I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag....

When I was younger, it was still common practice to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school every morning. It was part of the school day and something that everyone did. It was American.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Then in recent years, people became offended by the phrase, "under God." These people did not want their children to be forced to mention the word God. They claimed that according to the Constitution there must be a "separation of church and State."

Despite the fact that there is no mention of a "separation of church and State" in the Constitution is besides the point. The fact that we pledge to support a constitutional republic (which is different from a democracy) is another. Those are topics for another discussion. What I what to focus on is the Pledge of Allegiance itself. Should have we even started to pledge allegiance in the first place?

People from both sides of the 'for' or 'not for' camps fight viciously for their causes, but I wonder if they even know the history of the controversial Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was not the first thing recited by Americans on September 3, 1783, immediately after gaining independence from the English. No, the Pledge of Allegiance was not the brain child of any of the Founding Fathers. It was not written until 1892. That is 109 years after the Revolutionary War.

So, for 109 years there were American citizens roaming the streets who had never pledged their allegiance to the flag. I think we did pretty well over the years without it. Some might dispute that argument with the whole War Between the States (1861-1865); but yet again, that war was fought over the question of big government verses State's rights and is a discussion for another time.

Back to the 1892 Pledge. At that time, it did not even contain the words "under God" in it. That addition is a result of the Cold War and was added in the 1950s. Democratic countries in the west wanted to one up the Soviets by showing that we allowed free people the ability to worship God freely. Take that you Communists!

The first Pledge of Allegiance recited by school children occurred on October 12, 1892 for a Columbus Day program. They raised the American flag and said the Pledge of Allegiance. This whole event was thanks to three dedicated individuals, Daniel Ford, James Upham, and Francis Bellamy.

Basically, they noticed that only military bases flew the American flag. They realized that most schools neither had a flagpole or a flag to fly. This coupled with many immigrant children filling our schools, they felt it important to raise a spirit of patriotism among the youth. The rest is pledging history.

So, should we continue this tradition in our schools? There are many posts asking if our children should recite the pledge of allegiance. 

In my opinion, children should be taught the Constitution and recite the Bill of Rights. Our children should be taught the civic principles that our founding generation fought and died for. They should understand the difference between a constitutional republic and a democracy. They should be learning about the check and balance system of the American government system, the Federal, the State, and the People. They should be taught to understand what liberty really means. 

Then we will raise Americans who will support and defend the flag and the freedom it represents.

Thomas DiLorenzo on Spielberg's "Lincoln"

Thomas DiLorenzo is professor of economics at Loyola University Maryland and a member of the senior faculty of the Mises Institute. He is the author of The Real Lincoln; Lincoln Unmasked; How Capitalism Saved America; and Hamilton's Curse: How Jefferson’s Archenemy Betrayed the American Revolution — And What It Means for Americans Today.

Dr. DiLorenzo recently lectured on Spielberg's latest movie, "Lincoln." Here is what he had to say about the film, Lincoln, and history. 

Thomas Paine's 2013 Common Sense

What would Thomas Paine say today if he was witness to current events? Would it be something like this? I really think that he would say something like this.

“When the government fears the people, it is liberty. When the people fear the government, it is tyranny.“
– Thomas Paine

Feinstein Wants to Ban ALL Firearms

I really cannot stand the lies and hypocrisy of Sen. Diane Feinstein. Watch and listen to a comparison of her own words. She is a liar and cannot be trusted in her seat of power.

Make no mistake, she wants to disarm you all. Her intents are known. She has said it herself. 

Laws, Taxes, Wastefullness...oh my!

Do we have new laws being passed that can be compared to the Intolerable Acts of 1774? Are there new laws making it extremely difficult to live in your states? What of new taxes? What of government fraud and waste?

If so, what do you suggest that we do about it?

The Boston Tea Party

All taxes repealed, but one...and yet it still wasn't enough. Would you have tossed the tea into Boston Harbor? 

The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre: America the Story of Us

Spirit of '76

Do you still believe in what our Patriots fought for? If so, then defend liberty.

Modern Day "Common Sense"

 
"Let it not be said that we did nothing." -Ron Paul, May 22, 2007.

Watch the video and share your thoughts please. 

Is Obama an American?

What do you think America? Has this Arizona sheriff proven that Barack Obama's birth certificate is a fake? What would that mean? Let's look to the Constitution. 

Age and Citizenship requirements - US Constitution, Article II, Section 1

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

So, if it is true that there is no actual proof that Barack Obama is an American citizen, then the Constitution has been violated; ergo he should not be the president.

Now I can provide an actual birth certificate, but then I was born in the United States of America. There would be no long wait or conspiracy surrounding the legitimacy of my document. 

Voter Fraud in Washington

You get one vote, right? You also cannot vote for someone else, right?

Then why do we not hold our government officials to the same standards that they hold for us? Where's the integrity in our government employees? Where are our officials when these votes are being taken?  

Wasteful Government Spending

I know there are a lot of Federal employees out there upset about the sequester and the loss in their "incomes." However, what about the taxpayer and the loss of their actual incomes?

There are plenty of government programs, where Federal employees are employed, where the taxpayer's money is being wasted. I say let's save some money by cutting these wasteful programs and the employees engaged in them.

In the end, we'll still have some sad Federal employees. However, if the government deregulates businesses, these former employees can go find a profitable job in the private sector. 

American Heritage Lost

When I was in high school, I attempted to create an American heritage club. The school declined my request stating that there was no unique "American heritage." They said that we were made up of so many diverse cultures and backgrounds that we could not celebrate a singular American heritage.

It is so true that we have lost our unique American heritage of individual liberty, personal responsibility and freedom from government. No more than ever, we need to rediscover what our founding generation fought for and established. Now is the time for us to reclaim our American heritage.

Why America is NOT the greatest country in the world, anymore.

I have not seen this show, but a friend showed me the following clip the other day. Are you ready for the bold truth? 

Americans said that they wanted change in 2008. Well America, we changed a long time ago. The change wasn't good. It's a time to return to greatness. "The first step to solving a problem is realizing there is one."

**Warning - This is from an HBO show, there is some strong language.**

"Conspiracy-minded antigovernment 'Patriot' groups."

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has released its annual report claiming that there is a rise of "conspiracy-minded antigovernment 'Patriot' groups." They also highlight militia groups as being a threat. (Read the Reason.com report.)

I thought that the Second Amendment gave us the right to bear arms and form militias. Is that not what it states in the Bill or Rights? Let us review it once again:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Oh, what a minute! It also states that a militia is "necessary to the security of a free State." So, a militia is a good thing. In fact, it promotes security. A militia is in league with the TSA then, right? Both are there to keep terrorists from getting us.

So, why are militias a bad thing again? Why would the Federal government be afraid of militias from the several States securing their freedom? After all, the 50 States are sovereign powers and have their own governments don't they? They are to be a check and balance with the Federal government with the people. Those three elements compose the three branches of the American system of government. What's the problem then again?

Granted if a militia was to break the law, then they would not be securing the State. Thus, they would have become more of a gang and not a militia. So, yet again, I see nothing wrong with Americans exercising their constitutional rights in a militia.

Let's also look at another misuse of a word from the West Point report, "antifederalist."

Potok is pulling a bait and switch here. As noted above, the SPLC keeps its count of hate groups, such as the various competing Klans, separate from its list of anti-government "Patriot" groups. The West Point report follows suit, though instead of Patriot it uses the label antifederalist.

Not long after gaining our independence in 1783, the two party system emerged. Those who favored a strong central government would be labeled as Federalists (Alexander Hamilton, John Adams). Men who favored limited government and State's rights were known as Democratic-Republicans (Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Samuel Adams), but were labeled by their opponents as Anti-federalists. Obviously in an attempt to paint them in a negative light.

So, here we see the same label being used against people today who are against big government policies and philosophies. They are also dragging the name "patriot" through the mud. Soon I wouldn't be surprised if they attempted to attack our founding fathers by calling them "terrorists." They were in fact men who refused gun confiscation, spoke out against the government, and formed militias.

Just because a group of people exercise their right to assemble or their right to free speech in opposition to government policies does not make them a "hate" group. If so, wouldn't that mean that Rand Paul and his follower's commentaries on the current administration would classify them as a "hate" group? Also, if they owned firearms, would that then make them a "conspiracy-minded antigovernment patriot group?"

This all seems to me like an attempt to justify the Federal government's right to "defend" itself from the people. The SPLC report just adds fuel to the fire of concerned citizens, who fear the government might be overstepping their bounds.

Crazy Gun Laws...A Push for Slavery?

There is a push in this country to destroy the Second Amendment. Why is that? It is because an elite class of people who cannot control or enslave our armed masses. Those who support stricter gun laws are either trying to control. The brain washed servants of the elite are unwittingly attempting to push forward their agenda of enslavement.

Some attack the right to bear arms as being a radical idea. The right to bear arms is not unique to the spirit of 1776. No, it was a right granted to Englishmen in the twelfth century by King Henry II. The King ordered that all Englishmen keep weapons to protect and defend his realm. It is from this decree that it became English common law. The right to bear arms is a concept that has been around for over 800 years.

But now our rights are threatened. Now many cry for "safety" in our streets, our schools, our country. They have this idea that if firearms are taken from everyone except the government, military, and police that we will be finally free from violent gun crimes. How wrong they are.

Over ten years ago, I worked on a living history farm that conducted educational school tour programs. While I was educating a school group on the importance of the Second Amendment and why it was guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, an old German woman chaperoning the students approached me. She told me that we "had to protect this right." The woman shared with me that she lived in Germany when it was taken over by the Nazi party. She explained to me that the first thing that the Nazis did was to take the weapons out of the hands of all the German citizens. The Nazis promised that the military and the police would protect them. The citizens believed their new government and willingly gave up their arms. She said because of that action, they were powerless to stop the atrocities that were committed upon them and others. "Never let them take your guns away from you," she pleaded with me, "Don't let what happened in Germany happen in America."

Well, here we are today. The same destructive promises are being made to us. The government is promising that a better, safer, violent-free world will result from our forfeiture of the Second Amendment. 

This attack on our right to defend our liberties is nothing new at all. This attack has roots back to April 1775 and with the events that led up to it. British Redcoats marched upon Lexington and Concord to arrest "rebel leaders," one of which being Samuel Adams, and to confiscate their weapons. The government sent their military out to suppress the liberty and freedoms of their people. What happened there that day gave birth to our sovereign States.

 
Another old example of gun control bent on pushing forward the agenda of slavery is as follows. Let's look to the year 1865 after the bloody war that had concluded between the States over the question of rights and freedoms. What law did the victorious Federal government institute in Mississippi? Read the Mississippi Black Code:

Section 1: No freedman, free negro, or mulatto, not in the military service of the United States government shall keep or carry fire-arms of any kind, or any ammunition.

Interesting, did the Federal army not just free the slaves from their chains of slavery and inequality? I was told in school that Lincoln initiated a war that cost the lives of over 600,000 Americans to free these people and guarantee their rights and Americans. Why then did the Federal government free these people after a bloody conflict and then quickly restrict their Second Amendment right?

But the attack on American's right to bear arms does not end there. No, even our children now are under attack for their "violent" tendencies.

In present times, even a young child can be punished for brandishing a pastry in the shape of a firearm. A young boy has been suspended for playing soldier, attempting to save the world, when he threw an imaginary grenade. A sweet little girl suspended for talking about a Hello Kitty bubble gun. Our children are being taught that firearms are bad, unless you are the "person in charge." You are to follow the rules or be punished.

 Look at these terrorist.

Listen to what Glenn Beck has to say on these crazy gun laws.

It is clear to me that our rights are being threatened. Our people are not being properly educated in civics or history and their ability to defend themselves is being taken away. Our freedom of speech is being assaulted. Our right against illegal search and seizure is being taken from us.

The Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals. It does not prescribe the conduct of private individuals, only the conduct of the government. It is not a charter for government power, but a charter of the citizens' protection against the government. – Ayn Rand   

Wake up America and defend your rights, before they are all stripped away from you.

Feelings are now protected by the Constitution.

The following statement infuriates me. This is a response to a rape victim on why she and other students shouldn't have firearms.

Republican state Sen. Ted Harvey told Ms. Collins that the proposed legislation is not to render people defenseless, but to keep other people from feeling “uncomfortable.”

“What we are trying to do here tonight is not to protect ourselves from violent crime. What we are trying to do here tonight is prevent students and teachers from feeling uncomfortable by you carrying a gun to protect yourself,” he said.

Feelings are now protected by the Constitution. The feelings of others are more important that life or sexual assault. Be careful that you do not hurt someone's feelings or you will get life without parole. One might be labeled a anti-feeling terrorist and be struck down by a drone. You have been warned America.

Dem to rape victim: A gun likely wouldn’t have helped you (Washington Times Article)

The Executive branch needs to stay on their side of the tree.

EPA veteran Gina McCarthy was one of three nominees Obama announced at the White House late Monday morning.

Throughout her career McCarthy has implemented policies that attempt to constrain the use of reliable energy sources. ... It appears the president is rewarding these efforts by increasing her ability to implement an ideological and political agenda. If confirmed as EPA administrator, McCarthy will continue the regulatory attack on oil, coal and natural gas with the result that Americans will experience increasing energy costs and high unemployment rates. (Source: Fox News Report)

So it looks like the EPA will be used to bypass Congress in this administration's attempts to push forward with their climate agenda. The Executive branch needs to stay on their side of the tree.

Kind of reminds me of the illustration below.

Who Can We Trust?

Who can we trust America? We can only trust those who support the constitutional republic that was established by our founding generation. Our Founders were highly educated and well read. They understood the law, the history of several governments and nations, and drew upon personal experiences of oppression and tyranny forced upon them when they crafted our new form of government.

It is our culture today to trust a policeman. We grow up believing that first responders are honest protectors. Many in our country seem to trust that the American system of government will ensure their rights and freedoms despite the rift between our two party system of evidence of corruption. For the most point, if someone wears a badge or is a Federal employee, we feel that they should be trusted. They are here to protect and serve us, right? So even if a little liberty is given up for security, it will be alright in the minds of most Americans.

Is it this mentality that has enabled us to reach this point in our country today? By that I mean, the continual loss of freedoms and liberties that were enjoyed by earlier generations. Do many Americans believe that the police, government, politicians, judges, firemen, etc. are not corruptible or human? Or, is it that most Americans are simply denying the obvious? I do believe that many are deceived by the silver tongued devils in the media.

Any amateur scholar of U.S. history will quickly note that many in the founding generation were very leery of giving up too much power and authority to any form of government.  

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. -Thomas Jefferson

There are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by the gradual and silent encroachment of those in  power, than by violent and sudden usurpation. -James Madison

Who do we trust with our rights and freedoms? Should we not heed the wisdom of those who freed us from tyrannical British rule? Are there examples of "too much government" today? Are there examples of "gradual and silent encroachment" among us? Sadly, yes there is.

As I mentioned above in regard to putting our trust into law enforcement or Federal agents, let's look at the Transportation Security Administration. Why was this agency created?

Following September 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. (Source: www.tsa.gov/about-tsa)

First, let's look at the question of "too much government" in the following video where Professor James Otteson discusses the trade-off between liberty and security.

So yes, there is indeed a trade-off between security and liberty, but there is clearly evidence of "too much government" involvement. This debate over security and liberty reminds me what Benjamin Franklin once said:

They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

The government has gone too far in "keeping us safe." Despite the government's efforts to keep us safe from terrorism, they have not kept us safe from another threat, theft. In a recent report this year from ABC News, they reported that nearly 400 TSA officers were fired due to theft. Here is an example of how people use their positions of power to infringe upon the rights of others. If a TSA officer (with little authority compared to career politician) feels that he can steal from us, what could a higher authority be capable of?

What of the "gradual and silent encroachment of those in  power?" We are seeing more and more of this now in our nation. This is seen best in the attacks on our Bill of Rights. Let's start with the First Amendment and the recent H.R. 347 bill that was signed by the President.

What of the National Defense Authorization Act? Could this be considered as another encroachment? I feel it is just that.

What of the current movements to ban firearms and the Second Amendment? This is just one of many videos on this subject.

What of the unconstitutional Affordable Care Act?

What of the encroachments on what businesses can or cannot sell? Take for example New York's ban on 2-liter bottles of soda.

Now these encroachments are not limited to the past couple years. No, it has been happening for several decades now. Even our beloved Mr. Lincoln participated in the "gradual and silent encroachment"of power over Americans. However, if you watch the following interview of Dr. Tom DiLorenzo, you will even learn that these encroachments can be traced back to Alexander Hamilton himself.

Now you might remark on the fact that even one of the founding generation essentially contributed to the corruption in government that we experience today. That is how delicate and easily our freedoms can be taken away from us if we slack our watchful guard to protect them. This is exactly what many others like Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, etc. were warning us of.

So I ask you again, who can we trust? A better question to ask you might be, "What would it take for you to fight for your liberty?"

Liberty is a precious gift. It is also a very fragile gift. It can go away very quickly. Every person, I think, needs to ask very solemnly, what will it take, at what point would you be willing to fight for liberty?

I say we trust all Americans who has asked themselves this question and have decided that they are willing to fight for liberty. 

 

A Cry for Liberty from the Grave

Lately, many concerned Americans over their government's decisions and direction have been looking to the past for inspiration and guidance. Specifically, they are looking at the words of wisdom of the founding generation. These modern Americans are posting the Founder's words on social media sites, like Facebook. I being one such American who posts such things on a daily basis.

To my great astonishment, there are also many other Americans that criticize these actions. Many who question the wisdom of those who established their freedoms. These opponents attack such actions by questioning our need to look for answers from men who have died more than a hundred and fifty years ago.   

I say to you, the words of the deceased are no longer dead when they are embraced and carried forward by the mouths of modern Americans. When a man's spirit leaves his body, does the power of his words die with him? No.

We look to these patriots, who fought for our liberty, because they suffered as we do now. They also were faced with a government which instituted unconstitutional acts and infringements upon their natural rights.

Samuel Adams once declared what these natural rights are.

"First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty;, Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can."

These words, nay, these truths are not dead. No, these truths cry to us from the graves of all those who bleed for our freedoms. These truths breath life into the modern patriot and calls us to action.

Thus, to action I call all of you through the words of a great dead patriot, Samuel Adams. What action you may ask? To the defense of liberty. Adams warned that liberty should be constantly guarded. 

"Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance. Let us remember that 'if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve other in our doom.' It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers of the event."

If you have been guarding our liberty and have been ever watchful, I thank you. If you have left your post unguarded, I implore you to take your place on the front lines with the patriots. However...

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom-go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!" [Samuel Adams, 1776.]