As we live in a world of milquetoast political leaders, we need to look back on a man who was not afraid to ruffle feathers and speak the truth. So many in office today are dwarfed by this man who could tell us the truth, help us love our country and guide us in the paths of freedom. Today’s political class is populated by moral midgets who have more concern for the next election and for the welfare of their constituents.

From time to time, it is good to not only read the words of Ronald Reagan, but to see the man and look him in the eye as we are called to greatness. Read, listen and grow… then act!

We the people tell the government what it is allowed to do.

Man is not free unless government is limited.

As government expands, liberty contracts.

America is freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare.

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.

God bless America!

And an added note… we need to be certain that America is blessable.

Instead of the official, government authorized census form, I got a letter that read… in bold print yet, “About one week from now, you will receive a 2010 Census form in the mail.” The letter went on to tell me how important it was that I fill out the upcoming form so my community would get it’s “fair share” of the borrowed money coming from the beltway bandits. Well, it wasn’t phrased quite that way, but that was the point.

I probably don’t have to tell most readers about this letter, because they apparently sent this out to almost everyone who is anyone. This was annoying on so many levels. First, just massive waste of such a mailing at a time when our government is running out of cash and borrowing from those who are not particularly friendly to us, or just printing more. They are telling us how important their government activities are and how we need to pay attention to them.

Second, I was struck by the audacity of the national government in general and the census bureau in particular as the letter was written as if they were actually going to give something to the localities that was not first taken from the citizens and that would actually benefit the local community. This is nothing new, and most the the readers have a pretty good grasp of why “federal aid” is just the shuffling of money from the states to Washington, the shuffling the money back to localities, minus the federal overhead, and minus the freedom of local control.

It is the “in your face” approach of this administration that is particularly aggravating. It is bad enough the things that are going on in our country, but for those of us with the common sense to see them forcing themselves into our consciousness, this acts as a reminder of our failure to keep our country free from these statists predators.

I couldn’t even watch the NASCAR boys run in Atlanta without seeing stickers on some of the cars hyping the census. This was mildly surprising as these good ole boys are not exactly the ones the Obama really wants to count. They do, however, feel the need to keep us under their control. I understand that money is tight and running a race team is expensive, but I was disappointed that some highly respected teams would take this government money to promote this questionable enterprise.

For everyone but the three people living under a rock a few miles west of Schnecksville, PA, we know the census is coming. Many of us object to its intrusive questioning, heavy handed tactics and shenanigan rich plans to count all residents… legal and otherwise. It’s a troublesome situation we are facing and we can’t give up in frustration, no matter how powerful and pervasive our opponents appear. We need to remember much of what we see is merely smoke and mirrors. They make the rules for now, but we can play the game with our own spin.

It is difficult to recall that stouthearted men such as Davy Crockett (a nationally known frontiersman and former congressman), Will Travis (only 23 years old with a little baby at home), and Jim Bowie (a wealthy landowner with properties on both sides of the Rio Grande) really existed. These were real men with real dreams and real desires. Real blood flowed through their veins. They loved their families and enjoyed life as much as any of us do. There was something different about them, however. They possessed a commitment to liberty that transcended personal safety and comfort.

Liberty is an easy word to say, but it is a hard word to live up to. Freedom has little to do with financial gain or personal pleasure. Accompanying Freedom is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable: destroy one and all will die.

Early in the siege, Travis wrote these words to the people of Texas: “Fellow Citizens & Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. . . . The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword . . . I have answered the demand with a cannon shot & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. . . . VICTORY OR DEATH! P.S. The Lord is on our side. . . .”

As you read those words, remember that Travis and the others did not have the A.C.L.U., P.E.T.A., People for the un-American Way, and the National Education Association telling them how intolerant and narrow-minded their notions of honor and patriotism were. A hostile media did not constantly castigate them as a bunch of wild-eyed extremists. As schoolchildren, they were not taught that their forefathers were nothing more than racist jerks.

The brave men at the Alamo labored under the belief that America (and Texas) really was “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” They believed God was on their side and that the freedom of future generations depended on their courage and resolve. They further believed their posterity would remember their sacrifice as an act of love and devotion. It all looks pale now.

By today’s standards, the gallant men of the Alamo appear rather foolish. After all, they had no chance of winning–none. However, the call for pragmatism and practicality was never sounded. Instead, they answered the clarion call, “Victory or death!”

Please try to remember the heroes of the Alamo as you watch our gutless political and religious leaders surrender to globalism, corporatism, and political correctness. Try to recall the time in this country when ordinary men and women had the courage of their convictions and were willing to sacrifice their lives for freedom and independence.

One thing is certain: those courageous champions at the Alamo did not die for a political party or for some “lesser of two evils” mantra. They fought and died for a principle, and that principle was liberty and independence. So did the men at Lexington and Concord. That is our heritage.

Today, however, our national leaders are in the process of turning America over to the very forces that the Alamo defenders gave their lives resisting. On second thought, do they look foolish, or do we?

Beyond that, how much longer do we have before it will become necessary for freedom-loving states such as Texas (and maybe Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Vermont, or South Carolina) to declare their independence one more time? An argument could be made that Washington, D.C., is considerably more brutish and tyrannical than old Santa Anna ever was. I’m not so sure that it isn’t already time to again hoist the “Don’t Tread On Me” flags, shout “Remember The Alamo,” and renew the faith and courage of William Travis and Patrick Henry.

For more by Chuck Baldwin, go to http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com.

His message is the message so many Americans are looking to hear. His decision to take on the primary challenge of an incumbent Republican (until recently a Democrat) congressman whose voting record shows him to be part of the problem… not the solution shows the courage so many Americans are looking for.

After last year’s State of the Union address, Phillip was so upset with the direction the new President was leading our country, he found himself in his bathroom preparing to retire for the night… telling himself that something had to be done… that someone needed to step forward. The only person listening was the guy in the mirror… he knew it was his time to stand in the gap.

It was not an easy decision to take on the Alabama Republican establishment. Despite knowing what he had to do, he struggled with all the reasons he should not even try. He did not have the wealth to finance the beginnings of a campaign. He did not have the connections. He felt like Moses standing before the burning bush… ticking off the reasons this was not a practical enterprise. Then, like Moses, he had to do the right thing and take on the job before him.

Yet this was not the first time he took on, and accomplished major goals in his life. Born in Trinidad, his family immigrated to the United States when he was eight. He later graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, then the Naval Academy at Annapolis, which led to a distinguished career as a naval aviator.

He served his country, but also experienced the benefits of our country. He enjoys the life he has with his wife and three daughters, and the success he has had in sales, marketing and running his own business. Phillip says he is “living the American Dream”… and he sees President Obama and his cronies as trying to close the door on the things many of us still hold dear. He is now is fighting to protect this dream, not only for his family, but for everyone in this great country. Unfortunately it may take someone coming from another land to appreciate what many of our fellow citizens take for granted – an entitlement.

When looking at the parties in action, Phillip says he has to admire the way the Democrats never seem to act like they are not in control. Even when they are in the minority, he says they act like a majority party. They insist on having their say… unlike the Republicans, who, even when they have the numbers to get the right things done, cave to Democratic pressure and succumb to the ideas and policies that are destroying our county.

He hopes to rally his party to be what it promises and do it says. He looks for an example to the children of Israel occupying the Promised Land. They were told to destroy the inhabitants and not mingle with them. But it was easier to let Hittites, Jebusites and all the others remain. The conquerors were diluted. Their religion was polluted and they failed to enjoy the promised land of milk and honey. This is the same way Republicans allow what they know to be the destructive policies of the Democrats to have currency prevent our country from being the shining city on a hill.

How is this thinking being received by the state and national party establishment? The National Republican Congressional Committee is endorsing his opponent. John Boehner has come into his fifth district to raise funds for his opponent, Parker Griffith. This is the same Parker Griffith who, just a few short years ago, was pleased to have Nancy Pelosi raise funds for him when he wore the other teams jersey. You can find out more about Parker Griffith at http://primaryparker.com.

The party leadership says they believe a “moderate” like Griffith will have better appeal with independents and Democrats. They still have not picked up on the idea that winning elections with candidates that do not stand for the values of the people is still a loosing strategy. Again, they are willing to sell out the party’s base in search of votes from people who cannot trust their perfidy.

Nevertheless, Les Phillip is pushing forward in what would appear to be a David and Goliath struggle, yet Real Clear Politics says the race is competitive. He has an opportunity to knock out one of the Washington insiders who shares some of the blame for the mess we are in.

When asked about the biggest threats facing our nation, Phillip talks about cap ‘n trade that increases costs without any additional production, the FED printing money which will eventually lead to runaway inflation that will collapse our entire economy and the pervasive selfishness throughout our entire government and economic system.

This man gets it. He understands what we need to restore our nation to it’s former glory. He knows what we need to set us back on the road to prosperity. His party leadership doesn’t quite understand it… but in many cases, they are becoming more irrelevant with each passing day. Besides, consider the first David and Goliath struggle… and who won. You may even be able to have a part this time around.

Find out more about Les Phillip at http://www.lesphillip.com/.

Time for some Saturday afternoon fun.  SNL comedienne Victoria Jackson strums and sings what many have been thinking to themselves and few in the media have been saying.  Maybe it’s not all fun, but it’s all documented.  This video has only been out for a few days and and is going viral.  Check it out and pass it on.

Many who watched the recent Super Bowl got to see two and a half million taxpayer dollars transferred into the hands of the formerly main stream media as we were treated to a mini-drama presented by C-list celebrities designed to encourage compliance with our government’s demands to know more and more about our personal lives. Now the time is approaching when we are expected to quietly tell the census takers not only how many toilets we have in our homes, but how often we use them.

It may seem like a small thing, and in broad scheme of things, it may be, but if we are not willing to resist the smaller intrusions into our lives, will be be able to find the courage to push back on bigger issues. If it is too much trouble to say “no” now, will be able to say “no” when they come to confiscate our firearms, or when they come to take our children because we are raising them to be Christians?

The Constitution authorizes the government to count us, but not to probe all areas of our existence. There are at least two reasons for this unwarranted seizure of our personal information. First, is the insatiable desire of some in power to know more and control more. Second is the oft discussed perversion called crony capitalism where the government supports and subsidizes favored marketplace competitors. Imagine the market research savings a corporation can realize if they can get the poor, unsuspecting taxpayers to foot the bill.

As anti-American and anti-consumer as this sounds, the growing body of information our government has about each of us, including the GPS coordinates of our homes presents the biggest threat, both for the information itself and the acceptance of Washington’s right to know all sorts of details that are just none of their business. With the current technology, there appears to be no end to the amount of data they can gather and retain about each one of us… which, even if their intentions were benign… they could not ensure it’s security. So not only would our personal information lie in the hands of those who would control us, but could well end up in the hands of the who would add to the damage.

To be fair, we need to cooperate and tell the government how many of us there are. Beyond that, we need to remember that knowledge is power. We just have to consider how much more power we want to give them.

“The coffee giant says it won’t take issue with gun owners who take advantage of ‘open carry’ laws and bring firearms into their restaurant.” (Source: NBC News)

To tell you the truth, I’m not sure why this is even considered “newsworthy.” Perhaps because Starbucks is a Seattle-based company that caters to the “yuppie” crowd? Maybe because the anti-gun national news media is shocked and chagrined at Starbucks’ statement? Who knows? That Starbucks would not want to alienate millions of gun owners (many of whom lawfully carry concealed weapons for personal protection) makes perfectly good sense to me. I’m sure the statement by Starbucks has little to do with guns and everything to do with business. But the fact is, there are tens of thousands of lawfully armed citizens who carry either concealed or open that have been peacefully doing business with thousands of companies around the country for years.

At last glance, 12 states allow unrestricted open carry. Those states are Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. Plus, at least 13 other states allow restricted open carry (meaning a permit is required). I know it infuriates gun-grabbing liberals to admit this, but the facts are absolutely undeniable that an armed citizenry is far and away a more civilized and peaceful citizenry.

Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, and our third President Thomas Jefferson rightly said, “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”

Founding Father, the man called “the father of the U.S. Constitution, and our 4th President James Madison, agreed with Jefferson. He wrote in Federalist, Number 46, “[The Constitution preserves] the advantage of being armed, which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation . . . [where] the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”

Founding Father and author of the classic Revolution-era books, “Common Sense” and “Rights of Man,” Thomas Paine concurred. He said, “Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property . . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.”

And should there be any doubt in the minds of sincere men regarding the advantages and appropriateness of an armed citizenry, the research of John R. Lott, Jr. is more than sufficient to dispel it. Lott is a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland, College Park. He was previously the John M. Olin Visiting Law and Economics Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School. His book, “More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws,” is the most authoritative and thoroughly researched volume on the subject. And the title of his book is exactly what his research proves: More guns, less crime!

Lott’s analysis “is based on data for all 3,054 counties in the United States during 18 years from 1977 to 1994.” Lott said carry laws reduce violent crime because “victims who have guns are in a much better position to defend themselves.” DUH!

See a University of Chicago-sponsored interview with Mr. Lott at:

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/493636.html

Of course, liberal gun-grabbers love to instill fear into people by saying that citizens carrying guns will result in more incidents of violence. However, the facts just do not substantiate this hysteria. Even our local “mullet wrapper” recently ran a column excoriating the new law that allows concealed carry permit holders to carry his or her sidearm in national parks and forests. The basis of their diatribe? “It’s a risky change that will endanger families, hikers, those who work in these places and the park rangers themselves.”

See the rant at:

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102260311

Like all gun-grabbers, however, the fearmongering of the editorial board at the Pensacola, Florida, News Journal just does not square with the facts. As Lott observes, “Criminals are deterred by higher penalties. Just as higher arrest and conviction rates deter crime, so does the risk that someone committing a crime will confront someone able to defend him or herself. There is a strong negative relationship between the number of law-abiding citizens with permits and the crime rate–as more people obtain permits there is a greater decline in violent crime rates. For each additional year that a concealed handgun law is in effect the murder rate declines by 3 percent, rape by 2 percent, and robberies by over 2 percent.”

Accordingly, the new law allowing concealed carry permit holders to carry in national parks and forests serves only to make those parks and forests safer.

I well remember being invited to speak in the rural Montana town of Hamilton last year. Somewhere between 600 and 800 people assembled at the local fairgrounds to hear me speak. It was a terrific rally with some of the most patriotic and enthusiastic people I have ever spoken to. (They have invited me back to speak, this time at the University of Montana in Missoula, to a much larger crowd of probably several thousand later this May.)

Along with the vibrancy, energy, and sheer enthusiasm of that audience I observed that scores of people were openly carrying handguns on their hips. (No telling how many people were carrying concealed. Scores more, I’m sure.) Can one imagine a would-be killer trying to open fire in that meeting? Needless to say, not only did I feel at home, I felt absolutely safe—a whole lot safer than I feel when I travel to Washington, D.C. (or any other city or State restricting gun possession), that is for sure!

Obviously, the executives at Starbucks are wiser and more discerning than a majority of newspaper editors and television news anchors. They have seen several other business establishments that have introduced corporate policies prohibiting lawfully armed citizens from entering their establishments–and they’ve seen their profits and customer bases shrink dramatically! They’ve also, no doubt, seen what happened in Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, when a madman crashed his vehicle into the restaurant and began shooting patrons at will. The total carnage on that horrific day back in 1991 resulted in 23 people dead and 20 more wounded, and the killer eventually killing himself. Some 80 people were in the restaurant when the shooting occurred, but Texas did not have a concealed carry law at the time, so no one was armed and able to fight back.

At this point, I strongly urge readers to watch the eyewitness testimony of former Texas State Representative Dr. Suzanna Gratia-Hupp–whose parents were killed in the Luby’s Cafeteria rampage–given before the US Congress. See her testimony at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WznSA4EU1Gk

Therefore, the sadness and chagrin of liberal gun-grabbers notwithstanding, I say, “Hooray for Starbucks!” And I don’t even like their coffee. Maybe I’ll give them another chance.

For more by Chuck Baldwin go to http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/

A dear friend of mine; who is a prominent Rabbi, sent me a letter regarding the expression of this concern by certain quarters. I thank G-d that it was not from him because we had already built our relationship on genuine friendship and we know each others hearts.

However, I will share with our Members the official response that I had regarding this “threat” . Let me be clear to my Jewish friends that this is not an answer to my esteemed, rabbinical friend, this is an official response to what has been deemed , “The Threat of Messianic Judaism”:

Dear Rabbi (Name deleted),

I read with interest the article that you sent and I guess I can see how it would present an interesting dilemma for those that are committed to their Orthodox Jewish faith. However, I do not feel that I am qualified to offer an opinion or judgment on the motivation of others of the Christian faith, so as a Christian I will address this from my own, personal perspective.

Personally, it is impossible for me not to have a love for the Jewish people because of the invaluable contribution that they have made to the propagation of the Gospel that I read, believe and preach. All of the Prophets, Apostles and Christ himself were Jews. In understanding this I feel it is imperative to have a greater understanding of the heritage, culture and mind set of these literary giants of our faith.

Secondly, as Psalm 122:6 implores us all to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, I personally believe that the welfare of the whole world is tied in with our commitment to the welfare of the Jewish people and their homeland; that blessed city of King David.

Rabbi, this is the foundation for the love and commitment that I feel to Zion and the Jewish people. It is also the driving force behind the pro-Israel work that I do. Besides that, I personally have been blessed to meet some really great people in my endeavors; you being one of them.

Even if we look at our uniting from a New Testament perspective, with regards to the popular scripture in Romans that addresses the relationship of Jews and Christians, Christians will see that they are admonished not to boast over being grafted into the Olive Tree because, “You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (Romans 11:18) I believe that it might be surprising to find that many Christians share these sentiments.

Anyway my dear friend, I hope this helps to shed a little light on the sincerity of my work and interaction with the beloved Jewish people.

You can read more by Pastor Wallace at http://www.shalomcaribbean.com

6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Cut down the trees and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; it is filled with oppression.

7 As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her; her sickness and wounds are ever before me.

8 Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it.”

9 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine; pass your hand over the branches again, like one gathering grapes.”

10 To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in. “Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years.” (NIV)

This was Jerusalem, site of God’s temple and He turned His back on the people because they called evil, good and good, they called evil. Many of us believe the United States of America has a special place in history because of various instances of divine intervention during our quest for independence… and we became the shining city on a hill.

However, Jerusalem did not last forever because the people neglected to do what was right and just. Are we on the downside of the USA? Some would think so… some would even celebrate this. Some are even doing their best to bring this about.

What is our role? I would submit for your consideration that it does not matter what happens in congress or the White House. As with many of our adversities, they come, and are a fact of life. What matters is our response.

Our choices are to wring our hands and talk of the glory days of the old USA or we can respond by taking back our land. To do this, we need to keep in mind Peter’s response to the Sanhedrin when he asked if it was better to follow God or the rules of men. Those in power are manipulating the rules of our society to shut us out of the discussion… beginning with political corrupt speech and carrying through to hate crime laws and the like. We need to decide if we will abide by the rules of men or stand firm to establish what is right, as our founding fathers did in the face of the most powerful military force in the world at the time.

Instead of believing that God is on our side, we had jolly well better make sure we are on His side.

There is a classic story about how no one had been able to capture a herd of wild hogs that was rooting up crops from numerous farms. It got so bad that rewards had been posted for anyone clever enough to corral the critters. But even this resulted in only limited success.

One day a stranger (who was a wily old trapper) came into town and—entering the general store–ordered a truckload of fence posts and fencing, along with some feed. When asked what he was going to use it for, he said, “I’m going to get those wild hogs y’all are having trouble with.” Of course, everyone in the store laughed at the overconfident stranger. A few weeks later, however, the stranger rode into town with the back of his truck tightly packed with the smelly swine.

When asked how he was able to accomplish what no one else had been able to do, the old trapper replied, “Simple. I started putting the feed out in a small clearing and the hogs began freely eating the feed. It didn’t take long and they were there every day. Then I put up the fence posts, but with no fencing. At first the hogs were a little skittish, but it wasn’t long and they ignored the posts. Then I began putting the fence up, but I left the gate off. Again, the hogs were skittish at first, but soon realized they could come and go freely, and before long, they were devouring the free food with a vengeance. Then, one day when the hogs were aggressively consuming the vittles, I slammed the gate closed.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I submit that what the old trapper did to the wild hogs is exactly what our soon-to-be oppressors are doing to us! What is worse, most Americans seem about as oblivious to the whole thing as that bunch of pigs. For anyone who is paying attention, however, the signs of growing enslavement are everywhere.

Inside my web site is a link page that is constantly updated with pertinent information relating to how America is quickly being turned into Huxley’s Brave New World. I invite readers to regularly visit this page. It is entitled “The Emerging Police State.”

See the web page at: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/patriotact.html

Here is a sampling of just this year’s relevant headlines to date:

“Police Push For Warrantless Searches Of Cell Phones” (CNET News)

“During The Olympics, The Feds Will Be Reading Your Tweets–And The Blotter” (ABC News)

“Feds Push For Tracking Cell Phones” (CNET News)

“Troops Randomly Patrol Streets In Pittsburgh, Respond To ‘Domestic Disputes’” (PrisonPlanet.com)

“Residents Fumed Over Weekend Alcohol, Firearm Ban” (WXII-12 TV News, Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

“Ron Paul Warns Of Social Unrest And Martial Law” (Texas Congressman Ron Paul)

“FBI Broke Law For Years In Phone Record Searches” (The Washington Post)

“Top Obama Czar: Infiltrate All ‘Conspiracy Theorists’” (World Net Daily)

“President Gives Foreign Cops Power Over Americans” (Retired lawman Jim Kouri)

Those are just some of the headlines from 2010 so far. Check out the headlines from 2009 and backward to discover that the list of relevant news stories is extensive. And as you peruse those news stories, keep reminding yourself about what you are actually seeing: you are watching the old trapper put the fence around the hog feed.

Again, the web page address is: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/patriotact.html

Only a blind or deliberately naïve man cannot see that America—the once-proud “land of the free”–is being systematically turned into a twenty-first century police state. Good grief!  The Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom notes that America is not even listed among the “free” countries of the earth. We are ranked in the second tier, of “mostly free” countries. Beyond that, the Heritage index ranks the US as only the 8th freest nation on the planet.

And both the Republican and Democrat parties in Washington, D.C., are equally culpable for America’s slide into socialism and oppression. And so are many local and State leaders–including political, business, and law enforcement leaders. Suffice it to say that most big city governments have become almost totalitarian. Government buildings–even local ones—are sealed fortresses, not unlike the old palace-forts of antiquity. In big and not-so-big cities, cameras monitor virtually everything we do. Even here in my hometown of Pensacola, Florida, a nearby city (Gulf Breeze) has recently installed traffic cameras, which issue automated tickets for red light runners. (How unconstitutional can one get? Surely someone will aggressively challenge the legality of these cameras in court!) What is worse is that many residents and local authorities see nothing wrong with it. These people are behaving just like those wild hogs that nonchalantly ate their food while the fence was being built all around them.

In the name of “security” or “safety” or “protection,” Americans are surrendering their liberties. Ladies and gentlemen, face it: freedom is risky business! If our Founding Fathers had wanted security or safety, they would have stayed in Europe–or at least remained a compliant colony of the Crown. So, if one wants government enslavement in twenty-first century America, one should move back to Europe–or better yet, to Red China or North Korea!

Instead of demanding that government take care of us, we should be demanding that government get out of our wallets and off our backs, and let us live free, as our Creator intended we live! But how can we do that when we constantly clamor for more and more government handouts and benefits? By demanding welfare checks, food stamps, government-assisted housing and medicine, etc., Americans are putting the shackles around their own throats. Even churches and religious institutions are gorging themselves at the government teat. America doesn’t need to worry about terrorist attacks from Baghdad or Tehran as much as we should worry about the terrorism from Big Brother–brought about with our own approbation–right here at home.

When will we say, “That’s enough”? When will we truly rise up against this out-of-control federal monstrosity? When will we demand that government once again be our servant and not our master? When will we begin to see through these Big Government politicians from both major parties that are selling our posterity into tyranny for their own selfish pursuits? When will we wake up to what both Big Business and Big Religion are doing to us? Why do we have to shop at the “Super Center”? Why do we have to worship at the “Mega-Church”? Why do we have to believe everything ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN—and yes, FOX News–tell us? Why do we have to keep reelecting these career politicians? And when we do replace them, why do we have to replace one dirty, rotten scoundrel with another dirty, rotten scoundrel?

When will we recognize that the Department of Homeland Security would be more properly named the Department of Homeland Enslavement? When are we going to wake up to the fact that the Patriot Act is nothing but a tool of the federal government to usurp constitutionally protected liberties? When are we going to realize that the federal “war on drugs” inflicts more damage on the Bill of Rights than it does any major drug dealer? When will we get fed up with these random police checkpoints (manned by agents from virtually any and every police agency, including federal agents) going up everywhere? When will we tire of our local policemen and sheriff’s deputies more resembling military commandos than peace officers? When will we demand that our State and local officials stop begging the federal government for “stimulus” money? In other words, when are we going to decide that we want to live in FREEDOM?

Until we Americans get serious about answering the questions above, we are only fooling ourselves when we talk about the United States being a free country. We are not free, and we are getting less free by the day. We are as those wild hogs that were first fed by–and then enslaved by–a wily trapper. When will we see it?

For more by Chuck Baldwin, go to http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/

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