Against Foreign Entanglements

Founding Father and First President, George Washington, warned against foreign entanglements in his Farewell Address.  The following excerpt demonstrates that his wisdom is as important to our nation today, as when first written.

“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government, but that jealousy, to be useful, must be impartial, else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests.”

The “insidious wiles of foreign influence” are destroying our economy with one-sided trade agreements; diluting our military power and resources with protracted engagements in foreign lands; rewriting our Constitution with United Nations resolutions and treaties; draining our coffers with “foreign aid;” and permeating our society with the worship of foreign gods.

Additionally, the “insidious wiles of foreign influence” are tied to our quest for world peace and security, but we forget the words of Benjamin Franklin, who wrote, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

It is past time to quit trying to re-invent human nature and realize the God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness can be enjoyed by individuals, only when these same rights apply to nations wherein they reside.  The more we are entangled with foreign powers, the more our God-given rights are restricted.

Methinks the old dudes in tight britches, high-heeled shoes, lace shirts, and white wigs, were not as foolish as they look to some folks, today.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

The Right To Bear Arms

“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”—U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/21/new-hampshire-man-faces-felony-charge-after-firing-gun-into-ground-near-burglar/?intcmp=obnetwork

Years ago, something similar happened to one of my neighbors.  Four men in a pickup were dumping a load of trash on his driveway when he apprehended them while carrying his 22 cal. rifle.  No shots were fired, but the deputies arrested him and let the men he was holding go.

History demonstrates that citizens in civilized societies do not want the daily responsibility of law enforcement.  Neither, do reasonable people want criminal activity to go unchecked.  Therefore, the governments established by law-abiding people, employ police officers to apprehend criminals, with a judicial system to determine guilt or innocence, and mete justice to fit the crime. 

However, the institution of professional law enforcement does not rightly, negate the individual responsibility to interrupt criminal activity in the process.  Neither does having insurance to cover the losses.  Too often, law-abiding citizens turn away when they see crime in progress.  Perhaps, they think it is not their business.  Perhaps, they fear for their own safety, or perhaps, they realize they might be arrested for their efforts. 

Criminal investigations, tracking suspects or fugitives, after the fact, and administering justice should be left to the professionals, but when law-abiding citizens fear arrest, for intervening to stop criminal activity in the making, the right to keep and bear arms is effectively thwarted, and just as when guns are outlawed, the criminals win.

With rare exception, our law enforcement officers do all they can to stop crime and apprehend criminals, but they cannot be everywhere at once, and they must enforce the laws equally when they do arrive.  To force them to arrest citizens that try to stop crime gives the criminals great advantage.  No reasonable person advocates “open season” on criminals or anyone else, but when a firearm is used to apprehend a criminal in the act, and no one is injured, the law should recognize the individual responsibility to resist crime.

It seems our lawmakers are more interested in stopping the use of firearms than they are in stopping crime.  If they can't take our guns, they will take away the right to use them. 

Jim

http://www.jim-mac.com/

Top Ten Reforms For The United States Congress

1. U. S. Senators will be elected and limited to one (1) six (6) year term in office, with one-third (1/3) of the terms expiring every two (2) years.
2. U. S. Representatives will be elected and limited to one four (4) year term in office, with one-half (1/2) of the terms expiring every two (2) years.
3. No person elected to any public office will be eligible for election or appointment, to the U. S. Congress, prior to the expiration of two calendar years, and no person will be elected to the U. S. Congress, without one (1) year of employment in the private sector, immediately prior to election.
4. Total compensation for service in the U. S. Congress, including wages and benefits, will be the lower of that determined by the respective states, or the compensation received during employment in the private sector, immediately prior to election.
5. No person, organization, or group, will be allowed to campaign, or contribute, in any fashion, to the election of any person to the U. S. Congress, unless said person, organization, or group, is permanently domiciled in the State where the election is being held.
6. Persons elected to the U. S. Congress and their staff members will have public office space only in the State Capitol Building of their respective states, and Congress will meet in Washington D.C. for a maximum of seven (7) consecutive calendar days, per calendar quarter, per calendar year, for the sole purpose of voting on final forms of legislation, provided that no legislation will be brought to a vote without first being made public, no less that seven (7) days prior to vote.
7. All business of the House and Senate, other than in-person votes during each calendar quarter, will be conducted via secure communication links to each respective state office, and all lobbyists will be heard in scheduled public meetings, within the respective State Capitol Buildings only.
8. No person elected to the U. S. Congress, including staff members, or family, will receive anything of monetary value from any person, organization, or group, other than their respective salary and benefits, as a result of, or favor of, their term in office, at any time prior to, during, or following the term of office.
9. Congress will pass no legislation, or enact any law, or regulation, that does not apply equally to every United States citizen, and all existing legislation, laws, or regulations, not meeting this provision, will be null and void.
10. Congress will pass no legislation, or enact any law, or regulation, that requires expenditures of money, resources or manpower, by any state or local government, or agency thereof, or any private person, business, or corporation, to enact or enforce, said legislation, law, or regulation, and all existing legislation, laws, or regulations, not meeting this provision, will be null and void. 

         Jim

         http://www.jim-mac.com/

Real Insanity

            Gallup Poll numbers released today reveal that Congress has a 10% approval rating:  The lowest in recorded history.  Strangely, the approval rating in December of 2010 was 13%.  This followed an election and was prior to seating of the newly elected Congress, meaning that voters re-elected a majority of incumbents with an approval rating of 13%.  With a track record like this, it is no wonder that politicians feel they have no accountability to voters.

            Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  However, when politicians do the same things over and over again and are re-elected, they are not insane, the voters are.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com