Thursday, July 31, 2014

Politicization of Theology

I just heard a thoughtful characterization of something I have long felt. Somewhere along the way, and it has been gradual and insidious, we in America have politicized theology. There are a number of "political" issues that, in my opinion were formerly only questions of theology, not to be politicized. Theology has gradually been hijacked/ politicized. I have resented it all along but this is the first time on TV that I have heard it articulated in the manner just heard. For some reason[s], since the '50s, the political agenda and discourse have drastically changed. I'm not sure the tipping point or the catalyst but I am sure that it has been partly cause and effect as to why we now seem to be dysfunctional, politically and otherwise. It is the political system that has hijacked theology and not the reverse, quite the opposite of Jefferson's fear. Theology, in my opinion, is hands off, especially with respect to the federal government. Being Jeffersonian, I believe in a distinct separation of church and state. "Church", in Jefferson's mind [and mine], had nothing to do with religion or religionists.  It had to do with Theology -- the domain of the Creator, something for which we mortals have NO qualifications. I would assume the "political" issues of which I speak would be obvious. However, with the lack of a moral compass extant, seemingly, I probably should not even assume that. Just some thoughts...


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Immigration Reform

If you watch any news at all you will likely hear the words, "Immigration Reform". Usually, you also hear that the majority of Americans are for it but you NEVER hear the details of what that "reform" would constitute. Keep in mind, we are NOT a homogeneous society--Japan is. Thus, "reform" is in the eye of the beholder [Interest Group, class, ethnicity, etc.] If your poll got into specifics, which would likely be impractical, what would you think reform would be to the average citizen? My 37 years of political life say that 99% of polls are useless, useful only in tracking trends - that is it! My experience also tells me also that 99% of those polled, who are for "reform", have NOT a clue what they would be reforming--they have NO idea what is in the present law [INA]. It too has also been my experience that, although Congress polls quite low in Popularity Polls, that to a man/ woman, these Members of Congress fairly and accurately reflect their constituencies. Thus, if you don't like Congress, walk over to the nearest mirror and smile like a monkey eatin' bumblebees. Here is a link to a pretty good summary of the INA. Ask yourself, rhetorically of course, what is it in the present law that you would "reform". Having a pretty good idea what is in the INA, I will just tell you I would not "reform" but one thing. Some A$$HOLE has a job to do--enforce it! Until such time, I'd just soon not hear that damn word again--REFORM! Unless and until we, the constituents, can find our respective butt with both hands, please do not expect Congress to do the same.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

The Federalist 47

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”
James Madison—The Federalist #47
As Madison wisely observed, citing the insights of Montesquieu, a clear separation of the powers of government is essential to prevent the rise of tyranny.
It was also no accident that the very first article of the Constitution deals with the legislature, which was designed to be the most powerful of the three branches.
This was due to the fear of Kings and usurpers, e.g. King George III.

In our systemhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png, the president’s role is to carry out the laws that the Congress passes, not to write his own laws, not to rewrite the laws that do get passed, and not to issue executive orders that bypass the rest of the government entirely. This president makes a mockery of the checks and balances Madison and the other Founding Fathers carefully put in place.


Free and Independent States

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. 
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”


While the above was written by Jefferson, into the Declaration of Independence, with King George in mind, it is as applicable today with respect to the current occupant of the White House, no less a DESPOT than King George himself. He is no less a burden to our pursuit of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I too, will not mince words nor bend to despots.


Eternal Enmity of Despots

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Knowing quite well the writings of Jefferson, I will stipulate that "by any means necessary" is understood, following, "to throw off such government". Period! He did NOT mince words or thoughts and never cowered. Nor should WE.


Natural Laws of Man and God

"...and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, ..."

Please note that it states, "God", not Karl Marx, Lenin, or any other fascist or despot. You don't like it, get over it; you may have all of Europe, Latin America or whatever else your pleasure. Our founding was in, of, and by, GOD. No man can change that by executive order or fiat, no matter what he or others consider.





The Right of the People

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."


Governments Are Instituted Among Men

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --"

Please note that Jefferson said, "Men", not "laws". Governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed. We are NOT a "nation of Laws"! Get over it...we are a nation of Men who do whatever we wish with laws, including, but not limited to: enact, amend, enforce, abolish, etc.