From Kelly Gneiting at the Independent American Party website:
In a recent Tea Party newsletter that surfaced in my email, a list of 4 solutions were presented. The first was “work with Tea Party-friendly members of Congress,” second, “launch a major public relations offensive” drawing attention to government overspending; third, “show America that there is a solution” to this overspending; and fourth, “re-double our efforts to grow our grassroots efforts… The Tea Party movement is probably America’s last best hope.”
As Chairman of the Independent American Party, I’ve heard the theories of countless people as to their version of “the answers for America.” Most of the time, they preface each solution with something like, “Congress are a bunch of idiots” or “our representatives aren’t thinking clearly.” At this point I tune out.
In Walter Williams introduction to Frederick Bastiat’s “The Law,” he made this keen observation: “Mankind’s history is one of systematic, arbitrary abuse and control by the elite acting privately, through the church, but mostly through government. It is a tragic history where hundreds of millions of unfortunate souls have been slaughtered, mostly by their own government.”
Now tell me, is the slaughter of “hundreds of millions of unfortunate souls” a product of our representatives not being intelligent enough, or is it because of their desire for control, which trumps protecting the people’s rights of life, liberty and property? The sober fact is our leaders know exactly what they are doing. As Bastiat himself records of our current system, “It has [intentionally] converted plunder into a right, in order to protect plunder. And it has converted lawful defense into a crime, in order to punish lawful defense.”
And then from J. Reuben Clark:
“…do not think that thee usurpations, intimidations, and impositions are being done to us through inadvertence or mistake; The whole course is deliberately planned and carried out; its purpose is to destroy the Constitution and our constitutional government; then to bring chaos, out of which the new Statism with its slavery is to arise, with a cruel, relentless, selfish, ambitious crew in the saddle, riding hard with whip and spur, a red-shrouded band of night riders for despotism.” [Church News PPNS pg. 327]
With this fact in mind, and given the collapses of other civilizations in history, because of their citizen’s stupid servility (as Samuel Adams called it), how can one rely on “the law” as a valid solution? Or perhaps a better question is, which “law” will you personally choose to adhere to, since you DO have a choice? William Blackstone mentioned:
“Man, considered as a creature, must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being… And consequently, as man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything, it is necessary that he should in all points conform to his Maker’s will. This will of his Maker is called the law of nature… This law of nature, being coeval (coexistent) with mankind and dictated by God Himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times; no human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this.” William Blackstone (source)
Do we as Christians really believe this? Likewise, do we believe Christ when he advised his disciples:
“But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one… for the things concerning me have an end.” (Luke 22:36-37)
I have heard many patriots of history make the proclamation that their liberty is more important to them than their lives. Included are religious & patriotic leaders such as Ezra Taft Benson and Howard W. Hunter, as well as 1776-era patriots. Samuel Adams summed up the collective thoughts of his rebellious countrymen when he made the 1777 statement to the Continental Congress, “We have proclaimed to the world our determination to die free men, rather than live slaves…” And those fighting and dying for the glorious cause of America sealed their words with their blood.
It is my opinion that the potential downfall of America among those who profess to be patriots, is three pronged— 1) first, they have, collectively, a false discernment as to the direness of our situation, 2) they have an approach of apathy towards finding solutions from our creator, and 3) they have a reluctance to prepare for a human blood-sacrifice solution. Solutions lies in the antithesis (opposite) of these. I’ll briefly touch on each one.
1) A collective false discernment as to the direness of our situation: I call it the marijuana-ization of America, but drugs aren’t the only weapon being used. In fact drugs, although contributing very creatively to America’s culture of carelessness, pales when compared to the effects of socialism, even among those who profess to be patriots. When people have money they are content, caring not where the money came from. If the means to satisfy their needs and wants comes from the sweat of someone else, they consider it a necessary evil, and thus buy into the socialism many of these same individuals profess to be fighting against. Thus folks are caught up in the Bastiat-referenced mechanism of legalized plunder, and are slaves— and so will their children and children’s children become slaves.
2) An approach of apathy towards finding solutions from our Creator: After Samuel Adams boldly submitted the words, “We have proclaimed to the world our determination to die free men, rather than live slaves.” he continued, “We have appealed to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and in Heaven we have placed our trust. Numerous have been the manifestations of God’s Providence in sustaining us… We have been reduced to distress, but the arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely in humble confidence on Him who is mighty to save.” (Ira Stoll, Samuel Adams, A Life, 2008, Introduction)
In the Tea Party Patriots newsletter I read there was no mention of God, or solutions being rooted in our creator. As very simple logic, just as the states created the federal government, and have authority over it, God created you and I, and thus should be to allowed to rule over us– but He has given us choice. Do we look to Him as our creator and lawgiver? By and large, I wonder if our prayers are uttered, and secondly, I wonder if uttered prayer ascends beyond ourselves and our own personal circumstances. Those who understand the nature of the enemy will understand that freedom is the basis for which even our own personal circumstances, and that of our immediate family rests. Consider Ezra Taft Benson’s words:
“To all who have discerning eyes, it is apparent that the republican form of government established by our noble forefathers can not long endure once fundamental principles are abandoned. Momentum is gathering for another conflict—a repetition of the crisis of two hundred years ago. (from “The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner,” 1987)
The first rule of true patriotism is look to God for the solution.
3. A reluctance to prepare for a human blood-sacrifice solution: I find it impossible for Americans to disregard the words of Thomas Jefferson and J. Reuben Clark. The former said:
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty… And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms… What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” (letter to William Stephens Smith, November 13, 1787.—The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, ed. Julian P. Boyd, vol. 12, p. 356, 1955).
The latter stated simply, “I say to you that the price of liberty is and always has been blood, human blood, and if our liberties are lost, we shall never regain them except at the price of blood.” (Church News, 11-20-1952)
J. Reuben Clark was considered “…the greatest authority on the Constitution during the past fifty years” (American Opinion, April 1966, p. 113). He died in 1961.
I understand that spilling blood by offensively attacking others is not the Lord’s way, BUT defending ourselves—our lives, liberties, and property— IS. The question is, are we, as patriots preparing to defend ourselves in an organized way AT ALL? If not, we can expect failure to be the results of our overall efforts.
I encourage all patriots to pray with real intent for the items the IAP puts forward in our monthly Prayer Requests. I’m convinced that the ultimate solution is repentance from a culture of godlessness, and as well, paying the price to see things as they really are; which would include not only prayer, but fasting, and being involved with your mind and body, working hard and sacrificing time and talents towards the solutions we all envision. Since:
“Once you get the facts about our American Constitutional Republic and the threats to it, then you are going to want to do something. Certainly those who are organized and have a plan and are dedicated, though they be few, will always defeat the many who are not organized and have no plan or dedication.” —Ezra Taft Benson, 1963