Posted on 08/17/2012 7:13:03 AM PDT by Lazamataz
We've witnessed the devolution of America for some time now.
From the Presidential and Congressional advocacy of socialist and communist concepts, to a continuously faltering economy, we observe the prosperity we have traditionally enjoyed, rapidly evaporating.
We have been blessed in America with domestic peace. Yet that, too, seems under fire. We are seeing more left- and right-wing fanatics going on shooting sprees, and the Department of Homeland Security is stocking up on vehicles and arms best applied to civil-wartime situations -- not to a domestic policing effort.
More and more laws are written restricting individual liberties, and rights that are not specifically stated, such as privacy, are under constant attack. The President and the Congressional bodies are increasingly circumventing or ignoring the rules written to keep them from becoming an adversarial entity pitted against the public.
When swimming in the ocean, there is a danger of being caught in a rip-tide. When this happens to someone, after struggling against the current for too long, some people become exhausted, and then simply give up. I see this happening among my peers, with respect to the political and sociological tides we are facing. I would advise them, though, not to give up.
There is a way to save America.
Simply put: Behave with ethics, morals, and a reverence to God (as you understand Him).
That's right. That simple decision will help America be restored. "How? That's insane!" some will respond. How will behaving with ethics, morals, and a reverence to God help save America?
America's problems stem from only one source: A lack of ethics and morals, and a self-centered and self-seeking population. The level of immaturity and desire for instant gratification found in 'average Americans' is profound.
Where is the need for government-mandated welfare, when charities are full because people are eager to help their fellow man? Why would we need Social Security when people are disciplined enough to put away for their future, and to help those who -- for whatever reason -- cannot? Why would we hear the misinformed calls for gun restrictions, if guns are nearly universally used with responsibility and morality?
Where would be the need to regulate businesses to near stagnation, if the owners and directors acted with moral conviction in their day-to-day decisions? Why would socialism or communism be attractive to a small subset of Americans, if free market participants behaved with ethics and prosperity was available to all?
Where would the need be for excessive lawmaking (and the subsequent Police State we see manifesting before our eyes) if individuals behaved largely within a moral and ethical framework?
It becomes immediate apparent that the words of several Founding Fathers were prescient:
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure (and) which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." -- Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence
"Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom." -- Patrick Henry, Patriot and Revolutionary
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." -- John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and our second President.
We cannot control the morality of other people. We cannot. Therefore, we must look only to our own moral standing, and seek to improve that at every turn. If we become aligned with God's will, we can, in that way, do our little part. If we embrace God and morality, we will be more likely to vote for people who embrace the same things. We will be more likely to help our fellow man, when it is truly justified. We will be less likely to act out in a proactive act of violence. We will lessen the need for more and more oppressive laws.
So, how do you save America?
Simple. Become a more moral, ethical, less self-centered person, and embrace God’s will in all of your affairs..
I work on myself, thusly helping the world in general, and the USA in particular.
Working on it. Have been for a long time.
To paraphrase Tip O’Neill:
“All salvation is local”...
Laz,
I disagree with the “preaching to the choir” observation. Thank you for the gentle reminder that the way each of us lives does matter, and that we can set an example for others to potentially follow.
We each have some circle of influence, even beyond FreeRepublic.
Thank you. I can’t take any credit, though, since it’s taken me time to realize it myself....maybe it was God giving me a nudge.
Wonderful! Keep doin’ the do! :)
Great article, Laz!
great Halerant...sadly however, this bit of yer prose is believed by both sides of the divide...
that, my FRiends, is how far from a moral people weve become...
The decriers among us have been there from the beginning; and we were pretty successful for a long time in beating them back.
Something happened. Many didn't notice the infection of progressivism invading our schools, our religious institutions, our media, our politics. As a measure of its success, those that did take note and spoke out were mocked and marginalized and overwhelmed.
I do think, however, we're experiencing another Great Awakening now and that we'll triumph in the end. The differences between us stand out now in high relief. I guess the battle lines must be drawn before the battle can take place.
I understand your point about leading by example.
I still want to pummel my Commie "activist" neighbors up the street, though. It's the Irish in me.
True, and it’s up to us personally to stop it. One person at a time, starting with ourselves.
Hey brother G...good to hear from ya as always.
Been a while since I had a rant...Laz inspired me.
And Laz is right...one soul at a time, and set an example.
Kim du Toit, a fine Patriot who had a great website for a while, had a motto - “Turning America Back into a Nation of Rifleman - One Citizen at a Time”.
I think the same can be said here as well...one soul at a time.
Hopefully, we have the time.
As for both sides believing it...yeah, I see it. But I think - maybe because I’m biased - that our side of the aisle has always been more than willing to try and live ‘n let live - maybe to a fault.
The other side...not so much.
It’s like living continuously in a house with a psychopath. How do you coexist with someone that lives every breathing, waking moment for the purpose of killing (figuratively OR literally, your choice) you the minute you close your eyes or stop paying attention? You can’t placate him; you can’t give in, and you can’t just be left alone, because he’s on you like white on rice 24/7/365.
Sooner or later, you just get fed up and deck his ass with a 2x4. Or...you fall asleep, and he decks you.
The other side has lost their collective mind, and the hardcore amongst them are pushing for “now, now, now!” because they see their standard-bearer for the stumblebum that he really is. And he, in turn, if re-elected, will try to placate them and prove that he’s “the one”.
Way I see it, anyway...
Hope for the best, pray for peace, but be prepared for - you know the rest.
Yes, Laz. :)
Something happened. Many didn't notice the infection of progressivism invading our schools, our religious institutions, our media, our politics. As a measure of its success, those that did take note and spoke out were mocked and marginalized and overwhelmed.
Thank You Madame for writing my thoughts...to me, its the age old 'Good vs evil' scenario...as SirHale noted, its 24/7/365 locked in a room with a demon/monster, eventually we, as a nation HAD to fall asleep and get pummeled...
one person at a time, one Spirit at a time is the only way...but that takes 'time'...more than we have the luxury of at this point, IMHO...
i will continue in my quest to clean my side of the street, progress NOT 'perfection', as that is only attainable at the point of a dirt nap...I am re-motivated of late to carry a message of Gods Grace to me fellow man...
my experience confirms that most dont want it, and that the ones who do are un willing to take the necessary action to even seek God, much less to turn their will back to Him...
I'll seek His Will, and conform to the best of my ability, but to be sure, Im NOT required to be a martyr...
evil knows that the final score is already decided, so it strikes whenever it has the opportunity...bambam is the culmination of that perfect storm...a real 'teachable moment' as it were...
Blessings all
You're right, Gilbo_3.
I could very well be wrong, but hasn't the gradual ascendancy of the left in large part resulted from an aversion to confronting their evil head-on? History is replete with examples of our enemy, picking the time and place, succeeding in using our appealing to our better angels against us. I wish it weren't so, but it is what it is.
I'll seek His Will, and conform to the best of my ability, but to be sure, Im NOT required to be a martyr...
If there were ever a hill to fight on, this is it.
“...a real ‘teachable moment’ as it were.....”
One hell of a painful lesson, isn’t it.
Sorta like mistaking Pine-Sol for nose spray and giving the schozz a couple of blasts with it.
yeah...THAT’LL leave a mark...
When my father asked him whether he'd put it in both eyes, he responded, "What do you think, I'm stupid?"
Thank you for the post. I agree with what you say; we must recover our ethical and moral compass, or we are lost.
RE Dad and SuperGlue:
WOW....hope he was OK? Hospital?
That could be real bad...
I laugh at your “nutty” humor and appreciate your reflections on God and politics.
It was a sudden realization, but Joe realized — in retrospect — that getting that cute little female zombie to perform a particular oral act on him was not his best-ever-thought-out plan.
Oh, and by the way:
I have decided to become an evil superhero. I am recruiting minions. Please send a resume, cover letter, and recommendations to:
Mr. Evil Superhero
Dark Fortress of Brooding
Wasteland, South Pole 89190-2042
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