Abrupt Actions

The current economic crisis on Wall Street has lead members of both the House of Representatives and United States Senate to conclave in order to provide a means of bailing out the U.S. Financial Market. Urged on by our President, George W. Bush, the Senate and House have worked diligently for a matter of days to help resolve the current economic woes. Yet many members of both houses are reluctant today to voice support for the bail out plan reached on Sunday evening. While the proposal for a  bail out plan is rarely opposed by members of Congress, they have rejected the hasty decision to pass such a bill without giving it time. One of the benefits of our Federal Government is that it is divided into three branches, with the legislative divided into two houses.

The original plan for the legislative houses was to have on directly elected by the people of the various states and the other to be appointed by the legislatures of the various states. Under our current system, amended by the 17thAmendment, we have both houses elected by the people of the various states. One might ask, is this not a good thing? Does this not make us more democratic? Surely we must see that this was not the aim of the Framers of the Constitution. They did not desire a quickly responsive national, federal, government. Rather, the Framers intended to create a government that was slow to act so as to remove the passions which have been the downfall of the greatest of democracies. The Framers erected a system which would place passion against reason in the form of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The House, the only directly elected branch of government according to the original Constitution, was meant to be the avenue for which the people could appeal. Stability was sacrificed in order to give the people representation in the Federal government. Meanwhile, the Senate was devisedin order to bring stability and rational thought to the national Legislature. Their hope was that the House would pass a bill and that the Senate would be able to determine with more reason if a law was necessary and proper. In Federalist 62 Publius says, “The propriety of these distinctions is explained by the nature of the senatorial trust; which requiring greater extent of information and stability of character, requires at the same time that the senator should have reached a period of life most likely to supply these advantages…” The Senate, unlike the House, was looked upon to act as the older tutor for the young, often naive, pupil.

By acting hastily to pass a bill which many in both houses are finding hard to support, the national legislature is doing what the Founders hoped they were protecting against. By having Senators appointed by the States, rather than elected by the People, the Framers established the natural competition which occurs between the interests of the People and their Government. Finally, not only does this bill create a $700 Billion bail out, it also extends their power. Section 104 of the current bill before Congress creates a Financial Stability Oversight Board, which is created for oversight of the proposed bill. This is just one new agency that the proposed bill intends to create and allows the United States government more control over the economy than was ever intended. Our economy, while stumbling, is not in recession nor is it about to fail. Our national legislature should take the time to review this bill in a way which will make sense to protect the contracts of the people of the United States. We do not need to act in a manner which could potentially destroy the liberty of companies and the people to freely contract. If we let the market work itself out, then we will find that government intervention is not necessary.

Published in: on September 29, 2008 at 12:54  Leave a Comment  
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Worshiping the Trashy Life

One of the hottest topics in the political world every election is how to rectify low income citizens who are stuck working minimum wage jobs, are single parents, and lack the education to get a better job. Let’s examine the root of the modern problem and then try to find a solution.

At the beginning of the 20th century government began more involved in the creation of the projects; to help low income individuals (typically black & Hispanics) by providing them with a home. These projects were never meant to be long term housing, rather, they were meant to provide short term shelter while individuals got their life in order. Throughout the 20th century, and now in the 21st, the low income individuals have become what is known as the underclass. The underclass is made up of a lifestyle which is abhorrent to anyone outside. Crime is rampant in this class of citizens; in many circumstances they believe they have a right to be criminals and to the criminal lifestyle. The Projects have also been a source of a consistent single parent homes for generations. The government successfully created an environment where the problems of one generation have carried on for multiple generations. What are these people to think when they see a trashy lifestyle day in and day out except to follow in it?

At some point in hollywood’s history, someone decided to do away with the John Wayne’s and Carey Grants and replace them with people like Paris Hilton. The result has been a degradation of the population at large. Themes like violence and sex have dominated the silver screen in recent years, propagating the thug lifestyle, which began in America’s most notorious prisons,  as the right way to live. Millions of Americans have gone to the movies to see such things as There Will Be Blood, Blow, Death Race, The House Bunny, Pineapple Express, Fight Club, American Beauty, and many others, whose primary aim, I suppose, is to promote nothing but violence, sex, and drug abuse. Then you have television, who has done little better putting out shows like, Sex In the City, Lipstick Jungle, Gossip Girl, and Dirty, Sexy Money. What are viewers of these movies and shows to assume except that such lifestyles are not only good but desirable.

Finally, we come to music where we have supposed musicians promoting themes like, “Fuck the Police” and “The Thug Life.” How are these themes good for teens to be listening to? What value do musicians like The Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani , Lil Jon, Marilyn Manson and Jay-Z bring to the music world that it is necessary to allow them access to young teens? The music industry for years now has allowed music which should be banned by all societies to flourish.

Our lives are inundated with the promotion of a lifestyle which is contrary to all that is good and decent in the world. The United States government has found it necessary to continue to promote a life of laziness and irresponsibility by allowing for the sale of contraception to minors, the mass production of pornography, the continuance of well fare and affirmative action, and the practice of abortion. We have allowed our children, of all races, to believe that they can get by with doing absolutely nothing because the government will protect them. Why take responsibility for your own actions when you can have it destroyed through abortion? When you’ve made the wrong decisions throughout your life, blame the government for not giving you a job, providing you with funds to go to college, or oppressing you in general. In America we have the remarkable ability to decide our own lives and destinies, and yet people today are only interested in getting the free lunch that they never earned.

In Plato’s Republic, Socrates proposes the banning of certain books which promote a harmful view of the gods. William Blackstone, in his Commentaries on the English law, states, “In this, and the other instances which we have lately considered, where blasphemous, immoral, treasonable, schismatical, seditious, or scandalous libels are punished by the English law, some with a greater, others with a less degree of severity; the liberty of the press, properly understood, is by no means infringed or violated.” To first remedy the problem we face today in America, we must censor those movies, television shows, and songs which are contrary to the morality of a good and decent people.

We must also stop promoting promiscuous sex by teaching children a mixture of abstinence first, safe sex second. Our present system has seen a rise in unwed mothers, and abortion of children conceived by the irresponsible. People must be held accountable for their actions and their choices instead of being given ways out like irresponsible children being given a cookie instead of a spanking.

Our Democratic Nominee for President of the United States, Barack Obama, has voiced an opposing view and wants to continue to promote and expand abortion. He thinks that the reason why blacks and Hispanics make less money than their white and Asian counterparts is because of racism. No Mr. Obama, the reason blacks and Hispanics make less is because they are raised to strive for mediocrity. Instead of promoting a belief that the government is responsible for their lives, and that they should have a right to better jobs because they are unwilling to do what it takes to earn those jobs, we ought to promote them to do what it takes to better themselves. What happened to George Washington Carver’s belief that in order to achieve full equality, blacks must first achieve economic equality? Many individuals of the black and Hispanic communities have been able to achieve greater status than their brethren by throwing off the yoke and strive to be better. A better life is not something that can just be given, instead we must dismantle the system that has been established which has impeded the advancement of those born at a social disadvantage. We must undo Affirmative Action, Well Fare, and Housing Projects if we ever hope to see our fellow citizens achieve a better life. The government cannot, and should not, be held responsible for how a citizen chooses to live their life.

Published in: on September 19, 2008 at 14:44  Comments (2)  
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On Representative Leadership

Edmund Burke, an Irish member of the English Parliament and one of the few who argued that the American Colonies were justified in their rebellion, once said, “A representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion.” Or so says the movie/musical 1776 based on the events surrounding the Second Continental Congress. Whether or not this is an accurate quote or not doesn’t seem to matter as much as whether it is correct. It would appear that in today’s world that the quote doesn’t hold true. In a Democracy the people are suppose to rule, and thus the majority faction will always have sway. On Sunday, September 9th Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Joe Biden appeared on Meet the Press and was asked, as was Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when he thought life began. To clarify a few things, Speaker Pelosi had appeared on the show a few weeks ago and responded that the Catholic Church has never been certain as to when life began (the Catholic Church has always taught life begins at conception.) This drew the ire of Catholics all over the country and a response from the Arch Bishop of Denver during the Democratic National Convention. Biden, a Catholic, was likewise asked and responded that life begins at conception, however, he could not force his morality on others.

It is this argument that contradicts the supposed quote from Edmund Burke concerning the obligation a Representative of the people owes to the people. Biden believes, as do many Senators and Representatives do, that they are obligated to refrain from forcing their morality on the people. Yet, the point of the American regime is that we have representatives. We are, at the least, a Representative Democracy and at the most a Republic. It is the duty of the representatives to represent the people and as such be their voice and advocate on state and federal levels. Consider what Federalist 53 states, “No man can be a competent legislator who does not add to an upright intention and a sound judgement a certain degree of knowledge of the subjects on which he is to legislate.” Clearly the Founding generation believed that men would be elected to office who were capable of making legislative decisions. This ability is what allows that individual the right to be a legislator rather than depending on the people to vote on every issue. If the people were expected to vote on every issue, or to have their personal opinions on the matter injected into the debate , then there would be no need for a representative legislator.

According to Publius, the government representatives were to be proportioned to roughly 20,000 citizens in hopes that the people would be able to know their representative and the representative know his people. Like the understanding of trail by jury, the jury was suppose to know of the person who is accused of a crime so that they would know the quality of the accused. The people were expected to vote according to the person, not the issues, in hopes that the person chosen to represent them would be capable of making the decisions. A leader must be able to have the confidence to assert his opinion on a matter on behalf of the people. The leader owes his followers his right judgement. Federalist 55 states, “As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust, so there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence . Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.” In our government, the people are expected to place their trust in a single person who then speaks with one voice for all of them.

Senator Biden’s assumption that a representative cannot enforce his morality on those he represents goes against what was expected of representatives in the Founding. Representative leadership presupposes that the people are unable to represent themselves. The character of a Representative should be such that it is beyond reproach. Once again Publius argues, “It is a sound and important principle that the representative ought to be acquainted with the interests and circumstances of his constituents.”(Federalist 56.) Likewise, the people ought to elect a representative who shares those interests and circumstances as his constituents. Therefore, the representative is never forcing his opinion on anyone, but rather upholding the opinions and beliefs of the people. The representative must be able to decipher between the will of the people and the passion of the people. We elect representatives so that only the most well regarded opinions become law, not simply the passions of the people.

Our leaders owe it us to adhere to their conscience when making decisions in Congress, the Oval Office, the Court room, or the battlefield. While they ought to understand and know our interests and circumstances, they owe it to us to use their best judgment in making decisions. Therefore, if Biden was truly doing his job and was justly elected by his constituents then he would not be forcing his morality on the people because they ought to share in his morality and he in theirs. A President, Congressman, or Senator does not have time to go back and check with their constituents on what actions should be taken. They are put into their office to make the decisions the average person cannot. When Senator Obama was in the Illinois State Senate and in 140 votes was only able to know he was present, he failed his constituents who expected that he would be able to say yes or no to the bills presented to him. The people will let their representative know if they made a wrong decision by not electing them to another term. It is unfathomable that Senator Biden would say it is not the place of a Representative to use his best judgment in representing his constituents. As the voters, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard in electing officials so that only those most fit and able hold representative office.

Published in: on September 7, 2008 at 23:50  Comments (3)  
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Sovereignty by Donation: John Locke’s First Treatise of Government

Quotes taken from the New American Bible
and
Locke’s Two Treatises of Government edited by Peter Laslett

In the previous chapter John Locke discussed Sir Robert Filmer’s assertion that Adam had sovereignty over his children by creation. This next chapter, Locke discusses Filmer’s assertion that Adam had sovereignty by donation from God. There are by two methods Locke discerns from Filmer that Adam would have sovereignty: God gave Adam dominion over all the wild beasts and thereby was monarch, or that he had dominion over all creatures. Locke asserts that God did not give Adam authority over man, or his children and that he did not give him sole dominion over the beasts.

John Locke first examines the claim that Adam had sovereignty by having sole dominion over all living things. The Book of Genesis indicates in the first two chapters the order in which living things were created. On the 6th day God created what can amount to domesticated animals, and He created the wild beasts and reptiles. It is after the creation of the beasts and reptiles, and before the creation of Man, that God says, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Locke draws specific attention to God’s usage of the word “them” when speaking of man. In normal linguistics this can be noted to say that God was speaking of the plural, and at this point in time the word “man” could be used in reference to either a single person of the male gender or all humans. Thus Locke argues, God gave all man guardianship over the cattle, animals who crawl on the ground, and the wild beasts. Locke also wishes to draw specific attention to note that at verse 28 God does not say to subdue cattle, but rather only those living things that move on the ground. From this Locke points that the Septuagint distinguishes that the living things that move on the ground can be divided into wild beasts and reptiles. Two verses before at 26, Locke points out that God states to create man to rule over creation, in the list provided by Moses of the things man is to have rule over wild beasts are left off.

A certain interesting distinction can be pointed to here, at one point man is given control over the natural and at another only over the political. Wild beasts are the distinction between the natural and political, as according to Aristotle man is either a beast or a god outside of the city. However, the most important aspect to God’s list of what man, or in Filmer’s point of view Adam, is to have dominion over God leaves off man both times. It is clear from this that God intended for man to share in his dominion and rule over the natural life, and is to subdue nature. Of the power granted to man initially, man is not granted the authority to kill. This does not come until Noah and his Sons receive their edict from God to replenish the Earth and eat of animals. The proclamation made to Noah and his Sons can more properly described as a political edict, because at this point man is given authority to kill–something that was left off from the initial proclamation.

Yet still, man does not receive the authority to rule over each other. In Locke’s opinion, if the reader is unable to see that Adam is not sovereign over the world, then they should see it when that same charter is claimed to be given to Noah. Noah does not have children after the flood, only his children do. When God gives His proclamation to Noah, his sons are present as well and receive the same proclamation. That being said, all men are equal after the flood with the same authority. Within this state outside of society, all men are granted dominion over the earth to subdue nature. No one man has authority over another, as Locke points that David in the 8th Psalm does not acknowledge that God granted Adam sovereign authority. By nature we are all equal in our authority.

Likewise, Eve is given the same dominion as Adam because God speaks of man in the plural sense at verse 28. At this point there were only two creatures who fell under the definition of man: Adam and Eve. Clearly, if God spoke in the plural and there were only two humans then both would have be granted the same dominion, not just the one. Eve, as man, has been created similar to Adam, “The man said, ’This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…’” (Genesis 2:23.) Eve is an identical copy of Adam, she is fully man just as Adam is fully man. As such, Eve too is created in the Image of God and Locke states, “For wherein sover else the Image of God consisted, the intellectual Nature was certainly a part of it, and belong’d to the whole Species, and enabled them to have Dominion over the inferiour Creatures…” And therefore Adam lacks dominion over all living things, and only over those of the sea, and air and over cattle, wild beasts and reptiles.

Locke has asserted for the first time in a clear and percise manner that all men are created equal and that there is no natural government; man must consent to being ruled and is not naturally born into the precondition of being ruled. Man is not given the authority to take life until after the Flood, when God grants Noah and his children the authority to eat meat and to take the life of one who sheds the blood of man. The idea that man must consent to being governed is shown through England’s Manors. The Lord of the manor only has authority over the natural things, not over his tendents. He can order the slaughter of a calf, but not over those men who inhabit his land. The Lord of a Manor only has the authority granted to him by those who consent to his rule, no more or less. This is a strict departure from Hobbes who grants the Magistrate any authority once one consents to his rule. The only time man is able to refuse the Magistrate is when that Magistrate attempts to take the life of a subject. Locke is specifically stating here that man is given the authority to rule over another man by consent only, and that consent to be ruled is limited to what has been agreed upon.

As such, Locke has now asserted a design for his State of Nature where there is no government except the individual and that all are granted common rule over the earth. He has also demonstrated that man is given command to subdue the earth, which will become the authority to perfect nature in his Second Treatise. All men are created into a world of equal freedom and authority, only when entering into society does man consent to relinguish some of that freedom and authority but never more than what has been agreed upon.

Published in: on September 5, 2008 at 17:15  Leave a Comment  
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Why Support John McCain?

Many of you have undoubtedly read my post “Why Not John McCain?”, which was my attempt to explain to my friends why I was not in support of John McCain’s bid for the Republican nomination for President. At that point I was against McCain’s nomination because I feel he is too liberal for my taste and pointed out the specific issues I felt we disagreed on. But as he won the Republican primary, I was among those front row as the then Presumptive Nominee for President of the United States made his acceptance speech. In the past few weeks I have been posting responses to speeches made by Michelle Obama and Joe Biden, and then by accusations that Governor Sarah Palin was unfit for the Vice Presidency. Yet I have never given full attention to why I feel John McCain is the most logical choice for President of the United States over Barack Obama.

Using On the Issues.org I will demonstrate why John McCain is the more worthy candidate for President this year. There are a handful of issues which are going to be important in the next four years, those are: Energy, Foreign Policy, Gay Rights, Abortion, Economy and Immigration. The most perennial of these issues has to be Abortion and so it will be dealt with first. John McCain is a pro life candidate, which is more than can be said for either Barack Obama or Joe Biden. McCain is against public funding for abortions, which will make it less cost efficient for abortion clinics to remain open having to depend on the money brought in by their customers. McCain recognizes that if Abortion clinics are not receiving public aide for their operation, the cost of operating will fall on the women who seek abortions. The rise in cost in Abortions will ultimately force many women to forgo having an abortion and of course will close free abortion clinics which cater to the lower income women and teens in general. Likewise, McCain supports the prosecution of Abortion doctors rather than the women who seek them out. A doctor who knows they will be prosecuted for performing an Abortion is less likely to do so than if they know they are permitted. Many will argue that as doctors refuse to perform Abortions many women will revert to back alley abortions. John McCain also supports adoption and foster care in order to help give women an alternative to abortion. McCain has shown this willingness to support adoption has he himself has an adopted daughter named Bridget, and adopted his first wife’s two sons Douglass and Andrew. McCain’s voting record demonstrates his support for Pro Life stances, including voting to continue the ban on abortions on Military bases, and making it a crime to harm a fetus when committing another crime.

The second issue, which has for sometime now been building to what will possibly be a national issue, Gay Rights, specifically Marriage. Senator McCain believes that the issue of homosexual marriage should be left up to the states, believing it to be unrepublican for the Federal government to decide. However, he has also voted against making sexual orientation a part of the hate crime definition. While he does not support a Federal definition of marriage as one man, one woman, he has shown support for California Proposition no. 8 which would do just that for the state of California. McCain is also in favor of maintaining the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy of the United States Armed Forces. For many Conservatives, though not this one, McCain’s stance on Gay Marriage is exactly what they wish: he is against it personally, but does not believe it is the Federal government’s place to deny it.

Since the beginning of the American Republic there have been two key issues that we have struggled with: Immigration and Foreign Policy. The two issues are interconnected and thus will be dealt with here together. Immigration today is largely focused on Hispanic immigration, primarily from Mexico. There is always a threat, whether laughable or not, that Mexican immigration could be a part of a larger ploy by Mexico to reclaim the lands lost during the Mexican-American War (Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona.) Recognizing this, and the need to ensure immigration is kept orderly, Senator McCain voted for a fence to be built along the Mexican-American border. In 2007, John McCain voted in favor of making the English language the official language of the United States Government, though this was primarily viewed as a ceremonial jester by Congress. He is in favor of a Guest Worker program and granting visas to skilled workers. He also has voted in favor of allowing limited health care to be provided to immigrants. In July of 2001, McCain came out in support of English immersion rather than bilingual education. Overall, McCain is in support of immigration reform. Border security, his primary concern in reforming immigration, is intrinsically connected to foreign policy. While the Mexican government is allied with the United States, drug dealers and rogue nations like Venezuela are always threats to our national security.

John McCain supports a healthy defense budget, including modernizing outdated military technology such as the C-130, B-2 and Seawolf. He also wants to raise the salary of the United States Armed Forces in order to help divert the need for a draft. McCain also finds it embarrassing that we have soldiers or former soldiers living on food stamps. He did not vote in favor of limiting time in Iraq for soldiers to 12 months. McCain also supports the closing of unnecessary bases, finding it ludicrous that we leave bases open simply for political reasons. In March of 2005 McCain sponsored a bill which banned torturing of terrorists in U.S. Custody. In February of 1999 he voted in favor of raising the military salary by 4.8%. John McCain is the most logical choice for President in a time when we are at war and potentially could be at war with Russia or Iran within the next four years. Obama lacks military or foreign policy experience, John McCain has both. We need a person in office with military knowledge, over the last 16 years we have had individuals in office without true military knowledge leading us in war. We cannot afford, with the prospect of a true declared war, to have an individual in the Oval Office that lacks knowledge of military and foreign affairs.

On the Economy, John McCain is very important for our country. In 2006 he voted to permanently repeal the death tax. Then in 2008 he voted to raise the exemption from 1 million to 5 million on the death tax. In 2000 he voted in favor of eliminating the marriage tax and in 2001 voted to reduce the marriage penalty. John McCain is also against unions, believing that they are monopolies and voted in favor of giving employers the power to interfere in unions. McCain is also an advocate of free trade, voting to extend free trade to Oman, Singapore, Chile, and the Andean Nations. McCain has also voted in favor of normal trade relations with China and Vietnam. Finally, McCain is for less government spending and voted in 1997 in favor of the Balanced Budget Amendment. He is in favor of using the veto to stop over spending by Congress and has voted against pork barrel bills and pork spending.

Finally, we are faced with a problem of energy in this nation as we have become more and more dependent on foreign oil suppliers to support our nation. As a result we have become subject to nations which wish us ill including Venezuela who is our largest oil supplier. Senator McCain is in favor of nuclear power, which I personally believe is the most logical way to deal with our energy problems. In 2005 McCain voted in favor of banning oil drilling in ANWR, while his running mate and current Governor of Alaska is in favor of drilling in ANWR. McCain does believe that the climate has changed and is in support of reducing green house gases. McCain recognizes the need to cut our dependency on foreign oil and finding alternative methods to provide energy for this nation.

McCain has shown, throughout his time in Congress, an ability to work with both sides of the aisle and help reform our government and protect our nation for future generations. On the major that are presenting themselves for the next four years, John McCain has answers that are more correct than Barack Obama. He has the knowledge necessary should our nation engage in wars with Iran or Russia. He understands our nation’s immigration problems as he represents the state of Arizona, one of the most hard hit states from illegal immigration. He recognizes the need for finding alternative fuel sources and supports the development of Nuclear power. John McCain supports the pro life stance and has sought to criminalize abortion in the most legally sensible methods possible. He recognizes the problems with our economy and knows that we must be willing to freely trade with other nations to help protect our own economy. Barack Obama has offered empty promises and has nothing in his voting record to demonstrate his steadfast character on the issues.

Published in: on September 5, 2008 at 02:19  Leave a Comment  
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On Voting

With a historic election coming to us in November, it is important that every American who is eligible to vote in the Presidential, Congressional, and State wide elections to do so. A nation founded upon the principle that the power of government is granted by the people needs a people who are willing to exercise not only their right but their duty in controlling that government through voting. The only effective government is that which is dependent solely on the people for it’s power. But the people themselves, who are the fountain of that power, must be willing and able to concern themselves with the affairs of government in order to keep that government in check. The Ancient Greeks understood this problem and young men were expected to engage in the political sphere in order to maintain their governments. The Romans initially understood this concept, but by the time of the late Republic the enfranchised citizens of Rome cared less about their government and more about their private self interests. This ultimately lead to the destruction of the Roman Republic and the rise of a violent, despotic regime ruled by the Caesars. The Founders of our nation, influenced by centuries of Modern philosophic writings, understood this important distinction. They understood that in order for a regime to survive based on the people, the people must be willing to maintain the government.

Initially in America voting rights were limited to white males who were at least 21 years of age and owned property. Today we are aghast to find out that the Founders, these champions of liberty, sought to limit elections to white property owning men. Their justification was that only those who owned property, which was limited to white males, could possibly need to concern themselves with the affairs of Government. Furthermore, property owners, unlike the poor, are not subject to be influenced by their employers to vote a specific way. The Founders believed that voting should be a private matter, not subject to the whims of employers and city bosses. John Adams argues in his letter to James Sullivan, “Such is the frailty of the human heart, that very few men, who have no property, have any judgment of their own. They talk and vote as they are directed by some man of property, who has attached their minds to his interest…” The same holds for women and children, they are dependent upon the man of the house who can influence their voting decisions. The fixing of voting requirements to white males who are 21 and own property according to Adams was, “Society can be governed only by general rules. Government cannot accommodate itself to every particular case, as it happens, nor to the circumstances of particular persons. It must establish general, comprehensive regulations for cases and persons. The only question is, which general rule, will accommodate most cases and most persons.”

However, as we all know the Government changed voting laws with the passage of the 15th Amendment, which allows the right to vote to all males no matter their color. As we all know the right to vote was limited among blacks by Jim Crow laws after Reconstruction was ended by requiring individuals to be literate, and own property though they were forbidden from owning property or going to school in some cases. These laws would eventually change and today all men, of any color has been granted the right to vote. The Constitution was further amended by the 19th Amendment which made it unconstitutional for government to limit the right to vote based on sex. The 24th Amendment of the Constitution forbides poll or voting taxes, essentially doing away with property requirements. The 26th Amendment, passed in 1971, was the last of the Constitutional Amendments to change the understanding of voting rights when it lowered the voting age to 18. Adams once again indicates why the voting age was initially set at 21 by most States, ” The reason is, you must fix upon some period in life, when the understanding and will of men in general is fit to be trusted by the public.” In a recent Death Penalty case before the Supreme Court, the High Court defined the age of reason and therefore the age at which one is able to be punished with Death for a crime as 18 years old.

All individuals who are at least 18 years of age must take advantage of their right to vote, granted to them by the Constitution itself. But whether or not voting is merely a right or a requirement of citizens is something more to look at. The basis of government is, as has been said before, the people and it is only through the people that government can be limited through periodic elections. Therefore, the “right” to vote is not merely a right as freedom of religion, or the ability to own guns. Voting is a requirement of citizenship, to be a good citizen one must engage in the public affairs via voting. It is the duty as Americans to educate oneself about public matters in order to make the best, most well informed decision possible in the voting booth in November. Adams states, “For government is a frame, a scheme, a system, a combination of powers, for a certain end, viz the good of the whole community. The public good, the salus populi is the professed end of all government, the most despotic, as well as the most free.” The only way that the people can ensure and maintain the public good is to prevent corrupt and unjust rulers from holding office. The only way in which the frame, scheme, system, and combination of powers aimed at the good of the community can be achieved is if the people, the foremen of the Great American Experience, keep a solid eye on their government so that it does not grow cancerous and destroy the people.

The exercise of the body is the only way in which the body can remain healthy. Likewise, the exercise of rights is the only way those rights remain intact and useful to a people. The only way to maintain the health of a nation is if the people exercise their rights and duties regularly. Voting is as a physician for the regime, curing it of its infections so as to not kill itself. Only through exercising their right to vote can the people of a good regime keep that regime good and healthy.

Published in: on September 4, 2008 at 20:00  Leave a Comment  
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Enter All Ye Who Seek Knowledge

At approximately 9:35 Central Standard Time the presumptive Vice Presidential Nominee of the Republican Party, one Madam Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) came to the podium to give her acceptance speech to thousands of cheering fans and millions of Americans at home. For the first time in this year’s Presidential Convention season a nominee told the absolute truth. In order to disprove any nay sayers I will present to you all the speech paragraph by paragraph of the Good Governor’s speech. While I will not address each paragraph, I will focus on those which are the most meaningful.

Governor Palin began her speech as was necessary when she stated, “Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens, I will be honored to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States.” Unlike Joe Biden when he made his speech at the Democratic National Convention, Sarah Palin is not yet the official nominee for Vice President for the Republican Party. Her nomination will not come until tomorrow when John McCain will make his first speech as the Republican Nominee for President of the United States.

Our nominee for president is a true profile in courage, and people like that are hard to come by. He’s a man who wore the uniform of his country for 22 years and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who now have brought victory within sight.

Unlike Barack Obama and Joe Biden, John McCain has not been a life long politician or lawyer. Instead Mr. McCain went to Annapolis and became a United States Naval Aviator. Shot down in 1967 over Vietnam, John McCain was sent to the infamous Hanoi Hilton where the North Vietnamese took many  American POWs. It was not until after his return from Vietnam in 1973 that John McCain began his trail to the White House though he remained in the military until 1982 when he finally ran for the House of Representatives. John McCain, unlike his democratic counterparts, has real life experience when it comes to National Security. The closest the Democratic ticket comes is Senator Biden who sits on the Senate’s Foreign Policy committee. As a soldier during Vietnam, arguably America’s most unpopular war, John McCain understands what it means to troops to have a government willing to support their efforts in a foreign land. We have one of the only all Volunteer militaries in the world, and it is impossible to say that the Men and Women who serve our nation should be disrespected by our government. Knowing full well that they will be sent to War, young men and women continue to enlist in the United States Armed Forces and the message Obama and Biden wish to send them is that their efforts are worthless to this country. The blanket of freedom have and appreciate is only possible by those brave soldiers and sailors who feel it is their duty to answer the call of their Nation. One of those young men is Track Palin who will be shipped off to Iraq on September 11. As a mother of a son in the military Sarah Palin feels the need to keep her child safe, just as any other mother feels when their son or daughter is sent to war. The best way she feels is to have a commander-in-chief in the Oval Office who knows what it is like to be sent by one’s country to fight. John McCain, if elected, will become the first man or woman to be elected President who served in Vietnam. The last President to have had military-war time experience was President George H.W. Bush. The last two Presidents have been a draft dodger and a member of the Air National Guard.

Everyone should know by now that Governor Palin and her husband have five children, two boys and three girls. The eldest daughter is five months pregnant and due to marry the father of her child. Governor Palin and daughter have received criticism by the media for the decision to allow a 17 year old girl to keep the child and to “force” her to marry the father. This is an absurd comment to make, the most honorable thing a man can do is to marry a woman whom he gets pregnant; not give her the money for an abortion. For those wondering, the legal age of consent in Alaska is 16. Governor Palin, before talking about her youngest son, admits that her family is no different than any other. They have had, “the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys.” The most difficult moment for any family to face, aside from a teenager daughter or son becoming a parent, is the birth of a child with a disability. In April Governor Palin gave birth to a son with Down Syndrome. People have been quick to judge her for this decision, yet speaking as a member of the disabled community there is nothing greater than to see a parent in the age where abortion can be gotten with absolute ease for a parent to keep their child and love them no matter what. This speaks volumes about the type of parents Sarah and Todd Palin are, that they would willingly and knowingly want to raise a child who will struggle day in and day out for acceptance by the outside world and to live a normal life. This is a refreshing image of sorts, as it was John F. Kennedy who was president in the 1960′s had a sister who was mentally disabled and her family decided to place her in a mental ward. And to this day only one person has achieved the office of President and been disabled: Franklin D. Roosevelt who suffered from Polio and went to great lengths to hide his condition from the American people.

Governor Palin’s morality and ethics stem from her childhood, neither parent was well off and both worked in the local elementary school. She grew up in a small town, quite different from Barack Obama who grew up in Jakarta and Honolulu. The last President to be born in a small town is a lot like Governor Palin, a person who would not stand up to corruption and unethical dealings in government. The only President of the 20th Century to have never graduated college was born to farmers in Missouri: Harry S. Truman. In 1944 he was selected as the Vice President for Franklin Roosevelt, running for his 4th term as President. Feeling he would not cause any chaos in the office, Democratic officials pressed Roosevelt to choose him despite Roosevelt’s failing health. Barely into his fourth term, Franklin Roosevelt died; Harry S. Truman, who by all comparisons to Governor Palin, lacked experience to hold the office, ascended into the Oval Office. Truman to this day is idolized by both parties as Andrew Jackson, our first President born in the west, was used as the image of a President up until after the Civil War. As a shot at Michelle Obama, Governor Palin stated, “I grew up with [small town people]. They’re the ones who do some of the hardest work in America, who grow our food, and run our factories, and fight our wars. They love their country in good times and bad, and they’re always proud of America.” Anyone from a small town should be proud to know that Governor Palin knows what it is like to grow up outside of the big cities where men like Barack Obama has lived his whole life.

Echoing something that former Mayor Rudy Giuliani stated in his speech, Governor Palin took a shot at the Democrats saying she lacks experience, “I guess — I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.” Senator Obama began his political career as a community organizer in Chicago, where he did little to actually help the standard of living for those he “helped.” Correctly, Governor Palin points out that Obama is willing to tell anyone what they want to hear and then when their back is turned retract those statements. Obama is not a man of conviction like John McCain or even Sarah Palin who are both known to stand up for what they believe in even when everyone else says they are wrong. The only reason the media claims she is inexperienced is as she said, “if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.” But neither John McCain nor Sarah Palin care to appeal to the media, because they aren’t the ones who matter come election day. The job of a politician is to help those whom they serve, and they serve the people of the United States of America. Governor Palin emphasis this when she said, “Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reason and not just to mingle with the right people. Politics isn’t just a game of clashing parties and competing interests. The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it. No one expects us all to agree on everything, but we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions, and a servant’s heart.”

Governor Palin goes on to explain her accomplishments as Governor of Alaska, accomplishments that Barack Obama only dreams of matching. She did away with the Governor’s personal luxury jet, stating she “put it on eBay.” She asserts she drives her self to school and did away with the personal chef of the Governor to help save money where it didn’t need to be spent. She has vetoed bills that promote unnecessary spending in excess of $500 billion providing Alaska with a budget surplus. In his time as Senator, Obama has yet to see this in the Federal budget. Like Sarah Palin, John McCain is willing to work with legislators to cut spending or to veto their bills to force them to cut spending. Obama wants to enlarge our government. Palin stated, “Government is too big; [Obama] wants to grow it. Congress spends too much money; he promises more.Taxes are too high, and he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan.”

Her biggest accomplishment as Governor is helping to solve America’s energy problem by building a natural gas line in Alaska which will help Americans move away from foreign oil. She proposes that the McCain administration will help build Nuclear Power Plants, Wind and Solar energy plants, and tap into America’s natural oil resources like that on the North Slope in Alaska. The Democrats she asserts, “Our opponents say again and again that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems, as if we didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling, though, won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.” In fact that is all Democrats have proposed, to do nothing except stop drilling for oil. They want to place more dependence on countries in the Middle East who rather us dead .

And next she discusses the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which America is winning just as we were winning in Vietnam before we pulled out. Obama and other democrats refuse to recognize the accomplishments our troops of made in these two countries. Obama refuses to admit we’ve achieved victory, instead he rather talk about his own victories in politics.

Obama’s plans for the economy are to raise taxes to stifle businesses as she points out, “The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, and raise payroll taxes, and raise investment income taxes, and raise the death tax, and raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars.” What will that do exactly, she points out accurately, to small business owners who are unable to withstand these taxes and are forced to close? What about the businesses who are forced to lay people off because they are unable to support paying them? Senator Obama has no plan for America, he only has plans to make himself great by becoming President. She stated, “In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers, and then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.” But Barack Obama views it as a means to an end, what that end is nobody by Obama can answer. Sarah Palin is right when she stated, “My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery.” Barack Obama is nothing but speeches of empty words intended to rally the American people just as Adolf Hitler used his speeches to rally the German people.

We live in a world, the Governor asserts, that is filled with dangers–specifically from terrorists who want to see America burn. We don’t need individuals who use empty phrases as “fighting for you.” As the movie A Few Good Men states, “You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline.” John McCain has demonstrated throughout his life that unlike Obama and Biden he has defended and fought for this country when other men of his era, like Bill Clinton, ran away from responsibility and nearly 30 years later used promises to fight for the American people as a punchline in their comedic sketch to the White House. John McCain has proven himself willing and able to defend this country and to fight for the American people. Sarah Palin has shown time and again in her career in Alaska that she is willing to fight for the interests of the average person. Barack Obama, in his time in elective politics has written two memoirs while authoring no major piece of legislation. Whether you agree or disagree with McCain, he co-authored the single most important piece of government reform with Senator Feingold. Sarah Palin wants to bring wealth and prosperity to the people of Alaska by building a natural gas line, and by drilling in ANWAR. Barack Obama and Joe Biden only have words and false promises to help reform the government, and help make America a more prosperous nation.

Published in: on September 4, 2008 at 01:51  Leave a Comment  
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A Look into ABC Family’s Greek Season 2

Warning, the following article may contain spoilers from Season 1 or Season 2 of ABC Family’s Greek.

At the end of season 1 of ABC Family’s Greek we were left with a mess that could go one of two ways. Neatly cleaning things up was not possible given the season finale and so the show was left with only destroying things more and seeing what comes of it. The beginning of Season 2 has played directly on only a handful of the events which ended season 1. The relationships and lives of Franny, Rusty, Cappie, Ashley, Casey, Calvin, Dale, Evan and Rebecca have been set on a course which will change the face of Greek forever.

Dale, Rusty and Calvin came to an agreement on their way back to CRU when Rusty and Calvin realized that Spring Break was not for them. They pledged to each other that they would be better friends despite their conflicting interests (Rusty’s interest in Kappa Tau, Calvin’s in Omega Chi, and Dale’s in destroying the Greek system.) The newly recommitted friendship of Rusty and Calvin was put to the test in the first episode of the new season with the rekindling of the rivalry between Evan and Cappie. Despite their attempts to not allow their fraternity houses get in the way of their friendship, Calvin and Rusty were forced to neglect each other by way of Evan and Cappie. Ultimately Calvin and Rusty’s friendship prevails as they put in their place Evan and Cappie, who attempted to separate the two friends over their own personal issues. Their struggles have set for this season a course to demonstrate that friendship is the central theme, not the brotherhood of sisterhood or even relationships.

Demonstrated in this is Ashley, Franny, Evan and Casey who have all had moments which have set them on courses which they cannot return from. In the second episode of the current season Ashley and Casey pursue the same guy; the same guy that Ashley immediately had a crush on during Spring break: Hotness Monster. Casey encounters the unnamed attraction at the career center and quickly connects with him. Zeta Beta Zeta meanwhile has planned their yearly Crush Party, where each girl invites their crush to the local bar Dobblers. Casey attempts initially to have Ashley give Drew (Hotness Monster) her invite to the party, but Ashley immediately recognizes him to be her hotness monster. They agree to allow him to pick who he prefers and ultimately it is revealed he doesn’t even remember Ashley and is uninterested in her. Meanwhile, during the daze that is Spring Break Franny and Evan finally hook up and it spills into season two. Franny is unwilling to have a public relationship while she is still attempting to find  away to tell Casey about the relationship. Unfortunately during the Greek Week games Casey is front row to a kiss between Franny and Evan. This betrayal by Franny leaves Casey in a position to rethink her own present circumstances with Drew. Casey eventually decides not to pursue any romantic involvement with Drew in order to protect her friendship with Ashley. Meanwhile she informs Franny that while they will always be sisters, they will never be friends again. This development throws a wrench of sorts into the circumstances of the show’s intent this season. Friendship seems to be more important than the frat for Calvin and Rusty and yet Casey and Franny’s friendship ends while their sisterhood continues.

Finally we have Cappie and Rebecca, who began dating midway through Season 1 and hit rough patches at the end of the season during Spring Break. Rebecca’s dad was implemented in a prostitution ring, echoing the prostitution scandal with the D.C. Madam. Utterly destroyed about the scandal, and finding out from a reporter rather than her dad, Rebecca loses it during Spring Break ultimately leading to her entry in a wet t-shirt competition. Cappie, obviously shocked to see his drunk girlfriend on stage for the competition (and clueless about her father) attempts to persuade her not to enter. Both Casey and Cappie attempt all arguments to dissuade Rebecca to an avail. Eventually during the attempt Rebecca informs Cappie that he can’t truly care for her since he is still hung up on his ex. When Casey attempts to deny that she has anything to do with their relationship Rebecca quickly responds, “You’ve always been in this, you always will be.” Rebecca eventually leaves the stage and Cappie is punched by a drunk observer for making Rebecca retire from the competition. Casey and Cappie go on a long walk back to their hotel where, along the way, they kiss. Upon returning to the hotel they see the television coverage about Rebecca’s father and Casey tells Cappie to go back to Rebecca.

At the beginning of Season two Rebecca is still suffering the consequences of her actions at Spring Break, ultimately leading to Casey having to kick her out of Zeta Beta Zeta. Only after Cappie begs Casey to help him keep Rebecca together does Casey attempt to bring Rebecca back. Unfortunately Tegan, played by Charisma Carpenter has returned to deal with the “senator’s daughter gone wild” and promptly enforces Rebecca’s removal. Rebecca is ultimately able to plead to be reinstated and with help from Casey Tegan concedes. Unfortunately her actions at Spring Break still haunt her, and her father’s problems only add to the situation. In true Cappie style, he suggest she take advantage of her celebrity and just have fun. At the Crush Party, however, Cappie’s style leads to Rebecca walking out on him.While struggling to get Dobbler’s to serve Rebecca alcohol, she receives a phone call from her parents informing her they are divorcing. It is obvious that Cappie is unable to handle helping Rebecca despite his best efforts. It would appear from the sneak peak of the next episode that their relationship may not be able to survive despite his best efforts.

Cappie is an intriguing character, while attempting to claim he is just interested in having fun and getting drunk he also cares about those closest to him. He has come through to help Casey when she has most needed it, and has helped Rebecca with her problems up until now. But the individual he has most been able to assist has been Rusty. Maybe it is something that Cappie sees in Rusty, that outsider image, which maybe he himself has always had (specifically at Summer camp with Evan.) In the second episode, Rusty informs Cappie he might not be suited for his major and his defeatist attitude brings obvious grief to Cappie. In Rusty he possibly sees someone who doesn’t care what others think and stays true to himself; something that Cappie has always tried to hold up himself. In his relationships with Casey and Rebecca he has been unable to come to their aid when they have most needed him to. I perceive that in this season we will see a change in Cappie due to Rebecca’s problems. There is a serious side to Cappie, an individual who wants to help others and be an adult. To this point he has only shown that side fully to Rusty, while Rebecca and Casey have only see glimpses of it.  It is possible that Cappie will attempt to change himself for the better, ultimately realizing that things can be fun and games up to a point, and then they need to be serious.

Published in: on September 3, 2008 at 02:50  Leave a Comment  

Defense of Experience

There are some who still insist that Governor Palin of Alaska,John McCain’s Vice Presidential nominee, is not ready to assume the mantle of responsibility should McCain win in November. It has already been presented by myself, and surely other individuals, that Governor Palin is more prepared for this office than either Barack Obama or Joe Biden. But rather than repeating the good Governor’s qualifications, I wish to refute these charges with history. It is through history which we may find proof of others with experience like Governor Palin’s, which will demonstrate that she can be a competent and ready leader should this nation need her to take the office of the President of the United States.

Prior to emigrating to the Americas in 1630, John Winthrop had been elected Governor of the colony sponsored and established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Winthrop’s election to the office of Governor is a shock to modern students, and even might have stunned some of his own contemporaries. While he had gone through some schooling at Cambridge, he left his education and instead took up the study of law, which he failed to become a member of the bar. Winthrop was nevertheless appointed to various courts during the 1620′s and eventually lead to him being elected Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts prior to 1630. During his life in the colony, Winthrop would go on to be elected to the Governorship many times. Winthrop had only a marginal amount of experience prior to his election, having only served as a commissioner since 1615. There were certainly other individuals more qualified for the position, including two of the men who had helped found the Massachusetts Bay Colony. During his time as an Assistant, and as Governor, Winthrop was closely involved in the direction the government of Massachusetts would undertake. It was Winthrop who initially set this course out prior to embarking on the migration west in his “Modell of Christian Charity” where he calls for the people of Massachusetts to be “as a City upon a Hill.” During battles with fellow colonial leaders, Winthrop would defend his positions in political treatises on a variety of subjects. This man, who had never graduated university and had very little experience to govern a colony had garnered election to the Governorship every year from 1647 until his death. Upon his death the people of Boston and Massachusetts mourned the death of their leader.

Today we are embattled once again, for whatever reasons they have individuals have attacked Governor Palin, claiming she is not prepared to take on the Presidency if she is called to do so. There is no proof of this, but rather there is proof for her ability to take the Presidency should she and McCain be elected in November. Like Winthrop, Palin has the experience necessary to inform her and prepare her for the elevation to a much bigger role. While Winthrop’s appointments to commissions may not have been equal to the office of Governor, his previous experienced informed him how best to go about executing his office of Governor. Palin likewise has experience as a Mayor and Governor, which should she be called to take the Oath of Office for President of the United States, she will have requisite experience to help inform her on how best to discharge her duties.

Yet, on the other side Senators Obama and Biden have never had the executive experience that would assist in informing them on how best to execute the office of President. Senator Obama is a junior senator who only involved himself in politics beginning in 1996 at the state level. Joe Biden was elected Senator at age 30 and has been in the office ever since. Neither served in a position that would require executive experience or authority. It is unjust for individuals to attack Sarah Palin as being inexperienced, while ignoring her credentials. I can only imagine that these Vultures are  only afraid to see a strong, confident Conservative woman enter the Vice President’s Mansion. Her experience is like that of John Winthrop and other famous leaders in history, who were able to use that experience to inform them when they were called upon to undertake but nevertheless fulfilled the office with the greatest honor. If being governor is not proper experience, necessary to fulfill the chief executive position in the Federal Government than what is? How can one say that Barack Obama or Joe Biden, two career senators with absolutely no executive experience on any level, are qualified and experienced enough to take the Presidency and Vice Presidency, but a woman with a decade long resume of executive experience is not.

Published in: on September 1, 2008 at 17:41  Leave a Comment  
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