Repairing the State of the Union

There is a rumbling, low like thunder, moving across the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I became aware of this movement, just barely, sometime during the past year. To the un- or newly initiated, it may sound like rebellion or anarchy, with all the attendant associations of turmoil. I said, let me keep following this trend, and I have. What at one time may have sounded like extremism now plays a different tune. (In my ears, at least.) Persons who might have appeared fanatical to me, before, I now understand are patriotic Americans who know their Constitution. They have put their hand to the plow and are not looking back, and many of them are going forward with God.

The issue is state sovereignty.

"There are clear limits to the power of the federal government and clear realms of power for the states."

"The national government has become a complex system of programs whose purposes lie outside {emphasis mine} of the responsibilities of the enumerated powers {of the Federal govt., specified in the Constitution}..." (State Rep. Susan Lynn- TN, 57th.)

Representative Lynn makes the above statements in a clearly explained letter to the other 49 State Legislatures, requesting their partnership in a ' joint working group between the states to enumerate the abuses of authority by the federal government...' As of this posting, I am not sure if this invitation has actually been sent to the various states yet, but for sure it's on its way.

Some of the comments made regarding Rep. Lynn's initiative have encouraged and motivated me, expanding my understanding as well. I'm 'getting a grip'! Here are a few -


"Please go very public with this and allow the groundswell of support to build. We have truly found that the only thing the federal congress hears is the very loud stomping of the feet of the general population in this great country. They must hear us in this matter, before we become just another 2nd class country, {italics mine} torn apart by an egotist." - Jim, Oct.21, 4:44am

"... Let’s make this viral." - Wanda Gray, Oct.21, 6:24am

"This is a movement that will be the foundation of getting back to our founding principles. Implementing the Tenth Amendment and challenging the Sixteenth Amendment is the only way to stop the spicket {spigot? suggestion mine} of funding that enables the current trampling of our constitutional rights." - Rich Hand, candidate for Governor of Colorado, Oct.21, 6:41am, who also says

"This road is long but in honor of our founders and what they endured; well worth the effort."

"Our only hope to preserve this Republic is for all the states to come together and assert their Constitutional rights to reset our government back to its original intent and mandate. God speed." - Ralph Luciani, BGen,(ret.) USAFMC, Oct.21, 9:41am

Bringing it down to where we live, Ruth Ann Wilson says we need some action at more local levels: "SANCTIFY THE COUNTIES once again. Use the “Private Act” to restore our Counties. As we have a 10th Amendment, so we, the people, have a 9th Amendment..." - Oct.21, 7:37am


I've only read about 25% of the comments; so far, all in favor...(I'm sure there are dissenters, but I don't know that I'll be reading through all the rest. I'm using my time instead to write this! But, later...) (Actually, just glancing over some right now & think I'd better read more of them.)

One gets the sense of another Revolution of sorts, brewing in this great country, in this great democracy. That sense is underscored by Richard's potent insight, that we need today "the effort and courage of the Founding Fathers". No doubt...

Below is Representative Lynn's letter. Please read it thoughtfully, if you have time -

"We send greetings from the Tennessee General Assembly. On June 23, 2009, House Joint Resolution 108, the State Sovereignty Resolution, was signed by Governor Phil Bredesen. The Resolution created a committee which has as its charge to:

-Communicate the resolution to the legislatures of the several states,
-Assure them that this State continues in the same esteem of their friendship,
-Call for a joint working group between the states to enumerate the abuses of authority by the federal government, and
-Seek repeal of the assumption of powers and the imposed mandates.

It is for those purposes that this letter addresses your honorable body.

In 1776, our founding fathers declared our freedom in the magnificent Declaration of Independence; our guide to governance. They established a nation of free and independent states. Declaring that the purpose of our political system is to secure for its citizens’ their natural rights. The Constitution authorizes the national government to carry out seventeen enumerated powers in Article 1, Section 8 and the powers of several of the ensuing amendments.

At the time of the Constitutional ratification process James Madison drafted the “Virginia Plan” to give Congress general legislative authority and to empower the national judiciary to hear any case that might cause friction among the states, to give the congress a veto over state laws, to empower the national government to use the military against the states, and to eliminate the states’ accustomed role in selecting members of Congress. Each one of these proposals was soundly defeated. In fact, Madison made many more attempts to authorize a national veto over state laws, and these were repeatedly defeated as well.

There are clear limits to the power of the federal government and clear realms of power for the states. However, the simple and clear expression of purpose, to secure our natural rights, has evolved into the modern expectation that the national government has an obligation to ensure our life, to create our liberty, and fund our pursuit of happiness.
The national government has become a complex system of programs whose purposes lie outside of the responsibilities of the enumerated powers and of securing our natural rights; programs that benefit some while others must pay.

Today, the federal government seeks to control the salaries of those employed by private business, to change the provisions of private of contracts, to nationalize banks, insurers and auto manufacturers, and to dictate to every person in the land what his or her medical choices will be.
Forcing property from employers to provide healthcare, legislating what individuals are and are not entitled to, and using the labor of some so that others can receive money that they did not earn goes far beyond securing natural rights, and the enumerated powers in the Constitution.

The role of our American government has been blurred, bent, and breached. The rights endowed to us by our creator must be restored.

To be sure, the People created the federal government to be their agent for certain enumerated purposes only. The Constitutional ratifying structure was created so it would be clear that it was the People, and not the States, that were doing the ratifying.

The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that which has been delegated by the people to the federal government, and also that which is absolutely necessary to advancing those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. The rest is to be handled by the state governments, or locally, by the people themselves.

The Constitution does not include a congressional power to override state laws. It does not give the judicial branch unlimited jurisdiction over all matters. It does not provide Congress with the power to legislate over everything. This is verified by the simple fact that attempts to make these principles part of the Constitution were soundly rejected by its signers.

With this in mind, any federal attempt to legislate beyond the Constitutional limits of Congress’ authority is a usurpation of state sovereignty - and unconstitutional.

Governments and political leaders are best held accountable to the will of the people when government is local. The people of a state know what is best for them; authorities, potentially thousands of miles away, governing their lives is opposed to the very notion of freedom.

We invite your state to join with us to form a joint working group between the states to enumerate the abuses of authority by the federal government and to seek repeal of the assumption of powers and the imposed mandates."


Susan Lynn [send her email] is a member of the Tennessee General Assembly; serving on the Commerce Committee and Chairman of the Government Operations committee. She holds a BS in economics and a minor in history. She is the Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Commerce Task Force. Visit her blog at http://susan-lynn.blogspot.com/
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In the course of putting this piece together, I've come across a number of relevant links, etc., that I am soon on my way to check out...and may include them later, or post on the site.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today.

Christina

The Centrality of our Constitution

Where do I begin?

If the passion hasn't gripped you , or America's early history at least presented intrigue, then my next statements will fall flat. Dudsville. If we were in a face-to-face, you'd be looking at me funny...it's happened before!! (Not that long ago, either...) In an apparently ill-chosen moment with a poorly-selected subject, I tried to express my vivid sense of the 'here & now' continued existence and presence of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln...men of destiny. They live on. There was an instant when I felt I was walking with them, invigorated, having fellowship. Having entered their heart's desire myself, and having found it to be vital & alive, still beating in the spirit, I found them there as well. Absence of their physical beings matters not. They are alive.

So today, this sense of connection & continuity appears again, as I'm gaining more understanding of the basic mechanics of government, (which understanding has begun to grow as a result of even small attempts to learn about, and the specifics of, our Constitution.) I know that I keep using words like 'amazing' and 'stunned', and I apologize for repetitiveness! (so I will refrain from their use right now) but they so make the point!!! Besides the Word of God, I cannot fathom any other written works, EVER, to be, or to have been, so priceless. Wrought with such wisdom and resulting in such enduring democratic governance. I think of the Genesis 1 description of the earth being 'without form,and void', and 'darkness was upon the face of the deep.' It occurs to me that, until recently, this would've been a pretty accurate description of my knowledge of our Constitution, and the structure of our nation's government. But just as God moved upon those dark waters, and started speaking shape & form & structure into existence, so is He now doing with me. Light entered. It is starting to make sense now...more than make sense, the power of God is exploding, and it is exploding in my personal Constitutional epiphany.

Talk about the 'Big Bang Theory' !

My point is that getting an understanding of the structure & function of government today underscores potently the words, plans & activities of the Founding Fathers, because this is what they produced. They are IN IT. We are co-workers with them! Americans can carry on the legacy of the Revolution. But they cannot do it by side-stepping or skipping over the Constitution of the United States of America. The answers lie therein.

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"...citizens have evidently not been teaching the Constitution and its history to their children for many generations..." ( B.Johnson, comment on the subject of state sovereignty, a 10th. Amendment principle)

More to come...just getting started!

another Personal Note...

I know I've said this before, more than once, but the miracle in my heart continues & I am almost compelled to sound the trumpet yet again.

I think about the days of Revolution more & more. I realized today that I want to go back in time & be a part of it. What it must have been like in those days is barely conceivable! Can you imagine the excitement of shaping a nation?? I feel a discernible sense of camaraderie with the men who met in Philadelphia in 1787 to forge & frame a new Constitution for a young America. I remember reading that Jefferson was not present and wanted, so wanted! to be...he was living in Paris, our ambassador to France, an ocean away, and felt left out, being in a sense excluded from what he termed "the assembly of demi-gods". (Lerner, Max - Thomas Jefferson: America's Philosopher-King) And god-like it was, I can see that now, to have been in such a place at such a time, such an amazing, amazing time in history!

This afternoon, I began reading a book entitled "How We Choose a Congress" . Every word came alive. It was almost as if I was there, on Capitol Hill, somehow involved. The saga continues, the dream lives on. The pricelessness of what we have here in America stuns me. The moments when I realize this are the moments of reality clear, true and brilliant. By stark contrast, the many other moments of my day & life, the humdrum, uneventful or so-so times that make up the fabric of a day or week...are causing me to wonder, how long have I been asleep? What am I doing with this gift of life & Liberty? I am coming late, way late to an awareness of the miracle, and find myself re-assessing priorities.

A Living Vision

Earlier today, I was checking out the Department of Justice's 'snappy new Web site' (according to Washington Post columnist Al Kamen) -- Justice.gov. Not too long ago, I visited the White House website, and awhile back, I had reason to look into Congressman Andrews homepage. In each case, to my surprise & delight, I found a riveting interest commanding my attention. I say, 'surprise & delight' because it wasn't that long ago that I would've had to put out some serious effort to absorb anything on any of those pages! The information contained on them would've seemed distant, dry and unrelated.

But, for me, it's different now.

The timelessness of the Revolutionary spirit, the passion of our Founders' vision has gripped me. Though I am sure it is barely a glimpse, it is enough to change everything.
Having been far more than touched by the selflessness and nobility of our first commanding General and President, George Washington, I remain today and forever in awe of him and that for which he fought and sacrificed. Having been beyond delighted and intrigued by the scintillating mind and personality of the author of our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, I am indelibly marked with his imprint. And having found that for which I did not even know I was looking, for the second time in my life it can be said that, as the Scripture records, "...I am found of them that sought me not..." (Isaiah 65:1 KJV)

And because of these things, when I see the heading 'The United States Department of Justice', or an official Congressional heading, on a website homepage, they come alive. A living dynamic and a continuous, ongoing process shows itself, and through it the heart of our Founding Fathers and all the first Patriots yet beats, strong and true. I see the vision through their eyes, and it remains untarnished.

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Jeremiah & Contradictions

As I’ve made my way back & forth from the days of Revolution past to today’s revolutionary conflicts and crises, on numerous occasions I have been guilty of promising a Part 2 and not delivering it, or starting a topic and fading away from it. I am definitely aware of that, but, yet again…here I go. Very good chance I may not return to Afghanistan and its revised war strategy, though my interest in that is strong. ‘Out of the blue’ the other day, I had this thought about the taking captive of Jerusalem way back in time, and one thought led to another…

Early on in my then newly birthed relationship with God, (and to my dismay I might add!) I found myself identifying with the prophet Jeremiah. Now, if you have even a little knowledge of the man, you know that his was not a joyful mission. His burden was heavy. To me, his way seemed sorrowful, and his responsibility was great. Imagine being “set…over the nations and over the kingdoms”! (Jeremiah 1:10) Authority from the Most High over whole countries! Personally, not wantin’ that kind of power! Especially when it involves bringing bad news! And, as if that wasn’t enough of a buzz-kill, Jeremiah was also called “…to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down… (v.10) He was given the horribly awesome task of proclaiming to Israel the coming invasion of King Nebuchadnezzar, and his 70 year captivity of Jerusalem. In this task he had to persevere for decades. Not an easy life…

What appears as a very intriguing twist to this plot is found in Chapter 32. By now the invasion has taken place, and Jerusalem is being besieged by Nebuchadnezzar’s army. Jeremiah is imprisoned for declaring his message from God; frankly, the king of Judah at that time didn’t want to hear it! (As can often be the case, ya do the right thing & end up getting kicked to the curb.) So, the prophet is “shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house.” (I think I see a whole other message right here, in this one sentence! Maybe another time…) And he gets a word from God to buy land (v.7-9, 25). What? Jeremiah has got to be thinking, huh? What am I going to do with land? I’m in prison, and You’ve shown me there will be a 70 year exile for my people!

Jeremiah buys the land, which was located just north of the besieged Jerusalem. He has the transaction witnessed & documented, and the evidence sealed for a future time. And herein lies the kernel of hope – ‘for a future time.’ In days to come, though they be yet far off, “houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.” (v.15) Though at this time, “the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans {enemy}” (v.25), there comes a time when, through His processes, God turns it all around. When He does, not just this one field shall be possessed by an Israelite, but “men shall buy fields…in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south.” (v.44)

Because, as it is written, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (v.27)


Israel made wrong choices, and she crashed & burned. But a plan for a return to health and prosperity was always in place. I am hoping that this same principle holds true for America today.

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Another interesting aspect to Jeremiah’s story: God’s intention of having the prophet buy land was not hindered by the fact that Jeremiah was incarcerated. In verses 7 & 8, we read how the LORD told Jeremiah that his cousin was going to show up, offering the prophet a real estate opportunity. Which is what happened. It took no effort on Jeremiah’s part to bring God’s word to him to pass. God brought the manifested word to Jeremiah. True, he had to act on the offer (which he did), but my point is that your physical & circumstantial obstructions don’t stop God. He will show up. With His promise to you.

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And one more tidbit before I finish this: Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that are anywhere from unpleasant, difficult & inconvenient to downright painful. And we want out! That's normal, understandable, & perhaps the path to take is to get out if you can...but in Jeremiah's scenario, surprisingly, that table was turned!

In a chat with Jeremiah regarding the coming exile, the LORD showed him 2 baskets of figs. One basket, healthy, fresh figs; the other, figs so rotten they couldn't be eaten. Now, you would think the bad figs would represent the captivity of Jerusalem. I mean, being basically kidnapped and dragged out of your home and your country, by an invading army no less!...how can that be a good thing (good figs)? But not so fast, my friend..."Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive...whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good." (Jeremiah 24: 5) The prognosis for those remaining in the land was not so good...really not good. (Check out v.8-10)

Sometimes that which we would escape, if we could, will prove to be our salvation.

The Bad News is... (Part 1)

"The point is that the Taliban, who have had a very clear aim and means from the very beginning, have been able slowly and steadily to get better at what they're doing." (Washington Post)




This remark was recently made by an unnamed European official, whose country's armed forces are combating the Taliban alongside U.S. troops. Concurring with this statement, top U.S. commander in the AfPak arena General Stanley McChrystal evaluates the situation as 'serious'. The Taliban are fighting smarter.

They have shifted their focus of attack to small bases and checkpoints, manned by Afghan forces, isolated and easy to infiltrate, thus obtaining intelligence. Gone are the more large-scale confrontations with American troops, from several years ago, which resulted in large numbers of insurgent fatalities. And the confrontations themselves are more sophisticated in method, observed to be similar in style to U.S. Army Rangers training, which equips soldiers for small scale engagements in 'austere' surroundings. They are considered by one U.S Army general to be developing into a more 'disciplined force'.

Among their newly acquired skills - being able to estimate response times for U.S. fighter jets, helicopters, and artillery cannons. "They know exactly how long it takes before . . . they have to break contact and pull back," one Pentagon official said. Sounds like split-second timing in a hair trigger situation... Using our own tactics against us, the Taliban is taking full advantage of the recent restraint (for the purpose of protecting Afghan civilians) ordered on the use of U.S. air power and also night-time attacks. They have increased their night-time operations, and apparently feel much safer gathering in more populated locales now, perhaps blending in like chameleons, knowing air strikes are much less likely to occur.

Not only has the Taliban fighting style evolved, their geographical areas of control have expanded as well, providing the insurgency with more training ground, and that ground being closer to the actual combat. It has been considered, as well, that the services of professional fighters from Central Asia & other Arab countries are being used.

Opinions differ, though, as to the reason(s) for Taliban ascendancy in the area. The deputy commander of Marines in the Helmand province believes that increased usage of roadside bombs plays more a part in insurgent victories than tactics of any other sort. Playing to their strengths... And the effects of corruption in public office, ethnic tensions, unemployment and the absence of state justice systems in rural regions are strong contributing factors to increased Taliban control, creating unrest & dissatisfaction to which the extremists can offer "solutions'. In neighboring Pakistan, "there is widespread hope that adopting a strict code of law based on the Koran will transform a society where corruption is rampant." (link) The Islamic militants offer a 'Robin Hood' approach, according to Amnesty International, even gaining trust at first, and initially seem to be defending the weak & poor, but that defense soon becomes 'quick...harsh justice', and with the 'defending' comes increased Taliban dominance.

Possibly more potent to Taliban victory than any sharpened skill or evolved strategy, however, is the simple fact of morale. Said one senior official, "The number one indicator we have out there now is that they think they're winning (italics mine). That creates an attitude, a positive outlook, and a willingness to sacrifice."

(Source)

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Sooo....as I was reading my source article, and writing the above, the following statements from my post "Afghanistan - a New Approach?" came to mind.

"...an intensified military effort to root out corruption among local government officials..." is a large part of its aim...

"...considers corruption at local government levels to be as much a threat to Afghan peace and freedom as any top Taliban commander." (Seeing as how corruption in government has been cited as a prime factor in the Taliban gaining influence, the wisdom of the goal to uproot it is readily apparent.)

"Strong emphasis is being placed on partnership, Afghan and U.S/NATO troops living, training and carrying out missions together, throughout every level of rank." (Akin to fighting fire with fire, this tactic of partnering mirrors the Taliban working in tandem with 'professional fighters' from other countries)

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So we're seeing, then, some better news here. Seems to me that McChrystal is right on the money in his strategic assessments & plans. I know he's got my vote.

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In Part 2, a little more along these same lines. Then, I'm hopping the time capsule back to the days of our Founders to see what's going on...lately I swear I'm hearing Jefferson quietly reminding me I've left him in the dust, I just got a rather antiquated-looking letter from a John Adams, & Ben Franklin actually somehow faxed me! I must get back to my true loves, the Founders! They are calling!

Don't Wanna Say 'I told you so' but...(OK, Yes,I do!)

I'm in the middle of working on another post, and have also been offered some blogging help by fellow blogger AndyD, who will be guest-writing in the near future (once we decide on a topic) - BUT - while backtracking this AM to a piece I'd bookmarked back in February, I came across this Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde comparison to our President in a NRO article.
Because it so *totally mirrors & confirms my early-on suspicions, I feel vindicated. Yet, at the same time, sorrow tugs at my heart.

I left this comment on reddit.com over a year ago:

"I am not an Obama supporter, but am not antagonistic towards him. So far, anyway. The media and money aspect certainly do tend to power, but people who will vote for him in Nov. aren't going to necessarily be voting for him b/c of this power. He can, as LanternBearer says, 'wing a speech' very well. His presentation of himself will win voters, in large part, I think."

In 'Dr. Barack and Mr. Obama', Victor Davis Hanson, in National Review Online, writes the following:

"People assumed that his easy rhetoric was not a result of studied preparation or superficial style, but a natural reflection of honesty and sincerity."

and

"Now nearly half the country is not merely distrustful of him, but increasingly viscerally angry at him as well."

"...it took millions of Americans months of fair and judicious examination to conclude that Obama’s real weaknesses were his once-advertised strengths:... The present Mr. Obama looks and sounds like the old Dr. Barack, but he surely does not act anything like the candidate who persuaded America."





Check out the NRO article.

* not necessarily referring to my being 'simpatico' w/every detail in this article by Mr. Hanson - rather the general principle indicated by the details.

Soldier in Transition

'Support our Troops'...'Honor our Fallen Heroes'...'Thank a Veteran'...these phrases speak for themselves. Instinctively, in our hearts and in our guts, we feel pangs of pride, of sadness or anguish, of gratitude for sacrifices made in the cause of freedom. But unless we have been there, we really cannot know...

I have had the inestimable honor of working with an Afghan/Iraqi war vet these last few months. Words cannot adequately describe my response to being in this young man's presence. I have felt that I have been visited from on High, that God has graced me with a word in the flesh, the very topic about which I 've often written, alive, in my space. Often, I've felt stupid, not knowing what to say, or how to help.

I went against my better judgment, and asked this young soldier if I could interview him at some point, because I wanted to know, first-hand, how a soldier felt about this war. We all sit over here and expound on this & that, we bloggers, sounding off in posts, forums, etc., but how do they feel? What are a soldier's thoughts on the kind of brutal experiences that most of us will never know?

The red flag that was gently waving in the back of my mind, warning me that it might be too soon for Ethan (not his real name) to re-live combat events by speaking of them, proved accurate. Ethan still had trouble sleeping, though he'd been home over a year. He is still trying to fully recover. I backed off, and promised not to mention my request again. And I haven't. But in some of our conversations, I learned bits & pieces about this soldier's life now, and then. I don't feel that I should go into details, but what I want to convey is that, when one of our warriors comes home from the Middle East theatre of war, it isn't that fairytale, balloons-and-parade-with-flag flying! and now everything is OK! that we might mistakenly think. These men and women are forever changed.

As a civilian, I was most certainly deluded. But watching and working with one of our nation's heroes has opened my eyes. You don't just ease back into society after fighting jihadists, or having your vehicle blown up by a roadside bomb. You carry it with you, and it can take a long time to regain at least some of your former mentality. On top of that, most people around you are clueless. Nobody gets it. The only reason I got any of 'it' is because God had been at work, expanding my awareness, so that every time I see Ethan, or speak with him, I'm so affected that I feel like a fish out of water. I am humbled, speechless, and, like I said, I feel stupid.

Ethan is returning to Afghanistan. Though he served three years already, he will return for at least six more, and may opt for a military career. A soldier is who he is, it seems to me, not what he's done.

I will miss him.