While I can understand some of the arguments from both sides of the issue in Nevada there are other incidents of the federal government taking land actually owned by private citizens that are incredibly disconcerting and cause for concern.  I fully believe that the actions in Nevada and the potential or probable land grab on the Texas-Oklahoma border involving over 90,000 acres and 100 miles not to mention lands in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and other locations amounting to over 200,000 acres in the name of preserving the Southwest Prairie Chicken.  REALLY?   No, I believe that the moves are more ‘tests’ for future implementation and laying precedent for them to move in more Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development activities. 

            Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard B. Sanders in December of 1997 wrote concerning the ‘5^th Amendment’:  “Property in a thing consists not merely in its ownership and possession, but in the unrestricted right of use, enjoyment, and disposal.  Anything which destroys any of the elements of property, to that extend destroys the property itself.  The substantial value of property lies in its use, if the right of use be denied, the value of the property is annihilated and ownership is rendered a barren right.”  Think about what said and what it means when the feds come in and seize your property.

            John Adams famously declared, “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”  President Calvin Coolidge declared, “Ultimately, property rights and personal rights are the same thing.”  As one rancher and property rights advocate stated, “If you don’t have the right to own and control property then you are property.”

FIFTH AMENDMENT:

             “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or             indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in the time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

            Unfortunately when you say 5^th Amendment many only think of refusing to testify in a manner that would incriminate oneself but it is so much more than that it is also about PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS as protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  The Supreme Court has determined that this not only applies to Federal Courts but State Courts as well under the Due Process Clause of the 14^th Amendment.

            The right of government to take private property under eminent domain is based on their proving that doing so will serve ‘the public good’.  That is a troubling portion because what is ‘public good’?  There is also to be ‘just compensation’.  In the case involving one land owner whose land is within the 90,000 acre land grab coming in Texas the feds have already taken 140 acres without any compensation and using the court ruling as a precedent to take 600 more acres from him and the BLM has declared that all the property is federal property.  Never mind that it is PRIVATELY OWNED, MAINTAINED, and in the possession of the land owners.  If the federal government can do this what are the limitations of what they can or may do?  NONE!

           My fellow patriots and American citizens we have a government that is ‘Out of Control’ and has gone ‘rogue!’  Fasten your seat belts because this is just the tip of the iceberg and if this does not concern you it should!

             We have elections coming up and we need to do everything we can to send people to DC that will honor the constitution, the rule of law, and put the brakes on this out of control government that exists today!

             God bless you and God bless America!

            Who has not heard the almost infinite assertions as to Mr. Obama’s citizenship, religious preference, sexual preference, anti-Americanism, and anti-capitalism?  I am not saying they are or are not true just asking, who hasn’t heard the many theories and allegations.  All which the liberal media dismiss, the Democrats ignore, the Republicans run from, and a significant number of voters have almost no interest in so it seems when it comes time to vote.

            Taking from Jeff Foxworthy’s ‘You might be a redneck if…’ stitch and turn that on Mr. Obama and say, “If Obama is not a (insert whatever) then….”  I am very concerned about where our country is, how willingly people seem to dismiss possibilities and factual information gleaned from real statistics and reports available to virtually everyone and especially the media.  I understand the liberal media has a commitment to protect Mr. Obama and his leftist ideology but WE THE PEOPLE should be willing to expend a small amount of energy and review the facts and act upon them.

            If Mr. Obama is not a Muslim then why do we have a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Prague funding Islamic awareness in the Czech Republic and in other countries in their schools and teaching young women how make the transition to Islam?  Why did we have the presidential directive to NASA to seek to make Muslims feel better about themselves? Why Back the Muslim Brotherhood and press our nation to accept Islamic values and views while diminishing those of Christians and calling Christians intolerant if they resist? Why did Mr. Obama write in his book ‘Audacity of Hope’, “I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”  What are the qualifiers for that statement and why the predetermined assertion, that you will side with this particular sect of people over others and does that also include the United States of America?  Questions that the media refused and refuse to ask, the McCain campaign muzzled, and millions do not want to know.  If anyone asks the ‘hard questions’ or ‘revealing questions’ of this president they are automatically deemed ‘racist’.  WHY?  Why would we not want answers to those questions?

            If Mr. Obama is not Anti-American and Anti-Constitution then why is it that he and the D.O.J. continually ignore it, violate it, and attempt to change it via Executive Fiat or Regulation?  With regard to ‘illegals’ in this country I keep hearing reports that Mr. Obama is more aggressive in deporting ‘illegals’ than George W. Bush but when we see the reports that ‘deportations’ and ‘enforcement’ regarding illegals is the lowest it has been since 1973 I have to ask how does that make him the ‘Deporter-in-Chief’.  Why the push for Amnesty if the sovereignty of the United States was crucial and the Constitution to be honored?  Why the ordering of federal agencies to ignore illegals except in specified situations.  Why is the D.O.J. releasing those apprehended almost as fast as law enforcement can arrest them?  Why does the D.O.J. seek to litigate against any state that wants to protect its borders?   If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck it just might be a duck.

            If Mr. Obama is not at war with the fossil fuel industry then why does he refuse to allow more or adequate drilling on federally controlled lands?  Why the dragging of his feet with regard to the Keystone pipeline?  Why make statements like, “If you want to open a new coal plant, go ahead but we will bankrupt you?”   Yes drilling and production have increased but not as a result of his efforts but in spite of him and the lion’s share of it is on private land via private leases that he cannot control or prevent.  No Mr. Obama I do not believe you support the idea of America becoming Energy Independent or you would not resist our own production and at the same time give money to Brazil and say, “We will be your best customer.”  How about being America’s best customer?

             If Mr. Obama is not anti the Bill of Rights and is not trying incite civil chaos to the point that the federal government might and could act with force, then why the most recent incident in Nevada with Cliven Bundy and numerous others that received no media coverage?  Why send 200 armed law enforcement personnel and armed mercenaries with sniper rifles to intimidate if not eliminate this rancher?  This basically is the federal government conducting a massive raid to collect a debt!  What will they do when the IRS determines that any of us owes anything?  If this were about enforcing our laws what about the millions of illegals here that are being ignored, and such things as Benghazi, the IRS scandal, voter fraud, lying to congress, and the outright lies of the President to the American people on so many fronts?  What about the New Black Panthers in at polling places in uniform and armed with batons?  No it is, in my opinion, another ‘test run’ to see what will happen and this time citizens called ‘the militia’ from various states stepped in and said ENOUGH!

            Mr. Obama if you are Christian, American, a Constitutional Defender, and for American Exceptionalism then WHY do you do what you do?  Why do you continue to push the Statist/Marxist agenda?  Could it be that you are guilty of all or part of what many are asserting regarding you, your philosophy, ideology, and beliefs?  You could diffuse those allegations but rather you publicly lament the Constitutional restrictions on you, express your desire and plan to redistribute the wealth, fan the flames of racism and discord, create class and gender envy, and refuse to be transparent and cooperate with congressional investigations, obey court orders, and keep your oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of these United States of America.  Therefore, sir I have to conclude that there are far too many examples to be coincidental or circumstantial.  If you are not guilty then PLEASE rethink your path and take steps to insure that the Executive Branch operates within the guidelines of the Constitution.

             May God bless each of you and may God bless America is my prayer for each of you!

            The recent Supreme Court decision not to hear the case brought by Elane Photography, a New Mexico business run by a husband and wife team who argued that their First Amendment rights allowed them to refuse service to a woman who sought to hire the company to photograph her commitment ceremony with her partner.  The couple argued that to do so would violate their ‘religious convictions’.   It is a First Amendment Case! 

            In 2008 New Mexico declared that the company was ‘guilty of discrimination’ and had to pay the attorney fees.  We had a case in Colorado where a cake maker refused a couple’s business.  Why the Supreme Court would reject hearing this case is left to speculation but since it is, in my view, a clear constitutional case I believe they should have heard it! 

            The case focused exclusively on the company’s ‘freedom of speech’ and the lawyers for the Alliance Defending Freedom said that this case would force the photographer to ‘create expression’ in violation of her beliefs and thus would be ‘compelled speech’ not ‘free speech.’  In the writing of the decision of the New Mexico Court the judge stated that the photographer could not refuse service and that it was okay to violate her 1^st Amendment Right of Freedom of Speech because it was “The Price of Citizenship.”

            That statement disturbs me greatly!  I’ve talked to a number of people who have chosen the lifestyle of the couple wanting their ceremony photographed and all but one of them said exactly the same thing, “If a business doesn’t want my business I don’t want to do business with them.”  One argued that it was incumbent upon all homosexuals to be vocal, file law suits, and demand their rights.  When do the rights of one person trump the rights of another?  Where is the line of separation protecting the rights of both parties? 

            Did our Founding Fathers truly envision a country where the ‘Price of Citizenship’ included the violation of one’s conscience and trumping ‘freedom of speech’?  The courts have ruled that one can, under the freedom of speech clause ‘burn the flag’ but somehow they cannot refuse service based on religious convictions.  What is the constitutional basis that this or these judges used to determine that a person’s religious convictions were unimportant and not covered by the Bill of Rights and Constitution of these United States? 

             We have a situation today where America is being forced to accept every culture with no expectation of assimilation into our society.  Schools, communities, and courts have decided that the flag of another nation can be flown on particular holidays but not the American flag because it might be offensive and be considered ‘hate speech’.  Are we still The United States of America?  Do we not still have a Constitution?  Is there no longer a Bill of Rights defining our liberties?  How is it that we are told to be tolerant of religions other than Christianity and our government then take actions such as under Obama-care where people are forced to violate their religious convictions to comply with the law?

             The Price of Citizenship seems to mean that if you are a Christian and have religious convictions that you, as Daniel, refuse to compromise you are a HATER and must be put in your place.  Some want to argue the Separate of Church and State but is this not the reverse where the State is dictating what the church can and cannot believe?  The Constitution and Bill of Rights sought to prevent a National Church not keep any religion out of government nor keep the influence of the Bible out of political decisions.  This war extends to those who hold any view other than the accepted liberal ideology of the Statist! 

            The Price of Citizenship seems to be rapidly coming to mean that you have to comply with the ideology of the various vocal activist groups and have no rights if your rights come into conflict with theirs. Their rights trump yours and that, according the judge is THE PRICE OF CITIZENSHIP.  However, those opposing you do not have a Price only you if you are standing on Christian Religious Grounds or Conservative Constitutional Grounds.  If you are standing on Islamic grounds your rights trump those of us who disagree.  Therefore the Price of Citizenship seems to mean that if you are a Christian and hold deep religious convictions you will not be allowed to stand on them even though the Constitution affords you Freedom of Speech and Religion.

             I have great concern about the phrasing – THE PRICE OF CITIZENSHIP and fear where it will lead and what else it will encompass as we proceed down this road.  America if you love the Constitution and value your freedom we must insist that our constitutional liberties are preserved.  Whether this was a good or bad business decision is irrelevant it was a stance based on ‘faith’, ‘religious convictions’, and ‘constitutional liberties.’

             May God be with you as you go through your day!

            I’m going out on a limb here stating publicly something that I have been sensing in my heart concerning America and the upcoming elections!  As things stand now, even Nate Silver is predicting that the Republicans will reclaim the Senate and keep the House of Representatives.  Many are acknowledging the complete disaster and failure of Obama-care and the plunging poll numbers for Mr. Obama.  America, on some fronts, is showing signs of awakening from her slumber and all that would mean a ‘bad outcome’ for the socialist, statist, leftist, progressives, and Democrats.

            Our founding fathers realized, based on history, their perception and insight into the nature and character of man, that this Constitutional Republic experiment in Republican Democracy would always be dangerously close to the precipice of destruction and they believed that if the Republic fell it would be an ‘inside job’.  As we look at the political landscape today we can readily see what we should have seen over the past 50+ years, the systematic destruction and eroding of the Constitution and American system of government.  The Fabian Socialist over 100 years ago implemented a plan to bring this about, the Communist regimes of history, the Socialist of this nation along with the Statist, Progressives, and Big Government politicians have been working tirelessly often under the radar to bring this about.  We are on the brink and sadly hindsight is 20/20 whereas foresight is often 100/200 or worse.

            I have heard many ‘conspiracy theories’ and some of them are too plausible for comfort.  I am suspicious of the antics and actions of this President and Congress.  I shudder when the likes of George Soros, is implicated in some action by the government knowing some of his philosophy and how Anti-God and Anti-American it really is.  I am disturbed that we have a President who considers his greatest heroes are Despots of history.  He has offered friendship and displays kinship with Dictators who are at their core evil and shuns, offends, insults, and turns his back on those who have been our friends and allies.  He and his wife have trashed America and continue to apologize for this nation at a time one would hope they would be extoling the good that this nation has represented for long decades.  Do we have faults?  Of course, we are flawed human beings but the foundational core of this nation has been biblical principles and a genuine interest in freedom and liberty.  It has been and to a great degree still is the ‘land of opportunity’ with hundreds of thousands still desiring to immigrate to America.  There is much to applaud and yet we still hear the rhetoric that denigrates this nation from her sitting President. That is disturbing!

            When Barack Obama said, ‘if Congress does not act I will go it alone for I have a pen and a phone’ I cringed because that which I’ve been sensing came blindingly to mind.  This man is capable of such heinous actions to keep power NOTHING is off the table for him and his followers.  America, we must pray and work to avoid the possible fate that seems to be looming upon the horizon.  Where will it end?  I do not know but I do know that those who love liberty, freedom, and value the American Constitution and our Republican Democracy will not and cannot silently allow it to transpire!

           I have a sense that sometime between early summer and October of this year something will transpire that totally reshapes the political landscape of America.  What that entails I do not know but put nothing beyond this administration, the statist, and political elite of our nation.  Those who want to see the demise of our Republic and see it transformed into a Nanny State Socialist Nation totally embrace the Alysnky model of ‘the end justifies the means’ and nothing is beyond them.  If this President and the Left truly believe they will lose control of Congress they will, in my view, take some action that will dramatically impact the elections if they are allowed to occur at all.  I am quite concerned that there will be some kind of ‘terroristic activity’ or ‘anarchical activity’ that will necessitate or allow action on the part of the administration to so control our process that our political world will be fundamentally and forever changed.  Therefore I issue this plea – PRAY like never before, WORK like never before, and VOTE no matter if you have differences with the candidates who are supposed to be in opposition to the diabolical policies of this administration.  America can be saved or she can be lost and what happens over the next few months will largely determine which.

             May God be with you and may God be with America! 

            As a Vietnam veteran, an American, and a Christian I want to make it clear that I HONOR the American flag and what I’m going to say is not to diminish that only to make it clear to all the haters of America and the flag burners why I get upset when you disrespect the flag.  I was unfriended on Facebook over my adamant honor of the American Flag and told, “It is just a flag.”  That being said, it is not the material that the stars and stripes are on that is the core of my respect for the flag it is what it stands for and has stood for since its birth when the legend is that Betsy Ross made it for General George Washington.  Frankly I do not care if it was Betsy Ross the fact that it is matters to me! 

            June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act:  “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”  The ensuing years from 1777 to 1960 has necessitated Congress to change the shape, design, and arrangement of the flag to allow for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.  Today the American flag has thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white.  The stripes represent the original thirteen colonies; the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.  The colors of the flag are symbolic as well:  Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.

            This flag was there at Fort Ticonderoga and the Battle of Saratoga.  It was there at the Battle of Tippecanoe in the War of 1812.  It was there in WWI and at Iowa Jima in WWII It was there on the beaches of Normandy.  It was there in Korea.  It was there in Vietnam.  It has been there in every conflict that the United States has been engaged and those fighting under this Ensign recognized its significance and honored its purpose.  It flies at the White House, Congress, State Capitals across this land, is proudly waved on the 4^th of July celebrations, Memorial Day, and many other national holidays.  It files at the memorials for WWII veterans and the Vietnam Wall and it flies at my house and in my heart.  I AM AN AMERICAN and proudly so even in the dire condition she has been relegated today.

            In the 1960’s while serving this nation I traveled many places in this world and whenever I saw the Stars and Stripes it brought a sense of pride to my heart and I always paused and saluted that ensign of this great nation.  I do not place it above God but I fought under it and recognize the many that have fought and the fallen fighting for freedom around the world under this banner.  They did not fight for just a piece of cloth they fought for a nation, a purpose, a people, and a principle.  You can disrespect the flag and while I acknowledge you have a right to do so I will also tell you that I will not sit silently by as you do in my presence.  Yes, I am a Christian and I will not sit silently by and have people blaspheme my God without speaking up and I will not sit mute while the haters of America tarnish our national symbol – THE FLAG.

            When I see athletes, politicians or anyone showing disrespect for our flag at the playing of the National Anthem I am angered.  Oh, you may say, ‘Roy, as a Christian that should not be  bothered by that.’  Maybe you are right but it does!  I lost friends and people I knew in Southeast Asia and have too much respect for the fallen to dishonor their memories by passivity.  I am willing to forgive all offenses and will defend your right to disrespect the flag but I must insist that you understand and respect my right to take exception to your words and/or actions.

             This nation evidenced in the volumes produced by the founders, honored God, liberty, justice, and freedom.  The flag that represents this nation is a symbol of those things.  Have we departed from those principles in America?  Sadly it seem that many have but there are  millions of us who have not and still hold dear the principles upon which this nation was established.  It is not a rag as Charlie Daniels sings ITS A FLAG and it is the AMERICAN FLAG.  It is symbolic of what we were established to be and what we are supposed to stand for!

           In 1892 it read “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  In 1954 it was altered to “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  That is how it reads currently and I proudly make that pledge as I make my pledge to my God as well.

             God bless you and God bless America!

            The story goes that as Benjamin Franklin was leaving the Constitutional Convention he was asked by a lady, “What have you given us?”  Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”  The conversation with Mrs. Powell actually occurred so it seems and Mr. Franklin’s statement was more profound than one could have imagined.  We have kept it for over 200 years not 400 like Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee declared that the Constitution had served well for over 400 years.  What is a couple hundred years to a person that declared herself to be a freed slave by Congress as well? 

             We have a Constitutional Republic not a Pure Democracy or we have a Democratic Republic with a Constitution, Laws, a system of checks and balances with three distinctive and separate arms of the federal government.  That is being eroded today to the point that the lines are not just blurred but are being erased by the phone and pen of one Barack H. Obama as he uses his Executive Fiat.  Oh, I readily acknowledge that he may not have issued more than any other president but his have been far more devastating to the Constitutional integrity of our government than previous uses.  The Executive Order was to be limited but it seems that this president believes that because he is president he can do whatever he wishes.  Congress and the Courts seem to believe that as well as they offer little to no real resistance to his actions.  The losers in this – THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!  Mr. Franklin what would you say if you saw us today?

            The Democrats have demonstrated a willingness to trash the Constitution to press forward their agenda and a willingness to utilize all agencies of the federal government to torment, harass, intimidate, and punish anyone who opposes their agenda.  That alone should be reason enough to want to see them removed from office via the ballot box in November.  God forbid that we should have another four or eight years of liberal leftwing ideology in the White House and controlling at least one division of Congress.  If we survive the final three years of this administration we must move toward Constitutional integrity or we have ‘not kept the republic’ that the founders gave us and Mr. Franklin’s words become prophetic in a very negative sense.

             The Establishment Republicans are also complicit in this by attacking the various conservative and constitutional groups that are identified with the party under the encouragement of people like Karl Rove, John McCain, and others.  It seems that they are willing to lose national elections so long as they can maintain their positions of power and influence and access to the lobbyist, money, and power.  The Constitution is only a vehicle, to seek to solidify their positions not actually follow it faithfully, defend it loyally, and honor it with integrity.  There are a few that actually respect the Constitution and want to see America return to ‘limited government’, ‘fiscal responsibility’, and a ‘three branch’ system of government.  Precious few, but they exist.

            However, if we are to have any hope to ‘keep the republic’ we have to sometimes swallow bitter pills and cast votes that we would prefer not to cast.  The Democrats must be unseated from power and the Republican Party must be cleaned up or replaced but that will not and cannot happen in this election cycle in 2014 and/or 2016.  The process will take longer and possibly decades, if we have that much time.  I want to keep the republic and therefore am prepared to do whatever I can, in the primaries and runoffs to unseat the RINO’s, liberals, and Big Government bureaucrats that now hold office or seek office.  Once the primaries and runoffs are over and we are faced with voting in a way to defeat the Democrat I will do so because over 90% of those with a (D) after their name in Washington have voted with the administration and held the party line.  That means, if we are to reclaim our government they have to go. Then we must diligently work to establish a viable third party, replace the current Republican Party or reclaim it with Constitutional Conservatives.  None of those will be easy and at times will be quite painful politically but if we are to ‘keep the republic’ we must all do our part to boot the left from the White House, remove their grip on the Senate and keep them from reclaiming the House.

             I know many will not agree with me and will declare that because of ‘principle’ they will not vote for the Republican or Democrat and in many cases that will mean the Democrat goes into or retains the office and pushes us nearer and nearer to ‘losing the republic’.  I am not asking anyone to compromise their principles only that we all consider the cost of allowing the liberal Democrats to retain power.  

             America needs us to stand up, stand tall, and stand firm.  America needs us to become engaged and active in the political process.  America needs her patriots now as much and possible more than ever!   Stand with America is all I ask!

             God bless you and God bless America!

            When I look at my nation, my community, my church, and my life I see two options each three-fold.  One is certain defeat and the other filled with obstacles but offers hope for victory.  It would seem that with that said everyone would immediately take the one that offers hope but it seems that is the road less traveled in our nation and much of our world today.  It is not necessarily the easy road and certainly not devoid of potholes, obstacles, and opposition but when you look toward the finish line you see HOPE and not the fictional ‘Hope and Change’ offered by the person currently occupying the Oval Office and carrying the title President of the United States of America.

             As we ‘look back’ many do so LONGINGLY with nostalgia wishing for the ‘good old days’ at least with respect to the political.  Some look back LONGINGLY with a yearning for a return to the days when America was a Constitutional Republic although most of us were not alive when it truly was but those of us who are ‘baby boomers’ can recall when it was much nearer that reality than today’s SUPER CENTRALIZED BIG GOVERNMENT monstrosity where the federal government has its tentacles in every facet of our lives and clamoring for more daily.  It is not a bad thing to ‘remember’ the past but it must always be remembered that it is THE PAST.  We cannot relive it and while we may revive its spirit it is still a bygone era so we dare not become fixated on THE PAST.

            As we ‘look at the present’ many do so LAMENTINGLY and are overcome with grief as to the current state of affairs politically, morally, socially, and even religiously.  Today, in America, we are totally dominated politically by the ‘professional politician’ and powerful ‘special interest groups’ rather than have ‘citizen representation’ and ‘representatives’ in Congress or even the White House.  There is cause to LAMENT and if that spurs us into action to positively change the current conditions then that is a powerful weapon but if it causes us to bury our heads in the sand, throw up our hands and throw in the towel it is incredibly negative and sadly in the 2012 Elections I saw evidence of that in the refusal of many to vote.  If we chain ourselves to the past or become overcome with the apparent hopelessness of the present we will NEVER GAIN THE FUTURE VICTORIOUSLY!

            As we ‘look toward the future’ many do so incredibly LEERY and the skepticism, lack of trust and confidence, and unsurety of where this nation and world is going paralyzes with fear, frustration, and hopelessness.  While it is not a negative thing to be cautious and aware of the dubiousness of the professional political class it is negative if we allow it to PARALYZE us and enfeeble us to the place that we are incapacitated politically, socially, morally, and religiously.  If we allow it to cause us to become ‘wise as serpents’ and ‘harmless as doves’ and prayerfully approach the future with a view of the positive of the past, the failures and mistakes of the present and the Hope of the future it is POSITIVE!

             I, almost daily, have people who truly love this nation and genuinely want limited government, citizen representatives in Washington, a reduction of the debt and deficit nationally, and a return to a Constitutional Republic declare they are so depleted of hope they have given up.  As a minister I have preached for most all my years of Christian service – ‘The devil cannot win unless we quit.’  He will not win the ultimate victory even if we do and the only way he can win in our lives is if we quit!  That is true politically as well in my view.  If we continue to fight the good fight and win the battles where we can there is hope that we can win the war.  However if we throw in the towel, raise the white flag of surrender and become so disillusioned that we lose all hope and draw back from the battle WE HAVE LOST!  I cannot face my children or grandchildren if I do that so I will continue the fight as long as I have breath.

            America we MUST NOT SURRENDER!  Those who want to destroy us from without and from within must be resisted.  Although there is massive voter fraud and elections being stolen with each election cycle WE MUST NOT SURRENDER!  That is why it is important that we volunteer as poll watchers in our precincts, and become involved on the grass roots level.  We still have HOPE so do not look back so longingly, lament so much in the present, and become so leery of the future that you SURRENDER.  Allow the past, the present, and the hope of the future to embolden you and encourage you.  WE CAN if we stand together and refuse to quit!

             God bless you and God bless America!

            Seriously, I have never delved into the possibility of a ‘parallel universe’ but after the past few years watching politics and politicians I am beginning to wonder if it is possible.  It seems in their world ‘fantasy is reality’ and ‘reality is fantasy’.  Some have suggested that aliens dropped some of them off because they were without use for their research and they were purging other worlds.  Understand I say all that ‘tongue in cheek’ but how do we explain their complete lack of touch with ‘reality’.

             I guess it is probably best described as a ‘quest for power’.  It seems that either before elected or shortly after assimilation into the Washington culture they evolve into ‘professional politicians’ and strive to become members of the ‘Political Elite Society’ with position, power, and re-election being the most important items on their agenda.  I truly wonder what our Founding Fathers would say if they could see the way our present day politicians are sorting through what’s left of the Republic seeking to solidify their positions, pocketbooks, and power with little or no regard to the Republic!  I wonder!  However I suspect they would say, “We warned you!”

            It may be too late to save the Republic, I don’t know but I do know that we cannot give up the effort.  If we concede defeat and become docile we will have our liberties stripped from us, our constitution completely shredded, and our Republic destroyed.  The effort or actions that are leading us to that place are coming from many on both sides of the aisles.  It is for that reason that it is incumbent on each of us to carefully vet, research, question, and seek to know as much about each candidate as we can before casting our ballot no matter the office or party.

             In my view, the day of just voting along party lines is past or should be.  You may disagree and as many of those I talk to on both sides tell me, “Well a person of this or that party even if bad is infinitely better than someone from the other party.”  Sometimes that is true and sometimes it is an excursion in that parallel universe of the professional politicians where ‘fantasy is reality’ and ‘reality is fantasy’.  When a politicians consistent record is liberal to moderate and then just before primary season switches to a strict conservative vote you can rest assured that candidate IS NOT CONSERVATIVE.   I find that more offensive than if they followed their core beliefs consistently even if I disagree with them.  Just be honest with me!

            To cite one area that never ceases to amaze me is UNEMPLOYMENT.  We continually have reports from official and reputable organizations about the numbers of jobs created, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits, and the numbers of those who have completely dropped out of the job search market.  If a person has been unemployed long enough to no longer receive benefits they magically are dropped from the numbers used to calculate ‘unemployment rates’.  That is ‘fantasy’ and ‘reality’ says that if we truly calculated the number of people who COULD or WOULD WORK against the number who ARE WORKING the percentage would not be under 8% it would be well above 15% and probably higher.  The government manipulation of numbers, dollars, etc. in order to give the appearance of the economy getting better is not just ‘fantasy’ it is ‘disrespectful’ to America and Americans.  It is a slap in our faces and a clear attempt to dupe the public in order to solidify their position and re-election.  When, ‘reelection’ becomes more important than the ‘republic’ and the ‘public’ it is time for change and that does not matter what party they affiliate with.

             The primaries are upon us and this is the time to vigorously engage in attempts to replace those who are guilty and take the battle to the general election in November.  Sadly, too many just sit back and watch and then complain.  Personally, if I chose not to vote I would feel guilty in complaining about conditions or politicians.  That is my view and costs you nothing!  You have as much right to yours as I do mine.  I just hope that you become involved in the process because it truly does have a direct impact on your life!

             God bless you and God bless America!

WE NEED TO REMEMBER and RESPOND…..

            I will readily acknowledge there are a number of possible ways to achieve the goal, some I do not endorse, at this time.  I want to take the most peaceful and legal means possible to save and restore the Constitutional Republic called the United States of America.  I want to see it function within the bounds, limits, and guidelines of the American Constitution not the United Nations Charter.  I want America back and lay blame at the feet of both parties in a very large measure.

             I believe that the politicians have ‘stolen’ our Republic from us for their own political purposes and agendas.  I believe that their quest and thirst for power, in the name of helping the people has resulted in the complete shredding of the American Constitution to the point that it is no longer working as it was designed.  The courts have aided in this travesty.  The Executive and Legislative Branches have been major culprits in this assault on our American Constitution and thereby the Republic that our Founding Fathers established and handed down to us. 

             How do we SAVE the republic?  That is a most interesting question and one that requires a significant amount of thought and weighing options to come to a definitive answer.  Another question might be CAN WE SAVE the republic?  That depends on where we turn for our solution to the problem.

             CONGRESS IS NOT THE ANSWER so where do we turn?  I believe that Mark Levin and others have hit on what may well be the ‘only’ hope we have of saving the Republic.  He bases his argument on Article V of the American Constitution and proposes that we seek to get two-thirds of the State Legislatures to call for a Convention to Propose Amendments to the United States Constitution.  The proposed amendments then would have to be ratified by three fourths of the States to become valid.  Clearly we cannot depend on the U.S. Congress, President, or Supreme Court to restore the Constitution so the Individual States are possibly our only hope.  Can we get enough State Legislatures to sign on to this idea?  I do not know as we have failed in previous attempts but today hopefully there are enough people who see the ‘lawlessness’ of this President as a perpetual danger and one that can only lead to a Tyrannical State if not stopped that something might be done.  We can hope!

            PEOPLE NOT POLITICIANS will ultimately be the answer.  It is only as the people within the nation rise up in sufficient numbers either electing or sending fear into the hearts of elected officials to cause them to respond.  That is probably easier accomplished on a State level than a National one.  The State Legislators are frequently more attune to the wishes of the people and more likely to respond to pressure than National Legislators.  There is an infectious disregard for our wishes on the Washington scene so those in Congress seem to be inoculated, isolated, and insolated with regard to our voices and wishes.  That has to change and the only way it will change is by taking the drastic steps to amend the present Constitution and restore power to the States and thereby the people.

            WE DESIRE A REPUBLIC NOT A TYRANNICAL DESPOTIC REGIME and the only way that we can have that is take power from them.  I am not just identifying Democrats in that statement but Republicans and Independents in Washington as well.  They have and are virtually all guilty of destroying our Constitutional Republic and should be held accountable and stripped of their power ASAP.

             IT WILL BE GOD NOT MAN that ultimately determines if we will have a Republic and keep it or if we lose the nation.  Therefore it is my conviction that we should ‘work’ as if everything depended on us and ‘pray’ as if everything (and it does) depends on God.  I have for some time been committed to intercession for the nation.  In doing that I pray for the leaders that God will guide their decisions, touch their hearts, and bring them to the light of right and truth!  I do not pray for the success of agendas that are clearly outside the scope of Scripture or not in the best interest of the American Republic and people.  I cannot do that!  I must speak up, speak out, stand up, and stand firm in hopes of seeing the Republic restored to its Constitutional mode of operation.

            I suggest that you research this avenue and if you believe it is a viable way to go, contact your elected State Representative, Senator, and all other State officials as might be needed in this attempt to save the Republic.  I, like you, want to see our Republic saved and our Constitution honored and followed.  We may not agree on how to accomplish that but hopefully agree on that objective.

             May God bless you and may God bless America!