The Constitution: Our Inspired Heritage by Robert S. Dunn

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/editorial/050704constitution.html

A great article about the founding fathers and their "intent" based on their personal backgrounds.



We are so off-track from the original intentions of the framers of the Constitution that some of the damage seems irreparable. May the spirits of our national patriarchs influence the new supreme court justices and may the opposing party be good sports and play nice!

World Poverty

I applaud the talented musicians of the world who seek to bring awareness to the valid issue of world poverty...However, the Live 8 concerts are going about it the wrong way.

U2's Bono said, "We're not asking you to put your hand in your pockets but we are asking people to put their fist in the air." So what he is saying, whether he knows it or not, is that he wants all of the governments of rich nations to reach into the pockets of it's citizens and steal their money to give to the poor...in kind of a Robin Hood heroic way of course. He wants you to angrily demand with your fist in the air that the government rob you of your money. This money would then be given to the corrupt government officials who are indeed the very cause of the perpetual poverty in these countries...therefore wasting the plundered money from our pockets!

Any effort to feed and clothe the hungry and naked, of healing the sick, and offering help to improve the life of another is praiseworthy. I believe that we will be accountable before God if we do not do all in our power to care for the poor and needy. True charity and true love of mankind has to come from the heart of the giver. Otherwise, it is good for nothing.

When money is extracted from a citizen by the force of law, the citizen is no longer "giving". He is robbed twice...once of his property...and second, of the blessings of giving service to his fellow man. There is something deeply spiritual about truly "giving" of oneself to another that brings about positive changes in the "giver" as well as in the "receiver" of charity. True peace and happiness for both parties are the results of sincere service.

Charity, when done by a person of their own free will and choice is always more effective and the benefits are more directly felt by the intended recipients. When governments are involved, there is a lot of wasted funds and effort.

I once worked for a residential construction company in South Carolina that annually raised funds for a well-known charity. Each division of the company competed against one another to raise the most money. (Oh, my goodness, a competition to raise money for charity!? Well, that's outright blasphemy! No...its downright smart and inspired!) An amazing and ambitious lady in my division came up with the idea of a golf tournament...where each hole was sponsored by one of our suppliers. These sponsorships more than covered the greens fees and the provided lunch. The entry fees of all the players went directly to the charity. Our division raised exponentially more money than the other divisions...some of which resorted to pressuring donations out of the employees pockets. You see, private citizens, doing private charity are more efficient than government agencies.

I have great faith in goodness of the hearts of the American people! Yes, we do need to be reminded regularly and made aware of the needs of others. It is easier to be lazy and self-absorbed than it is to be proactive and selfless. Our elected officials would do well to be an encourager of private companies and private citizens to come up with creative ways of contributing to the welfare of the poor. Too often our elected officials try to create programs that "take from the rich and give to the poor." Just imagine if politicians could lead the effort by tapping into the brain power of the rich to find ways to help the poor! Rich business people aren't rich because their stupid. Politicians often try to appeal to the "grassroots" of America...well, they should let the "grassroots" American have the freedom to "give" their money in innovative ways that will affect more lives for good. A true statesman is a cheerleader of the efforts of the people he leads, not a thief with noble intentions. A true statesman motivates us to give from our hearts.

Mr. Bono and fellow Live 8 musicians, I'm asking you to reach deep into your pockets and lead by the example of love and heartfelt kindness. Celebrities make the most money with the least amount of effort and also seem to waste the most money on frivolous things. God gave you your talents and you can be some of the most effective charity leaders because of it. Your anger with world leaders will not solve the poverty problem. Your talents can be multiplied and millions of lives touched if use your talents wisely.

Illegal Immigration

My ancestors, mostly from Denmark, came to the United States in the mid-1800's. Knowing they were leaving Denmark they began to learn English before even getting on the ship that would take them to New York. Once they landed in the promised land, they registered and they were on their way west to realize the American Dream. They were industrious people, very patriotic, and law-abiding citizens. They learned English and became Americans. I don't know how to recognize my Danish cultural roots, but I know that their faith, work ethic, and love of America have passed on to me.

Can't it still be just that simple? I think it can...Why not?

I lived in Argentina for two years as an LDS missionary. I became fairly fluent in Spanish, but more importantly, I learned to love a people that were not my own.

Working as a construction superintendent for a few years, I have come to know some of the finest people on earth. Unfortunately, they are illegal immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Colombia. They, like my ancestors, came to America seeking a greater good for their families. They are industrious and ambitious workers and most of them are "trying" to learn English. I regularly encourage my latino amigos to learn English as soon and as well as possible so that better opportunities open up for them. I have to get after some of them for their lack of effort in learning English and I can see that they are will to coast thru the rest of their lives here without learning it, knowing that their children do learn it in school.

Culturally, there is a difference between my ancestors and that of mis amigos. Latinos are a little more reluctant to integrate and assimilate into this crazy new culture we have here. Of course, there are parts of the cultura latina that I enjoy and hope to integrate into my family culture. Other parts that of latin culture are better left behind. For example, many come from governments who have failed them, but have not failed in filling them with a sense of entitlement to government assistance. But that's just it isn't it?...America the great "melting-pot" where all types of metals are combined forming a stronger alloy while the impurities are burned off. Sadly, I'm afraid that we aren't melting together too much any more.



So, what is the solution? For starters, we should make the process of coming into our country simple and easy. Like my ancestors, people should be able to come, register and be on their way to realize the American Dream of tax-paying and social security and Medicare contributing.

Oh, but what about the threat of terrorist then being able to enter more easily? Well, that's nothing a little racial-profiling couldn't but help deter. (but that's a topic for another day)

What about all the illegals that are already here? Let them come and register too. Generally we will find them to be contributing to our economy, but now we would be able tax them into perpetual poverty too (also a topic for another day). Not to mention, their family ties that are now here, which reason above any other should dissuade us from non-case-specific deportation policies.

Remember our founding fathers guiding principles of the pursuit of LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTY, and HAPPINESS. If our immigrant friends don't have full access to these, how can they melt into that stronger alloy?

2 July 2005

I believe the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are the God-inspired writings of just men. I am grateful to be a citizen of this country. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for those who have come before me and who have sacrificed so much for my freedom and my way of life. I have valiant ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, World War I and World War II. I have many pioneer forebearers who crossed the plains in the mid-1800's...fleeing those who would not live by the principles of the Constitution. I will not be the weak link in the family chain of defenders of truth and freedom...thus begins my blog.