Education: Third Cycle, Is there Hope?

Maddi Gillel

Editor’s note:  This is the third in a series on education.  To see “The High Water Mark,” go here, the second article, “The Nose Dive,” is here.

The value of the second cycle is that many have learned the hard way what works to make a country strong, healthy, prosperous, safe, and independent  in every way.

In his book Back to Basics: The Traditionalist Movement That is Sweeping Grassroots America, Burton Yale Pines expressed the yearning of the vast majority of Americans to get America back on track.  There is a call for reform in many areas:

1-     A revival of quality education by the national  commission (A Nation at Risk: The  Imperative for Educational Reform)

2-     A return to the free- market system with less intervention by government so that millions of new jobs can be created.

3-     A restoration of moral and spiritual values in both private and public life.

4-     A reduction in taxes; federal, state, and local.

5-     Paying off the national debt.

6-     Turning public welfare programs into workfare, education, and job-creating opportunities instead of allowing millions of Americans to become permanently trapped on the poverty level.

( Burton Yale Pines)

There are many in our  society who are doing what they can to resist that which weakens our country and encourage that which makes our country strong and free once again.  There are websites that are forwarded  to thousands to keep others aware of the news of the day; there are blogs such as this one, to encourage strong families, financial responsibility, and a return to values;  many more of our representatives understand and uphold the constitution and know how this country should be governed; many families have remained sufficiently intact that they have been raised by parents and grandparents who lived during the high water mark of our society; technological knowledge is at an all- time high, which has its downside, but the upside is that more can stay abreast of advancements in every aspect of our society –law, medicine, marketing, agriculture, retailing, engineering, education, political science, etc.

Many parents recognize the weakness of the education system and choose to home school their children- and this has been going on for quite some time.  Those children are in turn growing up, getting married, and home schooling their own children.

A College/University education was at one time,  thought to be the only way to make a good living, but many are choosing the trades (plumbing, electricity, carpentry, masonry,)  which  is  less expensive, takes less time, and will afford an ability to provide for one’s family ( of course keeping a strong work ethic in mind).  Keep in mind, that one can do a lot of reading and studying about any subject on earth in his own spare time and become an ‘educated’ person – there is formal education and informal education and a truly ‘educated’ person depends on his own volition.

There are an increasing number who are becoming more aware of the democratic process and are staying in contact with their representatives – through technology.  We can even sign petitions ‘on line.’

More reporters and journalists and radio hosts are choosing to be independent of ‘political correctness’ and can thusly keep their readers/listeners  apprised of what the real story is, as opposed to sticking to the talking points-‘ business as usual.’

To sum up, it is no mystery why billions are poured into education.  The ‘powers- that- be’ know that they have got to protect this institution. They can then do as they wish so children are raised to think along the lines of:  indifference to education (reading, writing, and math) socialism, religious and moral apathy, subjection to outrageous behavior from others (bullying, assault, profanity, vulgarity, negative peer pressure, etc.) and a lack of understanding and appreciation of the constitution.

Once again, and as usual, the home is crucial in teaching our children values, reading, math, writing, citizenship, financial responsibility, and family stability.

There is hope.

Some “What Ifs” of Gay Marriage

Rachel Allison

All four of my sons are Eagle Scouts.  I helped all four of them prepare for any situation as they packed for those monthly campouts and annual scout camps.  I watched them think through the “what ifs” of all the situations for which the scouting program is famous. Our sons learned to analyze the possible problems and prepare accordingly for each eventuality. By the time they earned their Eagle status they got pretty good at it.  Fifteen years’ involvement in the scouting program taught me the importance of being prepared.  I learned to analyze and mentally document the “what ifs” of my own life and that of my family.  I also learned that I can’t just hope for a positive outcome.  I have to analyze, work, study and sacrifice so the outcomes or consequences of my decisions are best for my family.

Enter the Gay marriage movement.  I have to admit that much of the pro-Gay rhetoric is convincing.  “Two people love each other.”  “They are responsible adults.”  “They deserve to be happily married under the law.”

Where should I stand on this issue?   Let me analyze from a mother/grandmother’s perspective.

We are a family who believes in God and the Bible.  I can’t force others, nor do I want to force others to believe as we do.  But if I accept gay marriage, the “what ifs” tell me that my Pastor might be prosecuted and even jailed if he preaches against the gay lifestyle. …or if he refuses to perform a marriage ceremony.  It has happened in other parts of the world.  It could happen here.  Could the Gay movement then become so emboldened as to shut the doors of my church, which would infringe on my families’ weekly devotionals?  As I watch the Constitution being violated on several fronts already, I must stand by principles that protect my religion and my right to worship.  My faith is too dear to not seriously analyze that “what if.”

Do I want my grandchildren reading about “Prince Ferdinand” and “Prince Edmond” who marry and live happily ever after? No I do not.  But it is already happening, in many of the elementary schools across our nation.  If gay marriage is legalized, the advancement of that type of propaganda will increase more and more blatantly as the years pass. Why?  Because there are many leaders in the Gay community who want to indoctrinate.  These leaders will not be content with just getting the right to marry. As I have done my research, I have seen it.  This indoctrination is blatant. And I don’t want my grandchildren confused by this in-your-face rhetoric from the gay advocates with a proselyting agenda. Again, I have done my homework.  I have been to their meetings.  There are Gays who are openly proselyting.

The Gay movement is well-organized.  There are battles being fought on all sides. They now appear to be gaining major ground with respect to the Boy Scouts of America.  I know there are Gays whose only purpose is to become a part of the scouting movement. But when one defines himself by his sexual practices, innocent boys will too quickly become not so innocent.  Nope.  I would not be willing to expose my sons to that education at the young age of 11 and 12.

I don’t pretend to be all knowing on this subject.  But I have studied and observed.  Gay marriage is just one major step of their agenda, but there are many more steps waiting to be implemented when the Gay-marriage laws are in place. I hope that we aren’t so naïve as to think this gay movement is just about the love of two responsible adults being given the right to marry.   For many Gays, the agenda is much more far-reaching.  If you don’t believe me, do your homework and you will begin to recognize all the “what ifs.”

Clever and Witty or Crass and Disgusting

A video created by Center for Reproductive Rights has been making the rounds in cyberspace.  It has met with accolades from the pro-abortion world and jeers of disgust from everyone else.

“Happy 40th Anniversary, Baby” features an actor sitting in a chair in a well-appointed room with a fire place crackling in the background.  The handsome actor smiles and winks seductively as he delivers his monologue.

“Oh, hey baby, Did you think I forgot?” he says, as he sips from his glass.  “How could I ever forget our anniversary?” he continues as he talks to the camera as though the viewer were his lover.

This comment from one viewer sums it up nicely:

Honestly, disgusting on so many levels. For a black man to be celebrating – does he understand that today black children are aborted at five times the rate of white children? Does he understand that a black child is more at risk in his mother’s womb than at any other time in his life? Thought this was a sick joke – like a man celebrating that he could impregnate women freely knowing that he could just abort his offspring when necessary. And of all the tag lines – “Hey BABY”. BABY?

We won’t do anymore editorializing.  You watch it and decide for yourself.

For Better or for Worse, be Committed to your Marriage

Kristi Kane

Growing up, my parents gave me good advice. I didn’t realize how good until I got married. From my Dad, I learned the importance of making wise financial decisions like “putting money aside for a rainy day,” (or saving), and “living within your means” (never spend more than you make). From my Mom, I learned the importance of  marrying someone you were crazy about and who was also your best friend. “That will see you through the bad times,” my Mom would say. Of course marriage put all of their advice to the test, and I have been the better for listening to and applying their advice.

It’s my Mom’s advice that I would like to focus on here. I’ve attended many weddings. They all are pretty much the same. Everyone is smiling and radiant. There are happy tears, tears of joy. The bride and groom are saying loving words to each other during their vows. Their first kiss as husband and wife is filled with promise of a happy future and perfect wedded bliss. Now fast forward a few years, in some cases, even a few months. The recently blissful bride and groom are now angry. They see only each other’s short comings. There is a general disillusionment towards the idea of marriage. The words “separation” or “divorce” start to frequent the conversation, and then- pop! The happiness is over and so is the marriage.

In each scenario I think, “What happened?! They were so happy? What went wrong?” There are a variety of answers here, but they all boil down to the same thing. Someone or both of the someones got selfish. Thoughts of “how can you make me happy?” or “You are not making me happy enough” entered and replayed over and over in their brain. One spouse did all the giving, the other, all the taking, or there was no giving at all.

The most recent separation in my own family was between my nephew to his bride of eight years. When I heard of the separation, one very strong visual image came to my mind. It was at their wedding luncheon. I could see my nephew standing at the wedding table and glowing with love and emotion, even tears, as he told all of us, his wedding guests, how much he loved his wife, his best friend. He even pulled her up from her chair and put his arm around her, and put her hand on his heart. I must admit, I was touched. It was very sweet. And then the announcement.

Again, I played in my head, “What happened? They were so happy? What went wrong?” To give you the boiled down version, life happened, as it happens to all of us. Children came along. One of the children has a chronic medical condition. My niece-in-law who had ADD had now also developed anxiety and depression. So life happened. And after two sessions with a marriage counselor my nephew announced that “he tried” and “I’m done.” I was floored.

I realize there are some very justifiable reasons for contemplating divorce, like adultery. But there again, it is because someone got selfish and committed an act of irreversible consequence. And even then, I’ve seen spouses forgive the wandering party and work things out.

Now in my case, there were years when my husband was in graduate school that the only time I saw him was on Sunday. There were two years of my marriage when I had four children under 11 that my husband was gone almost 24/7 working on a restructuring of his company, and at that same time, I was diagnosed with a heart defect that was going to require surgery. We had financial distress and health issues, enough to sink any marriage. And yet in all of that mess, one phrase my husband said to me when he asked me to marry him kept playing in my mind: “There is one word we never say in our family, and that is ‘divorce.’ We are married for life. We work things out.” I’d never heard anyone say it like that, but I liked that idea.

So no matter the stress, we worked it out. Was it easy? No. Were there times when resentment and frustration entered our marriage? Yes. Do I think we will ever be faced with trouble again? You tell me. We now have three teenagers.  But we have made a commitment long ago that we both believed in. I have no doubt we will have more challenges, but we will take them as they come and roll with the punches. What else can we do? That’s life. And for better or for worse, we’re going to make it through.

Video Gaming: Be Very Careful

Rachel Allison

This post may offend some of our readers.  If I say something that hits too close to home, just honestly evaluate your child’s involvement and if necessary ignore my observations.

My children grew up during the skate-board craze in our neighborhood.  All of their friends owned expensive skateboards and I was aware that they practiced all kinds of tricks and stunts for hours and hours everyday and into the night right in front of our house.  While these friends practiced their skateboard maneuvers, our children were doing homework, practicing the piano, doing chores, and spent lots of time being miserable as they watched all the fun taking place right outside on our street.  My husband and I couldn’t afford to buy our children such a “toy,” but still they continued to ask for skateboards for Christmas or birthdays.  Finally we gave in, and I purchased my two oldest $20 skateboards for Christmas.  LOL (Are you?)  A $20 skateboard is like buying clamp-on roller skates.  Our children were so excited on Christmas morning…which made me very happy.  When all the neighborhood kids showed up, many with newer and more improved skateboards, our children went out to join in the fun and excitement.  They soon learned that they could not do any of the tricks, nor could they get any speed on their skateboards.  It didn’t take long for them to tire of the sport, and they got involved in activities where they could excel. Whew!  Battle over.

Now, let me correct a previous statement.  “My husband and I couldn’t afford to buy our children such a “toy.”” And yet we purchased a piano, and our children all took piano lessons.  One of our children was a gifted gymnast, and the money we paid out for group and private tutoring was more than I want to share with our readers. Violin lessons, scout camps, guitar lessons, singing lessons, and sport’s camps…somehow we could afford all these.  So what was different about skateboarding?  The culture.  (This is where I might start to step on toes.)  I silently watched the skateboard culture.  The dress, the hair, the language, the attitude, and I didn’t want my children to be a part of it. At least, this was what I observed from the skateboarders in our neighborhood. They didn’t have the time or desire to get involved with any of the previously mentioned activities that I wanted our children involved in. I knew all of their parents, and I watched as their parents may have pushed music or scouting or studies, but the skateboarding won out, and nothing else positive was seriously pursued.

My children are grown, and are all successfully pursuing their dreams.  I don’t know if skateboarding is still the craze that it was 25 years ago.  What I see and hear about now is the video gaming craze.  Would I buy video games for my children if they were still at home?  Absolutely not!  I don’t care how badly they wanted them.  Why?  Because I see what is happening in the video-gaming culture: Addictions, obsessions, often violence, and too often the shunning of everything else that is positive and worthwhile.  That is something I would protect my children from as if it were a drug. In fact I have heard that it is as powerful a draw as any drug.

I have a friend whose husband…do I need to point out that this is a grown man?…was so addicted to video games that he wouldn’t go to work?  She had to provide an income for the family.  With him, and without him, because she left him after three years of seeing no improvement.

Why would any wise parent put such a temptation in front of their children?  Because all their friends have video games? Bad decision as far as I’m concerned.

I ran across a blog this morning that I want to share.  It helps make my point.

“I wanted to open up the topic of video game addictions. It never seemed to be a big deal to me until recently. My oldest son has become              completely obsessed with a video game, and it is starting to worry me.  He only cares about playing his game- he doesn’t spend time with his             friends anymore, nor does he want to be around me or the rest of the family for that matter.

He used to be really committed to his education (he is fresh out of high school) and pursuing a career, but that seems to be unimportant to him now. I am afraid that if he does not quit playing the game soon, he will miss his chance to accomplish his dreams. It breaks my heart as a father to see him making the kind of decisions that I know he will regret later.  Is anyone else experiencing a similar situation with their children?  I could really use some advice on this.”

One more observation.  My husband and I ran into an old friend this past weekend. During our conversation he said that his 33-year-old daughter plays video games all day.  I know this girl.  She was a good friend to one of my sons.  She was talented musically, and lots of fun to be with.  He shared with us that while she plays video games, she puts her four children in front of movies so that they will leave her alone.

Need I write more?

What a culture!  Parents, before they even start, don’t let it happen.

Modern-day Russian Roulette

Rachel Allison

At birth, Hydeia Broadbent was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas where Patricia and Loren Broadbent adopted her as an infant. Although her HIV condition was congenital, she was not diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS until age three. The prognosis was that she would not live past the age of five. Now more than 20 years later, Broadbent spends her time spreading the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention by promoting abstinence and safe-sex practices (for people who choose to have sex

As an early recipient of anti-viral treatments that made AIDS a livable disease, she could have used her platform to emphasize the positives of HIV when coupled with modern medicine.  She could have chosen to give HIV/AIDS patients hope and the promise of beating the odds.

Not Hydeia.  She doesn’t sugar coat the consequences of the disease even when drugs promise a long and somewhat productive life. “There are days when I can’t get out of bed.  Sometimes I am so sick my mornings are spent with my head hung over the toilet.”

Every morning she takes her cocktail of five pills. Hydeia’s medicine costs $3,500 to $5,000 a month.

“There’s so much misinformation.  People think there’s a cure…but there is no cure.”  A positive test result is no longer a death sentence, says Hydeia, “but it is a life sentence.”

“It’s always there.  You’re always going to have HIV or AIDS.  You’re always going to be taking medicine.  You’re always going to be going to the doctor’s office.  You’re always going to be getting your blood drawn.”

Tell that to the millions who can’t fathom contracting HIV/AIDS (or any other STD for that matter.) “Hooking Up” is as common in today’s loose society as chopping wood was for my grandparent’s.

Legislators are outlawing anything and everything so that our society is safe.  The food we eat has to pass strict inspection.  The vehicles we drive, the toys our children play with, the fabric used to make our children’s clothing, roadways, walkways, speed limits…We have legislation in place to protect and defend just about everything.

And yet there are tens of thousands across the globe being exposed to a disease that is more threatening and costly than society will openly and publicly admit. Where is the outcry? The target audience seems to be oblivious to the “Russian Roulette” they are playing.

We need more Hydeia Broadbents educating and laying out the cold hard facts about a disease that can and should be contained and eradicated…Not with condoms.  Condoms have proven to be bogus protection. It can only be eradicated with a value system that teaches self-control and even self-denial…something almost unheard of in today’s society.

Despite the harsh realities of HIV/AIDS and the supposed public awareness, the National Center for Health Statistics, show that in the United States, “for all races combined in the age group 15-24 years, HIV/AIDS moved from the 12^th leading cause of death in 2009 to the 11^th cause of death in 2010.” It was the 7^th leading cause of death in 2010 for the age group 25-44 years.”   Where is the outcry? This is the elephant in the room that is destroying lives, and yet the target audience seems  oblivious to the destruction.  They continue to play with a fire that doesn’t just burn, it consumes.  Would it be taboo to legislate activity so intimate?  Apparently so.

Parents and grandparents, and the Hydeia Broadbents of the world, it is up to us to educate and raise the warning voice that will save lives in this promiscuous society where “if it feels good…” is accepted without thought of consequence or outcome.

MARRIAGE — NOT REALLY SUCH A MYSTERY

Maddi Gillel

An 80 year old woman was asked to speak to a group of women about marriage.  She had been married to one man all of her married life, and they had raised a large family.  At the end, she opened up a question and answer segment.  Someone asked her if she had ever thought of divorce.  She thought for a minute and then said, “divorce, no, murder, yes.”

Stephen R. Covey (7 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE) called marriage ‘ the graduate school of mortality.’

I have been married only once and still to the same man.  We have raised children and helped with grandchildren.  I worked while my husband went through college and medical school, and then when we had children, I stayed home with them and was patient (and alone with the children) through more of his training.   I must agree with the above 2 paragraphs.  It is NOT easy.  So, with all of this information,  why do people get married?

In the book “The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier and Better Off Financially” (Waite and Gallagher) , it reveals research that married men and women live happier, healthier, and more financially secure lives, and even have “more and better sex.” The authors argued – using a broad range of indexes- that “being married is actually better for you physically, materially, and spiritually than being single or divorced.

“Marriage comes complete with all the trials, tribulations, obstacle courses, tests, rewards, and consequences necessary to fulfill your highest potential as a human being – the challenge to serve a higher ideal than self.

What enables a man and a woman to ultimately triumph – to have a truly happy long-term marriage and family?  ONE THING ONLY.  BOTH OF THEIR LIVES MUST REVOLVE AROUND TRUTH.  They have a shared standard by which to resolve differences.  All disagreements ultimately find resolution – not because one knuckles under to the other, the submissive to the dominant, but because they both have placed God’s will at the center of their lives, the center of their family.  The wife is not threatened by her husband’s being the ultimate and natural authority in the family because she trusts him and his judgment.  Nor, however, is the husband threatened by submitting to his wife’s guidance when he sees she is clearly right.

This is why God ordained marriage – so we could find Him.” (The Marketing of Evil” – David  Kupelian)

In our marriage, God and religion have been our foundation and that alone has enabled us to stay married – We have family prayer, individual prayers,  blessings on the food, we both read scriptures individually, and family is our priority.   I realized years ago that a life of ease and enjoyment can seem so wonderful, but there is little fulfillment;  loneliness is real and that is why God has ordained marriage and family, to walk with and help each other through this difficult life. And I repeat, in spite of my understanding of all of the above, marriage is still a challenge and an uphill journey, but the alternative would be cold and dreary.  When I look back at the first few years of our marriage, I can see that we have progressed-  AND THANK GOODNESS!  Most people agree that the first year or two of a marriage are years to be forgotten.

Marriage is, indeed, the graduate school of mortality.

Dare to Discipline

Rachel Allison

As I was working with a group of eight to eleven-year-old children in my church this past weekend, I was disheartened at how undisciplined and disrespectful they were.  After a lot of “shushing” which brought no results whatever, I sternly reminded the children that disrespect and irreverence were not an option in the setting.  They stared at me incredulously wide-eyed, but then gratefully settled down to pay attention.

After the meeting I asked one of the young mothers working with me, “What is with these children that they don’t recognize when they are being inappropriate.”  Her response was definitive, “We don’t discipline.”  I looked at her in amazement.  “We don’t!  It has been pounded into our heads that we don’t spank, and no matter what else we do, we must feed their self-esteem. We’re raising a bunch of brats.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  “Amongst all my friends,” she continued, “there is only one mother who disciplines,… Natalia…and look how well behaved her children are.” Natalia is a soft-spoken tender-hearted woman who I would never have guessed to be a disciplinarian…but apparently she is doing something right with her five children because they are always respectful to peers and teachers.

Yesterday I was helping my daughter-in-law with a project.  Her infant daughter was sleeping soundly next to us when her two and four-year-old boys came running into the room playing and shouting.  Because she had told the boys just minutes earlier that they had to be quiet while near the baby, she kindly put them both in time out.  Then she proceeded to second-guess her decision.  I encouraged her disciplining.  “You weren’t too harsh. Even two and four-year-olds can be made aware of their actions and the consequences to those actions.”  Two or three minutes later, while happily playing again, her four-year-old reminded his two-year-old brother that they had to play away from baby sister.  See my point?

Consistency and follow-through matters

It’s frustrating to see mothers and fathers who say one thing, and then do completely the opposite.  “If you do that again you’ll be in trouble.”  The child repeats the offense and the offense is ignored, or the threat is also repeated.  Great parenting? Not hardly.

I will admit that some would say I disciplined too much.  In order to keep a semblance of sanity in our home we had rules for just about everything.  When rules were disobeyed there was “time out,” and yes, I spanked my children when I felt they needed it.  My adult children joke about the infamous wooden spoon I used to get their attention…often all I had to do was open the drawer where the spoon was found, and the inappropriate behavior stopped immediately.  It worked for us.

In our society today it is taboo for a parent to spank, but I remember being spanked by my father…and each time I thought, “I deserve this…and I won’t be breaking the rules or sassing my mom in the future.” I knew what was expected of me…the spanking helped remind me when I thought I was exempt from those expectations.

My daughters use “time out” or “privileges withheld” to discipline their children.  I probably should have used more of that, and less the wooden spoon with my  children…too late now.  But my children all turned out great!  (this coming from their mother…)  They aren’t perfect, but they understand why laws and rules are given, and they recognize that there are consequences to their actions. Our culture is in dyer need of its citizens…young and old, to recognize how to function appropriately in society. Most laws and rules are made to help those who can’t discipline themselves. How sad it is to see our prisons full of so many who didn’t learn to respect the rules of behavior in their youth.

Adherence to rules and respecting boundaries are best taught in the home where discipline is coupled with unconditional love and acceptance. Our homes are testing grounds that give our children the opportunity to “do over.”  Society and our judicial system aren’t nearly as merciful.  Come on moms and dads…dare to discipline. Keep focused on your duty.  Love your children enough to teach them the rules of behavior and the importance of self-discipline.

Christmas…Let’s Keep it Simple

Rachel Allison

Last year’s Christmas season was unusually chaotic around our house.  Because of an educational opportunity, our son, his wife and his family with three small children were living with us.  Two of these children were two-month old twins.  My sweet daughter-in-law was a trooper, but I was caught up in the whirlwind because I WANTED to help.

Couple that with a chairmanship of a major musical production that was taking an inordinate amount of my time, and I hate to admit that I didn’t have any extra time to really ponder on the beauty of the season, or do any of the extras that accompany the holiday. That was an unusual December, but it taught me a dear lesson.  We can be too busy.  And when we are, we need to eliminate all the traditional “fluff” possible…as well as all the guilt that accompanies that removal.

My neighbors still love me even though they didn’t get their usual Christmas cinnamon rolls. Christmas cards weren’t sent, and no one called to ask if I was dead.  Gift giving was simplified…in a MAJOR way, and there were still good feelings as we ate our simple Christmas breakfast together.  All the love we have for family and friends does not need to be wrapped up into one week or day of giving.  Letters, baked bread, warm wishes and love can and should be given year round. And then we need to stop with the guilt if Christmas isn’t picture perfect for everyone we know and love.

I just finished a phone conversation with my daughter-in-law.  I heard the same anxiety in her voice that I felt for so many years of my life.  She’s so afraid someone will not have a good Christmas.  Good for her for caring!  But I lovingly reminded her that her husband and children were going to have a great Christmas, even if they didn’t get exactly what they wanted under the tree.  “We’re going to be together, and Christmas is going to be wonderful!”

December is much calmer around our home this year.  My son and his adorable little family are on the east coast continuing his career. The musical production is over, and it was well worth all the time and effort given. But I am still looking for ways to simplify my Christmas. I hope the pendulum doesn’t swing too far to the other extreme…but I’m determined to strike the right balance in giving AND feeling the peace and joy that this season is all about.

LIBERTY, TYRANNY, AND ANARCHY…WHERE ARE WE?

Maddi Gillel

Someone once said, “When the government fears the people there is freedom, when the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” Tyranny is also a catch -all phrase for the ‘isms – communism, Nazism, Marxism, fascism, etc.  So with liberty and tyranny loosely defined, what is anarchy?  Anarchy is when there is NO LAW.

Where would you say we were?  I agree – TYRANNY.  The federal government has by-passed the states (in violation of the 10^th amendment) and has now taken over areas that were forbidden to the Federal Government under the Founders’ formula: land, schools, air, water, energy, health, welfare, city finances, city beautification, sewage disposal, electricity, thermal power, intra-state commerce, industrial production, local police problems etc.

Do you fear the government?  Think of the following Federal (or federally condoned) programs: IRS, OSHA, EPA, NEA, ATF, UN, Public Schools (state schools), Medicare, Medicaid, federal judges, federal courts, martial law, government lands, BLM, ACLU etc.etc.etc.

The closer government is to the people, the more we can have a voice in what government does.  The family is the foundation of a society and the place where problems should be solved first.  The federal government is too far away and to unwieldy to try to solve problems, which is why the constitution was designed to keep government close to the people (family, local and state).

What is to be done then, to help bring things back into balance?  Do everything we can to strengthen our families, no matter how difficult, or inconvenient or expensive.  God set up families to be the basic unit of our society and we are to take this blessing seriously.  As we do so, we can more confidently ask God to help our country.