http://www.newswithviews.com/Parnell/carl116.htm
By Dr. Carl Parnell, Ed.,D
December 11, 2012
NewsWithViews.com
America’s Ship of State, the U.S.S. America, was commissioned on May 25, 1787; it was christened on September 17, 1787. The first commander was George Washington. The inaugural voyage began April 30, 1789. His speech of acceptance of his commandership took place in New York City at the Federal Building on Wall Street. An excerpt of his speech plainly acknowledges what he saw as the driving force of his commandership. Commander Washington said:
Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence.
Therefore, based on Commander Washington’s own words, he recognized that the success of the United States then and in the future would be the providential guidance of the Invisible Hand of God in all the affairs of America’s new constitutional government. He also hoped that the people that he commanded would support his political ideology through the years of his commandership of America’s figurative Ship of State.
But, how was America’s Ship of State affected by Commander Washington’s views of America becoming an independent power? According to Wikipedia, Commander Washington said,
There are four things, which I humbly conceive, are essential to the well being, I may even venture to say, to the existence of the United States as an independent power:
• An indissoluble union of the states under one federal head.
• A sacred regard to public justice.
• The adoption of a proper peace establishment.
• The prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity, and in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the community.
Therefore, as indicated by Commander Washington, he believed that the individual states should be united together into a union that could not be divided into separate entities. Of course, this union should have one Federal commander that would be in charge of keeping the states united and indivisible, while, at the same time, ensuring that peace and justice should become the central focus of the nation. As a result, the people would be concerned about the general prosperity of the nation, even if it meant that they had to sacrifice some of their individual needs in order to meet the needs the nation as a whole. However, this could not be achieved unless the American people forgot their prejudices, which would prevent them from seeing the true character and uniqueness of all Americans.
Of course, after eight years in office, Commander Washington decided to give up his commandership. Therefore, Commander Washington gave a farewell address which contained the epitome of his political beliefs. If the new leaders would take his advice, America’s Ship of State should sail successfully forever. His advice on how to operate America’s government and how to keep America strong as a nation included the following do’s and don’ts:
1. The necessity and importance of a national union of states with a strong central government.
2. The value of the Constitution and the rule of law.
3. The influence of political parties and bitter partisanship in domestic politics.
4. The proper virtues of a republican people.
5. The need for morality and religious principle as a popular spring of popular government.
6. The prohibition of entering permanent, long-term entangling alliances with foreign nations.
Therefore, since Commander Washington left America a great political heritage and many sound principles of a workable government after he gave up his commandership, let’s take a closer look at each of his political do’s and don’ts and whether or not they exist in America today. Also, if they do not exist today, what has replaced them and, as a result of replacing Washington’s political heritage, has America’s Ship of State begun to sink?
First, does America still have a national union of states with a strong central government? America still has a strong central government today. Unfortunately, it is much more powerful than it was during the era of George Washington. In fact, the central government is attempting to control every aspect of an America citizen’s life to the point of turning the United States into a socialist nation, with the government watching every move that they make, regulating every business and corporation, and burdening every American with an extremely high tax bill each year. As far as strong national union of states is concerned, America is on the verge of dissolving itself. Since the 2012 General Elections, many citizens of the fifty states have petitioned the Federal government to permit their states to break away from the Union. Of course, none of the state governments of these citizens themselves would actually withdraw from the United States. But, it does show that a large percentage of Americans are beleaguered with a central government that has become entirely too powerful and too domineering over the governed who are responsible for permitting the government to rule over them. It also shows that many Americans do not agree with the itinerary that the current commander of America’s Ship of State is following, an itinerary that is responsible for leading it into the dark, uncharted waters of socialism. Therefore, Commander George Washington, the first Commander of America’s Ship of State, would roll over in his grave if he knew how the government was treating the governed.
Second, does America still value the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law? Most Americans still value the U.S. Constitution and the Rule of Law, which implies that every citizen and every ruler is subject to the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land. However, many of America’s elected and appointed leaders do not value the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. Since the Constitution prevents these leaders from putting their will upon the people that they represent, they regularly attempt to circumvent the Constitution and create laws that are unconstitutional. As a result, the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances are not working like the Founding Fathers intended. Instead, many of the leaders of America, regardless of the branch of government, are purposely violating the Rule of Law as outlined in the Constitution. Ultimately, if they succeed in their effort to rule the nation by circumventing the Constitution and ruling above the Rule of Law, America’s Great Ship of State would sink quicker than the Titanic. Therefore, Commander George Washington, the first Commander of America’s Ship of State, would roll over in his grave if he knew how the government was vilifying the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
Third, does America still have the influence of political parties and bitter partisanship in domestic politics? America does still have the influence of political parties and bitter partisanship in domestic politics. In fact, political parties, along with their partisanship, are responsible for almost bringing the operation of the United States government to a standstill. They cannot get much of anything done regardless of which party has control of the House or the Senate. As a result, the Ship of State is floating aimlessly through difficult waters of economic, social, and political chaos. Ultimately, the end product of political parties and partisan politics could very well be the sinking of America’s Ship of State. But, how could partisan politics destroy America as a nation? Let’s review what Commander George Washington said about the partisanship of political parties:
It serves always to distract the public councils, and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty.
Ultimately, based on Commander Washington’s own words in his Farewell Address in 1796, could it be possible that he unknowingly prophesied the sinking of America’s Ship of State? His words paint a vivid picture of what is already happening in America or what could happen in America in the very near future. Consider the “jealousy and animosity” that exists between the politicians and the supporters of the two main political parties, the Republicans and the Democrats. How long will it be before these “jealousies and animosities” erupt into rioting in the streets? How many foreign governments already influence the decisions of America’s lawmakers and executives? But, most importantly, when will “disorders and miseries” cause Americans to “seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual” who would eventually “turn this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty.” Therefore, Commander George Washington, the first Commander of America’s Ship of State, would roll over in his grave if he knew how political parties in America had used their misguided influence to divide the nation instead of uniting it.
PART 2
http://www.newswithviews.com/Parnell/carl117.htm
In America’s Ship of State (Part I), George Washington’s perspective for keeping America’s Ship of State strong and safe was discussed. In America’s Ship of State (Part II), the discussion of George Washington’s perspective for America remaining strong and safe continues with points four through six.
Fourth, does America still exhibit the proper virtues of republican people? In some respects, based on the definition of “the virtues of republicanism,” which occurs when people give up their own interests for the common good, America does still have the virtues of republicanism in operation in the nation. According to John Adams, George Washington’s vice-president and the second President of the United States,
There must be a positive Passion for the public good, the public Interest, Honor, Power, and Glory, established in the Minds of the People, or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real Liberty. And this public Passion must be Superior to all private Passions. Men must be ready, they must pride themselves, and be happy to sacrifice their private Pleasures, Passions, and Interests, nay their private Friendships and dearest connections, when they Stand in Competition with the Rights of society.
However, since America is rapidly turning into a government-supported welfare state and the fact that America has already become a materialistic nation, there probably are fewer people than ever that would give up their own interests for the public good. As a result, if liberty is to prevail, a renewal of the proper virtues of republicanism must begin as soon as possible. According to Bernard Bailyn, an American historian, author, and professor specializing in U.S. Colonial and Revolutionary-era History, “The preservation of liberty rested on the ability of the people to maintain effective checks on wielders of power and hence in the last analysis rested on the vigilance and moral stamina of the people . . . Virtuous citizens needed to be strong defenders of liberty and challenge the corruption and greed in government.” But, since too many Americans are looking for a government handout and/or obtaining materialistic possessions, they are not concerned about corruption and greed in government as long as it does not interfere with their own personal corruption and greed. Therefore, Commander George Washington, the first Commander of America’s Ship of State, would roll over in his grave if he knew that American people and those who represent them were losing the proper virtues of republicanism, which was responsible for making the United States a nation whose freedoms and liberties far surpass any other nation.
Fifth, does America still have the need for morality and religious principle as a popular spring of popular government? According to the Federal government today, America does not need morality and religious principle as a popular spring of popular government, especially since it is controlled by secular humanists, those who believe man can be ethical and moral without God or religion. As a result, secular humanist liberals have been trying to eliminate Christianity and anything associated with morals from the public sector. This can be seen vividly in the agenda of the liberal Democratic Party as it promotes immoral behavior and anti-Christian propaganda. Also, President Obama seemingly enjoys proclaiming regularly that America does not have a Judeo-Christian heritage, despite the fact that scriptures are found encrypted on many federal buildings and many quotes by the Founding Fathers make reference to God and/or Jesus Christ. But, if the secular humanists are going to achieve their main objective to turn America into an atheist nation that operates without morals or religious principles, they must first convince Americans and their representatives that morality and religious principles were never used in the propagation of a popular government.
However, Commander Washington saw it much differently when he controlled the wheel of America’s Ship of State. He said:
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice?
And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?
Of course, based on Commander Washington’s direct quote, he firmly believed that morality and religious principles were “necessary and proper” if the government of the United States was to survive its shaky beginnings until the present. As he stated, religion and morality were needed if America wanted to be a prosperous nation politically, socially, and economically. In fact, he believed that anyone who attempted to remove these two pillars of human happiness from America should not claim to be a true patriot. True politicians should support these two pillars of human happiness, too. In essence, George Washington believed that without morality and religious principles America’s masterful government would not achieve the objectives of the Founding Fathers, which was to create a nation whose government would provide its citizens with unlimited freedoms and liberties. Therefore, Commander George Washington, the first Commander of America’s Ship of State, would roll over in his grave if he knew that morality and religious principles had been removed from the cornerstone of America’s foundation.
Finally, does America still have the prohibition on entering permanent, long-term entangling alliances with foreign nations? Unfortunately, America does not have the prohibition on entering permanent, long-term entangling alliances with foreign nations. However, America did not heed the warning delivered by George Washington in his Farewell Address in 1796. He purported that America should not get involved with binding agreements with other nations. He said,
…a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained, and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a deposition to retaliate in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld.
Washington, also said,
The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.
But, since America did not follow George Washington’s advice, it has created many problems for its military and its economy. As a result, many Americans have lost their lives and billions, if not trillions, of dollars have been spent on protecting those nations that America is bound to protect based on a signed entangling treaty between two or more foreign nations. Entangling alliances causes “choppy” waves for the Ship of State.
Of course, George Washington was not the only Founding Father who spoke out against “entangling alliances.” In fact, some of his friends, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, also spoke out against them. John Adams said,
America goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own…. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standards of freedom.
Thomas Jefferson said,
I am for free commerce with all nations, political connection with none, and little or no diplomatic establishment. And I am not for linking ourselves by new treaties with the quarrels of Europe, entering that field of slaughter to preserve their balance, or joining in the confederacy of Kings to war against the principles of liberty.
Also, Thomas Jefferson said,
I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political interests are entirely distinct from ours. Their mutual jealousies, their balance of power, their complicated alliances, their forms and principles of government, are all foreign to us. They are nations of eternal war. All their energies are expended in the destruction of the labor, property and lives of their people.
Finally, Thomas Jefferson said,
Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations — entangling alliances with none, I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one of] those which ought to shape its administration.
Ultimately, based on these quotes made by George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, America should not have signed treaties with other nations that required it to enter into permanent, long-term entangling alliances. Therefore, Commander George Washington, the first Commander of America’s Ship of State, would roll over in his grave if he knew that the United States had agreed many times over to get involved with the political and military affairs of other nations around the world.
In review, George Washington was the first commander of America’s Ship of State and he is viewed by many Americans as the greatest. He was a statesman who had the interest of the nation at heart more so than his own personal interests and personal agendas. Of course, the main thing that made him such a great commander was his belief in the U.S. Constitution as the rule of law, the virtues of a united people, and the moral values and religious principles of its citizens. As a result, despite the many uncertainties and rough political waves that America’s Ship of State encountered in the early days of its existence, it still remained afloat and completed its eight-year maiden voyage successfully. Therefore, Commander George Washington left an honorable political legacy to all Americans.
PART 3
http://www.newswithviews.com/Parnell/carl118.htm
However, since George Washington retired as the commander of the Ship of State two hundred sixteen years ago, forty-three different men have commanded America’s Ship of State. The newest commander, who took charge four years ago, is Barack Obama. While he has been commander of America’s Ship of State, he has guided it into many dangerous and uncharted waters. Therefore, America’s Ship of State has floated off the original course that George Washington had set for it when he was the commander. As a result, the Ship of State hit a myriad of icebergs of un-Americanism that was responsible for cracking its hull. Some of these icebergs of un-Americanism were:
• Circumventing the U.S. Constitution as the rule of law.
• Attempting to create a one-party, socialist government.
• Removing God from every part of the public sector.
• Attempting to deny American citizens their right to bear arms.
• Labeling law-abiding American citizens as “potential terrorists.”
• Forcing American workers to join unions in order to get a job in America.
• Nominating anti-American Marxists, Communists, and Socialists to key executive positions.
• Attempting to bankrupt America with a government-funded healthcare program.
• Attempting to create a government-funded welfare state.
• Borrowing billions of dollars daily from foreign nations to operate a dysfunctional government.
• Brainwashing America public school students to accept socialism and secular humanism.
• Attempting to make Americans economic slaves to the government.
• Attempting to deny Americans their freedoms of speech and press.
• Attempting to deny Americans their right of assembly and their right to disagree with the government.
• Attempting to suspend habeas corpus, which would deny a court hearing before a judge to discuss charges.
• Attempting to deny jury trials to people suspected of committing crimes against the government.
• Attempting to divide America by creating true hatred between Democrats and Republicans and the rich and the poor.
• Attempting to raise the debt ceiling without congressional approval.
• Redistributing the wealth of the wealthy to the poor through high taxation.
Of course, despite hitting the many icebergs of un-Americanism, the Ship of State was able to return to its port in order to repair its damages. As a result, many of the passengers who helped finance the building and maintenance of the Ship of State did not like Commander Obama because of his poor leadership and his inability to steer it safely. In fact, they attempted to replace him with a new commander. But, Commander Obama pleaded with his passengers who wanted him fired and made many promises in order to convince them to forgive him for his misdirection of the Ship of State. He also promised them that the crack in the hull of the Ship of State would soon be repaired and would be stronger than ever. Unfortunately, Commander Obama also convinced his passengers that he has the ability to guide the Ship of State forward, despite his plans to follow the same guidelines and floating on the same uncharted seas that were responsible for the initial crack in its hull. This is the reason that they gave him a vote of confidence and permitted him to command the Ship of State for another four years.
Unfortunately, though, the Ship of State’s passengers, who were persuaded to give Commander Obama a second chance, did not really know what type cargo that he might just be transporting on it the next four years. They had no idea what he might have stored in some of the Ship’s cabins, while it was in dry dock for the repair of its hull. Therefore, it is extremely important to take a virtual tour of the Ship of State now and view two of the five selected cabins and their contents.
Cabin 1 contains an example of what the Commander Obama could use to lure his passengers to sleep and to take their minds off the troubled waters that they would be sailing on for at least four more years. It is called “Bread and Circuses.” According to Wikipedia,
Bread and Circuses is a metaphor for a superficial means of appeasement. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion, distraction, and/or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace. The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the common man. In modern usage, the phrase is taken to describe a populace that no longer values civic virtues and the public life. To many across the political spectrum, left and right, it connotes a supposed triviality and frivolity that characterized the Roman Republic prior to its decline into the autocratic monarchy characteristic of the later Roman Empire’s transformation about 44 B.C.
But, since Bread and Circuses do exist today on America’s Ship of State, what would be a prime example? According to Russell Longcore, an author and writer, in his “Tenth Amendment” article on Bread and Circuses, America now has an insatiable desire for socialism, which is possibly what Commander Obama had in mind as one of his main goals when he took control of the Ship of State’s operation four years ago. As stated by Mr. Longcore,
The majority of American citizens want socialism. They may say that they are against socialism, but they continue to elect and reelect politicians that enact socialistic laws and regulations. They do not storm Washington when those politicians violate the Constitution and commit treasonous, criminal acts. They do not impeach and prosecute the criminals in Washington.
Also, Mr. Longcore said,
America is on the auction block, and the Executive and Legislative branches of the Federal Government are the auctioneers. The American citizens expect their elected officials to bring home the bacon, which means get more Federal dollars coming back home than they are sending to Washington. American citizens want more than their share.
Sadly, as a result, passengers on the Ship of State willingly have bought into the socialist ideology that promotes the redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor. But, while they see “robbing from the rich and giving to the poor,” as Robin Hood did, to be an acceptable norm, they fail to realize that in doing so they are destroying the main job creation mechanism in America. By forcing the rich to pay extremely exhorbitant taxes, it reduces the amount of revenue needed to create jobs. Therefore, if it was not for the job creation ability of rich entrepreneurs, many of the passengers on the Ship of State would not have suitable jobs or they might very well lose the jobs that would provide them with the very income needed to pay for their passage. In essence, this would make them more dependent on the commander of the Ship of State and his board of directors, the federal government.
Of course, this dependency on the U.S. government could be achieved by holding them hostage to the Ship of State’s Treasury. Unfortunately, though, the passengers would need the help of the government in order to maintain a meager existence through free handouts. As a result, a person who depends on government handouts alone would never rise above the economic slavery forced on him or her by the selfsame government. Also, often the children of those who live on government handouts mirror the lifestyle that their parents lived; they are bound to the same lifestyle. Ultimately, it becomes a generational curse that keeps them from the climbing the socioeconomic ladder, too, and then forces them to be dependent on the commander’s dictates forever, too.
Cabin 2 contains an example of what Commander Obama could use to create a one-party system in America. But, how could one of America’s main political parties ensure that it would be able to gain control of both houses of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Office of the President of the United States forever? The answer, of course, is very simple. The political party that achieves the following objectives might very well create a one-party system in America whose intention would be to eventually turn America into a completely government-controlled nation. The objectives that would need to be followed are:
1. Continue to increase government entitlement programs in an effort to create a welfare state dependent on government handouts.
2. Continue to give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants who would support the party that helped them to get amnesty.
3. Continue developing a government that is influenced by godless, secular humanism.
4. Continue to circumvent the U.S. Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land.
5. Continue redistributing wealth through high taxation.
6. Continue brainwashing public school students to look to the government for their every need.
7. Continue threatening people and groups who speak out against the government.
8. Continue to appoint liberal, activist judges to the Supreme Court.
9. Continue to appoint Marxists to top governmental positions.
10. Continue to elect politicians to office whose goal is to destroy America from within.
Therefore, the political party that achieves the aforementioned objectives could redesign America’s Ship of State in such a way that it looks nothing like the one constructed by the Founding Fathers. Instead, it would become a Ship of State that could best be described as an immoral, godless, debt-ridden, and divided Ship whose passengers would be suppressed by a government that seeks their total allegiance to a one-party government.
Then, Commander Obama’s campaign slogan “Forward” would become a reality; he would go forward with the same objectives that he had the first four years of his commandership. Ultimately, following these same objectives would crack the Ship of State’s hull even worst than it did the first time.
As a result, the Ship of State that was originally created in 1789 could possibly sink sometime during the next four years, unless all Commander Obama’s lethargic passengers wake up and see through the fog that now surrounds the Ship of State. It needs a complete overhaul, from the White House to the courthouse to the schoolhouse and to the church house. If not, America’s Ship of State that represents freedom, liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness will be no more. Of course, a new Ship of State based on the leadership of only one political party would create a horrendous and dangerous voyage for its passengers, the American people.
PART 4
http://www.newswithviews.com/Parnell/carl119.htm
US Constitution vs The US Patriot Act
In America’s Ship of State (Part III), the first two virtual cabins of the current Ship of State were toured to see what contents might be stored in them. Now, in America’s Ship of State (Part IV), three more cabins are toured in order to verify their possible contents.
Cabin 3 contains an example of what Commander Obama could us, if he so desired, to eliminate many of the god-given, constitutional rights that the passengers of the Ship of State have cherished since its construction in 1789. Two of the more prominent examples of legislation that have already taken many rights and privileges from the passengers on the Ship of State are the Patriot Act and the National Defense Authorization Act. But, what are the basic provisions of these congressional acts that would be responsible for denying passengers on board the Ship of State their constitutional freedoms?
According to the Concerned Citizens against the Patriot Act, there is a terrifying difference between the Constitution and the Patriot Act. This can be seen in a comparison of the two documents using key amendments in the Bill of Rights and how the Patriot Act basically guts them. Let’s look at Amendments I, IV, and VI and compare them with the manner in which the Patriot Act addresses them:
US Constitution
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
US Patriot Act
Freedom of association: To assist terror investigations, the government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity.
US Constitution
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech…
US Patriot Act
Freedom of speech: The government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.
US Constitution
Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
US Patriot Act
Freedom from unreasonable searches: The government may search and seize Americans’ papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.
US Constitution
Amendment VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
US Patriot Act
Right to a speedy and public trial: The government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.
US Constitution
Amendment VI: … to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
US Patriot Act
Right to legal representation: The government may monitor conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.
US Constitution
Amendment VI: … to be confronted with the witnesses against him…
US Patriot Act
Right to liberty: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. US citizens (labeled: “unlawful combatants”) have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys. (Cornell Law School and the Associated Press)
Therefore, as viewed in this comparison of the US Constitution (Bill of Rights) and the US Patriot Act, passengers on the Ship of State have permitted the past and present commanders, in the name of safety from terrorism, to deny them some of their constitutional freedoms. But, worst of all, only a very small percentage of the board of directors of the Ship of State, the Congress, actually read the Patriot Act before they approved it, which is seemingly the current pattern of approving documents that affect the Ship of State. Unfortunately, Benjamin Franklin, one of the great builders of the Ship of State, hit the “nail on the head” when he said: “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Unfortunately, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 might just be worst for the civil liberties of Americans than the Patriot Act. The National Defense Authorization Act’s purpose is to act as a budget for the Department of Defense. Needless to say, it had the support of the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, like too many bills that become laws on America’s Ship of State, it had some rider provisions that should be considered dangerous to all Americans. According to Wikipedia,
The most controversial provisions to receive wide attention were contained in Title X, Subtitle D, entitled “Counter-Terrorism.” In particular, sub-sections 1021 and 1022, which deal with detention of persons the government suspects of involvement in terrorism. The controversy was to their legal meaning and potential implications for abuse of Presidential authority. Although the White House and Senate sponsors maintain that the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) already grants presidential authority for indefinite detention, the Act states that Congress “affirms” this authority and makes specific provisions as to the exercise of that authority. The detention provisions of the Act have received critical attention by, among others, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, and some media sources which are concerned about the scope of the President’s authority, including contentions that those whom they claim may be held indefinitely could include U.S. citizens arrested on American soil, including arrests by members of the Armed Forces. The detention powers currently face legal challenge.
But, unfortunately, Commander Obama signed the NDAA into law on January 2, 2013, even though the “indefinite military detention” provision was left in it. In his Signing Statement, he explained: “I have signed the Act chiefly because it authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, crucial services for service members and their families, and vital national security programs that must be renewed … I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists.” (2)
However, considering the categorizing of Christians, veterans, and Tea Party members as potential terrorists by Commander Obama’s Homeland Security force, it would be extremely dangerous to these American citizens, and any other American citizens, since the “indefinite detention” and “military custody” provisions were kept in the NDAA of 2013. Ultimately, it is scary to think that the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President were all in bed with this treasonous attack on the constitutional civil liberties of all American citizens. Of course, it appears that the courts jumped into bed with them, since they did not overturn sub-sections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA, which could be another tactic that could be possibly used by Commander Obama to silence anti-government speech and press in America and on the Ship of State.
Cabin 4 contains an example of what Commander Obama could use to ensure that the national debt increases to the point that the Ship of State must remain in dry dock forever. This budget-busting economic albatross enacted by Congress and enforced by the hierarchy of leaders that support Commander Obama is a taxpayer-funded healthcare program. The superficial purpose of this affordable healthcare program is to insure that all passengers of the Ship of State have healthcare coverage. However, it is just possible that, like so many government programs, this program will never have enough revenue to keep it operational. As a result, Commander Obama must ensure that all passengers aboard the Ship of State continue to pay even more taxes to support it. Also, since over 700 billion dollars have been removed from the Medicare budget to help finance this so-called free ride for those passengers who do not currently have any healthcare coverage, the senior citizen passengers would receive less coverage at the time in their life that they will need even more coverage.
But, is it possible that Commander Obama’s healthcare program is just a ploy to insure that he would always have enough political support from those that he helped get health insurance to keep his commandership? Of course, regardless of Commander Obama’s reason for getting into the healthcare side of America’s Ship of State, when it gets out of dry dock, it would bankrupt America’s Ship of State, which would cause the hull to crack from bow to stern. Then, America’s Ship of State would possibly sink even faster than ancient Rome’s Ship of State. However, most likely, the Ship of State would not completely sink. Instead, it would be continually controlled by the political pirates in Washington, D. C. who intend on making all passengers hostage to their every demand. Then, the commander of the Ship of State and his political party cohorts would finally achieve the clandestine agenda of their political party, which is to create a socialist state, which has been in the developmental stage since the end of World War II.
Cabin 5 contains an example of what Commander Obama could use to ensure that politicians who are elected to office are socialists in their ideology. This would greatly benefit the far-left Democratic Party, since its agenda is a socialist agenda at heart. But, where did so many people in Congress get their training in socialism? They got their training from America’s public school system. According to Devvy Kidd in her September 21, 2012 NewsWithViews article entitled “What Do You Expect When Socialists Are Allowed to Serve in Congress,” public schools have been indoctrinating American school children to the positivism of socialism in the United States for more than 40 years.
Some of the Communist/Socialist goals that Kidd listed that have been rather successful are:
Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
Gain control of all student newspapers.
Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the “common man.”
Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the “big picture.”
Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.
Ultimately, based on these goals of Communism and Socialism, everything has been taught in public schools, except the truth about these two diabolical forms of government. Of course, as a result, many public school students know very little about America’s Constitutional Republic and how it is supposed to operate. Therefore, as stated by Kidd, “children for almost two decades have been subjected to carefully crafted propaganda in text books offering up subtle suggestions meant to lead the student into embracing becoming a ‘global citizen.’ Not a sovereign citizen with love for America.” This is the reason that American students have accepted Socialism as the norm.
This is the same reason that America’s leaders have accepted the lie of Socialism, too. As Kidd also stated, “Those good little global citizens had their minds washed in the dumbing down institutions of lower learning for at least a decade. Those students are now teachers, they serve in Congress, the state houses and on school boards. They are professors at ‘institutions of higher learning,’ filling the minds of young Americans with the communitarian doctrine (communist morality).”
Therefore, most of America’s current leaders who attended public schools were indoctrinated to the ways of Socialism. As a result, Commander Obama and the Democratic Party have a large bank of socialist candidates to help get elected to Congress and other federal and state positions. Of course, if too many socialist candidates get elected to Congress and other public offices, it would make it easier for Commander Obama to dismantle the current Ship of State, that is, if it does not sink first, and build a new, supposedly more improved socialist version. In doing so, the passengers on a new Ship of State would become hostages and become subservient to a Commander who could rule for possibly more years than allotted by the Twenty-second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, if the contents of Cabins 1-5 on the Ship of State were released by Commander Obama onto its deck all at one time, it would become a frightening horror story for all passengers, regardless of their political party. Unfortunately, though, it might possibly take decades or centuries to escape the frightening effects of this political horror story that is ongoing in America today.
© 2013 Dr. Carl Parnell – All Rights Reserved
For all of Dr. Parnell’s articles go here http://www.newswithviews.com/Parnell/carlA.htm
Carl Parnell retired from public school teaching in 1999. He taught history and other social science courses for over forty years. He taught middle school, high school, and college level. Carl was a Lead Teacher and Principal of the On-Campus School at Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in central Georgia. Presently, he’s teaching at a private, Christian high school.
Carl served in the United States Army from 1968-1971. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserves from 1983-1986, was chosen Teacher of the Year in 1991. Carl was included in the 1993, 1994 and 2007 editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He was selected Star Teacher at hes present school in 2007 and published his first book, “From Schoolhouse to Courthouse: Exposing America’s New Terror from Within” (ISBN: 1-58736-613-4) in July 2006.
Carl has completed his second book, which is in an eBook format, entitled “A Brewing Pot of Christian Persecution: America’s Postmodern Anti-Christian Crusade.” My eBook, as well as over 60 of my articles, can be viewed atFaithWriters. Com
Website: drcarlsterlingparnell.wiki.zoho.com
E-Mail: drcarlparnell@faithwriters.net
Posted by OldDog 
A NATION BEGUILED 