America: The Land of the Fearful and Home of the Enslaved

Fear has controlled humans for thousands of years. In ancient times, we feared the dangers of nature, barbarians and gods. In the times of proper civilization however, we have created a new thing to fear: our leaders. We gave them everything to avoid pain and annihilation, but drunk with power they have betrayed us. Today, again, we are afraid. The religious, the spiritual and the faithful fear persecution. Libertarians and conservatives fear government violence and political silence. Liberals fear that if we are left unattended by government, then not even God will step in to care for the poor. The America we live in today is no longer the America that our forefathers died for and titled "the land of the free and the home of the brave." No: despite how we have flourished in the past hundred years, we are now slaves to fear, and bravery is arrested for trying.

How do I come to this conclusion? Easily: examples of control - the consequence of fear - are everywhere.* We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this list to get so long. We should be outraged at the people in our capital city. We should be sharpening our pitchforks. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote, “Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise.” Unfortunately the book was titled Common Sense, a principle abandoned by humans frequently throughout history. As a result of our fear, we elected temple robbers, fools, tax collectors (in the Biblical sense), and Pharaohs. Despite what is said in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution, we have indeed bestowed royalty upon our governmental officials. Just look over the list I put at the end of the blog. In our bustle to throw our freedoms away, we have given so much power to Washington. Our fears have transformed the American people from a monument of courage and hope to ignorant sheep for shearing and greedy pigs for slaughter.

On the topic of fear, I think Franklin said it the best: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Even though governments of the past have rarely been little more than black holes of arrogance and venal ambitions, we keep pushing to make them stronger. As a Christian, it especially pains me to see others of my faith shoveling their freedom into the pockets of others. 1 John 4:18 despises fear but pursues love, saying, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." God doesn't want us to fear**. As Christians, are we not then commanded to be brave? Even simply as Americans we have not only the right, but the constitutional responsibility to cast this oppressive leadership away. Thomas Jefferson (and several others) covered this basic right by announcing, “Every law consistent with the Constitution will have been made in pursuance of the powers granted by it. Every usurpation or law repugnant to it cannot have been made in pursuance of its powers. The latter will be nugatory and void.” I find it very upsetting that we have used the excuse of fear to slip farther and farther into the control of others. In this fight, we cannot be fearful. We must restore our Constitution.

If we cannot be fearful, then the only option left is to be free. Fear creates chains, but the opposite of fear creates freedom. Perhaps a second revolution is at hand, before we are completely swallowed by history. We have teetered on the edge of oppression for too long. Remember the first Democratic president's words: "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. I am not a friend to a very energetic government." Where has the Democratic party put its honor? And what have the Republicans done to their logic? They direct us to increase their power, rather than to serve their nation. In this they undermine, devalue, and liquidate the principles our country was created to uphold. Personally, I am ashamed for not being outraged sooner. I am ashamed to have waited until today to write this. The America that was founded on July 4th, 1776 does not exist anymore, but I think it can again if we are willing to be brave and fight for it.

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“Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.”

“O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but
the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression.
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa,
have long expelled her.?Europe regards her like a stranger, and England
hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in
time an asylum for mankind.”

“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.”

― Thomas Paine, excerpts from Common Sense

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“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” 

“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited Constitution. By a limited Constitution, I understand one which contains certain specified exceptions to the legislative authority .... Limitations of this kind can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing.”

― Alexander Hamilton


"A government is like fire; a handy servant, but a dangerous master."

― George Washington

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*Some of the tools that are being used to control us ("some" being the key word): 

1. Your freedom of religion and freedom of speech are being oppressed: http://christiannews.net/2013/10/07/missouri-police-descend-upon-arrest-evangelists-preaching-gospel-in-public-square/
2. The current administration has vindictively closed memorials and many national parks that require nothing to maintain. Here are two examples:
1. Your WWII memorial: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23579527/congress-members-make-sure-veterans-are-able-to-visit-memorials-closed-by-shutdown
2. The Grand Canyon isn't "allowed" to reopen even though citizens have requested to run it privately, in order to maintain their small businesses: http://twitchy.com/2013/10/08/closed-for-king-obama-grand-canyon-business-owners-protest-shutdown/
3. Moreover, the Grand Canyon that you technically own through the taxes that you are still paying, is so off-limits, that they'll cite you for visiting: http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2013/10/08/grand-canyon-cites-people-for-entering-closed-park/
3. Obama calls himself your boss: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/10/08/obama_s_shutdown_analogies_a_complete_list_of_the_analogies_president_obama.html 
4. Meanwhile, the larger portion of the media continues to portray Obama as God, despite his extraordinarily low approval rating. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/obamas_top_50_accomplishments035755.php?page=all See how they worship him? And see how he fails? http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2013/10/09/shutdown-fallout-obama-approval-rating-slides-to-37-percent-n1720138
5. GOP attacks Ted Cruz http://www.salon.com/2013/10/03/gop_senators_attack_ted_cruz/
6.  You know, there is another line on your ballots in which to write the name of any candidate you choose, even if they are not from a specific party. Elections were never meant to be like searching through the dumpster for a good piece of trash.
7. How do you feel about the extraordinary breach of conduct by the media and the government to use children's deaths as tool to remove your second amendment right to defense against not only every day dangers, but also tyranny? http://jpfo.org/filegen-n-z/six-about-2nd.htm
8. The Patriot Act is an easy way for the government to have you arrested if they think you are a threat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act
9. Are you aware of how many taxes have been added to fund failing government programs (remember the postal service and your last visit to the DMV)? How many more taxes can be imposed before your wallet starts to starve? http://m.freedomworks.org/blog/jborowski/washington%E2%80%99s-proposed-income-tax-will-stifle-econo
10. In fact, the entire Devision of Motor Vehicles is a great way to control transportation of the population. Think about it: why do you need to register your car in order to use it? And why are you forced to purchase insurance? These are easy ways for the government to know what you are doing. No, they probably don't care about what you're doing with your life today, but what happens when you disagree with someone who has the power to stalk your everyday movements?
11. Even seat belts are a sign of control. "Having liberty means that you have the right to take risks. You should be able to sky-dive, smoke a cigarette, drive without a seat belt, or drink a 20-oz soda (despite his excellency King Bloomberg’s wishes) if you so desire." - Gary Nolan
12. How about our educational system? http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/why-liberals-think-being-educated-means-being-liberal/
13. Obamacare is more of a punishment for being a citizen than a help to those in need. http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/13/news/economy/obamacare-penalty/index.html

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**for those of you thinking, "But the Bible says to fear God", the term used for a fear of God might be better translated as "awe" or "reverence". Fear of God does not denote dread or anxiety.

Worries Fly Away

The damp prison had been built miles beneath the surface, a place where the carefree were sent to learn of reality. Dirt and rot of dying rats or people penetrated every intake of breath. The sky to us became a black ceiling where soot gathered, kept still by the moist heat. The heavy weights we were chained to in the deep earth were hardly a problem compared to the heavy air. Still, the blame for my misery there could only be given to me.

As a child, I lived at the foothills of the mountains - just outside of the city. I looked up at the cold, white peaks reaching the stars and believed that I would cross them. Encouragement came with a stranger who told us about the other side. He said that he could take us over, however I considered myself too young to leave home and I stayed with my family, the place that I knew. I told myself it was just for now. As I grew older, the possibility of leaving seemed nearer and more opportune than ever, so I packed my bags, and told my family I would be off for bigger and better things, though I did not yet know exactly what.

The elders of the city gaped at me - how could I leave all of this responsibility behind me? It was beyond their comprehension. I had things to do there, and someday my parents would be old and I would have them to care for. They questioned me - what would become of my younger siblings? I looked up into the peaks. They were dangerous, after all. It would be easy to slip on a landslide. And then what would happen? I'd die, of course. I finally gave in. They were right... it was unreasonable to drop everything and climb the mountains.

Over time, the world became bleak. Our city had been under the ruling of a tyrant from far away, and they threatened to send more soldiers but no one wanted to look in their direction - it was too frightening. There was a day when the skies finally blackened and soldiers from a foreign land marched upon us. Some of us were killed, but most were only taken as slaves. "If you leave," they told us, "the ones you leave behind will be killed." Over time, however, we integrated into their culture. It was not long before our city was surrounded by black walls, black houses, soot and stray dogs. The trees I knew so well were torn down to make way for worldly inventions.

These invaders were from another part of the valley, but we had never paid them much mind before, and now, after they destroyed our homes, we didn't pay them much mind either. Silently we despised them, whilst outwardly we laughed with them and worked for them. It was all the cycle of life, after all.

Sometimes on rare occasion, I would find myself in a place of the city where I could see the peaks. I would look upon them for a long period of time and wonder what would have happened if I had climbed long ago. I could be free, I thought. Yet all I did was shake my head and return to what I suddenly realized was living death. I grimaced and continued, despite my discovery.

As time passed us all by, my emotions fell behind me. I became stiff, bored, and exhausted. I resented the rules, but continued to obey them. Then my mother passed away. My father passed away. The elders passed away and I no longer saw my siblings. One day the stranger returned, but none of us cared. He said he would take us through the mountains and show us how to live and be free, but we would have to let go of everything we had here.

Every one of us shrugged it off and let him sadly disappear into the mountains. "I will return when you are ready," he stated. If I had been younger, I may have rolled my eyes. Instead I reaffixed my life back to my job, the people around me, and my masters in the valley. This faulty peace did not last long, however. There came a day when a man had disobeyed and we were all punished. We had not eaten for two days, and I could no longer think properly. So, I went to my master's house and I stole from him. When we were confronted, I confessed quickly to get it over with. My master was displeased and punished us further. Soon, fights broke out and a rebellion started. After all, they had always despised us as much as we despised them. It ended with everyone of our kind in a prison beneath the earth.

They reminded us daily that we were in the earth because it was reality. Reality, we were reminded, is a troublesome place but we must learn to deal with it, and even enjoy it. Reality, we were reminded, was not a hopeful place, but some place dark, so pleasure must be taken wherever, and they taught us to be gluttonous when we had the chance. They taught us that our success is made by pleasing others and having others respect you for becoming great in their eyes. We learned that we were part of the world there and would have to live with it if we wanted to have our part of the valley. We were taught, we learned and we accepted.

While chained in the dismal deep, there was one day I realized that I was not part of this world. I could never belong to this world, and I would never be happy with my valley. I was not happy with it when it was normal. It had been barren and it was difficult to survive. The elders were overbearing and I had felt very controlled. I did not belong in the valley.

I waited then for the stranger to return. After all, only he knew the way to freedom. We could climb the mountains ourselves, but our elders had been correct - the mountains were dangerous and it would be irresponsible to leave anyone behind without inviting them. I gathered the others to me and shared my thoughts. No one agreed. I waited alone for the stranger to return, but I felt noticeably more free. Suddenly the things that happened here did not matter because I would go beyond the mountains.

At one point I thought the stranger would never come. My thoughts teetered on the precipice of my sanity. Blood and dirt were so common to my eyes that I might have found comfort in them, had I chosen to lose the hope I had. It was at this point when the stranger came for me. He came to my prison bars and asked "Would you like to go now? You cannot return if you come with me, but you will be free." My eyes and my weak smile replied for me.

So easily, he opened the door, as though it had never been locked - he had bought me, after all. He unfastened the chains around my wrists, ankles and neck like they had never been forged together and I was free. How long had I been there? I did not even recall the length of time.

Like magic, no guards came running to send me back, and even if they had, I felt I had the confidence to stand up to them - as long as the stranger was there. We exited quietly, and I bathed in a small creek outside of the city. I was not able to remove all of the dirt, but it was good enough.

Although we were out of the city, the mountains loomed before us like the city's massive black walls, their peaks hidden among the gray clouds in the morning. Their slopes were as barren as the valley below, and dust caked back onto my skin. As we climbed higher, I grew tired and ill. The oxygen thinned, and the cold air dried me. The dust etched its way into thin cuts that developed on my hands and feet from dehydration. Headaches and stiff winds followed us to the top. Although I was ill, the stranger stayed with me. He was never sick like I was, but it pained him to see me suffering, like I were family he had known all his life. I still feared he would leave me behind. I was afraid that he was a fake, or that the blue skies, white clouds and greenery would beckon his imagination as it did mine. "If you are worried that I might leave you, call on me," he told me like he had read my mind.

"But I do not know your name," I replied.

He hugged me and whispered it in my ear. His arms somehow made me warm against the wildest wind and coldest snow. He had felt the cold and the wind. He knew what it was, yet as he passed through the pass day after day, he was no longer susceptible to it.

Gray hung above us, darkening my mood. Gray blew around me, shoving us this way and that. Gray was the ground beneath us, holding our frozen feet fast to the top of the mountain, but red warmth was between us. As we dipped below the fog and the rocks beneath us retreated into a downward slope, The snow gave way to sights I hadn't imagined. Fields of blossoms cloaked the grassy hillsides until they met forests of pines. Sparkling brooks cascaded into steaming, swirling pools.

The slopes flattened at the bottom into moss-covered rocks and open plains. I saw the shadows of white clouds move gently across the wind-blown grass, slowly making their way out to a blue expanse. The closer we came to it, the more I could tell - this was the sea. The freshness of the air penetrated my world. My muscles could relax, as my ears only recalled the sound of birds crying, and tons of water splashing and retreating over and over.

"Are you worried about the ones you left behind?" the stranger inquired.

"Yes, of course..." I replied, uncertain if he would ask me to go back. "If only they could see this! I can't imagine returning to the city."

"Then I will go back for them, but I can only save them if they wish for it. Anyone who would prefer to live in the valley at the city may stay, and anyone who would prefer to come to me may come."

I thought of this as my doubts ebbed away. I had made it here, guided by the stranger who never left my side. If they wanted to, they could as well. The few others who had crossed the mountains joined me to feast and to dance. Not one of them wished they had stayed behind, and no one who stayed behind had been denied by the stranger. Immersed in beauty and love of the world around me, my worries took wings and flew away.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21