Kingdom of the One-eyed King

[Billy Britt]

To rule or be ruled appeals to the human’s innate, albeit feral, instinct. “If I don’t rule over you, you will rule over me. I must, therefore, try to dominate you for fear that you will dominate me.Nature teaches we can either be slaves or masters.As Athenian remarked to the Melians “Those who can do what they will and those who can’t suffer what they must.”There is a story of a peasant who finds a magic lamp, he rubs the lamp and a genie appears and offers the man one wish, but the condition of the wish is that whatever the peasant wishes for his neighbors will receive double. The peasant thinks for a moment and says, “I wish to have one of my eyes put out.” This begs the notion that in a land of the blind a one-eyed man is king.We see in nature the rule of dominance; this is why people have over the years devised a system known as the social contract.The idea of the social contract implies that the people give up some rights to a government or other authority in order to receive or maintain social order.That legitimate state authority must be derived from the consent of the governed.The United States Constitution bases these on natural rights, also known as moral rights or inalienable rights. These are rights which are not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of a particular society, but are an endowment that is not subject to, nor can be amended by men.But like John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government 1689, we should recognize that even with a social contract people will still live in fear of one another.This is why such articles as the Second Amendment to the U. S. Constitution exist.It is also why a just rule of law is paramount in a free society. Therefore, a strict adherence to the U. S. Constitution is the only way that a guaranty of rights can be trusted. Individuals must believe that a fair system of justice exists to protect them and what is theirs.Consequently, the laws or rules of the contract must be consistent with neutral judges whom neither adds to, takes away from nor changes the rules based on shifting social mores or political pressure.This brings us to the Tenth Amendment of the U. S. Constitution and its meaning. Amendment X: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”This on its face would seem rather clear however this amendment has been tested by law and tried in blood and still the matter is not settled altogether.In theory, the constitution prescribes a government that is as close to the people as possible.This was understood as a small federal government, with strong local and state governments. Thomas Jefferson said, “When all government shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will… become as oppressive as the government from which we separated [the government of England].”As the new president and congress press an ever-growing federal agenda many states are pursuing legislative action to assert their sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment.Several states are trying to ward off demands from Washington on how to spend money or enact policy locally. The most comprehensive resolution may be found in the state of New Hampshire’s House Concurrent Resolution 6.It reads as follows, “any Act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States of America or Judicial Order by the Judicatories of the United States of America which assumes a power not delegated to the government of United States of America by the Constitution for the United States of America and which serves to diminish the liberty of the any of the several States or their citizens shall constitute a nullification of the Constitution for the United States of America by the government of the United States of America.”Acts that would cause the state to invoke this extreme measure include:“I. Establishing martial law in a state of emergency within one of the States comprising the United States of America without the consent of the legislature of that State.II. Requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a draft during a declared war, or pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.III. Requiring involuntary servitude or governmental service of persons under the age of 18 other than pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.IV. Surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to any corporation or foreign government.V. Any act regarding religion; further limitations on freedom of political speech; or further limitations on freedom of the press.VI. Further infringements on the right to keep and bear arms including prohibitions of type or quantity of arms or ammunition.“That should any such act of Congress become law or Executive Order or Judicial Order be put into force, all powers previously delegated to the United States of America by the Constitution for the United States shall revert to the several States individually. Any future government of the United States of America shall require ratification of three quarters of the States seeking to form a government of the United States of America and shall not be binding upon any State not seeking to form such a government....”While this is a laudable stand, it begs the question of, “Too little, too late?”Is there away back to Jeffersonian principles or are we to be ruled by a one-eyed oligarch of Washington?Only a steadfast resistance by principled leaders, a vigilant and active citizenry and a faith in Him that has bestowed us with inalienable rights will stand in the face of this libido dominandi.This lust to rule is at the heart of our current strife and must be confronted with courage, wisdom and faith.As it was once born in blood, let it now be adjudicated in justice.

[Kevin Nye]

To me, it is not a question of whether we want to help others in need, but it is a question as to what will actually do the job best. So, which is it? Capitalism, Or Socialism? Capitalism has provided by far the highest standard of living throughout our history, whereas we also see through out history the miserable failure that is Socialism. The "bee hive theory" is real neat, and works incredibly well for bees and has a very sweet outcome. But we are not bees.

I believe that the massive spending and future heavy taxation to pay for such spending will cripple the Capitalism which helps us best, and in the end, there will be far more people needing help than there was in the first place. There will be less people who will have something to give, less people with strong businesses who can hire those willing to work. It's simply a question of what works best, not a question about motives...

[Billy Britt]

"This is not a partisan message – this is a human message."

Hope, you have a wonderful way of crafting a poignant phase.
My thoughts are not meant to be partisan but simply thoughtful.
Whatever side they fall on, I hope; they are based on merit and not plain ideology. (I like to think I am smarter than all that)
Being an equal opportunity curmudgeon, I like to pick at the bones of all in power.
Our new president is an ambitious man and among the many rewards for great ambition, there is grand disappointment.
A look back at the portraits of our past presidents we see not so much a pantheon of immortals but a rogues gallery of unimpressive men with potential.
You may remember, in our youth, I would say, there is no heavier burden than a great potential.
Me thinks that was first spoken by Snoopy.
Love as always, your bro,
B

[John and Janet Ruiz]

"This is not a partisan message – this is a human message."

I head that. I have read and listened to more than a few dissertations by people who are offended by the intense admiration and praise given by many towards our new president. That's he's being looked to as their "savior" and The One who will Solve Our Problems. Not to worry - if our history rolls out in normal progression many of those same people will be cursing his name as soon as he doesn't do something they want or does do something they don't want and if either is too fast or too slow. Basically, he'll get it coming and going. Hero today, goat tomorrow.

But in the heart of the cry is the need for direction and answers. And therein lies opportunity.

[Ken & Sue Brown]

Comment #37. Cool. God Bless.
Ken

[Billy Britt]

Mr. Bailey, I am working as hard as I can. Practice will make perfect. (smiles)

[Billy Williams]

I guess I didn't work hard enough at it 29 1/2 years ago when I borrowed someone's barclava for LEAD and lost it!

[John Richeson]

You would know.

How you feeling? Better I hope.

[David Bailey]

I have just read this whole blog, wow, what a joy to read. Some very good insight here. So now may I start to attack everybody! You are all ass... oops, I mean very good people, that is why I am here. Keep it coming.
God bless you all. p.s. You've really got to work at it to be a a-hole, so lighten up.

[John Richeson]

For the record, I did not delete any posts on this thread. And Steve and I talk frequently on the phone including today. We're cool. He understands me and I understand him. He's very helpful on this site to a lot of people, doing the work no one else wants to do. I was not singling him out or anyone in particular.

I speak from my own expereinces in being an ass.

[John and Janet Ruiz]

George, given Jerfferson's upbringing, very possible. However his public and verbal expression of his "faith" rejected Jesus Christ as a "risen Savior", Messiah, Son of God. You bring up an interesting point though - at the expense of risking Jefferson rolling over in his grave yet one more time (although I'd bet he's gotten used it by now) - he appears to have reacted strongly to his religious training as a young man and his exposure to the Anglican Church. We know he didn't hold them in high esteem. His work at publishing his version of the Bible is where it seems he attempted to make the clearest statement as to his "faith".

As best I know from what I've read, Jefferson would not have labelled himself a "Christian", in the spiritual sense, yet I would see in his writings and intense spirituality that appears to have tapped the Well as well as any man who's ever lived and better than a lot. So....

I find it wonderful that so many people embrace Jefferson's ideas and thoughts. We see so much of ourselves and who we'd dream to be in the vision he painted.