GOD BLESS AMERICA
Wes Keller – The People's Paper Mid-Apr 2020
Which will we recover from first, the COVID-19 virus, or the "financial solution/help/cure" for the virus?
It seems the "cure", even if it was motivated in good faith to help the elderly and vulnerable, may turn out to be worse than the disease! The unprecedented shutdown of the global economy has been willingly, almost eagerly, imposed by all of us, driven by a combination of fear and compassion. An enemy could not possibly have destroyed our economy to the extent we have done it to ourselves – in record time!
The impact of the unanimous decision to devalue the American dollar by printing 2.2 trillion new ones is incomprehensible. 2.2 trillion is approximately the number of seconds in 1,000 human lifetimes...ask SIRI ! This "cure" leaps into unknown, uncharted waters – a VERY COSTLY untested drug without clinical trials! Now, we watch for contra-indications! It will likely produce spectacular harm to the American dollar, and to Americans who have grown to trust it!
While the overwhelming compassion, resiliency, and innovation we see in our threatened neighbors is heart-warming, we need to be alert for those who will exploit fear and greed for selfish gain by pretending to help. Could our government slip into this category if we are not careful? We need to be very slow to surrender more of our freedoms to an even larger government in exchange for the pretense of providing security it cannot deliver!
Here is the simple formula for personal recovery from the "cure" (or the disease) that I recommend:
Take advantage of your self-imposed isolation to contemplate your worldview – your "philosophy" on the source of government (God and His laws). Acknowledge God when you encounter your blemishes and weak spots (you will encounter them) and dare to admit them. Adjust your own worldview, even if you have to tear it down to the starting point: Does God exist? Or not? If so, what does He want? Then rebuild. You have been given complete religious freedom to pursue answers. This is America! Nobody can force you to follow my advice, or not. It is super-encouraging to hear reports of this happening. Listen for them.
Consider the values of our nation's founding fathers. They did not place false faith in human government! The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers make it very clear they had "faith" in something greater than the new government they were creating. Historically, we know we have depended on the "Creator", "Supreme Judge", and the moral absolutes ("Nature's Law"). We know human government cannot deliver what is available from "Divine Providence." We also know our faith is misplaced if we trust security from human government.
Consider, and be thankful for, America's exceptional prosperity. It CAN be recovered! America is the product of subscription to the very highest and best source of law. America stands tall compared to all other nations! Because of just laws, our cities are graced with parks, arts, cultural centers, and world-class marketplaces. Our plains have become the source of food and goods, including crops and herds to fill our supermarkets. Our meats and grains are consumed worldwide! We produce and export vast amounts of energy from natural resources. We travel the globe in cars, buses, and airplanes. Our manufacturing, technology, and science set global standards. "Made in America" is a label to be proud of...a boast of the highest quality.
We are free! We are a beacon to the world held high by the Statue of Liberty. We have enjoyed generations of security. Nations determined to destroy us have themselves been destroyed. The Bill of Rights confirms our Constitution respects everyone's potential. It is no coincidence this review of "blessings" is suspiciously similar to the blessings recognized by Christians and Jews!
The conditional blessings promised in Scripture to an ancient mid-eastern nation are still the desirable goal. Check out the promises recorded in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, 4:1-14, and Leviticus 25:18-22! While you read them, deal with the fact that these were specifically conditional - the consequences of obedience to "good" laws. Our Declaration of Independence presumes our foundation to be on the very same premises (laws) given to ancient Israel: "Nature's God", the "Supreme Judge", and "Divine Providence" all refer back to ancient truth...there is truly nothing new under the sun.
Contemplation on the source of law is called "jurisprudence". Resulting thoughts are unavoidably "religious" thoughts. Consider that the Constitution prohibiting the establishment of religious control by government still presumes the influence of religion. Webster's 1828 Dictionary characterized "religion" as a relationship with the one true God (http://webstersdictionary1828.com/dictionary/religion). As you know, this has ironically become a point of contention in the "maintenance" of our civil and criminal law (the job description for our legislatures).
Our road to recovery is inescapably tied to religious thought and renewal. John Adams wrote what was commonly understood and confirmed by virtually all of the other founders: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious [God-fearing] people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
The "cure" for the "cure" starts with you!
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