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darrianation · 11-02-2008, 01:59 PM

What is the American model?

The constitution is very strong on property rights—what belongs to you is yours. If someone tries to take it from you, you can stop him yourself or call the sheriff. Our founders understood that in democracies the majority can take property from the minority so the framers of the constitution put in safeguards so this wouldn’t happen.

Of course our government violates these rights daily but that doesn’t justify more violation.

The Bill of Rights is a document that specifically protects individual liberties—it doesn’t grant rights, it PROTECTS them, and it doesn’t protect collective rights. In other words no special groups of people have protected rights under the Bill of Rights and that is why we are a constitutional republic—ruled by law not by majority opinion.

Another thing our founders understood very well was the importance of property rights as an integral component of individual liberty. This is the private ownership of land, livestock, the money you’ve earned, etc, etc. And they also understood the fact that incentive, creativity, and productivity is more often than not propagated by reward and dignity is a product of self-achievement.

So they created a nation of opportunity but not one of guarantee. In America anyone, regardless of gender, race, or financial status, can succeed if they are willing to get an education, have a strong work ethic, and exercise good judgment in the choices they make but the opportunity is there for everyone even though not everyone will take advantage of those opportunities.

I think the principles of American economic philosophy are best described in G Edward Griffin’s book “The Fearful Master”:

1. Economic security for all is impossible without widespread abundance.
2. Abundance is impossible without industrious and efficient production.
3. Such production is impossible without energetic, willing and eager labor.
4. This is impossible without incentive.
5. Of all forms of incentive—the freedom to attain a reward for one’s labors is the most sustaining for most people. Sometimes called profit motive, it is simply the right to plan and to earn and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
6. This profit motive diminishes as government controls, regulations and taxes increase to deny the fruits of success to those who produce.
7. Therefore any attempt through governmental intervention to redistribute the material rewards of labor can only result in the eventual destruction of the productive base of society, without which real abundance and security for more than the ruling elite is quite impossible.

What is the true role of government? The single most important function of government is to secure the right and freedoms of individual citizens.

I think a great model for government can be found in the Alabama constitution which states:

“That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and when government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression.” (Art1, sec 35)

The role of government in protecting individual and property rights:

“I have said, very many times,...that no man believed more than I in the principles of self-government; that lies at the bottom of all my ideas of just government, from beginning to end. I believe that each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so as it in no wise interferes with any other’s rights.” (Abraham Lincoln)

Over and over again we see the fundamental guiding principles of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” are intertwined with limited government and property rights.

Are we sowing the seeds of our own destruction?

Abraham Lincoln said, “If danger ever reaches us it must spring up from amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

George Washington warned, “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence—it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and fearful master!”

Phillip Van Stern said:

“The fight for freedom is an endless battle. Its victories are never finale; its defeats never permanent. Each generation must defend its heritage, for each seeming conquest gives rise to new forces that will attempt to substitute fresh means of opposition for the old. ”

Are folks getting tired of the fight for freedom? Is that why so many Americans today put their faith in government and socialist institutions? It may or may not be to late to recapture what the Republic once was and is suppose to be, but that isn’t justification for surrendering what we have left of it.

In 1787 Edward Gibbons in his book “The Decline and fall of the Roman Empire” describes the fall:

1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human family.
2. Higher and higher taxes and spending of public moneys for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The decay of religion—faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.

*the other two components had to do with brutal sport and huge armaments.

Are some of the same things happening today in America that caused the fall of Rome?

11-02-2008, 01:59 PM	#170 (permalink)
darrianation Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,161 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Part Three- The American model What is the American model? The constitution is very strong on property rights—what belongs to you is yours. If someone tries to take it from you, you can stop him yourself or call the sheriff. Our founders understood that in democracies the majority can take property from the minority so the framers of the constitution put in safeguards so this wouldn’t happen. Of course our government violates these rights daily but that doesn’t justify more violation. The Bill of Rights is a document that specifically protects individual liberties—it doesn’t grant rights, it PROTECTS them, and it doesn’t protect collective rights. In other words no special groups of people have protected rights under the Bill of Rights and that is why we are a constitutional republic—ruled by law not by majority opinion. Another thing our founders understood very well was the importance of property rights as an integral component of individual liberty. This is the private ownership of land, livestock, the money you’ve earned, etc, etc. And they also understood the fact that incentive, creativity, and productivity is more often than not propagated by reward and dignity is a product of self-achievement. So they created a nation of opportunity but not one of guarantee. In America anyone, regardless of gender, race, or financial status, can succeed if they are willing to get an education, have a strong work ethic, and exercise good judgment in the choices they make but the opportunity is there for everyone even though not everyone will take advantage of those opportunities. I think the principles of American economic philosophy are best described in G Edward Griffin’s book “The Fearful Master”: 1. Economic security for all is impossible without widespread abundance. 2. Abundance is impossible without industrious and efficient production. 3. Such production is impossible without energetic, willing and eager labor. 4. This is impossible without incentive. 5. Of all forms of incentive—the freedom to attain a reward for one’s labors is the most sustaining for most people. Sometimes called profit motive, it is simply the right to plan and to earn and enjoy the fruits of your labor. 6. This profit motive diminishes as government controls, regulations and taxes increase to deny the fruits of success to those who produce. 7. Therefore any attempt through governmental intervention to redistribute the material rewards of labor can only result in the eventual destruction of the productive base of society, without which real abundance and security for more than the ruling elite is quite impossible. What is the true role of government? The single most important function of government is to secure the right and freedoms of individual citizens. I think a great model for government can be found in the Alabama constitution which states: “That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and when government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression.” (Art1, sec 35) The role of government in protecting individual and property rights: “I have said, very many times,...that no man believed more than I in the principles of self-government; that lies at the bottom of all my ideas of just government, from beginning to end. I believe that each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so as it in no wise interferes with any other’s rights.” (Abraham Lincoln) Over and over again we see the fundamental guiding principles of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” are intertwined with limited government and property rights. Are we sowing the seeds of our own destruction? Abraham Lincoln said, “If danger ever reaches us it must spring up from amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” George Washington warned, “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence—it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and fearful master!” Phillip Van Stern said: “The fight for freedom is an endless battle. Its victories are never finale; its defeats never permanent. Each generation must defend its heritage, for each seeming conquest gives rise to new forces that will attempt to substitute fresh means of opposition for the old. ” Are folks getting tired of the fight for freedom? Is that why so many Americans today put their faith in government and socialist institutions? It may or may not be to late to recapture what the Republic once was and is suppose to be, but that isn’t justification for surrendering what we have left of it. In 1787 Edward Gibbons in his book “The Decline and fall of the Roman Empire” describes the fall: 1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human family. 2. Higher and higher taxes and spending of public moneys for free bread and circuses for the populace. 3. The decay of religion—faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people. *the other two components had to do with brutal sport and huge armaments. Are some of the same things happening today in America that caused the fall of Rome? __________________ The law of tyranny: 1. Any power that can be abused will be abused 2. Abuse always expands to fill the limits of resistance to it. 3. If people don't resist the abuses of others, they will have no one to resist the abuses of themselves, and tyranny will prevail. Welcome to the Socialist States of Amerika . Coming soon Jan 20th 2009!