The Poison Pill within Obamacare

by Richard H. Frank

To quote the words of Nancy Pelosi “We will have to pass the Bill to find out what’s in it.”  The more we learn the more sinister and onerous the truth about the “Affordable Health Care Act” becomes.

Unfortunately, political double speak and the noise created by debating the minutia throughout this monstrous document, tend to hide the basic unconstitutional premise upon which the law is founded.  The Government cannot force individuals to purchase something they do not want.  Moreover, the latest mandate placed upon private insurance providers to pay for contraceptive and abortion services they do not cover is a direct infringement upon the freedom of every American.

If Government can mandate contraceptive and abortion services where will it all end?  Remember, what Government gives, Government can also take away as Thomas Jefferson warned.  Under any form of socialized medicine, or Obamacare, the bureaucracy decides what treatment and for whom a treatment will be provided.

In answer to a question as to “If a woman’s 80-year-old mother could receive a life-saving procedure under Obamacare,” President Obama answered that in some instances taking a pill might be the appropriate treatment.  Bureaucrats making decisions about medical treatment is just one step closer to euthanasia for the elderly and infirmed. Just what pill might they think is appropriate?

What we have already learned about Obamacare is that a premium is placed on the life of those considered “contributors.”  Individuals between 20 and 55 years of age will take preference in receiving scarce or costly procedures over the unborn, the very young and the elderly.

The moral compass of many in our state legislatures and Congress has been lost.  The value placed on human life has been diminished to a point where “The Great American Holocaust” has taken 10 times the number of lives through abortion than  did the Nazi’s attempt at genocide against the Jews during WWII.

What has this great nation become when Government defines “rights” that favor political ideology over those unalienable rights bestowed upon every human being by our Creator.

I fear for this nation should we continue along a path that places economic value upon life and diminishes and excludes the very mention of God in the public arena.

The Cycle of Ignorance.

By: Richard H. Frank

Whether you believe in a divine creator, God, Allah, or Nature as a basis for your individual belief system, history shows that the one characteristic held by man alone is that he is the only creature on earth that creates a whole new set of needs once he has satisfied a previous need. Eventually, with knowledge gained and technology advances, man arrogantly believes he is greater than the Earth he inhabits and Mother Nature’s laws that he would subvert and change were it within his province and sphere of influence to do so.

The forces of nature such as volcanoes, earth quakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, draught and floods, all hold domain over each and every government, community or other form of human existence ever conceived by the individual, or man.

Obviously man does not possess, nor will he ever possess such power, and therefore over the millennia has focused his sphere of influence over those communities  much smaller and closer to his than to those of greater size. Thus, we have created Nations, Religions and Ethnic or Racial spheres of influence that hold fast to certain religious, political and economic ideologies that we find in our world today.

Since the beginning of recorded time, man has resorted to bribery, lies, force, murder and war as the tools with which his individual sphere of influence might be expanded. The end result of this carnage of man against man is akin to the bursting of bubbles where only the size of the space they occupy and their shape is changed until the next force is applied from within, not by man but the laws of nature, to return balance to the status quo and a return to harmony.

Mans arrogant lust for power and to hold domain over his neighbor and ultimately the entire world is subject to the forces of nature whether man will admit it or not. The cycle of harmony and peace, to war and oppression seems to occur in a 30 to 70 year time-frame. Is it possible that the laws of nature provide a cleansing of the world by imposing a life cycle for man of 3 score and 10 years?

Today, in the Middle East, we see evidence of this cycle repeating itself once again. Rulers, some dictators, are being challenged by their people to either relinquish rule, or to moderate their government policies toward more democratic principles. The risk is that these nations may fall into the hands of despotic, theological leaders intent on enslaving the people such as happened in Iran. Could it be that the laws of nature are truly at work once again in an effort to restore harmony and balance in a world filled with turbulence and strife?

A study of history reveals the presence of the 30/70 year cycle and how the human race will suffer oppression for only so long before resorting to rebellion in order to affect a change in circumstances. America must heed the lessons of history to avoid placing our destiny in the hands of despot’s intent on transforming our nation into something other than a Representative Republic.  Germany’s Hitler, Italy’s Mussolini, and Cuba’s Castro were all cheered as saviors until they rose to a position of power sufficient to crush their opposition with force. Then and only then were their true colors revealed.

Democracy is a wonderful thing, but as stated in its definition can and does often result in mob rule. Our Representative Republic has survived as a democratic form of government for 235 years only because it is founded upon nature’s laws and governance of, by and for the people.  In any democracy we must guard against having the voice of the minority override the welfare and security of the majority, as evidenced in some States by demonstrations against legislation to bring fiscal responsible reform to government. Mob rule must not and cannot prevail in the United States of America.

Should “We the People” fail to study history we risk falling prey to the cycle of ignorance and will place our very freedom in jeopardy.

Religion in America – Adding Insult to Injury

By: Richard H. Frank

The latest assault on religious prayer being reported in the media is that residents of a nursing home have been told they may NOT pray before their meal since a portion of the cost for the food comes from the Federal government. Just how far are the secular progressives willing to go to destroy our Christian heritage in America? They hide behind the First Amendment of the Constitution and not only misinterpret the words but omit those words that render their argument moot. The amendment says,” Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof:” To my knowledge Congress has  not established any religion, especially Christianity. The secular progressives, through the courts, have imposed laws against the practice thereof in direct violation to the Constitution.  We can no longer celebrate Christian holidays or traditions in our schools and on any Federally funded or owned property in the United States. Federally owned means owned by the government, which  in turn receives its money in the form of taxes imposed upon “We the People”. Thus “We the People” must in fact own the Federal Property and also determine how and upon what Federal money should be used to finance. 

According to the PEW Forum on religion in the United States 78.4 % of the population are Christians, 1.7% Jewish, 3.0% other and the remaining Unaffiliated 16.1%. Given these statistics it seems ridiculous that some Judge is able to subvert the Constitution and make law from the bench regarding how and where we may practice our faith. Call it political correctness or just plain political activism it is not only wrong from a representative standpoint but is also unquestionably unconstitutional. Should we adopt a precept of ownership with regard to schools and government-owned property then we should be allowed to observe Christian traditions 78.4 % of the time since Christians contribute that percentage on average to the funding of the government. This of course is as ridiculous as the current situation barring any religious observances on government property.

The founders knew that government unchecked would evolve into tyranny and within the Declaration of Independence stated…”that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their security.” Assuming that those persons that occupy the positions on the Supreme Court are virtuous and will uphold their oath to the Constitution, it is time for Christians to challenge the rulings and laws that prohibit exercising our Constitutional right to practice our religion whenever and wherever we deem appropriate, the same way Christians recognize the rights of all other religions. Should the Supreme Court fail to uphold the Constitution, then it is up to congress to impeach those Justices that continue to violate their oath. No one person, President or Judge is above the law and the Constitution is the supreme Law of the land.

Christians in America have been “disposed to suffer” the indignities imposed upon them by the secular progressives and it is time to stand up and return to the principles and values enumerated in the Constitution.

Why does the mention of God anger so many people?

By: Richard H. Frank

The Libertyssong blog has been posted for approximately five months and for the most part has received constructive favorable comments from the readers. The glaring exception is for our posts that examine the Founders fervent belief in a creator as having established “Natural Law” as the basis for the unalienable Rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence. Secular progressives have distorted the meaning of the Constitution’s First Amendment in such a way as to deny the documented beliefs of the Founders. They have replaced it with a doctrine that religion and the state cannot be acknowledged within the same physical space in the universe, nor upon any document residing in a public institution. I know that this description of what they believe is extreme, but no more extreme than their assertion that the phrase “In God We Trust” is direct contradiction to the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The Constitution allows all Americans the right to practice, or not to practice, any religion of their choice. It only prohibits the establishment of a Federal Government religion. In fact, unless prohibited by a State’s Constitution, that State could establish its own religion. Government, Federal or State, cannot mandate any citizen to recognize or practice any religion. The First Amendment also prohibits the Federal Government from interfering with the free exercise of any religion.  The Constitution is silent with regard to acknowledging and recognizing the Founders’ beliefs and therefore those that would cite the First Amendment as the authority to remove any reference to God from the public square are misinformed.

George Washington in his farewell address said,” Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports”. ……… “Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?”

Over the past 80 years, largely due to the influence of secular progressives, we have moved far from the principles upon which this country was founded. The very people that would remove all references to “God” from the public arena, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are protected in their beliefs by these very documents. So what do they fear?

I fear a government made up of men having no moral compass to guide them, lacking integrity and honesty. A belief in God and the principles espoused by our founding Fathers provides that moral compass. Unfortunately, many of our representatives in Congress seem to have embraced political ideology over principle. Let us pray to “God” that they find that moral compass once more.

Faith, Hope and Charity

by Richard H.  Frank

Faith, Hope and Charity, much like three legs of a stool, are the pillars that form the foundation for stability upon which our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

“Faith,” a belief in a supreme creator, commonly shared by all the Founders, was the basis for recognizing Natural Law as remaining unaltered by the intervention of man.  Therefore, unalienable rights could only flow from the Creator (God) and not from man. Among those rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“Hope,” was the principled belief that drove the pilgrims and the puritans from Europe to a new world, free to worship as they wished without the oppressive hand of government established through “the divine right of kings.”  Hope was the driving force that motivated developments of the territories and the western frontier.

“Charity,” is the ethos that a man was responsible, as directed by God, to care for his family first, followed by his neighbors and those in need in the community.  He could share the fruits of his labor as he saw fit in any amount and for any cause of his own choosing.

These three pillars served to support our Constitution and over the first 150 years allowed for the birth of a “new nation under God with liberty and justice for all.”

The Founders would marvel at the growth and prosperity experienced in these young United States of America under this experiment in self-government called our Representative Republic.

Shortly after the turn of the 20th Century, social progressives began a slow steady assault upon the Constitution using covert methods to attack and erode the pillars of faith, hope and charity.

The issue of “separation of church and state” has been distorted beyond recognition by the social progressives. Originally intended as a prohibition against establishment of a “state religion,” it has now been interpreted to preclude acknowledgment of any religious symbol, teachings or writings in public-funded institutions.  This country once proudly proclaimed itself as a Christian nation having its roots in Judeo-Christian law.  Today the secular progressives want any reference to God erased from public view.  They have gone so far as to insist that “In God We Trust” be removed from our currency.  Over 90% of Americans profess a belief in God, yet we allow the minority to step on the rights of the majority. Today, those in our enlightened society who dare to call upon god and adherence to divine law are castigated as religious zealots.

As for “hope,” the progressive movement has successfully suppressed the inclination of the individual to provide a better life for his children than for himself.  Overreaction to the civil rights issues in the 1960s resulted in imposed quotas for minority hiring in the public sector, affirmative action programs in our schools and universities and a general dumbing down of the educational system in America.  Many young deserving individuals were denied the opportunity that would otherwise have been available to them.  Ultimately reverse discrimination resulted.  In today’s toxic environment anyone challenging continuation of these progressive policies is quickly labeled a “racist.”

“Charity” is now synonymous with social welfare.  Progressive legislation has moved responsibility from individuals to care for his family and the needy in the community to the public rolls in the form of welfare.  The “nanny state” policy of “cradle to grave” welfare has created a monster in the form of “unfunded mandates” that have grown enormously since 1960.  Programs like aid for dependent children, extending social security benefits beyond its original intent to dependants and surviving spouses and the disabled, no matter how well intentioned, will serve as the slow death of this Republic.  We have created a segment of American society totally reliant on the “welfare state” for their daily subsistence.

Today, government is further infringing on our individual freedoms by mandating health care as a “right.”  Environmentalists want to legislate the amount of water used to flush your toilet.  The food police are now regulating the amount of trans fat and salt we may consume.  Whatever happened to personal responsibility?  “Big Brother” is alive and well in the form of a liberal Congress hell bent on controlling each and every aspect of our life.

The Founders would not recognize the difference between the America of 1920 and that of 2010.  They did, however, provide a mechanism within our Constitution to change this disastrous course we find ourselves taking.  “We the People” retain the power, under the Constitution, to change leadership in our representative Republic.  Should we fail to act to change this government, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Get involved, restore and strengthen the pillars that support our Constitution – “Faith, Hope and Charity.”

One Nation Under God

By Richard H. Frank

 The Declaration of Independence makes it clear that the Founders recognized the existence of a Creator and the laws of nature and nature’s God.  They knew that unalienable rights were not bestowed upon them by men but by the Creator. Unalienable rights, they believed, came directly from God and were not in the province of mankind, kings, emperor nor any governmental authority. Further they recognized that freedom cannot survive unless their Republic and Constitution is based upon virtuous and morally strong principles. These principles flow directly from the Bible taking their substance from the Ten Commandments as well as additional laws found in Judea / Christian doctrine.

Critics would contend that this precept is in direct violation to “separation of church and state” as required by the Constitution. This argument is fallacious in that the basic principles upon which our Constitution is built are present in every religious doctrine regardless of sect or denomination. All religions recognize a divine entity as the source of creation. Call that entity God, Allah, Buddha or the cosmos there is recognition that a power greater than man is the ultimate authority over the universe. Principles for virtue and morality do not in any way violate the Constitution but serve to strengthen the document. Even atheists have to acknowledge that nature’s law is universal in application and become the basis for reason, a faculty possessed by man alone among all species in creation. Reason reveals that natural law cannot be altered by man, as the factors are absolute and unalterable. As such the proof is undisputed, that whether you believe in God or not, there is a power greater than man possessing principles that are basic and comprehended by the human mind as correct and moral in their application.

To those individuals offended by the precept of God, upon which our Constitutional Republic is founded, I say, you can exercise your freedom to seek refuge elsewhere. You have the right to express your beliefs openly and without fear. However, you do not have a right to restrict others from honoring the principles upon which this Nation was founded.  “One Nation Under God” with Liberty and Justice for all!