With every passing day, the extreme left wing in this country is getting bolder and more transparent. Even as I typed the last sentence, I realized that it is only half true. The radical left has undoubtedly been getting bolder in their drive to transform our nation, but to an equal degree, the rest of us are simply starting to pay more attention. Those intent on re-founding our nation have not hidden their intent, but many of us either didn't believe what they have said in the past, or maybe didn't want to believe. Whatever the reason, we can no longer ignore nor deny what is happening all around us.
In the days running up to his election, and then prior to his inauguration, Barack Obama openly advocated for a fundmantal transformation of our nation. Many did not know what he meant by that bold statement. During the smoke and fluster of the healthcare debate over the past year, far left groups including the Center for American Progress, the Tides Foundation, and members of the congressional Progressive Caucus have openly stated that whatever they can accomplish in their pursuit to pass healthcare legislation would only be a first step down the path to socialized medicine through a state-run, single payer system. So this is just the begining.
Barack Obama wrote in his own book about his ties to Marxism and his tendency to migrate toward socialistic thought. He even claimed that in college he sought out Marxist professors as mentors.
Maybe we haven't heard or didn't believe what they've said. That is our fault. But they're becoming even bolder in stating what they really want to accomplish. Are we ready to listen now? If there has been any curtain obscuring the true intent of those in power in our land, it is quickly falling to the ground to clearly reveal where our country is headed, citing a myriad of lies and deceptions as a mandate for the course they are pursuing.
Watch this clip to see the latest in the far left openly admitting the direction they intend to steer our country, and falsely claiming a mandate from the people to do it.
Hear the incomparable Reverand Al Sharpton:
I'm an American. Most of the people I know are Americans. And while I have to admit there are a few people I know who do believe socialism is the wave of the future, overwhelmingly, the people of America did not vote for socialism. But whether we are yet willing to accept this fact or not, we are facing a question of maintaining the heritage of our land based upon inspired principles, or changing to a socialistic system. Those advocating change know what they're trying to accomplish. Are we ready to admit that they are serious and making astounding progress in their agenda?
Please take few more mintes and watch this following video clip from Ezra Taft Benson. This is a good description of the alternative that is being thrust upon us and we will have to settle for if we don't take action. I have borrowed this clip from another blog I follow located at http://knowledgeczar.blogspot.com/ entitled "What I know". This is an excellent blog and I commend to everyone to check in on it. So, begging the pardon of TKZ who authors that blog, please view this video and take some time to visit "What I Know".
We need to wake up, hear what the other side is saying, take them at their word, and then decide what we're going to do about it. The Congressional Republicans, who are not much more trustworthy than their counterparts across the aisle, are vowing to repeal the healthcare bill when they regain power. Are we ready to hold them accountable for that, or will we let them go back to sleep and take their turn at abusing power? Never has it been more important to prayerfully read and commit to follow the instructions given in D&C Section 98.
Thanks,
Richard
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
This is What Change Looks Like
I wasn't planning on posting again until Tuesday when I share the second installment about how we spend our liberty. But I've been sitting here staring at the television for the past little while, trying to manage the alternate emotions of anger, disappointment, and worry that are competing for domination in my mind as I absorb what happened in Washington D.C. today. I hope we are all astute enough to make note of today's date, March 21, 2010, because its the day everything changed. The effects of the passage of the healthcare bill may not be immediately apparent when we wake up tomorrow morning, but make no mistake, from this moment forward our country is fundamentally different than it was when we woke up this morning. This is not the begining of the transformation of our great land. The transformation has been underway for some time, but it is the day the momentum shifted in a significant degree away from the foundation laid by our forefathers under the inspiration of heaven. We will see, going forward, an acceleration of efforts to undermine liberty in our land, and history will record this day as the one when the crack in the dam became irreparable. In its zeal to "grant us rights", which it has no legitimate power to do, Congress has manufactured their own right to reach further into our lives and prescribe for us how we are to live it. Return to your seats and fasten your safety belts friends and neighbors, we're heading for some rough air.
I don't write this to be pessimisstic, although this certainly is one of the least positive moments since I became awakened to the need to take action in preserving freedom, but rather I write tonight to acknowledge and make note of the movement forward of troubles and challenges that have been prophesied for centuries. There is an even greater urgency now for good men and women to awaken and stand firm in defense of the liberty we enjoy in America. The outcome of the war has already been ordained. Liberty will prevail and our rights will ultimately be held inviolate. God's work for this land is not finsihed and will not be until the New Jerusalem is established and Christ returns to reign. Nevertheless, we will be required to pass through difficult terrain to ensure God's declared outcome. Winning a war does not mean that some battles will not be lost and casualties and hardships will be avoided.
I watched news coverage for as long as I could stand hearing Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama celebrate what they deem a victory for the American People, even though an overwhelming majority of Americans did not support passage of this legislation. It was all I could do to listen to Pelosi invoke the name of our founding fathers and proclaim that she was carrying on the tradition they started and building upon their foundation. But, there was one thing I heard in the Washington gloat-fest that does ring true. President Obama stated, "This is what change looks like."
So, friends and fellow patriots, now we know. This is what the change looks like that he has been promising since he first set his foot on the national stage. This is the change that created the ground swell that carried him into office. Let's take a quick look at this change:
- The legislation was passed through a controversial parliamentary tactic known as reconciliation. What was actually passed was a package to alter the law that would have been created by the Senate bill passed earlier, even though that bill was never signed into law.
- The Senate bill was only passed because of scurrilous backoffice dealings and bribery. This included unfair and immoral concessions given to individual senators in Nebraska, Louisiana, and elsewhere.
- The passage of today's legislative package was very unpopular among the American people, and was clearly not the will of the people. It was passed despite the voice of the people, because it was aligned with the agenda of a powerful few in Washington, not the good of the people or the American way.
- The healthcare package contains provisions completely unrelated to healthcare, which dangeroulsy empower the federal government. For instance, the bill changes the funding of higher education to now allow only the federal government to provide student loans for colleges and universities. Under this provision, the government will now determine who receives funds to go to college, the criteria upon which the funds will be distributed, the terms of the loan (debt to be waived if students participate in government sanctioned social programs and advance the social welfare agenda). Additionally, now the government will be able to determine what institutions the loan dollars can be used for. If the University does not conform curriculum, programs, and philosophy to the will of the state, they can be shut out from enrolling students who take out loans for their education.
- Politicians are attempting, with this bill, to do as they like and avoid all consequences. A great example is our despicable Rep. Jim Matheson in Utah. He magnanimously announced yesterday that he had finally decided to vote against the legislation. I had called his office earlier in the week and was told he was still undecided. As if anyone in elected office had not yet chosen a position in this epic debate and knew where they stood. But once Speaker Pelosi had convinced Rep. Stupak and his coalition to flip their votes in support of the package, and she no longer needed other so called moderate democrats to lend her their support, he attempts to take a "courageous" stand for what his constituents want. It is unsettling to see this kind of duplicity in those we've elected and empowered to represent us. A so called stand on principle once the Democratic leadership had determined they would not punish him for defecting, he thought he could then go back to the good people of his district and tell them he was voting the way they wanted him to. I pray people will not be deceived by this nonsense, which is happening across the nation.
So, in the immortal words of our illustrious leader, "This is what change looks like." I, for one, don't like the look of it.
Here's one last thing I saw on the Internet this evening that seems appropriate:
With his health care holy war, President Obama is sending America at least 10 messages since taking office:
1. I win; you lose.
2. My will; not the will of the people.
3. Government of Obama, by Obama, for Obama; not government of the people, by the people, for the people.
4. Corrupt House rules and autocracy; not play by the rules and democracy.
5. “I’ll tread on you” now steps on “Don’t tread on me.”
6. “I, the president”; not “We, the People.”
7. “All men are created equal” but I am more equal than others.
8. “The dissent of the president” overrules “the consent of the governed.”
9. “Give me tyranny and give me debt” replaces “Give me liberty or give me death.”
10. “That government is best which governs most” supersedes “That government is best which governs least.”
I don't write this to be pessimisstic, although this certainly is one of the least positive moments since I became awakened to the need to take action in preserving freedom, but rather I write tonight to acknowledge and make note of the movement forward of troubles and challenges that have been prophesied for centuries. There is an even greater urgency now for good men and women to awaken and stand firm in defense of the liberty we enjoy in America. The outcome of the war has already been ordained. Liberty will prevail and our rights will ultimately be held inviolate. God's work for this land is not finsihed and will not be until the New Jerusalem is established and Christ returns to reign. Nevertheless, we will be required to pass through difficult terrain to ensure God's declared outcome. Winning a war does not mean that some battles will not be lost and casualties and hardships will be avoided.
I watched news coverage for as long as I could stand hearing Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama celebrate what they deem a victory for the American People, even though an overwhelming majority of Americans did not support passage of this legislation. It was all I could do to listen to Pelosi invoke the name of our founding fathers and proclaim that she was carrying on the tradition they started and building upon their foundation. But, there was one thing I heard in the Washington gloat-fest that does ring true. President Obama stated, "This is what change looks like."
So, friends and fellow patriots, now we know. This is what the change looks like that he has been promising since he first set his foot on the national stage. This is the change that created the ground swell that carried him into office. Let's take a quick look at this change:
- The legislation was passed through a controversial parliamentary tactic known as reconciliation. What was actually passed was a package to alter the law that would have been created by the Senate bill passed earlier, even though that bill was never signed into law.
- The Senate bill was only passed because of scurrilous backoffice dealings and bribery. This included unfair and immoral concessions given to individual senators in Nebraska, Louisiana, and elsewhere.
- The passage of today's legislative package was very unpopular among the American people, and was clearly not the will of the people. It was passed despite the voice of the people, because it was aligned with the agenda of a powerful few in Washington, not the good of the people or the American way.
- The healthcare package contains provisions completely unrelated to healthcare, which dangeroulsy empower the federal government. For instance, the bill changes the funding of higher education to now allow only the federal government to provide student loans for colleges and universities. Under this provision, the government will now determine who receives funds to go to college, the criteria upon which the funds will be distributed, the terms of the loan (debt to be waived if students participate in government sanctioned social programs and advance the social welfare agenda). Additionally, now the government will be able to determine what institutions the loan dollars can be used for. If the University does not conform curriculum, programs, and philosophy to the will of the state, they can be shut out from enrolling students who take out loans for their education.
- Politicians are attempting, with this bill, to do as they like and avoid all consequences. A great example is our despicable Rep. Jim Matheson in Utah. He magnanimously announced yesterday that he had finally decided to vote against the legislation. I had called his office earlier in the week and was told he was still undecided. As if anyone in elected office had not yet chosen a position in this epic debate and knew where they stood. But once Speaker Pelosi had convinced Rep. Stupak and his coalition to flip their votes in support of the package, and she no longer needed other so called moderate democrats to lend her their support, he attempts to take a "courageous" stand for what his constituents want. It is unsettling to see this kind of duplicity in those we've elected and empowered to represent us. A so called stand on principle once the Democratic leadership had determined they would not punish him for defecting, he thought he could then go back to the good people of his district and tell them he was voting the way they wanted him to. I pray people will not be deceived by this nonsense, which is happening across the nation.
So, in the immortal words of our illustrious leader, "This is what change looks like." I, for one, don't like the look of it.
Here's one last thing I saw on the Internet this evening that seems appropriate:
With his health care holy war, President Obama is sending America at least 10 messages since taking office:
1. I win; you lose.
2. My will; not the will of the people.
3. Government of Obama, by Obama, for Obama; not government of the people, by the people, for the people.
4. Corrupt House rules and autocracy; not play by the rules and democracy.
5. “I’ll tread on you” now steps on “Don’t tread on me.”
6. “I, the president”; not “We, the People.”
7. “All men are created equal” but I am more equal than others.
8. “The dissent of the president” overrules “the consent of the governed.”
9. “Give me tyranny and give me debt” replaces “Give me liberty or give me death.”
10. “That government is best which governs most” supersedes “That government is best which governs least.”
Sunday, March 14, 2010
How Are We Spending Our Priceless Liberty? (Installment 1)
As I sit here in front of the computer screen trying to gather my thoughts, I just looked up to see my sweet wife walking toward the front door with a handful of sharp, jagged, and broken wooden sticks that, up until a short time ago, formed the legs to one of our good dining room chairs. It seems that no matter how often we tell the kids not to climb on the table, wrestle or play ball in the house, we'd be more successful winning the Utah State Lottery than actual getting them to settle down. (Yes, I know there is not a lottery in Utah. . . that's part of the point).
One of the side effects of having a house full of boys is that, unless you can get comfortable sitting on a pile of beautifully lathed kindling, you might have to stand up to eat until a new chair can be ordered. So, unless we happen to be attacked by vampires before the garbage man comes in the morning, the remnants of the chair aren't good for very much.
It’s a funny thing with kids. While they are content to do practically everything imaginable with our furniture, including climb on it, building forts with it, using it as a trampoline, a wrestling mat, and a tackling dummy, if you dare touch anything in their bedroom, like a bed or a banana chair, without their express permission and supervision, they freak out.
I know this phenomenon is not unique to the Parke household or our wild little guys, but it is a curious occurrence. As people, we tend to assign value to things in odd ways. While we hold some things as sacred and inviolable, other things we use and abuse with no apparent rationale. I think some of it has to do with a timeless principle that was eloquently captured by Thomas Paine when he stated, "what we obtain to cheap, we esteem to lightly." This is one of the truths that, while not convenient or something we want to admit to, rings very true in our day.
(NOTE: I'm not referring to the Al Gore style inconvenient truth that is inconvenient because it’s an unproven "truth" derived from partial evidence, supposition, assumptions, and contrived data, seasoned with a healthy portion of personal agenda.)
Unless we can understand the price that has been paid for any article, it is difficult for us to fully appreciate and value that article. This is true when it comes to getting kids to appreciate the comforts and conveniences they take completely for granted in this day and age, or for the rest of us when we contemplate those goods that we've acquired with little or no investment on our part.
Isn't it interesting that there are many of the older generation who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's and the Great War of the 1940's, who were required to save, sacrifice, and toil for everything they had, who have, over time, amassed abundant savings while never earning more than a meager income, and still live unpretentious and simple lives; while at the same time young athletes who have had great wealth sprung upon them, or lottery winners who happen on large fortunes by chance, live lives of excess and are soon bankrupt and destitute?
We must learn to understand the cost that accompanies the blessings we enjoy in life. Otherwise we cannot be fully appreciative of these blessings, or fully responsible in how we use them.
Thomas Paine continued his famous quote by stating, "Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods."
We should not be so foolish as to believe that the great blessings we have received came at no cost, just because we are not the ones who paid the price. Just as our kids didn't earn the money that paid for the dining set they enjoy every time they sit down to eat a meal, there was a cost that was borne by others for many of the blessings we benefit from on a regular basis. All things of value come with a cost. It is the cost required that actually assigns the value to all things. When it comes to those things most worth possessing, those things given to us by a loving Heavenly Father who knows what we need and what will be of the greatest benefit to us, it is Heaven that places the proper price on those goods.
And so it is with the incomparable gift of liberty. Returning to the words of Thomas Paine, he concluded his insightful declaration with these words. “. . . it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated.”
It is very difficult for many of us in this day to fully comprehend the high price that was paid for our freedoms. The Prophet Joseph Smith one time declared, in describing the heavenly article of freedom in our land, that “Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty.” (HC 3:9 emphasis added)
But those who spilt their blood lived so long ago. Their day was far removed from our day. It is difficult for many to even remember their sacrifice, let alone relate to it. Nevertheless, our apathy does not diminish the price they willingly paid.
What about those who have sacrificed since that time? One of the great tools of the adversary in keeping people from standing up in defense of liberty is the misguided belief that the cost of freedom has been paid in full. What an insult this idea is to those who have left their offering at the altar of freedom in more recent years. What a danger this idea represents when there are evil men in our day intent on destroying the liberty we've enjoyed for so long.
On Tuesday I will post the second installment of this entry, which will include stories of those who have made payments toward the price heaven has placed on our liberty. Please check back in a few days and read what comes next. I’m certain you’ll find it worthwhile. Not because of what I write, but because of the power of the sacrifices that will be described. Then, we'll consider not just the price that has paid for the liberty we enjoy, but how we are spending what we've been given.
In the meantime, please take a few minutes and check out the new blog found at http://properrole.blogspot.com/
Now I'm off to stand at the dining room table to have a bite to eat.
Thanks,
Richard
One of the side effects of having a house full of boys is that, unless you can get comfortable sitting on a pile of beautifully lathed kindling, you might have to stand up to eat until a new chair can be ordered. So, unless we happen to be attacked by vampires before the garbage man comes in the morning, the remnants of the chair aren't good for very much.
It’s a funny thing with kids. While they are content to do practically everything imaginable with our furniture, including climb on it, building forts with it, using it as a trampoline, a wrestling mat, and a tackling dummy, if you dare touch anything in their bedroom, like a bed or a banana chair, without their express permission and supervision, they freak out.
I know this phenomenon is not unique to the Parke household or our wild little guys, but it is a curious occurrence. As people, we tend to assign value to things in odd ways. While we hold some things as sacred and inviolable, other things we use and abuse with no apparent rationale. I think some of it has to do with a timeless principle that was eloquently captured by Thomas Paine when he stated, "what we obtain to cheap, we esteem to lightly." This is one of the truths that, while not convenient or something we want to admit to, rings very true in our day.
(NOTE: I'm not referring to the Al Gore style inconvenient truth that is inconvenient because it’s an unproven "truth" derived from partial evidence, supposition, assumptions, and contrived data, seasoned with a healthy portion of personal agenda.)
Unless we can understand the price that has been paid for any article, it is difficult for us to fully appreciate and value that article. This is true when it comes to getting kids to appreciate the comforts and conveniences they take completely for granted in this day and age, or for the rest of us when we contemplate those goods that we've acquired with little or no investment on our part.
Isn't it interesting that there are many of the older generation who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's and the Great War of the 1940's, who were required to save, sacrifice, and toil for everything they had, who have, over time, amassed abundant savings while never earning more than a meager income, and still live unpretentious and simple lives; while at the same time young athletes who have had great wealth sprung upon them, or lottery winners who happen on large fortunes by chance, live lives of excess and are soon bankrupt and destitute?
We must learn to understand the cost that accompanies the blessings we enjoy in life. Otherwise we cannot be fully appreciative of these blessings, or fully responsible in how we use them.
Thomas Paine continued his famous quote by stating, "Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods."
We should not be so foolish as to believe that the great blessings we have received came at no cost, just because we are not the ones who paid the price. Just as our kids didn't earn the money that paid for the dining set they enjoy every time they sit down to eat a meal, there was a cost that was borne by others for many of the blessings we benefit from on a regular basis. All things of value come with a cost. It is the cost required that actually assigns the value to all things. When it comes to those things most worth possessing, those things given to us by a loving Heavenly Father who knows what we need and what will be of the greatest benefit to us, it is Heaven that places the proper price on those goods.
And so it is with the incomparable gift of liberty. Returning to the words of Thomas Paine, he concluded his insightful declaration with these words. “. . . it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated.”
It is very difficult for many of us in this day to fully comprehend the high price that was paid for our freedoms. The Prophet Joseph Smith one time declared, in describing the heavenly article of freedom in our land, that “Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty.” (HC 3:9 emphasis added)
But those who spilt their blood lived so long ago. Their day was far removed from our day. It is difficult for many to even remember their sacrifice, let alone relate to it. Nevertheless, our apathy does not diminish the price they willingly paid.
What about those who have sacrificed since that time? One of the great tools of the adversary in keeping people from standing up in defense of liberty is the misguided belief that the cost of freedom has been paid in full. What an insult this idea is to those who have left their offering at the altar of freedom in more recent years. What a danger this idea represents when there are evil men in our day intent on destroying the liberty we've enjoyed for so long.
On Tuesday I will post the second installment of this entry, which will include stories of those who have made payments toward the price heaven has placed on our liberty. Please check back in a few days and read what comes next. I’m certain you’ll find it worthwhile. Not because of what I write, but because of the power of the sacrifices that will be described. Then, we'll consider not just the price that has paid for the liberty we enjoy, but how we are spending what we've been given.
In the meantime, please take a few minutes and check out the new blog found at http://properrole.blogspot.com/
Now I'm off to stand at the dining room table to have a bite to eat.
Thanks,
Richard
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Link Worth Checking
Once again I have failed in my goal to post to this blog each week. The reason for this failure is that I've been working on another project that I will hopefully be able to share within the next couple of months. It has taken quite a bit of time, almost every waking hour not spent working or with the family, but something I feel really good about and look forward to sharing.
In the meantime, I've also re-tooled another old blog that was set-up in conjunction with a project last year to send the Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson to all members of the U.S. House and Senate.
In the meantime, I've also re-tooled another old blog that was set-up in conjunction with a project last year to send the Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson to all members of the U.S. House and Senate.
http://properrole.blogspot.com/
Please take a minute and look at the blog located at this address.
This blog will be populated on a regular basis with a series of posts exploring the contents of Elder Benson's writings on the Proper Role. He has really distilled the correct approach we should be pursuing as a nation, and our ability to digest and understand what he has outlined in that timeless work will greatly benefit each of us. I would like to also invite any who are interested to post on this site regarding your insights and thoughts on the content of Elder Benson's work.
Please take a look, let me know what you think, and let me know if you're interested in posting an essay or specific comments on this blog for others.
Thanks,
Richard
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