Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Sleeping Giant

Isn't it interesting how such completely opposite viewpoints can be held within a country? What am I talking about? Well, to sum it up in two words, Conservatism and Liberalism. Ok, that was three words. But my point still stands. We saw a conservative government manifest during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan, George Bush and similar men. Even though there were strong veins of liberal ideals in some of their policies and actions they generally held to conservative principles. Now we find a very different ideal taking power, arriving in the form of Barack Obama and the Democratic sweep of the government. Just as the Republican Party (largely conservative) held power eight years ago, the Democratic Party (of a more liberal bent) has now re-emerged. I must say it again, it is simply astonishing to me that such dramatically opposite views could both thrive so well within the same country, but is it for me to wonder that the land of the free would be the place you would find such an odd co-existence? 

All right, Barack Obama has been president for over a month now and the violent growth in our government has been plain enough. It has made me sick, like a month-long roller coaster. Even during the elections I couldn't have imagined such quick and overwhelming a move towards liberalism was being solicited in the glittery oration of President Obama. I never thought I would see such a dramatization of the history books come alive in so short a time, let alone my time. From what I've researched and gathered even FDR in his famous first "Hundred Days" did not spend so much money or introduce so much legislation. I used to think I wouldn't live to see any days quite as fantastic or tough as those of the past, of WWII or the Great Depression. I am now afraid to say I may have been wrong.
I've read plenty of books on European history, the rise and fall of democracies like France, kingdoms like England and countries like Soviet Russia. Thanks to my father I've also been very well versed in the basics of economics, the forces in the market and the power of a free economy and a free people to use it. I read about the damage that communism, socialism, fascism and the like can do and I realize that one of the most common characteristics of these governments is that they are just plain big. Too big. It always seems to start with a character who is not afraid to boldly seize power everywhere it will be yielded. The result is a bigger and bigger government, swelling out of control and destroying a country's economy, ruining its people.
The founding fathers of our country knew enough about faulty governments to build a system of government where the most powerful leader, the president, was not a hero, nor a savior, but simply an agent of, from and for the people. What has happened to that role? What happened to a president who was eager to give back to the people? Not to tax and give back, but to give every freedom they could find back to the people. Forget money for a minute. If you can't put that aside for a second then I would argue that your priorities might be in the wrong order. If someone is stealing your son while someone else is stealing your car you had better be able to put the car aside for a moment. It is the same with money. Although it is painfully necessary, it is only temporary. Freedom is eternal and applies to life forever.
I am constantly reminded of Braveheart and the steady theme running like water throughout the entire movie, "Give us freedom above all." Even death is considered an adequate price to pay for freedom. No amount of money or land will quench Wallace's desire for freedom. He doesn't let the temptation of riches cloud the reality that the choice is a poor free man or a rich slave. 
Now I pose this question. How much freedom does one need to lose before he realizes it is lost? When will we wake up to realize the covers are being slowly pulled off and we are being left in the cold? We are not alone, America. We ARE America. Like a giant or a titan we are slow to awake and slow to move. But also like a giant, we are hard to stop once we are moving and our anger is something feared by all. This is not flattery, but a call to awake. Remember what you are. Remember that with great power comes great responsibility and sometimes the most responsible thing to do with that power is nothing, nothing at all. Our leaders need to realize that before they "do" more than we can take. But other times responsibility means to stand up for what we know is right. We can't afford to stand by and wait. "What to do" is still the great question, but "should we do something" I think is pretty certain.

-Jaron

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Israel

Hello everyone! Or as McCain would say, Hello, my Friends!

Well, its been a while since a blog was posted, but that just makes a new blog even more exciting and refreshing, right? After all, at this point we are only the 2,245,687 smallest blog in New York State alone! But its all in the spirit right? Ok, time to curb the sarcasm (even though it has us all laughing inside) and to focus in on some current events. 

To enter some sentimental thoughts first, Christmas has officially passed and so have the frenzied shopping sprees, parties, visiting relatives and friends (no, they haven't actually passed...) and the celebration of blessed and holy events of this time of year. This marks the first year that the majority of my shopping was done online and I have officially entered the manly (aka: lazy) world of sitting at a computer and looking at nice pictures, deciding all the while whether someone I know will like a certain gift judging from the beautiful picture. Other years I've simply realized that its a matter of days until Christmas and I have spent three hours or so going to the bank, withdrawing money and then buying all the presents I need at once. Not any more, my friends! This Christmas my shopping was done at least a week before Christmas! (a new record) Honestly though, still trying to get to a serious note here, I had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the blessings of family, food and fun.

But now we're leaving the Christmas season behind us as we gird ourselves for a new and exciting year. In fact, even while we prepare for the said twelvemonth, it is starting to pick up speed. And with time going by quicker each day the small events add up quicker. 

Of course one big event this month is the inauguration of our forty-fourth president, Barack Obama. I realize that many people intensely dislike Obama or at least what he stands for and brings with him, but at this time he has been elected our leader, like it or not, and it is indeed a historic moment for our country to elect its first African American president. We must lift him up in our prayers, for him to have wisdom as he leads us and protection while he carries out his duties. It is certainly our duty to oppose his decisions that we disagree with but he is our leader and as such we must respect him. 

To shift our focus to another part of the world (I know, were moving a lot here, but bear with me) the middle east has suddenly become a household word again. It seems like the military tensions never end here, and maybe they never will, but once again it has come to force as Israel is extending its indomitable military arms over the Gaza strip. From what has been gathered, which is still very muddled and incomplete, Israel's violent actions seem to be in retaliation to the constant threat and actual firing of missiles across the Israeli border by hidden militants. Few Israelis have been hit but the number was enough to set the country on the warpath again. It doesn't surprise me. Some folks have had the audacity to say that Israel's attack was not in proportion but I ask you, what is a proportionate response for these terrorists that never rest in their war against the west? They hide in civilians homes, refuse to stop fighting, and remain illusive and out of grasp. If Hamas and the terrorists causing Israel harm came out to fight in the open do you think Israel would go on bombing civilian territories? I should say not! Unless I am gravely mistaken it is not Israel's way or intention to attack civilians. They only wish to be left alone. If that weren't the case they could have gone far by now in the way of conquest, but they simply wish to live safe peaceful lives, as do many of the subjects of their enemies across their borders. Nevertheless, they are not afraid to strike and if they had been bent on attack there would have been little hope for some if not all of their neighbors. However, as it now stands Israel is again being attacked by a shameful enemy who both shoots at civilians and hides behind them. If you poke a sleeping dog in its hind end with a stick until it bleeds eventually it will turn around and bite you, not in proportion, but in whatever way it has to to make the poking stop. We cannot dictate how others should protect themselves when we are not in the same danger.

Thoughts? Opinions?

-Jaron

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