ROBERTENEAL
June 2nd, 2009, 1:45 pm
I have tried to figure out why I have become interested in politics in the last five years. It may very well be that I have some weird form of dementia.
There was a point in time when I realized that I was not going to capitalize on the American Dream, at least not the money and land part of it. In spite of the fact that I have had more opportunities than most, my dreams and my reality ended up being two different things, but that is my own fault and a long story.
I felt bad about ending up living and working in an apartment complex where you get to rub elbows with people who are past masters at manipulating public assistance programs. I constantly see the inequities that go along with living in a country that has an over sized government that wants to do everything except that which it is constitutionally obligated to do.
I know that there was a time when things were different, when the government was smaller, and when the country was populated with people who did not need a baby sitter.
In the last year, a house of cards that had been under construction for almost a hundred years fell. The federally chartered / privately owned financial sector suffered a credit crisis and the aftershock is not over yet.
Anyway, getting back to the "American Dream" of owning a nice home and having lots of cash. I will probably never participate in that part of it, but maybe there are other ways that I can be part of it. Maybe I can help the next generation of Americans by being part of a solution now.
The most fundamental component of Americanism is, as far as I am concerned, the notion that our unalienable rights and our unalienable responsibilities come from a higher authority that any human government. This concept of "natural law" places all of us on an equal plane; those who govern are on the same level as their constituents.
With the assumption of "natural law" there is an assumption that all are free to pursue those things that are highest.
If you take away "natural law", the assumption of equality becomes an assumption that we must all cowtow to a low common denominator. Many politicians say that the accommodation of any and all forms of diversity is the highest standard this country can have, so I guess we are all supposed to believe 'em
We have a credit crisis because financial institutions were pressured to loan to those who were a poor credit risk. We have a welfare problem because people can get public assistance whether they absolutely need it or not. We have an immigration problem because we allow almost anyone to come into this country whether they are here to make a positive contribution or not.
Enough complaining.
Now the question, how can these problems be solved? By putting an abrupt end to all public assistance?
By blowing up the Federal Reserve? By sealing the borders and declaring martial law?
Does the solution to all of this countries problems have to be severe and sudden?
Or do the solutions to this country's problems have to be done in a way that requires a lot of patience and a lot of hard work?
Is it possible to change the way people think ? There are a lot of commentators and talk show hosts that try to make a difference; they have their place. However, this country still seems to be going in the direction of an oligarchy that forces everyone to be slaves to a low common denominator as opposed to being a republic that respects natural law and promotes personal responsibility along with personal freedom.
In my endeavors as a grass roots political activist, it seems to be almost pointless to try to talk about candidates. No one wants to hear about it. I was active in the campaign of a presidential candidate (Duncan Hunter) who seemed to be far better than the others (at least in my mind) and his campaign went nowhere.
After Congressman Hunter ended his campaign, my campaign co-workers did not stop being political activists. They diverted their efforts to those things that have to do with promoting good legislation and reversing bad legislation; initiatives and referendums.
We set up tables in public places where we are welcome and at public gatherings (like gun shows) in strategic locations where people can see our signs and sign our petitions. Initiative 1043 (respect for immigration laws) is a current project.
After having gotten to know some of these activists who I have so much in common with, I have found out that these are very patient people. I don't think that they ever really expected Duncan Hunter to get elected as President of the United States, and they don't really expect Initiative 1043 to get enough signatures to become a voter's prerogative. So why continue the efforts?
If all you do is to talk to people, promote public awareness, and keep a dream alive; that in itself is a worthwhile effort.
People are going to do whatever they want to do and vote for every hot air balloon that promises something that sounds good.
I think that there are fundamental things that people need to be reminded of, and if you can be part of that reminder you can be part of the solution, even if you don't live long enough to see the fruits of your labor.
If I can help to keep the American Dream alive, I can consider myself to be part of it.
There was a point in time when I realized that I was not going to capitalize on the American Dream, at least not the money and land part of it. In spite of the fact that I have had more opportunities than most, my dreams and my reality ended up being two different things, but that is my own fault and a long story.
I felt bad about ending up living and working in an apartment complex where you get to rub elbows with people who are past masters at manipulating public assistance programs. I constantly see the inequities that go along with living in a country that has an over sized government that wants to do everything except that which it is constitutionally obligated to do.
I know that there was a time when things were different, when the government was smaller, and when the country was populated with people who did not need a baby sitter.
In the last year, a house of cards that had been under construction for almost a hundred years fell. The federally chartered / privately owned financial sector suffered a credit crisis and the aftershock is not over yet.
Anyway, getting back to the "American Dream" of owning a nice home and having lots of cash. I will probably never participate in that part of it, but maybe there are other ways that I can be part of it. Maybe I can help the next generation of Americans by being part of a solution now.
The most fundamental component of Americanism is, as far as I am concerned, the notion that our unalienable rights and our unalienable responsibilities come from a higher authority that any human government. This concept of "natural law" places all of us on an equal plane; those who govern are on the same level as their constituents.
With the assumption of "natural law" there is an assumption that all are free to pursue those things that are highest.
If you take away "natural law", the assumption of equality becomes an assumption that we must all cowtow to a low common denominator. Many politicians say that the accommodation of any and all forms of diversity is the highest standard this country can have, so I guess we are all supposed to believe 'em
We have a credit crisis because financial institutions were pressured to loan to those who were a poor credit risk. We have a welfare problem because people can get public assistance whether they absolutely need it or not. We have an immigration problem because we allow almost anyone to come into this country whether they are here to make a positive contribution or not.
Enough complaining.
Now the question, how can these problems be solved? By putting an abrupt end to all public assistance?
By blowing up the Federal Reserve? By sealing the borders and declaring martial law?
Does the solution to all of this countries problems have to be severe and sudden?
Or do the solutions to this country's problems have to be done in a way that requires a lot of patience and a lot of hard work?
Is it possible to change the way people think ? There are a lot of commentators and talk show hosts that try to make a difference; they have their place. However, this country still seems to be going in the direction of an oligarchy that forces everyone to be slaves to a low common denominator as opposed to being a republic that respects natural law and promotes personal responsibility along with personal freedom.
In my endeavors as a grass roots political activist, it seems to be almost pointless to try to talk about candidates. No one wants to hear about it. I was active in the campaign of a presidential candidate (Duncan Hunter) who seemed to be far better than the others (at least in my mind) and his campaign went nowhere.
After Congressman Hunter ended his campaign, my campaign co-workers did not stop being political activists. They diverted their efforts to those things that have to do with promoting good legislation and reversing bad legislation; initiatives and referendums.
We set up tables in public places where we are welcome and at public gatherings (like gun shows) in strategic locations where people can see our signs and sign our petitions. Initiative 1043 (respect for immigration laws) is a current project.
After having gotten to know some of these activists who I have so much in common with, I have found out that these are very patient people. I don't think that they ever really expected Duncan Hunter to get elected as President of the United States, and they don't really expect Initiative 1043 to get enough signatures to become a voter's prerogative. So why continue the efforts?
If all you do is to talk to people, promote public awareness, and keep a dream alive; that in itself is a worthwhile effort.
People are going to do whatever they want to do and vote for every hot air balloon that promises something that sounds good.
I think that there are fundamental things that people need to be reminded of, and if you can be part of that reminder you can be part of the solution, even if you don't live long enough to see the fruits of your labor.
If I can help to keep the American Dream alive, I can consider myself to be part of it.