A Republic, IF you can keep it…States Rights, given away- our nation is now awash in lazy citizens who have been “ruled” for so long that they have forfeit their power/authority because for decades they have NOT been taught that our constitution LIMITS government so much more than citizens. It’s so much easier to be taken care of (from the cradle to the grave) than to work (dare I say, fight) for your God given freedoms. Oh wait, what’s that called again? Communism.
Didn't the Swiss, at one time in fairly recent past, actually give each household a rifle? (I just scanned the article, so not sure if this was mentioned. )
Another thoughtful analysis of fundamental aspects of US society that ought to be incorporated into every US History and Civics class, which themselves ought to be not only in every high school, but every university.
Unfortunately, rebuilding the structure requires the will of better men--today's voters are not those men. We have been conditioned to look to the federal government as our parent, while we remain perpetual children.
Nor are our representatives and senators, who come from the mass of voters. How many of them have *never* read the Constitution which they swear to uphold? How many of them have studied it? IMO, it should be required that every congress critter read and pass a test on original intent before taking office--each term.
Read a recent article suggesting each high school graduate be required to pass the test for citizenship. My impression was this could be very helpful as they become eligible to vote. For that matter, it probably would be beneficial for our Nation if every voter had to pass at least this threshhold.
A country. similar to a person making choices when young. can set off in a direction that is completely different if they had chose a different path. I think we with open eyes, people that don’t ignore what has been happening, clearly see what these major power grabs by the federal government have done. Many people think the civil war was all about freeing the slaves which was a big part of it, but it was based on the idea of states rights. Another big issue were southern ports of trade and who controlled them. These decisions America made put the country on a path that we now living in. It seems some keep wanting to take a hard left at the fork, and some stay right. I’m afraid succession can still happen with unknown but possibly devastating outcomes.
Cotton another big issue. Europe willing to pay more than northern textile cos. and restrictions on that trade imposed on the South certainly a big factor.
One of the main points of today's article seems to be that a remedy (the Civil War) to a terrible situation (slavery) inadvertently paved the way for the diminishing of freedom and the weakening of restrained governance. I agree. Yet yesterday's article argued for a remedy (government allowing marketing of food products only if provided proof of improved effect on human health) to a terrible situation (the current sad state of general health in America) that would likely expand government and diminish freedom. Today's argument is to restrain government's power, yesterday's was to greatly expand it. Seems inconsistent to me, but just for the record, I vote for today's.
Well maybe not inconsistent. The federal government could generate and share relevant data. Each State could assume the responsibility to become aware and decide what actions to take in response?
On the,subject of our current march into socialism, I find it humorous the angst progressives are feeling over social dems stealing the party they stole from dems
FROM GENERAL FLYNN: "I have spent my career studying the kind of warfare that does not look like warfare at all. The slow campaign to capture a nation’s institutions, its schools, its information, and its confidence in itself, without ever firing a shot. That is the fight standing between the country as it exists today and whatever it will be in 2276. If that fight is lost by neglect, by a citizenry too comfortable or too distracted to defend what it inherited, the America two hundred and fifty years from now will not look like a fallen empire in a history book. It will look like a shell bearing the old name, governed by forces the founding generation would neither recognize nor accept. Its sovereignty traded away one quiet concession at a time.
The distance between those two futures is not measured in technology or wealth. It is measured in character, in whether enough Americans between this Fourth of July and that one are willing to do the unglamorous work of citizenship the founding generation did first."
Excellent article! I listened and followed along with the text and I was better able to absorb the content. I can only hope and pray that changes can happen…though given the view I see of our American society today, seems pretty hopeless. I’m still thankful to be in the US and have enjoyed many freedoms in my life, including the ability to worship Jesus. God bless you both!
I read enough to know that i can agree and thank you, I will come back after "work" and read thoroughly. If nothing else, right now in the United States of America, we still have opportunities and choices. I can choose to put up a USA flag and celebrate the country I live in, or choose to not. Our government is not making me, nor is our government saying I can't. We have aspired to the ideals of the Declaration for 250 years, in the bounds of our Constitution and its Bill of Rights. While we can always do better, after 250 years, it seems these documents are withstanding the tests of time.
Oh crap, I just lost the whole thought I wrote! / As I was reading this the question appeared, If the Swiss have been so successful in this model, why doesn't some bright light pursue the same success instead of continuing the weakness and crumbling of our society? I know its not that simple, and some do try, but perhaps the deterioration has gone too far. That is probably why you say. " The answer will not be found in better men. it will be found, if it is found at all, in the rebuilding of structure." (Only better men will care enough to make it happen.)
If I understand this correctly, the states should be able to make decisions independent of the federal government. Only problem with that is….those wanting open borders, sanctuary status for illegals, offenders and have Socialist/Communist governors and statesmen, will have no way of containing their dangerous group of people in their own state. Consequently those who harm others, and propose confiscating private property in those states, all will overflow into surrounding states that want NO PART of those decisions but will be exposed to them just the same. (i.e. Commercial truck licenses given out illegally to aliens in CA that do not speak English and end up killing people on highways across this nation.) The only protection for ALL Americans is federal laws that prohibit such things from being permitted nationwide. You cannot contain lawbreakers unless the laws are enforced nationwide. Until they are, the public will continue to be in peril…..which sanctuary states and their governors don’t give a damn about. They just want the illegals’ votes. The only reason the Democrats continue to allow the Democratic Socialist Party to be part of the Democrat Party is because they need votes, even from Socialists! They do not realize including the Socialists will force voters to vote Republican. ;-)
Reading through this essay again in more depth, I just marvel at the wisdom in knowing what to expect from men versus structure. "They did not expect liberty to survive because politicians honored the Constitution." "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition." I could go on quoting the pieces that stand out to make my point, but no, back to reading this intriguing piece of history. "They did not assume officeholders would be wise or selfless." I just can't help it, this answers more of my first comment questions.
Thank you for this thought provoking essay about how structural changes in our constitution have led to functional changes with mostly unintended consequences towards centralization. Some people believe that top down centralization is necessary to maintain order and seem to want more and more of it all of the time. Most young "democratic socialists" seem to believe socialist (or communist) government is always good and that a group of leaders put in charge of everything including the economy can be trusted to establish a utopian new world order despite historical precedents. Federal monies are a huge portion of federal control over the states (#4). Money matters. Globalists know how to use it, too.
Thank you for this analysis and identifying substantive examples.
I well appreciate your recommendations! Given the support of responsible and insightful states, such as Florida 7/26, certainly - give your recommendations life and effort.
On the other hand, I personally rise out of Chicago, Illinois and now Maryland. I watch New York, California, New Jersey, Maine, et al. I look at our years of education setting the pace for trusting the experts (that we, the people, are unable/unprepared to think for ourselves - now to trust AI?). IE, legislators at every level, in substantial numbers, to me seem unprepared and disinclined to effectively reform our processes.
To get back to your grander approach. Certainly, particularly with potential impacts from November, action is needed. Considerations, approaches, stategies need to get underway! From your keyboard to God's ears and back down to those with influence and wisdom to get action on these issues underway!
Again, thank you for your insights and sharing! May they be a part of our National reflections and actions!
A Republic, IF you can keep it…States Rights, given away- our nation is now awash in lazy citizens who have been “ruled” for so long that they have forfeit their power/authority because for decades they have NOT been taught that our constitution LIMITS government so much more than citizens. It’s so much easier to be taken care of (from the cradle to the grave) than to work (dare I say, fight) for your God given freedoms. Oh wait, what’s that called again? Communism.
Kyrie eleison!
Not mentioned here is that the Swiss also have mandatory military service. Thus are legislated by veterans which we now have very few of in gov.
Didn't the Swiss, at one time in fairly recent past, actually give each household a rifle? (I just scanned the article, so not sure if this was mentioned. )
Yep, they did and maybe still do
and...Dona no bis pacem
Another thoughtful analysis of fundamental aspects of US society that ought to be incorporated into every US History and Civics class, which themselves ought to be not only in every high school, but every university.
Thanks, Drs Malone!!
Unfortunately, rebuilding the structure requires the will of better men--today's voters are not those men. We have been conditioned to look to the federal government as our parent, while we remain perpetual children.
Nor are our representatives and senators, who come from the mass of voters. How many of them have *never* read the Constitution which they swear to uphold? How many of them have studied it? IMO, it should be required that every congress critter read and pass a test on original intent before taking office--each term.
Read a recent article suggesting each high school graduate be required to pass the test for citizenship. My impression was this could be very helpful as they become eligible to vote. For that matter, it probably would be beneficial for our Nation if every voter had to pass at least this threshhold.
A country. similar to a person making choices when young. can set off in a direction that is completely different if they had chose a different path. I think we with open eyes, people that don’t ignore what has been happening, clearly see what these major power grabs by the federal government have done. Many people think the civil war was all about freeing the slaves which was a big part of it, but it was based on the idea of states rights. Another big issue were southern ports of trade and who controlled them. These decisions America made put the country on a path that we now living in. It seems some keep wanting to take a hard left at the fork, and some stay right. I’m afraid succession can still happen with unknown but possibly devastating outcomes.
Cotton another big issue. Europe willing to pay more than northern textile cos. and restrictions on that trade imposed on the South certainly a big factor.
One of the main points of today's article seems to be that a remedy (the Civil War) to a terrible situation (slavery) inadvertently paved the way for the diminishing of freedom and the weakening of restrained governance. I agree. Yet yesterday's article argued for a remedy (government allowing marketing of food products only if provided proof of improved effect on human health) to a terrible situation (the current sad state of general health in America) that would likely expand government and diminish freedom. Today's argument is to restrain government's power, yesterday's was to greatly expand it. Seems inconsistent to me, but just for the record, I vote for today's.
Well maybe not inconsistent. The federal government could generate and share relevant data. Each State could assume the responsibility to become aware and decide what actions to take in response?
On the,subject of our current march into socialism, I find it humorous the angst progressives are feeling over social dems stealing the party they stole from dems
FROM GENERAL FLYNN: "I have spent my career studying the kind of warfare that does not look like warfare at all. The slow campaign to capture a nation’s institutions, its schools, its information, and its confidence in itself, without ever firing a shot. That is the fight standing between the country as it exists today and whatever it will be in 2276. If that fight is lost by neglect, by a citizenry too comfortable or too distracted to defend what it inherited, the America two hundred and fifty years from now will not look like a fallen empire in a history book. It will look like a shell bearing the old name, governed by forces the founding generation would neither recognize nor accept. Its sovereignty traded away one quiet concession at a time.
The distance between those two futures is not measured in technology or wealth. It is measured in character, in whether enough Americans between this Fourth of July and that one are willing to do the unglamorous work of citizenship the founding generation did first."
Excellent article! I listened and followed along with the text and I was better able to absorb the content. I can only hope and pray that changes can happen…though given the view I see of our American society today, seems pretty hopeless. I’m still thankful to be in the US and have enjoyed many freedoms in my life, including the ability to worship Jesus. God bless you both!
I read enough to know that i can agree and thank you, I will come back after "work" and read thoroughly. If nothing else, right now in the United States of America, we still have opportunities and choices. I can choose to put up a USA flag and celebrate the country I live in, or choose to not. Our government is not making me, nor is our government saying I can't. We have aspired to the ideals of the Declaration for 250 years, in the bounds of our Constitution and its Bill of Rights. While we can always do better, after 250 years, it seems these documents are withstanding the tests of time.
So there is very little trust in the Gooberment any More, It's all Goober-d Up !
I will read this - AND I preordered your book. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Oh crap, I just lost the whole thought I wrote! / As I was reading this the question appeared, If the Swiss have been so successful in this model, why doesn't some bright light pursue the same success instead of continuing the weakness and crumbling of our society? I know its not that simple, and some do try, but perhaps the deterioration has gone too far. That is probably why you say. " The answer will not be found in better men. it will be found, if it is found at all, in the rebuilding of structure." (Only better men will care enough to make it happen.)
If I understand this correctly, the states should be able to make decisions independent of the federal government. Only problem with that is….those wanting open borders, sanctuary status for illegals, offenders and have Socialist/Communist governors and statesmen, will have no way of containing their dangerous group of people in their own state. Consequently those who harm others, and propose confiscating private property in those states, all will overflow into surrounding states that want NO PART of those decisions but will be exposed to them just the same. (i.e. Commercial truck licenses given out illegally to aliens in CA that do not speak English and end up killing people on highways across this nation.) The only protection for ALL Americans is federal laws that prohibit such things from being permitted nationwide. You cannot contain lawbreakers unless the laws are enforced nationwide. Until they are, the public will continue to be in peril…..which sanctuary states and their governors don’t give a damn about. They just want the illegals’ votes. The only reason the Democrats continue to allow the Democratic Socialist Party to be part of the Democrat Party is because they need votes, even from Socialists! They do not realize including the Socialists will force voters to vote Republican. ;-)
Reading through this essay again in more depth, I just marvel at the wisdom in knowing what to expect from men versus structure. "They did not expect liberty to survive because politicians honored the Constitution." "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition." I could go on quoting the pieces that stand out to make my point, but no, back to reading this intriguing piece of history. "They did not assume officeholders would be wise or selfless." I just can't help it, this answers more of my first comment questions.
Thank you for this thought provoking essay about how structural changes in our constitution have led to functional changes with mostly unintended consequences towards centralization. Some people believe that top down centralization is necessary to maintain order and seem to want more and more of it all of the time. Most young "democratic socialists" seem to believe socialist (or communist) government is always good and that a group of leaders put in charge of everything including the economy can be trusted to establish a utopian new world order despite historical precedents. Federal monies are a huge portion of federal control over the states (#4). Money matters. Globalists know how to use it, too.
Thank you for this analysis and identifying substantive examples.
I well appreciate your recommendations! Given the support of responsible and insightful states, such as Florida 7/26, certainly - give your recommendations life and effort.
On the other hand, I personally rise out of Chicago, Illinois and now Maryland. I watch New York, California, New Jersey, Maine, et al. I look at our years of education setting the pace for trusting the experts (that we, the people, are unable/unprepared to think for ourselves - now to trust AI?). IE, legislators at every level, in substantial numbers, to me seem unprepared and disinclined to effectively reform our processes.
To get back to your grander approach. Certainly, particularly with potential impacts from November, action is needed. Considerations, approaches, stategies need to get underway! From your keyboard to God's ears and back down to those with influence and wisdom to get action on these issues underway!
Again, thank you for your insights and sharing! May they be a part of our National reflections and actions!