Get real. Our wallets and purses rule the day. Financial freedom often defines our ability to support movements, charities, churches, and political parties. Not to mention it fulfills our insatiable taste for the crack that is materialism—houses, cars, iPhones, flat screens, and powdered doughnuts (related to crack).
Though money seems only a piece to life, it’s how we chase our individual interests and values. When government closes in and cheapens our financial flexibility, it works to destroy other liberties. It makes us instruments of those in power and removes their accountability. Bottom line: our political and religious freedoms are shallow when government controls our means to act.
Our Founders knew this. Through penning, signing, and delivering the Declaration of Independence, they might as well have said: “We’re traitors. Bring it, King George.” And in the last sentence—ahead of their John Hancocks—they pledged to demand Independence with their Lives, Fortunes, and Sacred Honor.
They were “all in”, and their fortunes came second only to their lives. Following the war and 25,000 American deaths, a tablet on a Virginia plantation reminds us “Seventeen signers lost everything they owned.” Their fortunes were instruments for Independence. All in they were, but the question is, are we?
Remember four years ago—the hype and hope? How about those dreams to blaze your frontier? Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, put it this way:
Every new college graduate thought they’d have a good job by now, a place of their own, and that they could start paying back some of their loans and build for the future. … This was the hope and change America voted for. It’s what Americans deserved.
Sound about right? Break down the theme. A job, if you have one, generates money. A house costs money. Loans and building for the future—you guessed it—cost money. Alex, I’ll take “Money, Money, Money” for $26,000 (average student loan debt per individual).
Trust me. We’ve been economically gutted—entrails and everything. Our opportunity to buy, own, and sell property is gone. Government loans, albeit inflated, have put home-buying at bay. Rent we will for a long time. At least we can hope for some change in a returned security deposit.
As for healthcare, its take-over by the President and Congress cuts deeper. Now more expensive, current and future employers will offer fewer benefits. Better find coverage quick though, unless you’re willing to fork over a $750 penalty to the IRS for being uninsured.
Worse, if you find solace in government health insurance, there will be federal panel of doctors deciding on the kinds of tests, medicines, and supplies you’ll get. Break down that theme. Control, perhaps? Examples are numerous, but remember our government’s primary purpose: to protect our individual rights and freedoms.
Economically, the ability to buy, sell, and trade stuff is to be free and voluntary. Command over the same is absolutely unwelcome. Because government can’t control everything, an attempt to is inefficient and miserable. Not to mention it leaves our wallets empty.
See, our Founders’ Lives, Fortunes, and Sacred Honor were the ammunition for Independence. Our fortunes are the ammunition to pursue goals and support private efforts to preserve values. When “leaders” bankrupt the ammunition, they bankrupt freedom.
As Hitler pelted Great Britain in World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill said to America: “Give us the tools and we will finish the job.” Though our tools, ammunition and morale, are lacking, we will end the spiral.
At the 2012 Republican National Convention, Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) said: “Standing strong for freedom will make the next century as great an American century as the last one.” Push the chips to the center. We’re going all in.
Photo credit:NoHoDamon (Creative commons)
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Great article, Mr. Bosche. A most astute assessment of our current situation.
The Federal Reserve is the main culprit here and is going strong with the approval of the current administration and unfortunately Romney as well.
However, there is a difference. If Obama is re-elected we will be on a fast tract to destruction financially and become a third world country in no time. Americans will not be able to prepare for the financial disaster that will be upon us. But, if Romney is elected he will not take us down the same road as fast giving people time to prepare and just maybe, hopefully, we can turn the tide and rid ourselves of the dreaded Federal Reserve that Ron Paul has warned us about all these years.
Ron Paul and two others are the only ones out of the entire congress that do not belong to the same organization promoting the Federal Reserve. Now we know why he has been ignored these many years and was literally kicked out of the GOP running.
Perhaps it is time for Americans to wake up and unite behind this true patriot and work together to restore America to what the Founding Fathers created.
Not only was Ron Paul kicked out, but basically so were the others running. And, I believe that the GOP was responsible for the garbage leaked about Herman Cain, & not the Dems. The GOP decided that Romney best fit what THEY wanted, & got rid of all other contenders. Sadly, we all HAVE to vote for Romney, because we cannot afford 4 more years of Obama’s policies. But, starting now, I am seriously looking to see if someone can get a 3rd party going that will beat both of these crooked parties out, & start a NEW American government. I will no longer list myself as a Republican, but will be ‘other’ from now on. I am an evangelical Christian tea partying, Bible believing, gun toting, patriot!
so you have become part of the problems.
Great solution only in your mind.
Shofar, I congratulate you on your ability to communicate. I do disagree with your foundational premise regarding the power and importance of money and possessions. I believe our personal spiritual life coupled with the spiritual foundations upon which those who established our nation built, and the resultant Constitution and Bill of Rights these great men wrote and erected as the reason for our national existance and the rule of law are much more important than personal wealth or possessions which may disappear in a moment.
In closing, I noticed you seem to have a fixation on “crack.” I hope you will get some help. A mind like yours is of far to much value to be cremated.
Shofar, I apologize. My reply which I mistakenly addressed to you was intended for Siquirisland. I have only recently begun communicating in this format so I do make some terrible mistakes. Please forgive me. Pete
For more in depth information of my previous post watch this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ZnpACqHJXPo
Sadly, for too many years, too many people in this country have voted for their wallets instead of what was right, which is why our nation is in the shape it’s in. I have no idea if it’s too little, too late, to turn America away from the precipice that we face, but, if enough of us turn to God, & beg repentance for the evil we’ve allowed to happen, He MIGHT hear us, & help to turn us around. But, 4 more years of this admin, & there will be NO saving what America was.
I stand with you, Brian and I also thank you for your article.
Also know this. America has been a beacon to the world because she was a Light – and her Light was that of her citizens Light – that being The Christ – the only Christ (The Anointed One) Who blessed our nation’s socks off – as it were, and it’s her Citizens that may turn and entreat Him to save us once again.
I am not speaking some of fanciful scripted reality T.V. kind of existance, either. I’m talking about none other than the POWER, and the MIGHT, and the GLORY of GOD, HIMSELF in His COMPASSION – for His kids, that will save this Land. I stand on His Promises and KNOW beyond all doubt that He is a GOD Who keeps His Promises. A GOOD Father, in fact – the ONLY GOOD Father, there is.
So, Yep. This American is coming home and she will be praying with you – till then. Do me a huge favor, Brian. Listen to the song: A FEW GOOD MEN from the CD that (prayerfully) Daniel will be receiving from me, as a Thank You – either on Monday or Tuesday.
You need to listen to those WORDS too, my Journalist Friend.
Cynthia Lauren Thorpe
Kingston SE, South Australia
Loving Life – and Praying Like It.
Like many women, I ‘mislaid’ my original point that I was commenting for.
Brian. FREEDOM is within You and it can NEVER be taken away. Not Ever.
No one ‘takes’ FREEDOM away – gutting a person like a fish. FREEDOM IS A SPIRIT –
AND HIS SPIRIT IS WITHIN YOU.
Please – always hang on to that fact.
Sadly, America is not a God-fearing, God-exalting, nation. We heard the raging cry of the God-rejectors at the DNC. I believe we would hear a similar cry would be heard at the RNC should the occasion arise. None of these plunges into hate-filled rejection of God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ should shock or surprise us. Only those who live in a fantasy world can believe the United States will be an independent, sovereign nation when the Lord returns. We are not mentioned, or even alluded to, in Scripture. That leaves us with only two realistic options, either what I just said is true, or God is not omniscient. Not a realistic option, is it?
It is true that the God-haters can never take away our inner freedom or peace. The many millions of persecuted, tortured, and slain martyrs of the Christian faith are proof of that reality. But, just as Paul and Silas, and millions of other believers learned, they can take away our temporal freedoms. And, that is their immediate goal. And, if Scripture is correct (and it is), those freedoms will be taken from all Christians across the globe.
Our nation, as a whole, has rejected God and the Bible. Our government is thoroughly corrupt and decadent. Our nation is embracing murder (abortion), homosexuality, drunkenness, adultery, fornication, and every other sin the Bible identifies – embracing! Not enduring.
Why? Because our churches, for the most part are nothing more than religious social clubs. We have departed from the Christian faith and adopted an inoffensive false gospel (which is no gospel). We hold our pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners, play bingo, have secular style music, allow unsaved people tto “lead worship,” excuse theft and immorality on the part of church members and leaders, focus constantly on the truth that “God is love” while ignoring the uncomfortable, equally true, “our God is a consuming fire.” The first word John the Baptist preached was “Repent.” The first word Jesus proclaimed when He returned from the wilderness was “Repent.” Peter commanded the thousands gathered on that Pentcost recorded in Acts 2 – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” But the church in America, those few who actually care about people coming to Jesus Christ to be forgiven and born again, have everyong bow their heads and close their eyes, then raise a hand if they are interested in being “saved.” Then the preacher, while no one is looking around, has those who wish repeat a “sinner’s prayer” after him. Show me any of this garbage in Scripture! Then, the preacher actually tells these people they are born again and have eternal life! That’s a heinous lie! Luke 9:26 – “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him. . . .” Jesus doesn’t have a “Secret Service” army, especially one made up of people who never enlisted, never completed basic training, and is not able to fight the fight of faith. Such ones are unqualified and unarned. The “armor of God is given by God to his army – ones who proudly wear His uniform. That uniform is identified in Rev.19:6-9 – “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Halleluyah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)” The refusal of the Church in America to keep pure and holy, and do the work Jesus commanded is the reason for the downfall of our nation. God is not a figment of anyone’s imagination. He is real. He is almighty. He is holy. He punishes and/or destroys those who reject and oppose Him. And America is no exception. Neither is any one of us as individuals. Contact me at peteblabs@yahoo.com if you wish. Pete