Author: Andy

This is the first gun show I’ve attended in quite a while. It was spurred by Tuesday’s election, but I did not go to “stock up”. My goal was to distribute as many “I STAND for Liberty” decals as possible. Rather than just hand them out, I attached them to a half-sheet of paper with some bullet points – no pun intended – about Liberty and plugs for TheLibertyCoalition.org

As you can see – it was a quick and crude job but it was the best I could do on short notice. They turned out all right and were generally well-accepted. I did not charge for these but I did accept whatever was offered.

There were some interesting individual reactions.

One vendor, a manufacturer and purveyor of Kydex holsters resisted at first. Her reason? She did not want to get involved in political debate. She was more responsive as I pointed out liberty is not a political issue.

A few were enthusiastic. These are the ones who inspired me most. One looked at the sheet and said “I kneel for no one.” Good for him and I said as much.

Another lady came back less than a minute after taking one and said, “I kneel for injustice.” I will say no more, though I did ask her what that had to do with liberty.

A few shrunk from the proffered decal. It was almost as if they felt liberty would bite them. While I am certain their response was more an aversion to “free” things and the often subtle expectation of reciprocation. I cannot help linking some reactions to the idea that liberty scares some people.

One fellow did not shrink but politely refused. This was toward the end, I was weary and that is always dangerous. I turned to my helper and said, mark one down – doesn’t want liberty. He did smile at that. Whew! He was a rather big, fit fellow.

A couple stated they did not put decals on their cars. I totally emphasize with that sentiment. I tend to feel the same way myself, but at this point, I am beyond it.

Several did ask for extras. I gladly handed them over. On fellow would only accept it if he could have two so he could put one on each window of his truck. No worries. Here ya go!

My impression of the general mood of the attendees was they were not nearly as riled up as I expected. There was at least one announcement over the loudspeaker concerning recent events. I’m not sure how many paid attention. Even I did not catch all he said and I am intensely interested. There was too much going on as in any busy marketplace.

Overall I’d say my venture was a success, though nearly as much as I’d hoped. However this can be attributed to a unrealistic set of premises and expectations. It is too early to tell what the long-term effects might be. I met a lot of people and I was able to gather in their concerns. This alone was telling.

One observation I can make is the normalcy bias is in full effect in some. Others can sense the change but they either express feelings of helplessness or lament that nothing can be done. After all we voted… didn’t we? What else is there? A few are obviously preparing to do battle – and no, I do NOT mean armed combat of any sort. I do not recall a single word spoken or implied about anything that could be remotely considered armed rebellion or any other act of violence. Contrary to the fantasies of the controllers and their minions, we are simply not like that. What I DO mean is they see this last election as a setback rather than total defeat. Some plan on showing up at the capitol for the first legislative session. I gather they are determined to make their voices heard.

In conclusion, I feel this was a worthwhile venture. I may try this again at some point – either at another gun show or some other local event. I may even set up a table, though I am a bit daunted by the expense at this point. Meanwhile I’ll take some time to reflect on all of this and let it all sink in.

God bless,

Andy

You can take the question two ways:

1) What is wrong with Socialism becoming more popular?

or

2) What is wrong with the headline itself?

First of all, the article is NOT wrong! In fact the author essentially hits the nail on the head. So what is wrong with Socialism gaining popularity?

Everything. Short and sweet: Socialism, Communism and Globalism and all their pals are enemies of liberty. The very premise of each of these “isms” is to rip our God-given liberty from our hands – our bloody hands if necessary – and turn them over to the controllers.

So what is the author missing?

The article seems suggest “Socialism is coming to America”. The fact is Socialism is not only already IN America – it is well-entrenched!  Even before I was born (which, according to my youngest son, was before dirt was invented.) socialism was weaved into the very fabric of our nation. My point?

We need to stop wringing our hands over socialism and start eradicating it.

Where do we start? The “good” news is socialism pervades every segment of our society. Why is that “good news”? It is a good thing because we need not start in our nation’s capitol. We do not even need to start in our state capitols. We can start in our own backyards. We can get busy on the village, town and county level. In fact this is where we need to begin.

Meanwhile, know thy enemy. This article is an excellent place to begin to understand the appeal of this nasty ideology.

4 Reasons Why Socialism Is Becoming More Popular

God bless,

Andy

Brandon Smith is someone I know I should read more often. He is an excellent analyst and often accurate in predicting globalist trends. That said, he is also an atheist – I think. Does that matter? Not so much to me. If he is going to be a brother in Christ, he will be. I won’t wring my hands over it, my trust is in God Almighty. My observation here is merely to put things in perspective.

For one thing, I find his title courageous. As a Christian, I can easily state “there are fates far worse than death” because I am confident about what lies beyond. If Brandon is indeed, not a Christian, does this mean he believes his life will end in nothing? THAT would be a bid discerning to me. Even so, I suppose I could make a case for the statement even without the promise of eternal life.

The other thing is Brandon cannot see the spiritual reality in all of this. When one ceases to see the war as one among men and understands the greater spiritual aspect, the perspective changes dramatically. More on this in my next post.

All in all, it is a read worth of your time:

Brandon Smith “There Are Things Worth Fighting For, And Fates Far Worse Than Death”

God bless,

Andy

Moving forward

As we are all painfully aware, the Commonwealth of Virginia turned blue overnight. It looks bleak but I am beginning to see this as an opportunity. Few things starve complacency like an opposition win.

Most of us see this as a Democrat win. True as this may be the bigger picture reveals the win went to the controllers. God knows there are plenty of controllers in both parties. Politics is the very war for control.

When it comes right down to it – our choice is not Republican or Democrat

I saw this morning – Liberty is the White in our nations Red, White and Blue. It hold no color because it cares not for politics. It stands between the Red and the Blue because it draws from both and commits to neither.

The truth is we our true choice is to either:

STAND for Liberty or

kneel to the controllers.

Every single piece of legislation – no matter what side is in power comes down to Liberty or Control.

For example the never ending 2^nd Amendment debate is over Gun Control. Yes, we’ve made inroads but the only “wins” in the Liberty column are hard-won reinstatements of rights we never should have lost in the first place.

We need to stand face to face with the controllers and their minions. Make them at least admit they are not after our guns – what they are really demanding is our liberty.

Maybe at some point, some of them will see a light come on. Don’t count on it.

Let us fight on.

God bless,

Andy

This came to me in an email.

It is an interesting take on things I particularly like the comparison made about “free” health care in ARTICLE V:

Preamble

Judging from the news stories I read, it is only a matter of time before I am declared a terrorist by one or more government official.

Keep in mind, I have never advocated a violent act against anybody. My stand is placed directly in the hands of Almighty God. Not that it matters to those who decide the status of a citizen not on their acts but their thoughts and whether those thoughts agree with the controllers. As I STAND for liberty – I will never be counted as one of them.

With this in mind, please read the latest from Ron Paul below.

God bless,

Andy

http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2019/november/04/sentence-first-crime-later/

h/t Zero Hedge

First note, I have never even been stopped, much less charged with driving under the influence of any substance.

The following article questions the validity of the “science” behind breathalyzer tests.

While I am not a lawyer nor do I give legal advice, I am a citizen and therefore qualified to offer a layman citizens opinion on thus subject. Thus said, I believe the very act of forcing a citizen to submit any bodily substances to “prove” anything – innocence or guilt” without being charged and/or proper legal council is to total violation of our Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure. At the very least.

Granted there are likely many fine “legal” points any lawyer could and will trot out. Okay, fine. Trot away. According to any law explained to me, refusal to SUBMIT is a guaranteed conviction. The difference between this “guarantee” and the guarantee I claimed in an earlier sentence is this one is enforced.

Whatever happened to the principle preeminent English jurist William Blackstone wrote,”[B]etter that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer.*“?

These days the sentiment is more like “Round ’em all up, they are all probably guilty of something!” The sad truth is, according to some learned men, this statement is likely technically accurate. The problem is we are all guilty of two things:

1) Neglecting to hold our representatives accountable and thus allowing them to pass unconstitutional, even stupid laws.

2) Guilty of violating said unconstitutional and even stupid laws.

I maintain the first wrong is most grievous

Thus, while the ridiculous circumstance we find ourselves in below is terrible – we seem to be locked in to liberty-stealing bad laws based on bad science – we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Until we stand up and claim our God-given liberty – we will continue to slid down these slippery slopes.

Drunk Driving and Fake Science

h/t ZeroHedge

Leaving Illinois: Does anybody care about people like us? – Wirepoints Original – Video

Are you a slave or a citizen of this nation? If you say “citizen”, think again. This “free country” of ours ranks in the top three nations of the world – in prison population. Our competition? Russian and China – that’s right the two major communist nations vie with us for the top spot in jailing people. Still think you’re free?

Ask yourself – is your labor your own? Let’s say you started a small shop on the corner selling, oh, slightly used items. You’re in business for a week and someone comes in through your door and tells you if you want to stay in business, you need to pay him and his people. You know who I’m talking about… right? Correct! The government is “that guy”, except he won’t visit your shop after a week. You’ll need permission before you ever open your doors. Not only that but you’ll likely have to add a percentage to every sale and give it it “that guy” too. Of course you were thinking of some organized crime thug – you’d be correct also. What needs to hit us all in the face is “that guy” and the organized crime thug are the same guy. Keep in mind “the government” is not evil in itself, it is the thugs we’ve allowed in – from the person holding public office to the millions of henchmen they’ve employed.

Okay, so say you decide to just go to work for someone else. Great. Make sure you fill out your W-4 form so your new boss can give part of your hard-earned money to the government. IS your labor your own? You tell me. Try working without paying the man. What about your car? Oh, yeah, even if you “own” it outright you have to pay to use it and maybe even pay to simply own it. Your house? What will happen if you fail to pay your property taxes every year? Is it really “your” home? Do you really own your car?

What about that money our government lets you keep. That’s yours… right? Well, except part of nearly every nickle you spend goes to the government. Sales taxes, excise taxes, use taxes – oh and don’t forget the companies providing those goods and services all pay taxes – or more accurately collect taxes for the government’s coffers. They don’t really “pay” those taxes, they simply hide them in your bill. You pay those taxes.

So are you really “free”? There’s this old joke: “I’m the boss of my house – I know because my wife says so.” The “freedoms” we enjoy today are only those our government allows. Wait a minute! Aren’t “we” the government? You know, we govern ourselves – of the people, by the people and for the people… right? Yeah, sure, go with that. The next time you’re in court for a speeding ticket, tell the judge you weren’t really speeding because everybody who travels that road – “the people” ignore the speed limit. Just hope s/he has a sense of humor.

Work with me on this: if our governments truly represented the citizens and the citizens by consensus gravitate to a certain speed – why are not all “speed limits” in sync with how people drive? You know the answer. Speed limits are determined not by the will of the people but by the will of faceless bureaucrats, hired by our “representatives” who have unilaterally decided what is “good for us”. Would it surprise you to learn what they think is “good for us” is to raise revenue for their serfdoms? Whether you’re talking about speed limits, TSA searches, or your local zoning ordinances – the purpose is the same… control. Controllers control – that is who they are and what they do.

By the way “serf” is a more accurate term here than “slave”. A slave is owned by another person whereas a serf is owned by the land. Since the end result is the same, why quibble about terms? Free is free and owned is owned. Does it really matter who holds our pink slips? Now let’s consider the idea of freedom.

Remember the title – “The Truth Will Set Us Free”? The previous paragraphs woke you to the reality we all face. We’ve been lied to and cheated out of our freedom. The controllers have lied to us about the truth of our situation and have hidden the greater truth: they have replaced our free nation with a serfdom right under out noses while touting “ it’s a free country” all along. They’ve buried us under a massive system of rules and regulations nipping away at our freedoms until we can do little or nothing without some official’s permission. How does knowing this set us free? When you couple this knowledge with the real truth of our situation – their perceived power vanishes!

Wait! What do you mean by “perceived power”? This is the crux of the issue. The only “power” they have is what they have deceived us into thinking they have. Read that again. Let it sink in. If this is true what is real power? The only real power on this planet is held by or given by Almighty God. Anything, and I do mean ANYTHING else is smoke and mirrors.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Now there is a contingent of those who would have you believe this verse refers to government. I will leave it to you to look up and consider the context. For the moment let us simply consider the implications of such an idea. We are to obey government because government is ordained of God. Thus it would follow that the herding of men, women and children into cattle cars and eventually, to their deaths was ordained of God. Or Stalin’s gulags were ordained of God. Must I go on? Please.

In this nation, the highest power of the land is documented in our Constitution – the framework of our Republic. Rather than a King, a dictator, or some other singular individual – we are ordained by God Himself to rule ourselves via representatives of our choosing. This authority is not given to one person but spread among many to ensure we all have an equal say. Furthermore, the scope of what our representatives are allowed to do is severely limited. Consider the Second Amendment:

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Much attention is ladled upon the first part of this sentence “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State”. When one understands this “Militia” consists of all able-bodied citizens, there is little room for dispute. The wind totally goes out of those sails when the term “well-regulated” is correctly defined as “well-equipped”. Oh. Yeah.

This leaves the question asked by so many: “What part of “ the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” do they NOT understand? Hear this, the problem is not understanding, it is acceptance. They fully know what the Second Amendment and the entire Constitution means – they choose to reject it in favor of their folly. WE need to reject their folly! WE need to refuse to allow them to deflect from the real issue. WE need to force them to return to the principles on which this nation was founded and recognize the God-given blessings of liberty!

Our Constitution was ordained by God Almighty. It is a limiting document, meaning the intent is not to empower government but to limit it. Yes, certain authority was and is granted but said authority is exceeded in every respect. The phrase “Government Gone Wild!” comes to mind.

The power is not theirs – it is ours – the citizens and we need to take it back. We need to fire the controllers and their minions. We need to tell them “NO MORE!”. No more will you infringe upon our liberty. No more will you be allowed to regulate the life from us. No more will you spy on us. You are done. Finished. You not only defy us – the citizens of this nation but Almighty God who established and blessed it.

I STAND for Liberty!

Andy Havens

Recently a list of corporations pleading for more gun control was published. My question?

Who are they to defy the Living God?

Make no mistake: gun control is tyranny. We are free citizens of a Constitutional Republic ordained by Almighty God. It is His gift to us. Who dares mock God?

Do you head a corporation? Do you enjoy the economic freedom God has given you to operate your business in this nation? Isn’t it about time you acknowledged Almighty God’s gift to you? For the good of this nation – for your own good do not bow to tyranny!

As a people, as a nation, we must turn to God and ask Him to restore our liberty, our freedoms to this nation. This includes you, corporate America. Do not believe the lies of the controllers. They will fall. They will fall hard in the face of Almighty God.

Let us start a new list – a list of Godly business owners and corporate heads willing to stand up and lead!. Tell our representatives no more. No more of your tyranny! Cease and desist all your efforts to exert further control on the citizens of this nation. Roll back those draconian laws! Let us start with gun control but do not let it end there. Stop the tyranny!

What can you do now? Retweet this message. like it on Facebook and otherwise flood social media with it. Add your name and/or or your companies name to the list of those companies leading this effort. Consider offering a “ISTANDforLiberty” window decal to your customers with their purchases. These are available with TheLibertyCoalition.org or your company name added to the decal.

God will not be mocked! Where do you stand? Will you side with tyranny or do you stand with Almighty God?

For some of you, this may be a silly question. Perhaps you believe God Almighty is “all powerful” or He is “all-knowing” or even He is “everywhere”. If so, we are in total agreement. This essay is for those of you with doubts.

My concern is how can anyone expect to believe God Himself will restore our nation if one does not believe God is willing and able to do so? Maybe you do not doubt God’s ability. Maybe you only wonder if He is willing to do so. There are many who preach hellfire and brimstone – judgment upon America because we’ve turned from Him. I get that. I do. I just do not think we are at that point yet.

Consider Sodom and Gomorrah. These two kingdoms were adjacent to each other. We all know them for their great sinfulness. At this time of Abraham, Israel did not exist, the Ten Commandments were not given. Even so, God saw evil abounding in Sodom and Gomorrah – so much so He set out to destroy it. Then, a funny thing happened. Abraham bargained with God. His audacity and steadfastness is nothing less than amazing.

Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.

30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.

32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Abraham negotiated with God Almighty to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if just ten righteous men could be found there. In then end these kingdoms were destroyed anyway after extracting righteous Lot. However this story gives me pause for thought – IS there still hope for this nation?

We live in a different era with different rules. Our nation may still fall but I do not see it being utterly destroyed. Also, I cannot see God abandoning us. Will we be judged?

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

We shall all give an account of ourselves to God. (v12) I cannot say how all of this will play out but I cannot imagine God saying on one hand we are saved from the wrath that is to come and then condemn us for sins His Son paid so dearly for.

Before we continue with this nation, first consider Israel. As I’ve said before God is not done with Israel even after they rejected the Messiah. Scriptures reveal He will show them mercy in the end days. How merciful and gracious He is!

After all that can we seriously expect our Heavenly Father will turn away from those who are faithful to Him? How egotistical would I be to think I am alone in faithfulness? Surely this nation has many faithful Christians. How many faithful does God require to spare this nation? Again, I am not saying our nation will not suffer tribulation. Nor do I contend we will escape evil. However I do believe God will defend and restore our nation and our liberty if we go to Him and ask! Bear with me here.

Again I will turn to the Old Testament accounts of Israel. One need not read far to discover Israel turned from God again and again. Not only did they turn away from Him but they often turned and worshiped other gods! Not just once or twice but multiple times. Some say our nation worships money amd other material things or even government. I do not disagree, but many of us reject such false gods. Back to Israel, God has always shown them mercy.

As Christians we are children of the Living Almighty God – how much more will He spare us? How much more will He do for us if we simply turn to Him and ask? Consider Romans Chapter 8: 28-39

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These are powerful words. Indeed all scripture is powerful. It was difficult to choose just this passage. By all means consider the context but zero in here on verses 31 & 32.

Romans 8:28 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Now you may want to ask yourself… Is God willing AND able to restore our constitutional republic… our liberty? Yes! I have no doubt! Will He? Watch and see.

I cannot speak for you or anyone else but as Joshua said:

Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Not only will I serve Him but I will continue to ask my Heavenly Father to restore our constitutional republic and our liberty.

May God bless you and keep you in the name of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah

First the Facts:

Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.”

Source: USHistory.org Note, I read the terms of this site and they are a bit snitty about stuff. Please note I am only quoting their quote of the Flag Code. They can have the credit anyway. If you want to see the whole of what they say, it is interesting but I’ll use my own words from here on out – with noted quotations from other sources.

Couple this with a bit of personal history. While I never abstained from citing this pledge, more often than not I didn’t give it much thought either. When I considered myself an atheist, I refrained from saying the words “under God”. Why speak words I did not believe? It follows I maintained some belief in those words I did speak.

For a time I worked at an elementary school providing computer support. I was often in the halls while things were settling down for the day and thus wandering when the national anthem was played and the pledge was spoken. I was a terror on anyone ignoring the proceedings and disrupting things. If someone was walking the halls, I made them stop. If they were talking I made them stop. I silently pointed them towards the nearest flag. It did not matter to me if they honored the anthem or the flag. What mattered was they respect the rights of those of us who chose to honor them.

Now about the rest of this essay. With all my focus on liberty related issues, this pledge of allegiance came to mind. As you may guess, I hate doing stuff by simple rote without thinking about why I do it and what it means… really means. So… the pledge of allegiance.

The very words “pledge of allegiance” loosely means “a personal promise of commitment to a group or cause” (my concoction). I suspect this word “allegiance” is closely related to the word “ally”, however the stated etymology says it comes for the Anglo-French word “lige” so legion?
Merrium-Webster defines it as such: “the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government ”

Well, I am not a subject, nor is my pledge to any government. Sorry guys but you government people should be pledging fidelity to US. Furthermore, I do not “owe” you any “fidelity”. The whole definition implies the government is the boss of me. Needless to say I like my rendering better.
So when I say these words I commit myself to the“Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands”

Well, not so much the flag itself. A flag is an inanimate object. I might was well commit myself to the chair I’m sitting in. I have a much more intimate relationship with the chair anyway. So my pledge is to what the flag represents – “the Republic for which it stands”.

Next… “one Nation” – hmmm I need to think about this one. The fact is this concept presupposes or at least indicates a national government superior to the sovereign states. In other words – the Union must be preserved at all costs. Now I’ve got a problem. Let’s go back to this “Republic” thing.
Republic, form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

So the United States is a Republic – ruled (can we modify this with governed?) by “representatives of the citizen body”. The original format was for the House of Representatives to be directly elected by us citizens and the Senate represented the individual states. Senators were originally elected by our state governments. Why? I’d say the idea was, as the states are sovereign, they have a say in things too. Meanwhile the President and Vice-President was elected by the Electoral College with the electors chosen by us citizens. Few understand the exact workings of the Electoral College but my own assessment is it is far better than moving to a direct popular vote as the current system protects the rest of the nation from the big cities with high population densities. In short, this Electoral College idea was pure genius.

Getting back to this “nation” idea – I’m still thinkin’. Let’s move on.

Next up “under God”. In case you are wondering, I now have no problem with these words. If you do, feel free to omit them if you must.

Now we come to “indivisible”. Hmmmm, interesting word that. “Unable to be divided” is one definition. Here my problem grows by leaps and bounds. This takes us to the whole forced unity concept where the states are not so much as “united” as they are “permanently welded together never to be taken apart”. I suspect if the founding fathers were presented with things this way they’d likely decline the invite. My whole point here is the United States is “United” because the States are a voluntary part of the Union. Once coercion is applied we are no longer citizens but subjects. Then the question arises: to whom or what are we subjects?

Finally the pledge concludes, “with liberty and justice for all”. Okay, I’m all for that, no really I am. Now if I think about it I have to wonder how that works. Liberty and justice for all of us who live in this one indivisible nation, not by choice, but by the force of a central government who will march us back at gunpoint if we decided to leave the table? We all know this already happened. What were the founding fathers thinking! Who wrote this?

Oh. None of the founding fathers wrote this. As far as I can tell there was no “pledge of allegiance” back then. This pledge was written by, wait for it, a dude named Francis Bellamy. He was a “minister” and a socialist. He wasn’t even born until 1851. Originally the pledge didn’t even have the words “under God”. President Eisenhower pushed for the inclusion of those two little words.
So there you have it – 51 words. Words we are supposed to speak with pride because we are patriots after all… or is that parrots? Well, I am done with that, thank you. If the national anthem plays, I will turn and face the flag with my hand over my heart. When the pledge is spoken I well remain silent, respecting my fellow citizens. However my hands will remain by my side or behind my back with my lips sealed. No disrespect intended, but I will not parrot words just because it is expected. What you do is up to you because – Liberty Baby!

May God bless you and keep you,

Andy