Introduction

I believe that America is a unique and exceptional place, and that you have an equally unique and exceptional role to play in it. 

That is the subject of today’s 10-minute blog/podcas

Continuing

The Declaration of Independence in 1776 (Revolution 1.0) was the Founders’ Love Letter to America. Revolution 2.0™ is mine.

Dr. Martin Luther King called the Declaration’s breakthrough vision for a new nation “a promissory note”. I have called that vision a “statement of direction.” Whatever the descriptor, let these words sink in: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution took the promises of the Declaration and gave us a set of rules, a path, to becoming a constitutional republic, with government having limited, enumerated powers. This path has led to the US being the world’s oldest free nation. 

We are called to continue along this path. With all that has been done to continuously fulfill the promise of the Declaration, much has been left to us. So, with this calling, what should we do? “How then shall we live?” (Luke 22:31-38)

Today’s Action Item: Start with changing ourselves. Specifically, always think in terms of common goals when talking to yourself. No more who’s right and who’s wrong, winning or losing, this political label vs. that label. Common goals. Always and only. We change everything by--and only by--changing ourselves.

“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.

I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.

When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. 

My family and I could have made an impact on our town. 

Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”

Written by an unknown Monk around 1100 A.D.

The calling is not as much to rid the nation of vestigial prejudices or evening things out with more income redistribution as it is to not return to the days when we were ruled by King George III. No, today’s threat is not a one-person monarchy; it is something much worse. An entrenched, career-based, ruling-class government, surrounded and defended by millions of bureaucrats whose very livelihoods depend upon a government growing in size, scope and power. All bought and paid for with taxpayer dollars; dollars exchanged for the promise of riskless ease. We will be more comfortable than King George’s subjects, but we will be subjects nonetheless. 

Let’s hear a voice from Revolution 1.0 in 1776. “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” -Patrick Henry in his famous “Give me liberty or give me death.” Revolution speech. 

Paraphrasing, are ease and lack of risk “so dear” as to be purchased at the cost of increasingly limited freedoms, including mounting restrictions on what we can do and say--perhaps even think--without being...