Drive: an urgent, basic, or instinctual need ; a motivating physiological condition. Most of us have it in many areas of our lives. Many of us wish we had more of it. An abundance of it is what identifies those we say have a "Type A" personality.
I have a friend who has more of it than I think I have ever seen in any of my acquaintances. He is constantly involved in so many diverse efforts that one would wonder at the source of his energy! To be honest, he has made me wonder what happened to that drive that I had when I was a soldier and, later, a manager. Much of my obsessive-compulsive drive seems to have vanished in many areas of my life. Is it something we lose as we age, or is it something that must be ignited in us by ideas, idealism, and recognized need?
There was a time when our nation was filled with drive. It created businesses, industry, wealth, opportunity, and made our nation a lighthouse to all, leading the world. Our inherent drive was part of what our Founders believed gave us God given rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Now there is a creeping malaise that is infecting our nation at so many levels that our once great nation is withering before our eyes. It is killing drive in individuals, groups, businesses, communities, states, and our governments. It is fed by sloth, greed, corruption, and an opposing drive others have to control our lives down to our very thoughts, actions, employments, and loyalties. It is helped along by the many distractions in our lives. It is fed by philosophies pushed on us that we "deserve" or are "owed" things without any effort on our part. Can anything kill personal drive and determination more than hearing that what you do makes no difference? Does it really make sense that you (or others) are owed or entitled to what you want or need for your daily life. This is the tripe that is driving our welfare system! It is what is killing businesses and individual achievement. It is what our government is pushing on almost half of our population, while it guts the incomes and savings of those in the other half of our country who still exhibit drive in their daily lives.
We need to sit back and reassess what is important. My friend made that very clear to me last night. He impressed upon me that I must expend significant effort if I want to still achieve anything in my life and see the rewards that sustained effort would produce. I know I need to find the drive that once sustained my daily life. Our nation needs to again find the drive that made us great. If we don't find our drive and determination again, we are doomed to mediocrity and an increasingly rapid spiral into darkness.
Stand strong, Patriots! No Compromise, No Surrender!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Signs that a Government is Becoming Dangerous
Over the past few days we have seen reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, responsible for regulating food and nutrition, is in the process of procuring .40 caliber machine guns and body armor. Their mission is stated as follows:
It beats the heck out of me where the use of machine guns and body armor fits into this mission statement!
We are seeing an increasing trend where nearly every "regulatory" element of our government is trying to develop its own law enforcement element, armed with the finest military assault equipment our military-industrial complex has developed. We are also seeing the Federal government actively encouraging and "bribing" state and local law enforcement with similar equipment. Even our small town police departments are becoming "infected" with militarization. Unfortunately, with that militarization comes the more frequent use of those military capabilities in responding to a situation that once was answered by a uniformed officer knocking at the door. Now that knock is the battering ram of a fully armed and equipped SWAT type team who swarms the home, increasing the chance that an innocent will be harmed rather than protected.
Our government, once touted to be of, by and for The People, is growing into an ominous entity that demands compliance with force, rather than gaining the trust of The People through its actions and, as an outcome, their willing cooperation. The government, granted power by The People, is too often ignoring those same people in an effort to grow and control ever more, all on the backs of those paying the taxes allowing it to run. This is a dangerous trend that a responsible People should halt. Standing by and ignoring government abuses, whether financial or the adoption of military capabilities more appropriate for the battlefield than U.S. city streets, will only lead to a situation where innocent lives will be placed in danger from those too willing to do what they, not The People, see as fit.
Stand strong, Patriots! No Compromise, No Surrender!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Are you "Prepared"?
Every day, it seems, we see new reports of tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, drought, terror attacks, and other events that cause harm to untold numbers of people. We also see more reports daily of financial situations, such as National Debt and borrowing, that have the potential to send our society spinning into a massive crash when the "overload" gets to be too much.
Given these situations, it is more than reasonable for Americans to make at least simple preparations to keep their families safe should one of these events happen where they are. Even FEMA and the Red Cross have recommendations for minimal supplies to have on hand should a disaster strike. Given that nugget of information, it appears "Preppers" may not be as "crazy" as some would have us believe.
My followers on Twitter have probably noted my own interest in "prepping". I've put together, with the help of some friends, a new blog site with preparation related information. It will have information that may help in a crisis. I hope you find it helpful! Please visit http://patriotprepper.xenxnex.com/ for a look under "New Titles"!
Stand strong, Patriots and Preppers! No Compromise, No Surrender!
Given these situations, it is more than reasonable for Americans to make at least simple preparations to keep their families safe should one of these events happen where they are. Even FEMA and the Red Cross have recommendations for minimal supplies to have on hand should a disaster strike. Given that nugget of information, it appears "Preppers" may not be as "crazy" as some would have us believe.
My followers on Twitter have probably noted my own interest in "prepping". I've put together, with the help of some friends, a new blog site with preparation related information. It will have information that may help in a crisis. I hope you find it helpful! Please visit http://patriotprepper.xenxnex.com/ for a look under "New Titles"!
Stand strong, Patriots and Preppers! No Compromise, No Surrender!
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
The Federal Government's "Except When" Clause
The United States Constitution is an amazing document. It is claimed to be the "supreme law" of the United States of America, though, as you will see later in my post, I question that, as it seems the Government does not follow it unless it is convenient to do so.
The Constitution, as originally written, consisted of seven Articles. The first three Articles outline the "separation of powers", whereby the federal government is divided into three branches: the Legislature, consisting of the two houses (House and Senate) of Congress; the Executive, consisting of the President (and all of his minions); and the Judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The fourth and sixth Articles frame the doctrine of "Federalism", describing the relationship between State and State, and between the several States and the federal government. The fifth Article provides the procedure for amending the Constitution. The seventh Article provides the procedure for ratifying the Constitution.
Our U.S. Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in eleven States. It went into effect on March 4, 1789.
Since it's adoption, it has been amended twenty-seven times. The first ten amendments (along with two others that were not ratified at the time) were proposed by Congress on September 25, 1789, and were ratified by the necessary three-fourths of the States on December 15, 1791. These first ten amendments are known as the "Bill of Rights".
The Constitution is interpreted, supplemented, and implemented by a large body of constitutional law. The Constitution of the United States was the first constitution of its kind, and has influenced the constitutions of other nations.
Interestingly, after the Founders wrote and The People ratified the Constitution, the Government, with the help of the politicians in Congress, has eaten away at the Constitution with what is in effect an "Except When" clause. Now I know many of you are scratching your head asking "What is the except when clause?" The Federal Government, and even our Congress, obviously uses this clause whenever they don't like what the Constitution says. For example, the First Amendment states "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." Now, here is where the "Except When" clause come in. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (except when you operate a business, or when you buy health insurance, etc.); or abridging the freedom of speech (except when some group doesn't like what you are saying), or of the press (except when the press reports facts, incidents or information the Government doesn't want disclosed); or the right of the people peaceably to assemble (except when you will have to have a permit approved by the Government, first), and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (except when the government determines you have no legitimate grievance). This "Except When" clause has been used rampantly lately to undermine the very fabric of the Constitution.
The American People need to put their foot down firmly and in no uncertain terms tell Government that the only way to amend the provisions of the Constitution is through the methods specified in the Constitution. No law passed by Congress can modify the terms of the Constitution with "Except When" provisions, such as you have the right to keep and bear arms except when they have a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. The Government cannot modify the Constitution with "Except When" conditions such as you have right to be secure in your persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures unless a warrant has been issued based on probable cause except when we want the NSA to monitor ALL communications for possible criminal or terrorist activity. The People must demand that our Government operate within the boundaries of the Constitution....and there is no "Except When" unless it is specifically written in the Constitution in its original provisions or contained in amendments properly ratified by The People.
Stand strong, Patriots! No Compromise, No Surrender!
The Constitution, as originally written, consisted of seven Articles. The first three Articles outline the "separation of powers", whereby the federal government is divided into three branches: the Legislature, consisting of the two houses (House and Senate) of Congress; the Executive, consisting of the President (and all of his minions); and the Judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The fourth and sixth Articles frame the doctrine of "Federalism", describing the relationship between State and State, and between the several States and the federal government. The fifth Article provides the procedure for amending the Constitution. The seventh Article provides the procedure for ratifying the Constitution.
Our U.S. Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in eleven States. It went into effect on March 4, 1789.
Since it's adoption, it has been amended twenty-seven times. The first ten amendments (along with two others that were not ratified at the time) were proposed by Congress on September 25, 1789, and were ratified by the necessary three-fourths of the States on December 15, 1791. These first ten amendments are known as the "Bill of Rights".
The Constitution is interpreted, supplemented, and implemented by a large body of constitutional law. The Constitution of the United States was the first constitution of its kind, and has influenced the constitutions of other nations.
Interestingly, after the Founders wrote and The People ratified the Constitution, the Government, with the help of the politicians in Congress, has eaten away at the Constitution with what is in effect an "Except When" clause. Now I know many of you are scratching your head asking "What is the except when clause?" The Federal Government, and even our Congress, obviously uses this clause whenever they don't like what the Constitution says. For example, the First Amendment states "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." Now, here is where the "Except When" clause come in. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (except when you operate a business, or when you buy health insurance, etc.); or abridging the freedom of speech (except when some group doesn't like what you are saying), or of the press (except when the press reports facts, incidents or information the Government doesn't want disclosed); or the right of the people peaceably to assemble (except when you will have to have a permit approved by the Government, first), and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (except when the government determines you have no legitimate grievance). This "Except When" clause has been used rampantly lately to undermine the very fabric of the Constitution.
The American People need to put their foot down firmly and in no uncertain terms tell Government that the only way to amend the provisions of the Constitution is through the methods specified in the Constitution. No law passed by Congress can modify the terms of the Constitution with "Except When" provisions, such as you have the right to keep and bear arms except when they have a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. The Government cannot modify the Constitution with "Except When" conditions such as you have right to be secure in your persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures unless a warrant has been issued based on probable cause except when we want the NSA to monitor ALL communications for possible criminal or terrorist activity. The People must demand that our Government operate within the boundaries of the Constitution....and there is no "Except When" unless it is specifically written in the Constitution in its original provisions or contained in amendments properly ratified by The People.
Stand strong, Patriots! No Compromise, No Surrender!
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.
- See more at:
http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.teFiAli6.dpuf
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.
- See more at:
http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.teFiAli6.dpuf
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.
- See more at:
http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.teFiAli6.dpuf
Monday, February 3, 2014
Lazy Citizenship is Destroying America
Too often in today's America, citizenship is taken for granted and our country is on "cruise control". A majority of Americans have acquiesced to letting someone else exercise their God-given rights for them while they do what is easiest. This approach has brought us a Congress, Presidency, and even a Judiciary that not only no longer honor and uphold the Constitution as written and intended by our Founders, but also has brought us a Government that flaunts in our faces its "I'm not answerable to you!" attitude in its daily operations and abuses. It seems the majority of citizens agree with this, because they will not get off their fat posteriors and grab Government by the neck to shake it back into compliance.
Freedom was paid for in blood by our forefathers. Some still fight for that freedom, but it is woefully few. Less than one percent of our population at one time serves in the Armed Forces of the United States. These valiant men and women still know what it is to be the Minutemen of Liberty. They sign a check to this nation for a price of "My life on demand" so that the rest of the 300 plus million citizens can sit back and enjoy the vanishing freedom our service members' blood has bought. Our oh so grateful nation has, in turn, allowed that precious freedom be squandered as Government has daily become more oppressive, taken and abused our rights, ignored the Constitution and duly passed laws, and spent our hard earned money like it came from a bottomless pit.
The path charted by this Government off the leash of a watchful citizenry has brought us to the brink of economic destruction. Indeed, we have been taken so far into debt that our currency is nothing more than a promise of the citizens' slavery to Government excess. Your childrens' childrens' children are now responsible for a debt run up by a Government that sees no harm in raising the National Debt every chance it gets. There has been no sincere effort to pay off the National Debt in nearly seventy-five or more years. Our currency is no longer based on a Government holding of precious metals in a vault at Fort Knox. That gold is gone. There is no basis for repayment of the amount listed on printed Government currency other than the future productivity of its citizenry as represented by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That means each dollar bill is an I owe you for the labor of a citizen. Even more unfortunately, the number and percentage of able American citizens that work is shrinking daily. Half of America is on the Government dole, all backed by a debt of promise of the labor of that citizenry. Until those citizens wake up and recognize that THEY, not the Government, are in charge, the chains of slavery grow tighter on our necks each hour.
America, your wake up alarm is sounding. If a majority of responsible citizens do not stand up and in a united voice tell our Government "STOP!", we are doomed to be slaves to a corrupt few we have mistakenly voted to represent us. Citizenship is a personal responsibility, just as your rights are God-given (not Government granted) individual rights. Exercise and use your power and rights or you will most certainly lose them completely. We cannot afford to wait until tomorrow to do something.
Stand strong, Patriots! No Compromise, No Surrender!
Freedom was paid for in blood by our forefathers. Some still fight for that freedom, but it is woefully few. Less than one percent of our population at one time serves in the Armed Forces of the United States. These valiant men and women still know what it is to be the Minutemen of Liberty. They sign a check to this nation for a price of "My life on demand" so that the rest of the 300 plus million citizens can sit back and enjoy the vanishing freedom our service members' blood has bought. Our oh so grateful nation has, in turn, allowed that precious freedom be squandered as Government has daily become more oppressive, taken and abused our rights, ignored the Constitution and duly passed laws, and spent our hard earned money like it came from a bottomless pit.
The path charted by this Government off the leash of a watchful citizenry has brought us to the brink of economic destruction. Indeed, we have been taken so far into debt that our currency is nothing more than a promise of the citizens' slavery to Government excess. Your childrens' childrens' children are now responsible for a debt run up by a Government that sees no harm in raising the National Debt every chance it gets. There has been no sincere effort to pay off the National Debt in nearly seventy-five or more years. Our currency is no longer based on a Government holding of precious metals in a vault at Fort Knox. That gold is gone. There is no basis for repayment of the amount listed on printed Government currency other than the future productivity of its citizenry as represented by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That means each dollar bill is an I owe you for the labor of a citizen. Even more unfortunately, the number and percentage of able American citizens that work is shrinking daily. Half of America is on the Government dole, all backed by a debt of promise of the labor of that citizenry. Until those citizens wake up and recognize that THEY, not the Government, are in charge, the chains of slavery grow tighter on our necks each hour.
America, your wake up alarm is sounding. If a majority of responsible citizens do not stand up and in a united voice tell our Government "STOP!", we are doomed to be slaves to a corrupt few we have mistakenly voted to represent us. Citizenship is a personal responsibility, just as your rights are God-given (not Government granted) individual rights. Exercise and use your power and rights or you will most certainly lose them completely. We cannot afford to wait until tomorrow to do something.
Stand strong, Patriots! No Compromise, No Surrender!
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