The People's Law

"The People's Law" is a great description of how the Founding Fathers meant to be ruled. These are laws based on timeless principles, put in place and maintained by the "people". That's you and me. This seems to strike at the heart of what freedom really means. It's a system set up that allows us to govern our own lives; to act within our own spheres; to have choice, real choice.

Those who worked for over 180 years to create a nation where "the people" would truly be free sought to create a system with enough government to maintain security, justice and good order, but NOT enough government to abuse "the people" or take away their right to direct their own future.

Thomas Jefferson was influenced heavily by the tenets of the Anglo Saxon law. He wanted a renaissance of these kinds of principles. He gave a hierarchy of solving problems when he said: problem solving "rests first of all with the individual, then the family, then the community, then the region, and finally, the nation."

Not only were "the people" to be given freedom to direct their own lives, they were to be responsible to create and uphold a reasonable government structure that would protect that freedom for generations to come. Jefferson wanted a system with "small manageable groups where every adult has a voice."

Sounds like there are two key components to maintaining this free nation. 1. The responsibility to direct our own livf in accordance with "the people's law", and 2. The responsibility to participate in community affairs to ensure that right is protected. So, how are we doing? How much of this is taught in school? How many of us care as much about our community as we do about just eking out a living for our families?

I don't think we are doing so great. As I pondered on what would happen if we stay on this track, I came across some disturbing words of Benjamin Franklin: "I am apprehensive, therefore, that the Government of these States may in future times end in a monarchy. But this catastrophe, I think may be long delayed, if in our proposed system we do not sow the seeds of contention, faction, and tumult, by making our posts of honor, places of profit."

Scary to think we are even headed towards monarchy. For some time now, congress and the very office of president have become "places of profit". Once in, the salaries are high, there are no term limits (congress) and the long term benefits will take care of you for the rest of your lives. We have seen Republican presidents profit from being in the Presidents office. Democrats have the same problems. Five days before President Obama was sworn in, he signed a $2 million book deal and took a $500,000 advance. Is there a question that we have made our "posts of honor, places of profit"?

Reminding ourselves of these timeless principals helps us know what to look for in choosing those who represent us, as well as motivate us to take personal responsibility for protecting freedom. Somehow that first few powerful words of the Declaration of Independence now means more to me. "We, The People".

Modern Americans

When I first heard the term "Modern American", I wondered if I wanted to be one. As I read the "5000 year leap", by Cleon Skousen, I am learning that America was originally considered "the hope of the world". It took over 180 years from the Pilgrims to the Continental Congress, along with what the Founding Fathers called "the hand of Providence" (help from God), to create this hope. Imagine a nation governed by its people. It truly was the Hope of the World. The Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights are inspiring evidences that the United States was "the hope of the world".

Are we still? Does "Modern American" refer to a new breed who have forgotten their roots?

I have made an effort to stay informed. However, part of being a "Modern American" is dealing with a barrage of media information that is usually tilted too far left, or too far right. This forces us to measure issues in terms of political parties instead of time-tested principles of freedom and common sense. The problem with having to use a political party to represent sent you is that their platforms or positions are often superficial and structured on shifting sand. Simply put, they change with the times. Sounds kind of "modern" doesn't it?

So, where can you find the truth? Is there a balanced media source to keep the Modern American informed? I will list a number of sources for your review. All too often, however, we Americans forget that the same Hand of Providence that made this "hope of the world" come to fruition, knows the truth. My personal beliefs in God allow me great faith in the knowledge that God is still in charge. He is the source of all truth. He will reveal it if we ask humbly. So our first source of truth should be prayer. Now here are some others that I received from a very gifted and intelligent political consultant in Pennsylvania:

Neutral:

http://www.drudgereport.com
http://online.wsj.com/home-page
http://www.breitbart.tv

Conservative leaning:

http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/
http://www.lucianne.com/
http://pajamasmedia.com/
http://www.redstate.com/
http://corner.nationalreview.com/
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/
http://newsbusters.org/

Liberal leaning:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://www.politico.com/


As I consider the implications of being a "Modern American", I have come to the conclusion that I am one, but don't like it. I sense a change in the air for many of us. The more I read of the principles and eternal truths upon which this nation was founded, the more I find myself wanting not to be so "modern". I want to be more "old school", to believe as the founding fathers did that we are to have "just enough government to maintain security, justice, and good order, but not enough government to abuse the people." I'm going to keep studying.


Monty
"the not-so-modern-anymore American"

Voices

I am active in local politics and an avid believer in the principles that made the United States of America a free nation, governed by "the people". I am also a father of 8 beautiful children, a want-to-be farmer and the owner of several small businesses. I hold no public office and could probably not afford to even run an effective campaign. I care deeply about this country and can't stand idly by and watch as our freedoms slowly erode.

My voice is small and carries little weight. How can one middle-aged father like myself make a difference when the economy deals with numbers like trillions? I make a good living but come nowhere close to the $600,000 annual salary of those I elect to congress. The more I watch and read about modern politics, the smaller and insignificant I feel. Will my voice even make a minor difference?

What is happening to this country that I love? How can it be possible that the government that represents me continues to take away my freedoms and opportunities on an almost daily basis? Am I powerless to stop them? Where do we go from here?

Asking myself these questions led me to a talk show host. Perhaps you know of Glen Beck. His views have always seemed a little radical to me, but now seem to ring true. He claims that "we surround them". "Them", meaning our elected government officials. He urges the average American to become educated in the principles of the constitution. He encourages everyone, that is all of us small voices, to stand up and remember our civic duty; to let those taking our freedoms away know we are here and won't stand for it any longer!

I don't advocate a revolution. I don't want contention. I only want to be heard. I only want to be free to rise or fall according to the dictates of my own conscience. Agency belongs to America. Christ himself died for agency. Hundreds of thousands of us bled and died in major global conflicts to preserve this precious agency.

I have started this Blog as my own small way of being heard. It's all about voices, right? This will become a pulpit where those I care about can let their voices be heard. My voice is small. But together with the voices of millions of passionate Americans, we will be heard. Or at least that is my humble prayer.

Monty. one small voice