These are principles that I believe our country was founded on. They are principles of a Christian nation, though should be tenets of many faiths. If you agree with seven of them we have something in common that we can build upon.
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person that I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My Spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
(from Glenn Beck - The 9-12 Project, Be the people of September 12, 2001)
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I guess we have something in common then, Paul.
ReplyDeleteNumber six is one that is misunderstood by too many Americans. We have a right to life, liberty, and a pursuit of happiness. Somehow, people carry this idea over to other perceived rights, like a right to an education, a home, or a job. And many socialist-leaning politicians cater to those views (in the interest of more votes), by promising that government will take care of them through various entitlement programs.
Well, enough is enough. I know that the majority of Americans are brighter than that, and I hope that they prove it this November by voting out the big-government politicians and voting in candidates who promise less government.
(and hope that those newly elected politicians keep their promises)
ReplyDeleteNumber seven is ironic, since it's obvious that you can't force people to be charitable. If it's forced it's not charity. In Corinthians, the apostle Paul even makes the point that he could give all of his possessions to the poor, and if he has not charity, he has nothing. Charity is about doing something selfless for someone else. No one gets the same kind of good feelings paying taxes that they do when they give directly to someone in need.
ReplyDeleteAnd the sad thing is, when the government steps in to provide for people, not only do those who are poor feel entitled to what they receive, but those who pay taxes feel entitled to give less. I was walking to work one day, when an old lady in a motorized wheel chair asked me if I could spare some cash for food. Feeling at first that I should help her out, I opened my purse and found that I hadn't brought my wallet. So I apologized, and then out of curiosity asked if she received food stamps. She surprised me when she said yes, but that she only had forty dollars left for this month. There were only three days left in the month. It threw me for a loop that she probably had more money to spend on groceries than me, and yet didn't seem to mind asking me for money Plus, when I worked at target I saw people spend their food stamps on everything from fancy chocolates to DVDs. It makes me sad that they would take advantage of not only the system, but of their neighbors in this way. I never give money to panhandlers anymore, and rarely give to charities outside the church because I know many of them take huge percentages for administrative pay checks, rather than going directly to those in need. Sometimes I fear I'm in danger of losing the very attribute Paul says we are nothing without: charity. I would give someone the shirt off my back if I thought they truly needed it, but when it comes to the money in my pocket, I'm too afraid of not only being taken advantage of, but of corrupting them more by giving them what they want: money; instead of what they need: self reliance.
I like these and agree with these principles... 7 and 8 are interesting to me... while we cannot be forced to be charitable, and while I don't feel it is government's role to force such "charity" there is the fact that so many needs that go unmet on an ongoing basis... because we are a society driven by the idea of free-markets (and thus individualism and self-interest), too often individuals only give of their time and means when it is convenient... I think we are too often too quick to judge others to justify our lack of personal charity in meeting the legitimate needs of those around us, all while surrounding ourselves with various luxuries and extravagances... for that I believe we will be held accountable to God, and I am not so sure how well most of us will fair in that regard (self included)... my point is, I believe we must do more to help those around us and build up a true sense of community...
ReplyDeleteAnd with #8, I think this is an issue for whomever is in power at the time... when Bush was president, challenging him and the direction of the country was often labeled "un-American" and the same thing is happening today with the Obama administration... it is an attempt to stifle debate, and I don't like it!!
I agree with the 7 tenets. I think calling this country a "Christian nation" marginalizes non-Christians, but now I'm just nit-picking. :)
ReplyDeleteI meant the 9 tenets. Oops. And I would agree with Jon and Jacque about #7 being a bit oversimplified. If "we the people" are the government, then it is "we the people" who are forcing you to be charitable. I happen to believe that there are some safety nets that are worth supporting (and many bad ones).
ReplyDeleteI would rather see your list of principles, not Glenn Beck's. Not that his are bad or anything, just that I'd like to see what you say are important and how you'd word them.
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