Posted on 08/02/2014 10:01:41 AM PDT by TEXOKIE
“Only the confiscated output of robots could possibly pay for America’s growing mountain of liabilities and entitlements. We need to either educate either a generation of automation engineers or a generation of bankruptcy lawyers.”
I think what you say is true, but it is also true that there are many levels of education. Teaching about our history is imperative so as to keep the understanding of a workable framework of freedom alive.
I like your images, by the way. Brings back memories.
Great List. Thx for the ping.
As Adam Smith, the father of modern economics and proponent of the free market economy, said,
"By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Book IV, Chapter II, Section IV.2.9
http://www.econlib.org/library/Smith/smWN13.html
:-D you are welcome!
I think we have had a few mutually (I hope) satisfactory conversations at one point, and I noted you as a FReeper that I admire. This is not a perpetual ping list to be used repeatedly. My apologies if I have offended. It was not at all my intention.
I confess, I’m not at all understanding how you get that my list is collectivist and socialist in nature. I am simply trying to suggest action items individuals can choose to do or not do which are available to them. They are ones in fact that I seek to do and by doing so, I hope that I am working to help America survive.
I agree that pursuing the free market economy is absolutely essential. I didn’t at all think of that for this list because it isn’t in the realm of my daily experience right now, other than to be a consumer. But I will say that I do pray often for the will of God regarding the bringing forth of the reviving and strengthening of our free market economy and system.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Well done!
As far as this list of ten steps, I thought some were good.
2. Read the Constitution, Founding Documents, and a good history of America. [We have one of the best histories written by Freepers Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, entitled "A Patriot's History of the United States." Rush Limbaugh is also putting out a series of histories written for children, but are also entertaining for adults which are excellent.]
3. Read current events and know what is happening. Do not allow yourself to be a "low-information voter."
5. Educate the children and people in your life. Share with them your love the Constitution, and the Founding Documents. Inform them of current events. Be the go-to person for your friends and family on such things. Do not discount the effect and weight that can have.
4. VOTE. ALWAYS. EVERY TIME YOU HAVE THE LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY.
But “4” is only true if you do “5”. Ignorant voting is probably worse than not voting at all. Ignorant voting is not the same as mistaken voting that’s done in good faith. But voting just to vote without an idea of what and why you’re voting for something is basically useless, IMO.
7. Be self-sufficient and prepared. Plant a garden and sign up for greeneyes's garden threads. Get out of debt. Be thrifty. If you do not have ideas on how to do this specifically, consider signing up for Kartographer's prep threads.
10. This nation WAS founded and dedicated to God, who has blessed her. One of the most important steps to saving America is to pray for her specifically each day. Thank God for her; Our Father appreciates and enjoys our gratitude and our attention on Him. He truly DOES reward and bless abundantly those who serve Him and His children with grateful loving hearts.
We must remember: "Our God is GREATER!" than whatever challenge is in front of us. We must act as though it all depends on us - because it does. We must pray as though it all depends on God, and this is the key: IT DOES!
These are good ideas and good thoughts, IMO. I guess these did not pop out at me right away the way the stuff below did, so I was probably hasty in characterizing your whole list the way I did.
But the stuff below is not so hot IMO.
1. First, actually ask the question sincerely, "Uncle Sam, HOW can I save America today? Accept that it IS up to ME and I have accountability for my choices for her THIS DAY.
America began with different ideas than this. In America, an individual doesn’t live for the state. The state exists for the individual. America’s first formal political document, the Declaration of Independence, laid the foundation of the presumption of the liberty of the individual for the Law of the Land, the U.S. Constitution, by stating that the individual, not the state, has been endowed by his Creator “certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Individuals in a free society are free to do as they please as long as they do not interfere with other’s freedoms. And a free society is a happy and healthy society.
The benefits of a free society are also explained by Adam Smith as I posted earlier: "By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Book IV, Chapter II, Section IV.2.9
6. Live the words of President John F. Kennedy:"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
This oft-quoted “feel-good” part of Kennedy’s 1960 inauguration speech reeks with socialist mentality, for the same reasons I gave above. Our country is not based on “what you can or should do for the country. It is based on the idea that God has given you freedom to do whatever you want.
People didn’t die to get to this country to do for the country. That’s what they were trying to get away from in their communist and collectivist countries. They died to get to a country where they could “breathe free” and live the life THEY chose without anyone telling them they could not. A country that allowed people their God-given rights to pursue their dreams as they saw fit, not according to somebody else’s idea of morality. The only restraint is they don’t interfere with another’s freedom of pursuits.
A new, updated 10th anniversary edition is out this November, covering through 2013.
And thank you, Lord, for putting this list on TEXOKIE's heart.
Didn't even know there was a prepper, gardening or toon ping list.
I'm asking to be added to them. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you, TEXOKIE! Just finished researching candidates for our local election yesterday. Wow, was I grouchy. Why can’t what they’ve actually done be easier to find? Anyway, we always appreciate additional useful information!
:-D you are very welcome!
# “I’m not sure what this ping list is”
It is simply some of the people on FR whom I respect. (There are many, and I did not manage to capture every last one of them!)
I wrote down names because my poor little pea brain isn’t up to the task of remembering all the specifics of some of the creative handles people have! Ie, is that name capitalized or is there a space? Which spelling did they use? You know, that kind of thing. As you are very likely aware, there is no way to look up other FReeper handles on our web site. It is not a ping list per say. I do not often initiate an article, much less a vanity, so I decided to write to people on FReeRepublic whom I hoped might be interested.
#”But “4” is only true if you do “5”. Ignorant voting is probably worse than not voting at all. Ignorant voting is not the same as mistaken voting that’s done in good faith. But voting just to vote without an without an idea of what and why you’re voting for something is basically useless IMO.”
Well taken. That is a good point. Since these are steps, I can see that the 4th step does hinge on education, so the 5th step should come before the 4th one.
#I appreciate your explaining how the 1st and 6th steps would rub you the wrong way. I understand now. What I was forgetting was the perverted lens through which the progressives view commitment and devotion to a cause. They continually demand that we give up everything to the State and sacrifice ourselves for others. They do NOT want people to be personally accountable. (This could explain why we have such a litigious society. No one wants to be accountable for their own actions.)
What has happened is that they constantly demand and seek to persuade the “Little Red Hens” and the “Ants” to support the “Unworking Eaters” and “Grasshoppers” perpetually in their self indulgent lifestyles. All too often they ARE successful in that persuasion.
I was coming at it in the way that I choose to believe our Founders and early patriots approached their cause. The key word here, in my mind, is “accountability.” Those soldiers with bleeding feet in the snow at Valley Forge and marching to cross the Delaware with Washington were not committed to the State, or to a prince. They were loyal to a great leader, but they took personal accountability for their lives and they knew that their lives and the lives of their families and neighbors could and would be so much better if they gave the full measure. That is true, noble sacrifice. It is true selflessness, and not the giving of one’s self in order for that giving to be misused.
Kennedy’s words, in this regard IMHO could be taken either way. One who DOES love America, DOES look to see what can be done as a good free citizen to further our nation. Those who are on the side of the “Grasshoppers” can see it as a good statement which could easily dupe the “Ants” into being forthcoming.
Thank you for your comments and for making me think!
Wow! That’s terrific! If you have a ping list, please put me on it! :-D
“Didn’t even know there was a prepper, gardening or toon ping list.
I’m asking to be added to them. Thanks for the heads up.”
[Doing backflips here!] :-D
Glory to God for all good things! You are so welcome! I’m so very happy that you will be joining those ping lists. They are all so enlightening, [and I’m letting out a secret here: FUN!! - even tho they do deal with serious topics.]
You are welcome, Silentgypsy!
Oh my, researching those candidates can be a challenge at times. Thanks for doing that! We just had some primaries and local races here, and we were turning over rocks to try to figure out the best way to go.
Many like myself love America because it is "US" (U.S.). America is "US". Kennedy's choice is off the radar of freedom-loving Americans. The question is not either what can country do for me or what can I do for country. It's how do I want to live my life as I choose with a grateful heart that I live in a country that allows me to do so. That choice may very well be "public service" but it is a FREE, not coerced, choice hopefully made for the right reasons.
Kennedy's focus centered on "country" (he wasn't around long enough to show the full display of his ambivalent and double-minded socialism but his bothers, especially Ted Kennedy, showed all what the Kennedy's were really all about).
Americans' focus is not obligations to country but rather freedom to build individual lives and families as they see fit.
:-)
Thanks. I’m glad you think my heart is in the right place. I do think we are singing from the same choir book. As far as I can see, we don’t have any disagreements to speak of.
What you said is well stated imho. I think you are correct that he was headed down the wrong direction and we only got a glimpse of it. I think you chose the right word. He was ambivalent. I’m willing to grant to those who insist, that he may have meant well, but with the family and people around him, those good intentions really would have had great difficulty in seeing the light of day.
Thanks again for the discussion.
You have read my last, “Patriot’s History of the Modern World” a 2-vol set that covers world history since 1898, right? I call it “the best book nobody ever read” cause sales were bad, but it’s very good-—as good as PHUSA.
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