What’s Next?

Posted by Larry Miller on March 21, 2010 under How | Be the First to Comment

“These are the times that try men’s souls,” wrote Thomas Paine at the beginnings of the first American Revolution. I’m sure he would be writing the same words today. History shows the British monarch did not go away all by himself. The colonists endured years of bloody military and economic hardships to win their freedom. It’s difficult to say how many would have taken on the British Empire if they had known the cost… but once engaged, they saw it through to the end… to victory.

We are watching Democrats in Congress ignoring constitutional limitations and making up rules as they go while intruding further into our lives and pocketbooks with every passing behind-closed-doors meeting. They have no respect for the American people, or the founders vision of a free and open nation… yet they expect unquestioning compliance with their laws. The colonists fought to throw off the shackles of an overbearing government that looked on the residents of the new world as subjects who existed for the benefit of the King, and we have accepted a new set of masters.

Americans do not see themselves as subjects of a powerful government. The Democrats do. The Americans do not want to see their country bankrupted by underestimated costs of a health care system where the only solutions are to raise taxes beyond the citizens ability to pay or borrow from our enemies and let our children pick up the bill. If either of these options are acceptable, there is little point in reading further.

At this writing there is much drama being spun by news organizations and self-promoting politicians about the uncertainty of the passage of the health care bill. What needs to be remembered about many of these people is that they are progressives first, Democrats who owe their position to their relationship to party leadership second and Americans somewhere else down the line… probably close to eighteenth.

For example, Bart Stupak positioned himself as a pro-life hero standing firm on his principles against the hated president. He moaned and agonized over his decision only to roll over under presidential pressure and bribery… thus showing the fallacy of those who consider themselves single issue voters. He told the voters he was staunchly against abortion and that he would put both his position and honor on the line to prevent the abominable practice. But he is giving up both. Recognizing that giving him the cover to retain this position, President Obama agreed to sign an Executive Order that would prevent the use of money from the health care pool from being used to finance abortions.

He was sucked in by a promise from a man who lies for a living. He chose to accept a second best plan that could be reversed on simple political advice from Rahm Emanuel and company. Further laws could easily overturn this presidential promise… should it ever really be issued. The National Right to Life Committee has said “The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing. It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill.”

The perfidy of Stupak and company is proving to be the votes that put power over our health care into the hands of Barack Hussein Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid… who are looking at saving money by making Granny a shovel ready project.

President Kennedy said “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” Our national government is doing it’s best to impose its will on the American people and deny us the sovereignty our founders had in mind… replacing it with rule by the progressive elites.

So where to we go from here? Some have suggested that “lead in the head” is the only solution, while others insist that everything be peaceful. I don’t know how this will play out or what the answer is. Certainly it would be preferable stop this legislative monstrosity with minimal conflict… much like many of the colonists would have preferred a negotiated settlement with King George. However that was as effective as negotiating with a mugger holding a gun to your head and agreeing to give him all your money in exchange for doing you no harm. At best, you end up without your money, at worst, you see the results of dealing with someone having no understanding of honor or of keeping one’s word.

Many of our revolutionary leaders would gladly have forgone the loss of their property and sons in the conflict. Yet it was not to be. On the other hand, the one who is really in control has shown Himself capable and willing, at times, to handle situations without human help and intervention.

During the reign of Hezekiah, Assyrian king Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem demanding immediate surrender. He generously offered the Judean leader a comfortable living in the land where he and his people would be resettled… as was the custom of conquerors in that day. Hezekiah held firm in his faith and one morning awoke to find Sennacharib’s army of close to 200,000 dead in their tents. Later this king who had designs on God’s chosen people died at the hands of his sons as he worshiped in his pagan temple.

Sometimes, as with Gideon, the people had to take some action, or with the entry into the Promised Land, they actually had to wield the sword. The point is God can protect His people in a variety of ways… and sometimes, when they have lessons to learn, he permits them to be carried off into captivity. The Jewish people in Germany were not spared the holocaust, yet a remnant was preserved. What will happen to us?

We saw divine intervention as the Americans saw fog rolling to allow them to escape from the British at Brooklyn Heights. Then, on numerous other occasions, as our unsophisticated militias defeated the most powerful military in the world.

Given the various ways our creator deals with His creation, it would be presumptuous of us to put Him in a box and demand he work in a particular way to our liking. Those itching for a fight and those seeking to avoid one should both reconsider, and seek His face, asking for both protection from those who would destroy our families and freedom along with wisdom and courage for the struggle before us.

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Let us pray this is not necessary at this time.