, well, we can look in the mirror.
The time has come for us to find our voice. I believe part of that voice can be our letters, emails, or phone calls to their offices. But that can only be part of it. Individual voices must be joined with a common voice which will be loud enough to get their attention.
As noble as the missions and ideals of third political parties and candidates are, the answer, I believe, is not to align ourselves with a party or a leader (i.e. Libertarian, Constitution, Ron Paul, etc.). Obviously a good and worthy candidate to represent the People is a necessary and natural result of the process, but that person is not the cause. That party is not the cause.
The cause is Principles. We need to unite around principles. The candidate must espouse those principles and it must be evident in their life, in their work, in their public service. Where a severe deficit in principle exists, that person cannot really be the ideal candidate. I'm not calling for a perfect person here, just somebody who ernestly embodies the principles that are the basis for a free people.
That is why I am uniting around the 9.12 Project. I know already that when people hear the name, or the person who is primarily responsible for launching it, TV and Radio personality Glenn Beck, I know that many people will dismiss it right off the bat. What I would tell those people is that Glenn Beck himself is not about making himself the central figure in this movement. He wants the central figure to be me, and you, and our neighbors. He wants the People to be the movers and shakers. His role is to be a national voice. He has already established that and it can only help the cause of the 9-12ers. But it isn't about Glenn Beck. I don't agree with everything he says, I don't agree with all his approaches to issues or all his conclusions. Sometimes he bugs me. (My wife would never believe that). What I do agree with is the principles and values that are the basis of the 9-12 project. So I support this because of those things. I invite you to support it too, to be a part of it, and if you aren't a part of that, be a part of something that unites people around correct principles, not parties or politicians. Then select your candidates because of the principles they live by, not the fake promises they like to make.
See http://www.the912project.com/ for more information.
I would be interested in knowing what you are a part of to make sure the corrupt crop of politicians are replaced with God-fearing patriots.
As for my part in the 9.12 Project, I am trying to organize a family and community group where the United States Constitution can be discussed, founding principles learned, and the 9 principles and 12 values applied individually and as a group. More details to come.
The 912 Project
The Nine Principles
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with whom I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
The Twelve Values
1-Honesty
2-Reverence
3-Hope
4-Thrift
5-Humility
6-Charity
7-Sincerity
8-Moderation
9-Hard Work
10-Courage
11-Personal Responsibility
12-Gratitude
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thanks Congress, but No Thanks
Sometimes I like to imagine what it might be like to sort of, you know, put federal government in their place. Anybody who knows me very well knows by now that I am not too impressed with the direction President Obama is taking this country, and even less impressed by the direction our Congress has been taking us for the last several years. Comments on the Internet about their performance are usually very vitriolic and are normally one of two flavors: Democrats are the best thing ever and Republicans stink, or the other way around. I think those arguments are silly. How can you logically point a finger at one side or the other? They're all complicit in our current situation.
I think the solution to the federal government sticking their oversized proboscis in the business of the American people and their greasy palms in their wallets is quite simple. The states simply say to Obama-Pelosi-Reid et al. a simple "Thanks, but no thanks." Then, after talking the talk, we'd walk the walk. Here's what I mean.
First, the states would not accept any "stimulus" money from the federal government. No matter how badly we are hurting, we just don't take it. This would have to be a mandate from the people to the state and local leaders. The message would be this: "We don't take welfare from the feds." Then the local governments, businesses, and public would work it out in the classic free-market way: those that cannot survive, fail.
Second, you are going to have states, like California, that have put themselves in a bad situation that probably will take the money. Fine. You take the money, California, and you, alone, are responsible for the debt that is incurred. Responsible states, like Alaska, that have built up a reserve will not pay for your stupidity. You are on the hook for it. Take what you want, but when the bill comes due it will have your name at the top. I understand that a state is no more and no less than the people who live there. Government doesn't produce, so the taxes from your people will have to pay for it. If people move out of your state and stop paying your taxes, too bad. I guess you go bankrupt and watch as your state is absorbed piece-by-piece by your surrounding, solvent states. Goodbye California, hello New Alaska.
The question is, why can't the states just say no to the federal government? Why can't they just tell it that they have no interest in its help? The fact is, the states can work it out on their own if they just will. Our Founding Fathers would be absolutely astounded at the ridiculous nature of this federal bailout. That isn't what the federal government is supposed to be doing!
Furthermore, the states have the power to tell the federal government that it has very few powers granted it by the constitution and this stimulus isn't part of those powers. They do this by NOT ACCEPTING THE MONEY!!! Yes, the feds can have some taxes to defend us from foreign enemies and provide some other necessary functions, but the states need to get some cajones, if you know what I'm saying, and tell the feds that they need to trim the fat from the budget (mostly by cutting the welfare for special interests and/or campaign donors). Our federal government is a run-away train the only thing that is going to put the brakes on it is lots and lots of people, in the form of states, telling them to STOP THE SPENDING! If we hit a depression, so be it. The only thing worse than a depression is a government that thinks it needs to stop it and will go to any length to do that.
How did the federal government get to be so independent of the people who allow it to exist in the first place? For one reason and one reason alone: We allowed it to happen. Well, we can rein it back in if we will. We just have to be willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to make that happen.
I know this is a simple approach. That is why a whole bunch of experts would say "it won't work." I disagree. I think we need a simple approach to this. I think we need real leaders who will stand up for the right principles and allow the consequences to happen, knowing that things will be better, at least for our progeny. Think of the American Revolutionary War. Our soldiers were not being paid much, or anything at the end, they were ill-equipped, outnumbered, out-flanked, and out-everythinged by the Brits. Where was their strength?
First, they had a real leader, George Washington, who was not in it for his own personal power or glory. He saw the need for a complete breakaway from England, wanted liberty for the people and their posterity, and was willing to go to the extreme without giving up principles. He inspired those sad and pathetic troops to give it all so we could be unencumbered by what? By oppressive government determined to make the colonies dependent on it. They said no, I say no. I see very little difference between an oppressive mother-state trying to keep its colonies dependent and subservient, and an oppressive federal government determined to make the states dependent on it. Those colonies, may I remind the reader, were part of England. Our states are part of the United States of America. The colonies were a small part of the holdings of the British Empire. The states, and here is our strength, is all the federal government has.
I do not wish to be an enemy or a traitor of our great land. I love it. I love what it is supposed to be, though, and not what it is becoming. I love what it has been, and not what it is now. I believe in it. But I'm not naive enough to believe that we don't now have, nor will we never have domestic enemies, whatever their motives. Corruption in Washington, the constant backscratching that happens there, is making domestic enemies of the state out of our so-called leaders. It has to stop. I think it will be, must be, the voice of the people through their states that will halt this ridiculous spending until the next election. Then, if they haven't returned to principles, our government leaders will be fired and we will have representatives that will at least know that we are not tolerant of the corruption.
I know this has been a long essay. I have only one more thing to add. There are people that we say are in high places with lots of cash and hence lots of influence. We erroneously believe that because we lack the cash and hence the influence which they have, that we are not able to effect change. Yes, maybe they can pay off politicians. Maybe they can more easily get into a position of candidacy themselves. Who chooses the leaders though? Ultimately, We the People have the power, don't we? We get to choose who makes and enforces these laws, and who appoints people to judge. The government belongs to us. I am not going to condemn Barack Obama wholesale, or any member of congress, just because of their party or platform. If they violate principle, though, that is when I will not stand still. I feel like they are violating principle. Even though I have a lot of responsibilities in different areas, I resolve to be as involved in the choosing of men and women of principle as I can possibly be.
I think the solution to the federal government sticking their oversized proboscis in the business of the American people and their greasy palms in their wallets is quite simple. The states simply say to Obama-Pelosi-Reid et al. a simple "Thanks, but no thanks." Then, after talking the talk, we'd walk the walk. Here's what I mean.
First, the states would not accept any "stimulus" money from the federal government. No matter how badly we are hurting, we just don't take it. This would have to be a mandate from the people to the state and local leaders. The message would be this: "We don't take welfare from the feds." Then the local governments, businesses, and public would work it out in the classic free-market way: those that cannot survive, fail.
Second, you are going to have states, like California, that have put themselves in a bad situation that probably will take the money. Fine. You take the money, California, and you, alone, are responsible for the debt that is incurred. Responsible states, like Alaska, that have built up a reserve will not pay for your stupidity. You are on the hook for it. Take what you want, but when the bill comes due it will have your name at the top. I understand that a state is no more and no less than the people who live there. Government doesn't produce, so the taxes from your people will have to pay for it. If people move out of your state and stop paying your taxes, too bad. I guess you go bankrupt and watch as your state is absorbed piece-by-piece by your surrounding, solvent states. Goodbye California, hello New Alaska.
The question is, why can't the states just say no to the federal government? Why can't they just tell it that they have no interest in its help? The fact is, the states can work it out on their own if they just will. Our Founding Fathers would be absolutely astounded at the ridiculous nature of this federal bailout. That isn't what the federal government is supposed to be doing!
Furthermore, the states have the power to tell the federal government that it has very few powers granted it by the constitution and this stimulus isn't part of those powers. They do this by NOT ACCEPTING THE MONEY!!! Yes, the feds can have some taxes to defend us from foreign enemies and provide some other necessary functions, but the states need to get some cajones, if you know what I'm saying, and tell the feds that they need to trim the fat from the budget (mostly by cutting the welfare for special interests and/or campaign donors). Our federal government is a run-away train the only thing that is going to put the brakes on it is lots and lots of people, in the form of states, telling them to STOP THE SPENDING! If we hit a depression, so be it. The only thing worse than a depression is a government that thinks it needs to stop it and will go to any length to do that.
How did the federal government get to be so independent of the people who allow it to exist in the first place? For one reason and one reason alone: We allowed it to happen. Well, we can rein it back in if we will. We just have to be willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to make that happen.
I know this is a simple approach. That is why a whole bunch of experts would say "it won't work." I disagree. I think we need a simple approach to this. I think we need real leaders who will stand up for the right principles and allow the consequences to happen, knowing that things will be better, at least for our progeny. Think of the American Revolutionary War. Our soldiers were not being paid much, or anything at the end, they were ill-equipped, outnumbered, out-flanked, and out-everythinged by the Brits. Where was their strength?
First, they had a real leader, George Washington, who was not in it for his own personal power or glory. He saw the need for a complete breakaway from England, wanted liberty for the people and their posterity, and was willing to go to the extreme without giving up principles. He inspired those sad and pathetic troops to give it all so we could be unencumbered by what? By oppressive government determined to make the colonies dependent on it. They said no, I say no. I see very little difference between an oppressive mother-state trying to keep its colonies dependent and subservient, and an oppressive federal government determined to make the states dependent on it. Those colonies, may I remind the reader, were part of England. Our states are part of the United States of America. The colonies were a small part of the holdings of the British Empire. The states, and here is our strength, is all the federal government has.
I do not wish to be an enemy or a traitor of our great land. I love it. I love what it is supposed to be, though, and not what it is becoming. I love what it has been, and not what it is now. I believe in it. But I'm not naive enough to believe that we don't now have, nor will we never have domestic enemies, whatever their motives. Corruption in Washington, the constant backscratching that happens there, is making domestic enemies of the state out of our so-called leaders. It has to stop. I think it will be, must be, the voice of the people through their states that will halt this ridiculous spending until the next election. Then, if they haven't returned to principles, our government leaders will be fired and we will have representatives that will at least know that we are not tolerant of the corruption.
I know this has been a long essay. I have only one more thing to add. There are people that we say are in high places with lots of cash and hence lots of influence. We erroneously believe that because we lack the cash and hence the influence which they have, that we are not able to effect change. Yes, maybe they can pay off politicians. Maybe they can more easily get into a position of candidacy themselves. Who chooses the leaders though? Ultimately, We the People have the power, don't we? We get to choose who makes and enforces these laws, and who appoints people to judge. The government belongs to us. I am not going to condemn Barack Obama wholesale, or any member of congress, just because of their party or platform. If they violate principle, though, that is when I will not stand still. I feel like they are violating principle. Even though I have a lot of responsibilities in different areas, I resolve to be as involved in the choosing of men and women of principle as I can possibly be.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Proposition 8
My little entry here is only one of thousands of comments about this particular issue. I wanted, nevertheless, to add my two cents.
I have read a lot of the online postings on news websites about this proposition and people's opinions, reactions, and intentions regarding it. I have had an hour-long conversation with my younger brother Will and a shorter conversation with Erin about it. I have pondered it in my heart. I have questioned myself whether I was being hateful in my arguments. I have prayed about it, mostly to plead for the preservation of righteous and wholesome marriage in this country.
I still have the same opinion after all that.
I am for Proposition 8, even though I'm not voting for it.
I know God loves his children, all of them, even the ones who are deviating from His perfect pattern of families. I have no doubt of that. I am certain he sorrows over the iniquity of His children, obviously because He loves them.
His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, the only one on the earth authorized to speak for the Lord to all the inhabitants of the earth has sustained what the prophets before him have spoken: marriage right now is for one man and one woman. Perhaps at various times it was commanded for a man to take more than one woman to wife, but the prophet at that time spoke for the Lord when that was needful. Never before and never hereafter has it been or will it be proper or right for members of the same sex to marry or engage in sexual relations one with another. That is the standard set by the Lord communicated by His prophet.
My stand is with the Prophet of the Lord. I raised my hand to sustain him as my prophet. I did that because I knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that he is God's mouthpiece. Therefore, I support and sustain his position on this issue. I certainly have compassion for the homosexual, but I cannot vary from that which is right because of that.
I have read a lot of the online postings on news websites about this proposition and people's opinions, reactions, and intentions regarding it. I have had an hour-long conversation with my younger brother Will and a shorter conversation with Erin about it. I have pondered it in my heart. I have questioned myself whether I was being hateful in my arguments. I have prayed about it, mostly to plead for the preservation of righteous and wholesome marriage in this country.
I still have the same opinion after all that.
I am for Proposition 8, even though I'm not voting for it.
I know God loves his children, all of them, even the ones who are deviating from His perfect pattern of families. I have no doubt of that. I am certain he sorrows over the iniquity of His children, obviously because He loves them.
His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, the only one on the earth authorized to speak for the Lord to all the inhabitants of the earth has sustained what the prophets before him have spoken: marriage right now is for one man and one woman. Perhaps at various times it was commanded for a man to take more than one woman to wife, but the prophet at that time spoke for the Lord when that was needful. Never before and never hereafter has it been or will it be proper or right for members of the same sex to marry or engage in sexual relations one with another. That is the standard set by the Lord communicated by His prophet.
My stand is with the Prophet of the Lord. I raised my hand to sustain him as my prophet. I did that because I knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that he is God's mouthpiece. Therefore, I support and sustain his position on this issue. I certainly have compassion for the homosexual, but I cannot vary from that which is right because of that.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Pickens Plan
Last Thursday I attended a town hall meeting at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The featured speaker was T. Boone Pickens. He was there to present his energy plan to whoever would come and listen. 2000 people showed up. They filled the hall. I don't think that is the whole number of those who are concerned about energy and where we get it from. I can tell you that those in attendance were fired up about this issue.
Mr. Pickens has a lot of good, viable ideas in my opinion. (For what it is worth... and it ain't worth much) The biggest piece of his plan is replacing a large chunk of oil usage with natural gas usage (particularly with transportation of goods) and a large chunk of coal usage with wind power and solar power (focusing first on wind power). To see more details, I'd take a look at his website pickensplan.com.
One thing he said that really caught my attention was his plan to publish in major newspapers and other media outlets lists of governors and federal legislators who support Pickens' plan, another plan, or no plan at all. He is personally contacting all these politicians to get their support or to at least find out if they have an alternative plan. This way we can know if our elected leaders have a plan for energy independence. If they don't, well, they ought to be kicked out of office. I hope that the majority of voters are watching for this information so they can make a good choice.
The reason this stood out to me is because that is how we need to run our country. It doesn't have to be a specific plan for energy independence. T. Boone Pickens himself, who stands to make a profit on this plan while doing good for our country, said he would follow any plan rather than his own if it is better. The point: there aren't any other plans out there. Our politicians are sitting on their hands doing nothing, devising nothing, following nothing. I don't know what they are doing. But it ain't much.
We all need to get behind a plan NOW. I recommend taking a look at Pickens' plan and see if you can get behind it. If you can, let your legislators and governors know that you stand behind it and ask them if they have a plan if they aren't going with Pickens.
Mr. Pickens has a lot of good, viable ideas in my opinion. (For what it is worth... and it ain't worth much) The biggest piece of his plan is replacing a large chunk of oil usage with natural gas usage (particularly with transportation of goods) and a large chunk of coal usage with wind power and solar power (focusing first on wind power). To see more details, I'd take a look at his website pickensplan.com.
One thing he said that really caught my attention was his plan to publish in major newspapers and other media outlets lists of governors and federal legislators who support Pickens' plan, another plan, or no plan at all. He is personally contacting all these politicians to get their support or to at least find out if they have an alternative plan. This way we can know if our elected leaders have a plan for energy independence. If they don't, well, they ought to be kicked out of office. I hope that the majority of voters are watching for this information so they can make a good choice.
The reason this stood out to me is because that is how we need to run our country. It doesn't have to be a specific plan for energy independence. T. Boone Pickens himself, who stands to make a profit on this plan while doing good for our country, said he would follow any plan rather than his own if it is better. The point: there aren't any other plans out there. Our politicians are sitting on their hands doing nothing, devising nothing, following nothing. I don't know what they are doing. But it ain't much.
We all need to get behind a plan NOW. I recommend taking a look at Pickens' plan and see if you can get behind it. If you can, let your legislators and governors know that you stand behind it and ask them if they have a plan if they aren't going with Pickens.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Broken American Male
I have recently finished reading an excellent book entitled The Broken American Male by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. I think it is important to note the subtitle "And How to Fix Him." I always like to read Rabbi Shmuley's work. I find it enlightening, entertaining, and inspirational. He can get a little repetetive at times in his books, but overall they are excellent.
The reason I liked this book so much (and the reason it caught my attention) is because I have long felt broken. I have felt like a failure, I have been driven into depression, and the thought of suicide has even crossed my mind on more than one occasion. You may be asking "How can that be? With all the great blessings you have, what would take you down such a dark road?" I have asked myself that very question. It seemed absurd to me too. But I couldn't shake the broken, hopeless feelings no matter how I tried to count my blessings.
The biggest driver, in Shmuley's opinion, for this broken feeling among so many of American males is the soulless capitalism that engulfs our culture and society. There is intense pressure to become wealthy at any cost. Beyond that is the pressure to matter in society or to leave a big imprint on the world before you leave it. I can agree with that. He wants the reader to understand that he is not opposed to the great blessings and opportunities our capitalist economy affords us. To be enveloped in it to the extent "success" dictates, however, is ruining families and hence it is destroying individual men. There must be balance in our prosperity.
Theologically and doctrinally I don't agree with all of Shmuley's viewpoints. That can be easily ascribed to a fundamental difference in faiths. He is an orthodox Jew and I am a Latter-Day Saint. Yet I agree whole-heartedly with his premise and his solutions.
Without going into too much detail, the main solution he proposes is for each man to define for himself what success really is, and to not base his definition on the shifty ground of wealth and fame. After all, money can be easily lost, and fame, well, look at Michael Jackson. Men get intoxicated by their riches and their power and they often become delusional, which explains Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot and many others. (It even explains Bill Clinton, but that is another story.) Many if not all of those who are deceived by their apparent "success" believed that they would be changing the world into a new model of their creation and that it would follow that model even after their death. Again, they were delusional.
The only way for a man broken by this faulty ideal to heal is to reject the faulty ideal and adopt one that has real substance. He needs to find a cause that will endure. He needs to have a family to love and that will love him. That must be his anchor to something with soul and with the capacity to heal.
My personal belief is centered in Jesus Christ and His ultimate healing power. Eventually everybody will come to know that he is the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind. Until then, and continuing thereafter, grounding ourselves in the family is our only hope. If we are careful to observe, the family is exactly what society mocks and derides. It knows that family will be its soulless power's demise.
The question is, what am I doing now that I have read the book? The information in the book was not new to me. Most of it agrees with the doctrine I have been taught my whole life. I have been praying for help out of my hopeless despondency for a long time. I think this book was, in part, an answer to my prayer. Even thought it didn't reveal anything to me, it sort of encouraged and inspired me to have more faith.
I need more faith to abandon society's definition of success and to adopt my own. I know most people would disagree with my definition of success, they would probably mock it too. They would say I am delusional and that I'm making something up to compensate for my weakness and inability to achieve "real success." That is exactly what Satan has been taunting me with since day one. To them I would say that my success is dependent on rejecting that notion. In other words, that "real success" is in reality completely irrelevant.
The reason? All ought to realize at some point in their life that the gifts of this world are ethereal and elusive. If a person bases their whole worth on success in terms of the world's gifts, he is just setting himself up for eventual heartbreak. Even the most rich and the most famous will eventually lose it all. Nobody in heaven is going to be impressed with things you amassed on earth. Jesus said, "Lay not up unto yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt," (notice he didn't say might corrupt) "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Families, sealed together by the power of God's priesthood, are the only things that will endure death. They are your treasures in heaven.
It has been very liberating to redefine success, even after only a few weeks. It has allowed me to set priorities in my life that really matter and that I really care about. I hope my family feels more loved by me, because I certainly love and treasure them more. It has allowed me to feel more energized by life and not so downtrodden by setbacks. It has given me true perspective and a greater reverence for God and His Gifts. It has especially given me more gratitude for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His love and sacrifice for me. Suddenly everything that was so dreary and dying, has vibrant color and is thriving. Let the world mock me for this. It won't change the way I feel about things.
The reason I liked this book so much (and the reason it caught my attention) is because I have long felt broken. I have felt like a failure, I have been driven into depression, and the thought of suicide has even crossed my mind on more than one occasion. You may be asking "How can that be? With all the great blessings you have, what would take you down such a dark road?" I have asked myself that very question. It seemed absurd to me too. But I couldn't shake the broken, hopeless feelings no matter how I tried to count my blessings.
The biggest driver, in Shmuley's opinion, for this broken feeling among so many of American males is the soulless capitalism that engulfs our culture and society. There is intense pressure to become wealthy at any cost. Beyond that is the pressure to matter in society or to leave a big imprint on the world before you leave it. I can agree with that. He wants the reader to understand that he is not opposed to the great blessings and opportunities our capitalist economy affords us. To be enveloped in it to the extent "success" dictates, however, is ruining families and hence it is destroying individual men. There must be balance in our prosperity.
Theologically and doctrinally I don't agree with all of Shmuley's viewpoints. That can be easily ascribed to a fundamental difference in faiths. He is an orthodox Jew and I am a Latter-Day Saint. Yet I agree whole-heartedly with his premise and his solutions.
Without going into too much detail, the main solution he proposes is for each man to define for himself what success really is, and to not base his definition on the shifty ground of wealth and fame. After all, money can be easily lost, and fame, well, look at Michael Jackson. Men get intoxicated by their riches and their power and they often become delusional, which explains Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot and many others. (It even explains Bill Clinton, but that is another story.) Many if not all of those who are deceived by their apparent "success" believed that they would be changing the world into a new model of their creation and that it would follow that model even after their death. Again, they were delusional.
The only way for a man broken by this faulty ideal to heal is to reject the faulty ideal and adopt one that has real substance. He needs to find a cause that will endure. He needs to have a family to love and that will love him. That must be his anchor to something with soul and with the capacity to heal.
My personal belief is centered in Jesus Christ and His ultimate healing power. Eventually everybody will come to know that he is the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind. Until then, and continuing thereafter, grounding ourselves in the family is our only hope. If we are careful to observe, the family is exactly what society mocks and derides. It knows that family will be its soulless power's demise.
The question is, what am I doing now that I have read the book? The information in the book was not new to me. Most of it agrees with the doctrine I have been taught my whole life. I have been praying for help out of my hopeless despondency for a long time. I think this book was, in part, an answer to my prayer. Even thought it didn't reveal anything to me, it sort of encouraged and inspired me to have more faith.
I need more faith to abandon society's definition of success and to adopt my own. I know most people would disagree with my definition of success, they would probably mock it too. They would say I am delusional and that I'm making something up to compensate for my weakness and inability to achieve "real success." That is exactly what Satan has been taunting me with since day one. To them I would say that my success is dependent on rejecting that notion. In other words, that "real success" is in reality completely irrelevant.
The reason? All ought to realize at some point in their life that the gifts of this world are ethereal and elusive. If a person bases their whole worth on success in terms of the world's gifts, he is just setting himself up for eventual heartbreak. Even the most rich and the most famous will eventually lose it all. Nobody in heaven is going to be impressed with things you amassed on earth. Jesus said, "Lay not up unto yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt," (notice he didn't say might corrupt) "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Families, sealed together by the power of God's priesthood, are the only things that will endure death. They are your treasures in heaven.
It has been very liberating to redefine success, even after only a few weeks. It has allowed me to set priorities in my life that really matter and that I really care about. I hope my family feels more loved by me, because I certainly love and treasure them more. It has allowed me to feel more energized by life and not so downtrodden by setbacks. It has given me true perspective and a greater reverence for God and His Gifts. It has especially given me more gratitude for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His love and sacrifice for me. Suddenly everything that was so dreary and dying, has vibrant color and is thriving. Let the world mock me for this. It won't change the way I feel about things.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Eight Wonderful Years
Happy Anniversary, Erin!
I have been married for eight wonderful years to this beautiful and marvelous woman and I look forward to the rest of eternity with her at my side. You are an inspiration to me!
I have been married for eight wonderful years to this beautiful and marvelous woman and I look forward to the rest of eternity with her at my side. You are an inspiration to me!
The Proper Role of Government
The other day I came across a speech (I think it is a speech, maybe just an article) written 40 years ago by the then Secretary of Agriculture, Ezra Taft Benson. (He also happens to be a former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the church I belong to). In this speech, he outlines the proper role of government, specifically the Federal government.
Here is a link to that piece: http://laissez-fairerepublic.com/benson.htm
I recommend reading that, signing your name at the bottom, framing it, and hanging it up in your house (It could take some serious wall space, just be advised). Hang it right next to the Constitution. Don't have a copy of the Constitution hanging up? Get one of those framed and hang it up too.
I completely stand by the ideals set forth in this article. I have felt this way for a long time and I am glad to see that it was proclaimed 40 years ago and that its relevancy hasn't changed one bit.
If you don't have time to read the whole thing right now, here is a 15-point summary, a creed if you will, that basically summarizes it:
FIFTEEN PRINCIPLES WHICH MAKE FOR GOOD AND PROPER GOVERNMENT
As an Independent American for constitutional government I declare that:
(1) I believe that no people can maintain freedom unless their political institutions are founded upon faith in God and belief in the existence of moral law.
(2) I believe that God has endowed men with certain unalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and that no legislature and no majority, however great, may morally limit or destroy these; that the sole function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property and anything more than this is usurpation and oppression.
(3) I believe that the Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by men acting under inspiration from Almighty God; that it is a solemn compact between the peoples of the States of this nation which all officers of government are under duty to obey; that the eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish.
(4) I believe it a violation of the Constitution for government to deprive the individual of either life, liberty, or property except for these purposes:
(a) Punish crime and provide for the administration of justice;
(b) Protect the right and control of private property;
(c) Wage defensive war and provide for the nation’s defense;
(d) Compel each one who enjoys the protection of government to bear his fair share of the burden of performing the above functions.
(5) I hold that the Constitution denies government the power to take from the individual either his life, liberty, or property except in accordance with moral law; that the same moral law which governs the actions of men when acting alone is also applicable when they act in concert with others; that no citizen or group of citizens has any right to direct their agent, the government to perform any act which would be evil or offensive to the conscience if that citizen were performing the act himself outside the framework of government.
(6) I am hereby resolved that under no circumstances shall the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights be infringed. In particular I am opposed to any attempt on the part of the Federal Government to deny the people their right to bear arms, to worship and pray when and where they choose, or to own and control private property.
(7) I consider ourselves at war with international Communism which is committed to the destruction of our government, our right of property, and our freedom; that it is treason as defined by the Constitution to give aid and comfort to this implacable enemy.
(8) I am unalterable opposed to Socialism, either in whole or in part, and regard it as an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a denial of the right of private property for government to own or operate the means of producing and distributing goods and services in competition with private enterprise, or to regiment owners in the legitimate use of private property.
(9) I maintain that every person who enjoys the protection of his life, liberty, and property should bear his fair share of the cost of government in providing that protection; that the elementary principles of justice set forth in the Constitution demand that all taxes imposed be uniform and that each person’s property or income be taxed at the same rate.
(10) I believe in honest money, the gold and silver coinage of the Constitution, and a circulation medium convertible into such money without loss. I regard it as a flagrant violation of the explicit provisions of the Constitution for the Federal Government to make it a criminal offense to use gold or silver coin as legal tender or to use irredeemable paper money.
(11) I believe that each State is sovereign in performing those functions reserved to it by the Constitution and it is destructive of our federal system and the right of self-government guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to regulate or control the States in performing their functions or to engage in performing such functions itself.
(12) I consider it a violation of the Constitution for the Federal Government to levy taxes for the support of state or local government; that no State or local government can accept funds from the Federal and remain independent in performing its functions, nor can the citizens exercise their rights of self-government under such conditions.
(13) I deem it a violation of the right of private property guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to forcibly deprive the citizens of this nation of their property through taxation or otherwise, and make a gift thereof to foreign governments or their citizens.
(14) I believe that no treaty or agreement with other countries should deprive our citizens of rights guaranteed them by the Constitution.
(15) I consider it a direct violation of the obligation imposed upon it by the Constitution for the Federal Government to dismantle or weaken our military establishment below that point required for the protection of the States against invasion, or to surrender or commit our men, arms, or money to the control of foreign or world organizations of governments.
I think that says it all. I plan to memorize this list because this is what it is all about. If we want to keep our freedom, we MUST (and I say that without any equivocation) stand up for each and every principle listed there. No matter how inconvenient life might become, it could become a whole lot worse if we stand idly by and let these principles get trampled upon and eradicated from our government.
I think what we need to understand is that it isn't just the terrorists in some far-off land that want us destroyed. There are domestic enemies as well. There are people right here in our own country who claim to espouse the principles of good government, yet they turn around and try to legislate or court mandate principles of bad government, such as social welfare programs (including universal health care), military neuterization, central bank authority without controls, eminent domain, banning of firearms for private citizenry, etc.... The list goes on and on. There are those who believe the Constitution and ideals of the Founding Fathers are passe. They want a new law, a new constitution that will bring this country down economically and as a beacon of truth, justice, and freedom. They have this as their agenda even though they sound like they are for the principles of individual liberty. They are devilish and I will not stand for my country to be destroyed by these enemies. They are treasonous and if we do not watch out for them and take them down early, our very liberty could be destroyed.
Our government is our agent to do what we collectively need to do. They are to enforce what we collectively need to enforce. We are not owned by our government, our government is owned by us and politicians should never even have the slightest notion that it works the other way. It is up to us to make sure that they are not under this illusion.
There it is.
Here is a link to that piece: http://laissez-fairerepublic.com/benson.htm
I recommend reading that, signing your name at the bottom, framing it, and hanging it up in your house (It could take some serious wall space, just be advised). Hang it right next to the Constitution. Don't have a copy of the Constitution hanging up? Get one of those framed and hang it up too.
I completely stand by the ideals set forth in this article. I have felt this way for a long time and I am glad to see that it was proclaimed 40 years ago and that its relevancy hasn't changed one bit.
If you don't have time to read the whole thing right now, here is a 15-point summary, a creed if you will, that basically summarizes it:
FIFTEEN PRINCIPLES WHICH MAKE FOR GOOD AND PROPER GOVERNMENT
As an Independent American for constitutional government I declare that:
(1) I believe that no people can maintain freedom unless their political institutions are founded upon faith in God and belief in the existence of moral law.
(2) I believe that God has endowed men with certain unalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and that no legislature and no majority, however great, may morally limit or destroy these; that the sole function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property and anything more than this is usurpation and oppression.
(3) I believe that the Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by men acting under inspiration from Almighty God; that it is a solemn compact between the peoples of the States of this nation which all officers of government are under duty to obey; that the eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish.
(4) I believe it a violation of the Constitution for government to deprive the individual of either life, liberty, or property except for these purposes:
(a) Punish crime and provide for the administration of justice;
(b) Protect the right and control of private property;
(c) Wage defensive war and provide for the nation’s defense;
(d) Compel each one who enjoys the protection of government to bear his fair share of the burden of performing the above functions.
(5) I hold that the Constitution denies government the power to take from the individual either his life, liberty, or property except in accordance with moral law; that the same moral law which governs the actions of men when acting alone is also applicable when they act in concert with others; that no citizen or group of citizens has any right to direct their agent, the government to perform any act which would be evil or offensive to the conscience if that citizen were performing the act himself outside the framework of government.
(6) I am hereby resolved that under no circumstances shall the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights be infringed. In particular I am opposed to any attempt on the part of the Federal Government to deny the people their right to bear arms, to worship and pray when and where they choose, or to own and control private property.
(7) I consider ourselves at war with international Communism which is committed to the destruction of our government, our right of property, and our freedom; that it is treason as defined by the Constitution to give aid and comfort to this implacable enemy.
(8) I am unalterable opposed to Socialism, either in whole or in part, and regard it as an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a denial of the right of private property for government to own or operate the means of producing and distributing goods and services in competition with private enterprise, or to regiment owners in the legitimate use of private property.
(9) I maintain that every person who enjoys the protection of his life, liberty, and property should bear his fair share of the cost of government in providing that protection; that the elementary principles of justice set forth in the Constitution demand that all taxes imposed be uniform and that each person’s property or income be taxed at the same rate.
(10) I believe in honest money, the gold and silver coinage of the Constitution, and a circulation medium convertible into such money without loss. I regard it as a flagrant violation of the explicit provisions of the Constitution for the Federal Government to make it a criminal offense to use gold or silver coin as legal tender or to use irredeemable paper money.
(11) I believe that each State is sovereign in performing those functions reserved to it by the Constitution and it is destructive of our federal system and the right of self-government guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to regulate or control the States in performing their functions or to engage in performing such functions itself.
(12) I consider it a violation of the Constitution for the Federal Government to levy taxes for the support of state or local government; that no State or local government can accept funds from the Federal and remain independent in performing its functions, nor can the citizens exercise their rights of self-government under such conditions.
(13) I deem it a violation of the right of private property guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to forcibly deprive the citizens of this nation of their property through taxation or otherwise, and make a gift thereof to foreign governments or their citizens.
(14) I believe that no treaty or agreement with other countries should deprive our citizens of rights guaranteed them by the Constitution.
(15) I consider it a direct violation of the obligation imposed upon it by the Constitution for the Federal Government to dismantle or weaken our military establishment below that point required for the protection of the States against invasion, or to surrender or commit our men, arms, or money to the control of foreign or world organizations of governments.
I think that says it all. I plan to memorize this list because this is what it is all about. If we want to keep our freedom, we MUST (and I say that without any equivocation) stand up for each and every principle listed there. No matter how inconvenient life might become, it could become a whole lot worse if we stand idly by and let these principles get trampled upon and eradicated from our government.
I think what we need to understand is that it isn't just the terrorists in some far-off land that want us destroyed. There are domestic enemies as well. There are people right here in our own country who claim to espouse the principles of good government, yet they turn around and try to legislate or court mandate principles of bad government, such as social welfare programs (including universal health care), military neuterization, central bank authority without controls, eminent domain, banning of firearms for private citizenry, etc.... The list goes on and on. There are those who believe the Constitution and ideals of the Founding Fathers are passe. They want a new law, a new constitution that will bring this country down economically and as a beacon of truth, justice, and freedom. They have this as their agenda even though they sound like they are for the principles of individual liberty. They are devilish and I will not stand for my country to be destroyed by these enemies. They are treasonous and if we do not watch out for them and take them down early, our very liberty could be destroyed.
Our government is our agent to do what we collectively need to do. They are to enforce what we collectively need to enforce. We are not owned by our government, our government is owned by us and politicians should never even have the slightest notion that it works the other way. It is up to us to make sure that they are not under this illusion.
There it is.
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