Oh, The Tangled Webs They Weave…

…but this isn’t the first time Democrats have practiced to deceive. In fact, the Clintons, Obama, Biden, Reid, and Pelosi have had quite a bit of practice over the past two presidential terms, haven’t they?

The DNC display in Philadelphia has been impressive to be sure. Because establishment Democrats rigged the game for Hillary, they were ready for a showy if shallow unity frosted over by descriptions of a world only their Kool Aid believers wish to see. First Lady Michelle Obama—a powerful and effective speaker in her own right—told us she and her husband knew their time in the White House would shape the futures of their daughters, that words and actions matter, and that it’s all about who will have the power to shape the future of millions of others. When Hillary rises, the first lady said, we all rise because Hillary is a leader worthy of our country’s promise for the future. With all due respect, Mrs. Obama does not understand her husband’s words and actions have, indeed, mattered. They’ve so divided the nation and have helped corrode western civilization. Is that a future any mother would want for her children?

Bill Clinton told us of Hillary’s unflagging labor for the downtrodden, but his story had too many earmarks of a puffed up resume. Let’s assume for the moment, however, that a bit of it may be true. That being so, how and when in the world did that idealistic young lawyer become the greedy and corrupt person she is today? Was it the first big taste of Whitewater cash? Was it her exalted White House life surrounded by sycophants? Was it too much power? Was it the many millions of speaking fees? Was it the ease with which she could get away with it, abetted as she has been by the establishment?

Bill said his image of Hillary couldn’t be squared with that painted by her enemies, and he’s right. The Hillary who may have helped poor kids get insurance 20 years ago will lie to us tomorrow about TPP, Benghazi, Iran, and whatever else suits her for the moment. It’s because of the Clintons’ long parade of lies that we doubt his version of anything. We’ve come to know what’s been in it for Hillary and her husband, but what’s in it for all of those who are now promoting her?

For Bill and Hillary, of course, absolutely everything is at stake in this election. If elected, they get to bury every one of their secrets and settle scores with enemies. For Barack Obama, there’s much at stake, too. Obamacare. The Iran Deal. Unconstitutional Executive Orders. Bureaucratic burdens on business. An appointment to SCOTUS? For the vast left-wing apparatus the Clintons have built up with Obama and Ayers and Alinsky, the levers of government power can remain in their grasp, and for the power-mongers, that’s the greatest treasure of all.

Democrats may have better more passionate speakers, to be sure, but it should always be remembered that progressivism is a philosophy of feelings, which tend to be situational at best, not a philosophy grounded in moral principles and bedrock rules of civil governance. If over eight years of Democrat speeches were backed by actions, would we have racial and ethnic strife in this country? Would we have a world cankered by ISIS brutality? Would we have millions of jobless teens? Would we have a disintegrating middle class?

Three-quarters of the nation think we’re on the wrong track. Two-thirds of us think race relations are bad—exactly the opposite of how Americans felt when Obama took office in 2009. Most people not living in the ether of a video game know the awful numbers oh, so sadly well. Worse, the everyday experiences of many make them feel less safe now than just a few years ago, and an out-of-control ISIS makes many wonder if a weak, progressive power structure will someday give in to the horrors of sharia law. It happened in Belgium, France, Britain, and Germany. Why not here? Democrats don’t like to offend anyone, do they?

Now, of course, the polls are close. Despite Donald Trump’s amazing ability to alienate many without spending a dollar, he has made the race a toss-up. Despite the stacked deck of State Media (MSM to some), Academia, and Hollywoodland all arrayed against him, he has spoken the tough, rough words that have caught the ear of Joe & Josie Six-Pack and secret admirers in every other demographic. His very successes, however, have troubled the night dreams of establishment Democrats everywhere, and they are desperate.

All the stops will be yanked for 2016. For a party leadership steeped in deception, it is not unrealistic to consider the unthinkable. If all else fails, there’s the electronic ballot box itself, as USA Today wrote about just prior to the last election, and as I described in my book Turnover. Bernie’s people naively assumed they were competing on a level field, and it turned out to be a rigged race. That may have been their biggest mistake, and for Americans, making the same assumption about November may be the mistake of our electoral lives.

If Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Hillary minion for decades, and the DNC thought it perfectly acceptable to deny their own party members the right to an equal vote, what barrier would stop them from stealing everybody else’s votes?

"Democrats may have better more passionate speakers, to be sure, but it should always be remembered that progressivism is a philosophy of feelings, which tend to be situational at best, not a philosophy grounded in moral principles and bedrock rules of civil governance."

When what is now known as the "progressive" movement began--way back in the late 1800's--the leaders self-described as "liberals," though not in the "classical liberal" sense.

One of the best summaries of that "liberal" movement's intent is contained in the remarks from a Black Ohio State Representative and A.M.E. Methodist Bishop's 1876 Centennial Sermon, in which he was celebrating the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and America's greatness among the nations of the world. Keep in mind that this Legislator and Minister named Dr. Benjamin W. Arnett had just lived through pre- and post-Civil War conditions in the nation.

Note one warning section of this outstanding celebratory message:

"The Danger to our Country.
"Now that our national glory and grandeur is principally derived from the position the fathers took on the great questions of right and wrong, and the career of this nation has been unparalleled in the history of the past, now there are those who are demanding the tearing down the strength of our national fabric. They may not intend to tear it down, but just as sure as they have their way, just that sure will they undermine our superstructure and cause the greatest calamity of the age. What are the demands of this party of men? Just look at it and examine it for yourselves, and see if you are willing that they shall have their way; or will you still assist in keeping the ship of state in the hands of the same crew and run her by the old gospel chart! But ye men who think there is no danger listen to the demands of the Liberals as they choose to call themselves:
"'Organize! Liberals of America! The hour for action has arrived. The cause of freedom calls upon us to combine our strength, our zeal, our efforts. These are The Demands of Liberalism:
"'1. We demand that churches and other ecclesiastical property shall no longer be exempt from just taxation.
"'2. We demand that the employment of chaplains in Congress, in State Legislatures, in the navy and militia, and in prisons, asylums, and all other institutions supported by public money, shall be discontinued.
"'3. We demand that all public appropriations for sectarian educational and charitable institutions shall cease.
"'4. We demand that all religious services now sustained by the government shall be abolished; and especially that the use of the Bible in the public schools, whether ostensibly as a text-book or avowedly as a book of religious worship, shall be prohibited.
"'5. We demand that the appointment, by the President of the United States or by the Governors of the various States, of all religious festivals and fasts shall wholly cease.
"'6. We demand that the judicial oath in the courts and in all other departments of the government shall be abolished, and that simple affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury shall be established in its stead.
"'7. We demand that all laws directly or indirectly enforcing the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath shall be repealed.
"'8. We demand that all laws looking to the enforcement of “Christian” morality shall be abrogated, and that all laws shall be conformed to the requirements of natural morality, equal rights, and impartial liberty.
"'9. We demand that not only in the Constitution of the United States and of the several States, but also in the practical administration of the same, no privilege or advantage shall be conceded to Christianity or any other special religion; that our entire political system shall be founded and administered on a purely secular basis; and that whatever changes shall prove necessary to this end shall be consistently, unflinchingly, and promptly made.'
"'Let us boldly and with high purpose meet the duty of the hour.'
"Now we must not think that we have nothing to do in this great work, for the men who are at the head of this movement are men of culture and intelligence, and many of them are men of influence. They are led by that thinker and scholar, F. E. Abbott, than whom I know but few men who has a smoother pen, or who is his equal on the battle-field of thought. He says in an address on the duty of his leagues:
"'My answer may be a negative one to all who see nothing positive in the idea of liberty. The conviction I refer to is this: that, regarded as a theological system, Christianity is Superstition, and, regarded as an organized institution, Christianity is Slavery. The purpose I refer to is this: that, whether regarded as theological system, Christianity shall wholly cease to exercise influence in political matters. Although the national Constitution is strictly secular and non-Christian, there are many things in the practical administration of the government which violate its spirit, and constitute a virtual recognition of Christianity as the national religion. These violations are very dangerous; they are on the increase; they more and more give Christianity a practical hold upon the government; they directly tend to strengthen the influence of Christianity over the people, and to fortify it both as a theology and a church; and they are therefore justly viewed with growing indignation by liberals. Not unreasonably are they looked upon as paving the way to a formidable effort to carry the Christian Amendment to the Constitution; and the liberals are beginning to see that they must extinguish the conflagration in its commencement. I believe all this myself, with more intense conviction every day; and therefore I appeal frankly to the people to begin now to lay the foundations of a great National Party of Freedom. It is not a moment too soon. If the liberals are wise, they will see the facts as they are, and act accordingly. Not with hostility, bitterness, defiance, or anger but rather with love to all men and high faith in the beneficence of consistently republican institutions, do I urge them most earnestly to begin the work at once.'

"He acknowledges that this is a religious nation and wants all men to assist him in eliminating the grand old granite principles from the framework of our national union. Will you do it freeman; will we sell the temple reared at the cost of so much precious blood and treasure? These men would have us turn back the hands on the clock of our national progress, and stay the shadow on the dial plate of our christian civilization; they would have us call a retreat to the soldiers in the army of Christ; the banner of the cross they would have us haul down, and reverse the engines of war against sin and crime; the songs of Zion they would turn into discord, and for the harmony and the melody of the sons of God, they would give us general confusion; they would have us chain the forces of virtue and unloose the elements of vice; they would have the nation loose its moorings from the Lord of truth and experience and commit interest, morally, socially; religiously and politically to the unsafe and unreliable human reason; they would discharge God and his crew and run the ship of State by the light of reason, which has always been but a dim taper in the world, and all the foot-prints it has left are marked with the blood of men, women and children. No nation is safe when left alone with reason.
"But we have no notion of giving up the contest without a struggle or a battle. We are aware that there is a great commotion in the world of thought. Religion and science are at arms length contending with all their forces for the mastery. Faith and unbelief are fighting their old battles over again, everything that can be shaken is shaking. The foundations of belief are assaulted by the army of science and men are changing their opinions. New and starting theories are promulgated to the world; old truths are putting on new garbs. Error is dressing in the latest style, wrong is secured by the unholy alliances, changes in men and things, revolution in church and state, Empires are crumbling, Kingdoms tottering; everywhere the change is seen. In the social circle, in the school house, in the pulpit and in the pews. But amid all the changes and revolutions there are some things that are unchangeable, unmovable and enduring. The forces that underline the vital power of Christianity are the same yesterday, to-day, to-morrow and forever more. They are like their God, who is omnipotent, immovable and eternal, and everywhere truth has marched it has left its moccasin tracks.
"The Conclusion of the Whole Matter.We have patiently tried to examine the record of the nations of antiquity and learn the cause of their decay and decline, their fall, why their early death; and why so many implements of destruction around and about their tombs, and everywhere, in the silent streets, mouldering ruins, tottering columns, mouldy and moist rooms, and the united voice from the sepulcher of the dead past is, "sin is a reproach to any people." We see it written on the tombs of the Kings, and engraven on the pages of time, "sin is a reproach to any people." These are the principles of governments, Right and wrong; and the people who are the advocates of Right have bound themselves together and by their united effort they have brought light out of darkness and forced strength out of weakness.
"We as a nation have a grand and glorious future before us. The sun of our nation is just arising above the horizon and is now sending his golden rays of peace from one end of the land to the other. The utmost extremities of the members of the body politic are warm and in motion by the commercial and financial activities of the land. Her face is destined to blush with beauty when peace and justice shall be enthroned. The grand march of progress shall mark her in her onward advancement in moral strength, intellectual brilliancy, and political power. Then we can say that we give to every man, woman and child the benefit of our free institutions, giving all the benefits of our common school and the freedom to worship God under their own vine and fig tree. Then will we see written, on the banner of our free, redeemed and disenthralled country, the sublime words written, not in the blood of men, but in the sun-light of truth, that "Righteousness exalteth a nation." It will fall like the morning dew on the lowly; it will descend like the showers of May on the poor; and like the sun it will shine on the good and bad, dispensing from the hand of plenty the blessings of a government founded on the principle of justice and equality.
"Standing on the threshold of the second century of the nation's life, with the experience of the past lying at our feet, we are saluted by the shout of triumph from the millions who left their homes and business and attended the Great Exposition of the skill and genius of the world, collected at Philadelphia. We were permitted to receive the greetings from the oldest to the youngest nation of the earth. Egypt and the United States clasped hands over the waste of 5,000 years, and lay their treasures at the feet of our civilization. The material, intellectual and mechanical deterioration of the one, and the unprecedented progress of the other, stand in great contrast; in all that makes the nation great,—morally, religiously and socially, the young nation is ahead.
"Following the tracks of righteousness throughout the centuries and along the way of nations, we are prepared to recommend it to all and assert without a shadow of doubt, that "Righteousness exalted a nation"; but on the other hand following the foot-prints of sin amid the ruins of Empires and remains of cities, we will say that "sin is a reproach to any people." But we call on all American citizens to love their country, and look not on the sins of the past, but arming ourselves for the conflict of the future, girding ourselves in the habiliments of Righteousness, march forth with the courage of a Numidian lion and with the confidence of a Roman Gladiator, and meet the demands of the age, and satisfy the duties of the hour. Let us be encouraged in our work, for we have found the moccasin track of Righteousness all along the shore of the stream of life, constantly advancing, holding humanity with a firm hand. We have seen it “through” all the confusion of rising and falling States, of battle, siege and slaughter, of victory and defeat; through the varying fortunes and ultimate extinctions of Monarchies, Republics and Empires; through barbaric irruption and desolation, feudal isolation, spiritual supremacy, the heroic rush and conflict of the Cross and Crescent; amid the busy hum of industry, through the marts of trade and behind the gliding keels of commerce.”
"And in America, the battle-field of modern thought, we can trace the foot-prints of the one and the tracks of the other. So let us use all of our available forces, and especially our young men, and throw them into the conflict of the Right against the Wrong.
"Then let the grand Centennial Thanksgiving song be heard and sung in every house of God; and in every home may thanksgiving sounds be heard, for our race has been emancipated, enfranchised and are now educating, and have the gospel preached to them!
The following is a special excerpt from an earlier section of Dr. Arnett's Centennial:
"Withdraw from Christendom the Bible, the Church with its sacraments and ministry, and Christian morality and hopes, and aspirations for time and eternity; repeal all the laws that are founded in the Christian Scriptures; remove the Christian humanities in the form of hospitals and asylums, and reformatories and institutions of mercy utterly unknown to unchristian countries; destroy the literature, the culture, the institutions of learning, the art, the refinement, the place of woman in her home and in society, which owe their origin and power to Christianity; blot out all faith in Divine Providence, love, and righteousness; turn back every believer in Christ to his former state; remove all thought or hope of the forgiveness of sins by a just but gracious God; erase the name of Christ from every register it sanctifies—in a word annihilate all the legitimate and logical effects of Christianity in Christendom—just accomplish in fact what multitudes of gifted and learned minds are wishing and trying to accomplish by their science, philosophy, and criticism, and what multitudes of the common people desire and seek, and not only would all progress toward and unto perfection cease, but not one of the shining lights of infidelity would shine much longer. Yes, the bitterest enemies of this holy and blessed religion, owe their ability to be enemies to its sacred revelations - to the inspiration and sublimity of that faith which reflects its glories on their hostile natures. They live in the strength of that which they would destroy. They are raised to their seats of opportunity and power by the grace of Him they would crucify afresh; and is it to be thought that they are stronger than that which gives them strength? Can it be supposed that a religion which civilizes and subdues, and elevates and blesses will succumb to the enmities it may arouse and quicken in its onward march? Are we to tremble for the ark of God when God is its upholder, and protector, and preserver?” - Dr. Benjaming W. Arnett, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Urbana, Ohio, Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon, November 1876

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