America's Road to Socialism--Fact of Fiction? (Installment 4)

Thanks to those of you that have stuck with this series, even though the posts are bit long and tedious. I think that it is clear that there is a real danger facing our nation today. We have seen that latter-day prophets and apostles have raised a warning voice to us concerning the threat of socialism to our American way of life. There has been much more than a few isolated comments by church leaders, but a pattern of warning from God's anointed over the past 150 years. The question we must answer then, is will we heed prophetic warning and stand up in defense of our liberty?

We have also seen the purposes and intent of avowed socialists, as well as the techniques formulated to bring about their objectives. From it's very begining, through the drafting of the Communist Manifesto, which both popularized and radicalized socialist thought, to the present day, the end socialist engineers have in sight has always been the subjugation of individual freedom to the collectivist designs of statists who believe that government is the supreme authority, from whom all rights are granted, and who must be relied upon to save the masses from themselves. As stated by J. Rueben Clark, "Reduced to its lowest terms, the great struggle which now rocks the whole earth more and more takes on the character of a struggle of the individual versus the state. Does the individual exist for the benefit of the state, or does the state exist for the benefit of the individual?" (1938, Vital Speeches 5:174)

Finally, we have reviewed many of the recent developments within our country that represent a concerted move toward socialism. There were 50 examples provided of stories reported by the media that reflect a socialistic trend. This is only a sampling. The true extent to which we have moved away from the fundamentals envisioned by our founding fathers and toward statist/socialistic governance is seen not just in what the legislative, judicial, and executive branches are doing, but the attitude with which they do it. There is a blatant and pervasive disregard for the good of the country or the voice of the people. Extravagant bills that change the very fabric of our nation are passed without even being read. Legislators continue to play childish games (i.e. hiring a speed reader to make light of the fact that pending legislation is not read before being brought to a vote) while the executive branch continually over-reaches and usurps power not granted by the constitution (i.e. hiring czars to carry out executive edicts with no congressional oversight). In the meantime special interest groups continue to create an atmosphere of the few ruling the many. Groups such as ACORN and the SEIU use corruption and taxpayer money to accomplish their stated goal of bringing down the system that exists today. Corrupt leaders protect one another from investigation and criminal prosecution. How reminiscent is our day to the Nephite nation described in 3 Nephi Chapter 6?

Even with all that we have reviewed about the threat that socialism represents, and the overwhelming evidence of the quickening pace with which our country is moving in that direction, there are no doubt many who remain skeptical of both the risks and the reality of America's current road to socialism. To those I will recommend the words of living socialist leaders today. Sam Webb, the leader of the Communist Party USA delivered a speech entitled "A Springtime of Possibility" in November of 2008. He hails the progress and pending changes reflected in the election of Barak Obama as President. In his words, "a sea of change occurred on November 4th". He continued by stating that, "a new era of progressive change is waiting to become a reality". The jubilation of communist leadership in America should be eye-opening for all those who adhere to the founding principles of our nation. You can view Webb's entire speech at http://www.cpusa.org/article/articleview/994/1/154/ . It is interesting to read how the communists' view of Obama's platform and policies have energized their base.

John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO and leading member of the Democratic Socialist Party of America stated, "The political pendulum is swinging back toward sanity. . . Barack Obama brings new hope to America's working families, and our increased majority in the Senate means we can translate that hope into reality." What is the hope of an admitted and ardent socialist? http://www.aflcio.org/mediacenter/prsptm/pr11042008.cfm

But this is not about Barack Obama, though he does represent a powerful vehicle for moving America further into the "soul destroying land of socialism" (David O. McKay, Church News 3/12/52). Neither is it about Democrats or Republicans. David O. McKay also stated, "Teachings and ideologies subversive to the fundamental principles of this great Republic, which are contrary to the Constitution of the United States, or which are detrimental to the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be condemned, whether advocated by Republicans or Democrats." (”Closing Address” 952).

This is about the future of our nation, our freedoms, and those who wish to recast America in a new and different mode, somehow thinking that the inspired principles upon which our nation was founded no longer matter. That they've discovered a better way. That the individual is nothing more than a cog in the machinery of the state.

There is a better way, and that better way is returning to the inspired fundamentals of our constitution!

So the urgent question that remains is what can we do to preserve our nation, our freedom, and our way of life?

The question is not an easy one to answer, but neither is it impossible. Stay tuned to this blog for thoughts on how this question is to be answered. Here's one initial recommendation:

Learn all you can about the principles upon which our nation was founded. Understand what you stand for, then help those around you to understand. We can never defend nor sustain that which we don't know. President Ezra Taft Benson stated in the Saturday morning session of General Conference in October of 1987, "Have we read the Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?"

This is a great place to begin doing something. If you are not familiar with these principles, learn them. If you are familiar with these principles, share them. If some time has passed since you've studied our heritage of freedom, become reacquainted with it. Don't forget the timeless quote by Edmund Burke "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing!"

Let's begin where we are, and do what we can!

Thanks,
Richard