Again, as the previous post, this was another chapter in the book “Law and Liberty” by RJ Rushdoony. The more I read it , the more I appreciate it and my desire was to share it with those would also find interest in it. Again, the credit goes to the author as I try to paraphrase this wonderful chapter in a truly awesome book!
Most people, if not all of them will say they have a “reverence and respect for life.” Some believe that life is equally revered whether they are animals, humans, insects or plants. They believe that killing anything is an act of murder without any difference in what is moral and what is not but somehow believing “what is Biblical is restrictive and oppressive.”
Christianity, through Gods inspired word in scripture provides clear and concise definitions and boundaries. Thou shalt not murder” defines God to be the giver and taker of life for life is a gift from God and to be lived according to His law.
If one man kills another, is it murder and unbiblical? In Genesis 9:6 it states “Who sheds a mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed”, In Exodus 21:12 it states “Smite a man and he shall be put to death.” And in Numbers 35:16-18 it calls capital punishment, the punishment for murder.
It is God that has the right “to kill” not man but as the church’s ministry is discipline, the government’s ministry is justice, BOTH under God’s law. These positions are like God’s for they have the authority over laws to protect life.
“ If God’s justice is perverted, they shall die like men.” Psalms 82:7
Capital punishment by “the state” is not subject to the interpretation by man’s law because it puts the life in the hands of man but required under God’s law which clearly needs no interpretation and secures life in that the decisions do not evolve over time and become arbitrary according to who you are or what you may believe.
Biblically, man should be presumed innocent until found guilty (if this sounds familiar, it is proof yet again of God’s foundation in American law) but once a man is found guilty he should not be an object of pity (If this sounds familiar, it is because the American rule of law now denies Gods law) because it then puts the power of God into the hands of man and again becomes subject to man’s arbitrary nature.
“Those that forsake the law praise the wicked.” Proverbs 28:4
“He that turns his ear from the law, his prayers shall be an abomination.” Proverbs 28:9
Humanists believe that freedom is life beyond the law, beyond good and evil which is both the abandonment of Law and morality.
Christians believe God’s law is a condition of life, like water to a fish or soil to a tree and believe that the abandonment of law results in oppression by man, leading to chaos, disorder, lawlessness and death.
“Hatred for God id hatred of life” Proverbs 8:36
“Those who despise the law are guilty of the sin of presumption.” 2 Peter 2:10
“Humanists believe in presumption to take for themselves the authority for which they have no right, whether it be from God on their own terms, to reframe and reorganize their world where they will rule rather than God.” Without the belief in God, man is free to govern as he pleases without accountability, or so he thinks.
It is only under God’s law where life is protected. Under His law humans whether unborn or elderly it is left to God and God alone, who giveth life and taketh away.
Interestingly enough, It is the Humanists who claim to value life, equally in all forms, while they abandon God’s law, legalize the death of 5000 unborn babies and allow the government to withhold food and drink from the elderly and infirmed, These Humanists kill plants and animals for food to sustain themselves while praising the environment, planning on the death of the elderly, maintaining the executions of babies all in the name of overpopulation, yet somehow they fail to live by example? Now who’s hypocritical?
It is clearly God’s law to protect life and freedom, to become good stewards of the earth we have been given while it is man’s law that is inconsistent, arbitrary and irrational that has always resulted in anarchy, tyranny or death.
One thing to keep in mind the next time you hear someone say "God bless America" remember what scripture says...then ask youself, If we turn from his law, Should he?
“He that turns his ear from the law, his prayers shall be an abomination.” Proverbs 28:9
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Law, religion and morality
I just finished a great book called “Law and Liberty”, by RJ Rushdoony. I enjoyed the book so much I wanted to buy everyone a copy. Due to lack of funds I tried my hand at paraphrasing what I had read about. All credit should go to the author and not me.
People say that you can’t “legislate morality,” is this true or are all laws ,in fact, based on morality?
Should people be made to be moral “by force” or would it create some kind of social rebellion? Should the laws of morality be imposed fully or only to various degrees and, if so, how exactly would that degree be determined?
What few realize, especially those that state the above, is that upon close examination all laws are based on morality. Laws against murder, adultery, stealing, slander, perjury, traffic, police and courts are all created based on this principle. Isn’t it amazing the stark familiarity to the Ten Commandments? It is interesting considering so many today absolutely refuse to believe that religion should have anything to do with “the state?”
Law provides clear boundaries between right and wrong, it punishes what is wrong while protecting what is good. If the defining boundaries of law, of good or wrong are skewed does law, what is good and what is wrong become skewed as well? How would society appear if such words had multiple meanings or no clear definition?
It is my understanding that it is impossible to have morality in a society without religion as its foundation. “Law is based in morality and morality is based on religion and when one is weakened, it tends to weaken the others” resulting in a breakdown in society and an eventual collapse.
It is no surprise to anyone that searches for the truth to know that the American legal system was founded on Biblical law and because of this “our system was not a system to save men by the law” but to maintain and adhere to a system that mimic’s a Godly society.
American Biblical laws were not established to “save men” or to fulfill some ill concerned utopian ideology but ONLY to be grounded in faith, again, to punish wrong and protect what is right as Biblical law, the constitution, declaration and Founders “original intent” define to protect life, liberty and property and to provide justice for all, not for the government to create equality but to understand we were all Created that way.
It seems today that we have been condition to believe that it is the duty of our government to make decisions for us, as if they are more qualified, to save us from ourselves, “to save man.” Only God can do this and only through His grace. Reality is that man can only be restrained through government but cannot be saved.
It is my belief that the problem is the clash between worldviews.
First Humanism, that denies God and the reality of absolutes, that all is relative, including law, where everyone is entitled to their own version of truth of what is right and what is wrong. The problem with this theory is that it can only result in chaos, no order and instead of purely black and white, a full spectrum of grey areas which then makes law impossible to define because of its relativity and continual evolution.
The irony here is although they believe that they are free to define their own truth and what is right for them, they also believe “the state” and its increasing laws will perfect man somehow without restriction, not to mention that the simple fact that truth is not person relative.
Second, Christianity, that understands that it is absolutes that maintain order and that everything created has a purpose. Absolutes define clear boundaries of right and wrong, create strictly black and white areas with no shades of grey, that law, in fact, does not evolve but is consistent, “set in stone” because it is the law of God rather than the law of man. Law when left to be interpreted by man only leads to arbitrariness and inconsistencies which undermine the foundational purpose of law.
Christians believe God created us to be free men, as our Founding fathers agreed and the founding documents guaranteed, God has given us Rights that were inalienable, that could not be taken away by man. It is also believed that if society followed Gods law, and not that of “the state”( if contrary to it) free man would be most free without the continual increase in laws of man which have resulted in either Anarchy or some form of totalitarianism, as history has taught us.
Christians believe in “salvation by grace” through faith in Jesus Christ not by “salvation by the law” or “the state” by the continual increase of legislative enactments.
Is it possible to deny God and claim to be free? Is freedom not subject to whom you look to for it? Is it not simply that you are Created by God, with God given rights, given your freedom from Him, that cannot be taken away or you deny God, believe that you spontaneously came into existence with the understanding that your rights come from the government man created that have always been taken away?
In communicating these two theories, it should be rather obvious that there is really only one clear choice that makes logical and rational sense. The very idea that our culture today believes that God should be separated from the state, isn’t because they actually believe it, it is because they want to abandon their conscience, being held accountable and to escape the reality of judgment, after all, it isn’t really the judgment of man they are angry about or afraid of, it is the judgment of God for scripture says we all know Him.
People say that you can’t “legislate morality,” is this true or are all laws ,in fact, based on morality?
Should people be made to be moral “by force” or would it create some kind of social rebellion? Should the laws of morality be imposed fully or only to various degrees and, if so, how exactly would that degree be determined?
What few realize, especially those that state the above, is that upon close examination all laws are based on morality. Laws against murder, adultery, stealing, slander, perjury, traffic, police and courts are all created based on this principle. Isn’t it amazing the stark familiarity to the Ten Commandments? It is interesting considering so many today absolutely refuse to believe that religion should have anything to do with “the state?”
Law provides clear boundaries between right and wrong, it punishes what is wrong while protecting what is good. If the defining boundaries of law, of good or wrong are skewed does law, what is good and what is wrong become skewed as well? How would society appear if such words had multiple meanings or no clear definition?
It is my understanding that it is impossible to have morality in a society without religion as its foundation. “Law is based in morality and morality is based on religion and when one is weakened, it tends to weaken the others” resulting in a breakdown in society and an eventual collapse.
It is no surprise to anyone that searches for the truth to know that the American legal system was founded on Biblical law and because of this “our system was not a system to save men by the law” but to maintain and adhere to a system that mimic’s a Godly society.
American Biblical laws were not established to “save men” or to fulfill some ill concerned utopian ideology but ONLY to be grounded in faith, again, to punish wrong and protect what is right as Biblical law, the constitution, declaration and Founders “original intent” define to protect life, liberty and property and to provide justice for all, not for the government to create equality but to understand we were all Created that way.
It seems today that we have been condition to believe that it is the duty of our government to make decisions for us, as if they are more qualified, to save us from ourselves, “to save man.” Only God can do this and only through His grace. Reality is that man can only be restrained through government but cannot be saved.
It is my belief that the problem is the clash between worldviews.
First Humanism, that denies God and the reality of absolutes, that all is relative, including law, where everyone is entitled to their own version of truth of what is right and what is wrong. The problem with this theory is that it can only result in chaos, no order and instead of purely black and white, a full spectrum of grey areas which then makes law impossible to define because of its relativity and continual evolution.
The irony here is although they believe that they are free to define their own truth and what is right for them, they also believe “the state” and its increasing laws will perfect man somehow without restriction, not to mention that the simple fact that truth is not person relative.
Second, Christianity, that understands that it is absolutes that maintain order and that everything created has a purpose. Absolutes define clear boundaries of right and wrong, create strictly black and white areas with no shades of grey, that law, in fact, does not evolve but is consistent, “set in stone” because it is the law of God rather than the law of man. Law when left to be interpreted by man only leads to arbitrariness and inconsistencies which undermine the foundational purpose of law.
Christians believe God created us to be free men, as our Founding fathers agreed and the founding documents guaranteed, God has given us Rights that were inalienable, that could not be taken away by man. It is also believed that if society followed Gods law, and not that of “the state”( if contrary to it) free man would be most free without the continual increase in laws of man which have resulted in either Anarchy or some form of totalitarianism, as history has taught us.
Christians believe in “salvation by grace” through faith in Jesus Christ not by “salvation by the law” or “the state” by the continual increase of legislative enactments.
Is it possible to deny God and claim to be free? Is freedom not subject to whom you look to for it? Is it not simply that you are Created by God, with God given rights, given your freedom from Him, that cannot be taken away or you deny God, believe that you spontaneously came into existence with the understanding that your rights come from the government man created that have always been taken away?
In communicating these two theories, it should be rather obvious that there is really only one clear choice that makes logical and rational sense. The very idea that our culture today believes that God should be separated from the state, isn’t because they actually believe it, it is because they want to abandon their conscience, being held accountable and to escape the reality of judgment, after all, it isn’t really the judgment of man they are angry about or afraid of, it is the judgment of God for scripture says we all know Him.
Friday, December 31, 2010
What would I do?
Someone asked me what I would do to fix the economy?
What would I do to fix just about all this countries problems? May I start by saying First things first?
America has been faced with the continuous, relentless, creation and implementation of policies that are leading to our systematic destruction. This “agenda” is not new and has been in place for many decades but been implemented incrementally, under the radar, rather than the bold, quick and reckless pursuit as it is done today. Our current administration has been working on the complete erosion and removal of our history, our Rights and our freedoms and elevate the rights of one class over another creating a kind of class warfare.
I believe one problem is that the once unified American people are now divided, by what I call “moral relativity” that has crept into every aspect of society, the idea that there are no fixed values about anything, to believe and act they way each of us wants to and that truth means different things to different people even the definition of words. For example it seems that all people may say they believe in freedom but it took me awhile to finally realize the definition of words mean different things to different people.
As I am aware there are two basic schools of thought, both which I believe to be a predetermined conditioning process through education or should I say indoctrination. In these basic schools of thought, there are those who believe freedom comes from government and the other whom believes freedom comes from God, to me this is the root source of all our problems and until this is addressed the problems will continue.
You see, I believe there are only two governing entities God and Government (“the State”). Those who believe in God believe “we, the people,” as well as all things, were created and with a logical purpose. We understand that our Rights given to us by God are inalienable, in that these Rights cannot be taken away by anyone and that according to our constitution, the government was put in place to secure those Rights. For believers, God has given us His laws through the Bible that teach Christians the best way to live including the meaning and importance of things like morality, personal responsibility and idea that we should be held accountable to one another for our actions which indicates within itself a logical rational, orderly consistency.
Those who deny God, however, believe that we are the result of a RANDOM chemical reaction, a sort of irrational, spontaneous freak of nature. This idea is unapparent to them, by denying God, that it gives only one other choice…government is their god. This belief is extremely dangerous not only for the individual but for a free people because it makes it to where the rights they believe they have can be given or taken away according to what their government believes, rights then are determined by man. The problem with this thought is that throughout history there have been only two outcomes with the state as god, anarchy or some form of totalitarianism.
Denial of god carries with it a multitude of problems. If they weren’t created and are a result of a random chemical reaction, this would imply that there is no logical order, and suggests things happen for no reason, this is illogical, irrational, chaotic and contrary to anything we know for everything not only has a purpose but that there is tremendous systematic logical order and just so happens to evident in biblical scripture.
I must say that it isn’t that those who don’t believe in God aren’t responsible, or do not believe in law, logic or science, in many cases they are, it just means that they are standing, relying and borrowing on the Christian worldview because any adherence to these principles require the need of logical consistency that does not exist in their own worldview.
Can those who deny God consider themselves pro-American if they don’t believe in God? Can those who deny God be considered to be law abiding citizens when according to their worldview everything is relative and subject to their own version of what truth is while allowing each other the same tolerance? Can you even adhere to or have respect for a countries foundation when you don’t even believe your Rights come from the same place?
The above explanation is crucial in understanding because it is the essence of why we are divided. If everyone defines words differently how is the rule of law defined for the purpose of all people to be obedient to the same form of lawful form of restraint, do not the distinctions between right and wrong become subjective and arbitrary and inconsistent?
To me, it is not difficult to see that this seems to be more of a recipe for anarchy than a uniform systematic consistent established rule of law which would it then make it difficult to unite a single family much less an entire country in one belief or agree on one single definition of a word like fiscal responsibility, morality etc.
Therefore, Relativism, is, in my view, an intellectual plague. We have abandoned God, the true source of law and replaced Him with the idea of tolerance in accepting everyone’s ideas, accepting them ALL as truth trying to appease them ALL which will lead to catastrophic chaotic consequences that is seen today.
It isn’t that some of the ideas don’t appeal to the heart, they do indeed, but not all things that tug on the heart are smart or good for the individual much less a society, after all scripture speaks of the heart as wicked. The idea that we can not work and contribute to society, sit on our butts and allow others who work take care of us or that our government should continue to print money and take care of everyone sounds awesome to many but in the history of any civilization it has always led to those unintended consequences ( at least unintended for those who fall for it, there are always those who are intending to fulfill this idea for the purpose of power-oligarchs and dictators!)
As far as what I would do to fix the economy? Hmm, that’s tough since I am not an economist. What I will tell you is that as individuals before we begin to be concerned about money, we need to first of all be accountable to someone higher than ourselves, to understand that there will be repercussions for our failure to be responsible, which is really why law was created in the first place to protect us but also keep people in line, put in place due to the realization that man is inherently sinful and fallen according to scripture.
We, as individuals need to want to be responsible and the government should want us to as well if they want to function correctly (ever wonder why government is growing and so is the crime rate when one, the government, was created to protect the other, the people?)
Our government that was established “by the people” would be better understood as merely an extension of the people meaning that the government should only be allowed to do to us what we can do ourselves. If individuals take individual responsibility, it forces the government to do the same, when we fail as individuals; the government also fails, so the solution begins at home, first through the individual, the family, communities, churches, states and , of course, the country.
How do we get back? While we start at home, we immediately cease growing the government and terminate wasteful spending now! We need to clearly define our rule of law and adhere to it and its moral compass. If it is the constitution , we need to quit manipulating it and educate ourselves on what the original intent of these documents were and the history behind them, not to make assumptions giving power to entities like the supreme court to interpret something that was never meant to be interpreted, that we plead total ignorance of our history and its being rewritten as we speak so the truth for future generations will eventually never be known and that is done on purpose?
We need to stop pretending we are something we aren’t as a nation, we need be who we are and be proud of it again. We need to know not only our history and have a deep reverence for it but know the history and consequences from decisions made by other countries that have failed before us.
Once or rule of law is properly understood we then realize and accept what the proper role of government is and is not and not make allowances that deviates from it leading to where we are today.
All laws constitutionally should apply to ALL people, there are no elevated rights for individuals or class, elevation of rights for one class is not equal rights it is special rights that only lead to class warfare.
Once we understand the constitution then we can harness and reign in our spending because if the definition of the same words have different meanings how would people have the chance to agree? Can you imagine entering debate with someone who’s definition of words is different than yours, a solution would never be found.
Now the hard part is done, now for spending. If the constitution is a document that restricts government, and only gives them certain enumerated powers and people are educated, they will know that since they are responsible, they expect the government to know those powers and combined with electing the right representatives they can hold them accountable. Today, the average American has no clue about who they voted for, what they believe or any knowledge about such powers entrusted to them and therefore no way to hold their government accountable for the decisions they make.
Once words are clearly defined, then topics like healthcare, immigration, gay rights, parental rights, government control over the states, religion just to name a few, would be clearly understood. We would then know that government gets its money in the form of tax dollars from those citizens who work and that the government would need to live within a budget like we, as individuals do, and if they fail to do so they will suffer punishments, ethics charges and/or removed, not like today with this circus fest like Rangel, Bush, Obama, Clinton and others, what a joke yet no one I laughing.!
As lovers of America we need to realize and respect the sacrifices of those who made us great and free, that we would desire the understanding of our law and history to know that the problems of today like multiculturalism and making tax payers pay for those who come here and their children, illegally, to change our rule of law, imposing their will and try to incite revolutions aiding in the destruction of the fabric of this once great nation is not only wrong but should it be considered a form of treason? Is it any wonder why we are unraveling? “We the people” are divided in thought about everything, no longer do we stand united but hopefully realizing that divided we fall. Today the evidence for our division is more evident than at any other time in history.
It is our reverence for God, the importance of Biblical principles, first and foremost, our history and understanding our founding documents and our proper role of government and the adherence to it that will turn things around and it will not until then, this I promise you.
What would I do to fix just about all this countries problems? May I start by saying First things first?
America has been faced with the continuous, relentless, creation and implementation of policies that are leading to our systematic destruction. This “agenda” is not new and has been in place for many decades but been implemented incrementally, under the radar, rather than the bold, quick and reckless pursuit as it is done today. Our current administration has been working on the complete erosion and removal of our history, our Rights and our freedoms and elevate the rights of one class over another creating a kind of class warfare.
I believe one problem is that the once unified American people are now divided, by what I call “moral relativity” that has crept into every aspect of society, the idea that there are no fixed values about anything, to believe and act they way each of us wants to and that truth means different things to different people even the definition of words. For example it seems that all people may say they believe in freedom but it took me awhile to finally realize the definition of words mean different things to different people.
As I am aware there are two basic schools of thought, both which I believe to be a predetermined conditioning process through education or should I say indoctrination. In these basic schools of thought, there are those who believe freedom comes from government and the other whom believes freedom comes from God, to me this is the root source of all our problems and until this is addressed the problems will continue.
You see, I believe there are only two governing entities God and Government (“the State”). Those who believe in God believe “we, the people,” as well as all things, were created and with a logical purpose. We understand that our Rights given to us by God are inalienable, in that these Rights cannot be taken away by anyone and that according to our constitution, the government was put in place to secure those Rights. For believers, God has given us His laws through the Bible that teach Christians the best way to live including the meaning and importance of things like morality, personal responsibility and idea that we should be held accountable to one another for our actions which indicates within itself a logical rational, orderly consistency.
Those who deny God, however, believe that we are the result of a RANDOM chemical reaction, a sort of irrational, spontaneous freak of nature. This idea is unapparent to them, by denying God, that it gives only one other choice…government is their god. This belief is extremely dangerous not only for the individual but for a free people because it makes it to where the rights they believe they have can be given or taken away according to what their government believes, rights then are determined by man. The problem with this thought is that throughout history there have been only two outcomes with the state as god, anarchy or some form of totalitarianism.
Denial of god carries with it a multitude of problems. If they weren’t created and are a result of a random chemical reaction, this would imply that there is no logical order, and suggests things happen for no reason, this is illogical, irrational, chaotic and contrary to anything we know for everything not only has a purpose but that there is tremendous systematic logical order and just so happens to evident in biblical scripture.
I must say that it isn’t that those who don’t believe in God aren’t responsible, or do not believe in law, logic or science, in many cases they are, it just means that they are standing, relying and borrowing on the Christian worldview because any adherence to these principles require the need of logical consistency that does not exist in their own worldview.
Can those who deny God consider themselves pro-American if they don’t believe in God? Can those who deny God be considered to be law abiding citizens when according to their worldview everything is relative and subject to their own version of what truth is while allowing each other the same tolerance? Can you even adhere to or have respect for a countries foundation when you don’t even believe your Rights come from the same place?
The above explanation is crucial in understanding because it is the essence of why we are divided. If everyone defines words differently how is the rule of law defined for the purpose of all people to be obedient to the same form of lawful form of restraint, do not the distinctions between right and wrong become subjective and arbitrary and inconsistent?
To me, it is not difficult to see that this seems to be more of a recipe for anarchy than a uniform systematic consistent established rule of law which would it then make it difficult to unite a single family much less an entire country in one belief or agree on one single definition of a word like fiscal responsibility, morality etc.
Therefore, Relativism, is, in my view, an intellectual plague. We have abandoned God, the true source of law and replaced Him with the idea of tolerance in accepting everyone’s ideas, accepting them ALL as truth trying to appease them ALL which will lead to catastrophic chaotic consequences that is seen today.
It isn’t that some of the ideas don’t appeal to the heart, they do indeed, but not all things that tug on the heart are smart or good for the individual much less a society, after all scripture speaks of the heart as wicked. The idea that we can not work and contribute to society, sit on our butts and allow others who work take care of us or that our government should continue to print money and take care of everyone sounds awesome to many but in the history of any civilization it has always led to those unintended consequences ( at least unintended for those who fall for it, there are always those who are intending to fulfill this idea for the purpose of power-oligarchs and dictators!)
As far as what I would do to fix the economy? Hmm, that’s tough since I am not an economist. What I will tell you is that as individuals before we begin to be concerned about money, we need to first of all be accountable to someone higher than ourselves, to understand that there will be repercussions for our failure to be responsible, which is really why law was created in the first place to protect us but also keep people in line, put in place due to the realization that man is inherently sinful and fallen according to scripture.
We, as individuals need to want to be responsible and the government should want us to as well if they want to function correctly (ever wonder why government is growing and so is the crime rate when one, the government, was created to protect the other, the people?)
Our government that was established “by the people” would be better understood as merely an extension of the people meaning that the government should only be allowed to do to us what we can do ourselves. If individuals take individual responsibility, it forces the government to do the same, when we fail as individuals; the government also fails, so the solution begins at home, first through the individual, the family, communities, churches, states and , of course, the country.
How do we get back? While we start at home, we immediately cease growing the government and terminate wasteful spending now! We need to clearly define our rule of law and adhere to it and its moral compass. If it is the constitution , we need to quit manipulating it and educate ourselves on what the original intent of these documents were and the history behind them, not to make assumptions giving power to entities like the supreme court to interpret something that was never meant to be interpreted, that we plead total ignorance of our history and its being rewritten as we speak so the truth for future generations will eventually never be known and that is done on purpose?
We need to stop pretending we are something we aren’t as a nation, we need be who we are and be proud of it again. We need to know not only our history and have a deep reverence for it but know the history and consequences from decisions made by other countries that have failed before us.
Once or rule of law is properly understood we then realize and accept what the proper role of government is and is not and not make allowances that deviates from it leading to where we are today.
All laws constitutionally should apply to ALL people, there are no elevated rights for individuals or class, elevation of rights for one class is not equal rights it is special rights that only lead to class warfare.
Once we understand the constitution then we can harness and reign in our spending because if the definition of the same words have different meanings how would people have the chance to agree? Can you imagine entering debate with someone who’s definition of words is different than yours, a solution would never be found.
Now the hard part is done, now for spending. If the constitution is a document that restricts government, and only gives them certain enumerated powers and people are educated, they will know that since they are responsible, they expect the government to know those powers and combined with electing the right representatives they can hold them accountable. Today, the average American has no clue about who they voted for, what they believe or any knowledge about such powers entrusted to them and therefore no way to hold their government accountable for the decisions they make.
Once words are clearly defined, then topics like healthcare, immigration, gay rights, parental rights, government control over the states, religion just to name a few, would be clearly understood. We would then know that government gets its money in the form of tax dollars from those citizens who work and that the government would need to live within a budget like we, as individuals do, and if they fail to do so they will suffer punishments, ethics charges and/or removed, not like today with this circus fest like Rangel, Bush, Obama, Clinton and others, what a joke yet no one I laughing.!
As lovers of America we need to realize and respect the sacrifices of those who made us great and free, that we would desire the understanding of our law and history to know that the problems of today like multiculturalism and making tax payers pay for those who come here and their children, illegally, to change our rule of law, imposing their will and try to incite revolutions aiding in the destruction of the fabric of this once great nation is not only wrong but should it be considered a form of treason? Is it any wonder why we are unraveling? “We the people” are divided in thought about everything, no longer do we stand united but hopefully realizing that divided we fall. Today the evidence for our division is more evident than at any other time in history.
It is our reverence for God, the importance of Biblical principles, first and foremost, our history and understanding our founding documents and our proper role of government and the adherence to it that will turn things around and it will not until then, this I promise you.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Testing...
I haven't been on for awhile because I found out facebook had the ability to post. I realize I don't have many readers, if any at all, but thought what I had to say was important enough to share with everyone and the more places people could find it, the better chance I had to attract readers.
At one point this blog was connected to my facebook page and whatever I wrote here appeared there as well, I am just seeing if it still does.
For those who can't find my page it isnt dificult, it seems the right to privacy is destroyed when posting and I found out too late, my fault, meanwhile it seems I can be found everywhere.
Check out this video, My friend Coach at an Ohio teaparty:
http://vimeo.com/13421484
or perhaps this one, Coach's youtube channel!
http://www.youtube.com/user/ptsalt
Men like these are like the one's who brought Europe out of the dark ages!! We need this here in America and soon!!
Who will rise up? Yes I will!!
Merry Christmas!
At one point this blog was connected to my facebook page and whatever I wrote here appeared there as well, I am just seeing if it still does.
For those who can't find my page it isnt dificult, it seems the right to privacy is destroyed when posting and I found out too late, my fault, meanwhile it seems I can be found everywhere.
Check out this video, My friend Coach at an Ohio teaparty:
http://vimeo.com/13421484
or perhaps this one, Coach's youtube channel!
http://www.youtube.com/user/ptsalt
Men like these are like the one's who brought Europe out of the dark ages!! We need this here in America and soon!!
Who will rise up? Yes I will!!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Government vs. " The people"
In America, where people still believe we are still a nation of laws, under the constitution nothing is farther from reality. The ones that feel that government is not oppressive simply have just not done their homework.
A nation "where all men are created equal" just isn't so. We have special interest groups seeking the advancemnt of their agenda and in the process torment and make crimminals of those who have a clear understanding of both law and history. This year we have a congress and president that appears to have a personal vendetta against people who are pro-American, in the true sense of liberty, freedom, limited government and above all, morality and personal responsibility.
Today instead of freedom we have been threatened or been victims of scare tactics for the governmetnt to fulfill their agenda. In this land of the free, the government now controls, the banking industry, the auto industry, food, energy, internet, the waterways, water supply, real estate, wall street, environment and MUST, ironically, submit to what it is that they impose upon the people who actually created the government that controls its people.
It has never been made more clear to me that some form of totalitarianism has crept into every fascet of society and has truly taken hold due to the indoctrination of our children through public school, the church and through our government.
I fear for our nation now more than ever for we are truly repeating history and have neglected the warning signs of Empires past.
Without God, my friends, there is no turning back, don't take my word for it, look at history and look at the Bible.
A nation "where all men are created equal" just isn't so. We have special interest groups seeking the advancemnt of their agenda and in the process torment and make crimminals of those who have a clear understanding of both law and history. This year we have a congress and president that appears to have a personal vendetta against people who are pro-American, in the true sense of liberty, freedom, limited government and above all, morality and personal responsibility.
Today instead of freedom we have been threatened or been victims of scare tactics for the governmetnt to fulfill their agenda. In this land of the free, the government now controls, the banking industry, the auto industry, food, energy, internet, the waterways, water supply, real estate, wall street, environment and MUST, ironically, submit to what it is that they impose upon the people who actually created the government that controls its people.
It has never been made more clear to me that some form of totalitarianism has crept into every fascet of society and has truly taken hold due to the indoctrination of our children through public school, the church and through our government.
I fear for our nation now more than ever for we are truly repeating history and have neglected the warning signs of Empires past.
Without God, my friends, there is no turning back, don't take my word for it, look at history and look at the Bible.
Monday, August 2, 2010
My concerns regarding Idaho power and the PUC
In this continuation from the journal on this issue in the previous post, I have posted my thoughts and comments in black to their verbatim responses in red so it is clear on what my position is as well as the concerns I have for the people of Idaho
1. As I learned in a conversation with Idaho power, Since they the PUC is funded by profits from Idaho Power and not necessarily from the tax payers, although they are in that profits come from their usage, is this another government agency essentially lobbying for a private corporation on how they can maximize their profits through regulation and make the taxpayers responsible for it.
2. Are the percentage of profits the PUC makes capped, what is “reasonable” They are allowed to earn only up to a rate of return that is capped by the Commission, So the regulating body that is funded by profits from the corporation determines the cap?
3. Idaho power has made the purchase and installation of AMI softmeters mandatory for all users, also claiming it is for the benefit of the customer. How is it beneficial to us? Iis it how regulate our costs so others can make profits that we pay for anyway. Out of all the studies, Has a study been done on how many people actually read their meters or if people users would feel it is an advantage or is this a means for taxpayers to pay for excessive corporate profits?. (0.34 percent) is to pay for automated meters that will provide tremendous advantages to both company and customers. that will eventually allow customers to monitor electric prices and adjust their use to take advantage of lower price-periods.
4. The present rate increase comes at a bad time economically and the suggestion that they take from our savings to pay for their employee pensions is wealth distribution. Instead of allowing users to protect themselves economically, through the retention of their savings, we are to protect the employees of the monopoly. May I demand of Idaho power that for them to be blessed by my choice to use their services that they should compensate me by me taking from their savings to pay for my retirement?. The commission is allowing Idaho Power to increase rates by 0.77 percent to allow it to collect $5.4 million over 12 months to replenish its pension plan, Recent market conditions and increasing pension obligations require Idaho Power to begin funding the plan again.
5. In there own words of this document supplied , they realize paying for their pensions it is wrong but who else is responsible? If individual employees retirements suffer a loss, is it not the responsibility of the tax payers to may the difference?…“ Customers have always been paying for Idaho Power’s contribution to its pension plan, It is unreasonable for Idaho Power’s customers to be solely responsible for large contributions to the company’s defined pension plan. Idaho Power is required to apply for pension funding in a separate case and must do so to meet federal deadlines, the Commission has allowed recovery of estimated projected contributions to the Company’s pension accounts. Idaho Power is required by federal law to replenish the pension account.
6. According to an employee I spoke to their really isn’t a cap on how much they can raise rates if they feel they are necessary. If Idaho Power deems they need more money, the tax payers are on the hook for the mandatory use of their services if they deem necessary?So the controlling entity that benefits directly from profits, the PUC, is trusted to control spending and contributions? The commission will not approve additional pension plan contributions from customers without evidence that Idaho Power has carefully reviewed alternatives to reduce the burden placed on customers.” During those years when the market doesn’t perform, Idaho Power is required by federal law to replenish the pension account.
7. Idaho power is a monopoly and we are rendered helpless to explore other alternatives for energy sources while they soak the taxpayers for their shortfalls and the users are made to believe that a government oversight committee and advocate for their own salaries are looking out for our best interests or perhaps the interests of their own?.
8. Mandatory meter installs are a loss of employment for Idaho power and a means in which to control power to our homes remotely violating our privacy and relinquishing control of the homeowners, to control our power consumption when it is a commodity we not only need but willingly pay for and get penalized by buying more than our neighbor in the form of a tiered cost structure where the more you use the more you are punished. The increased use of a product that is purchased by the user, to afford you profits, is penalized for a product you sell in order to make profits while economically we know that the more we buy, the more you profit without the need for tiered pricing. allow customers to monitor electric prices and adjust their use to take advantage of lower price-periods, The advanced meters can be read from a remote location, negating the need for an Idaho Power representative to access customer properties, can be read from a remote location, negating the need for an Idaho Power representative to access customer properties, potentially allowing them to manage their use and reduce their bills.
9. Tiered costs are a means of punishment in that I pay for a service and commodity from a business. If I decide to buy more, I am hit with penalties in the form of higher KW usage depending on the time of day I use it and am forced to regulate my power usage because the government conservation committee is telling me to by charging me overages on usage according to the time of day and the amount of usage? Can we apply this economic theory to anything and everything like gasoline for our cars or propane for our homes?.
10. Is power really more expensive to use during a particular time of day and is that something that taxpayers who pay for the service should be responsible for?
11. Why do utility companies have to invest in conservation programs? In other words, as long as Idaho power adheres to the environmental regulations they would get something in return, The Commission does several cost-effectiveness tests that must show that without the conservation programs funded by the FCA, customers would be paying even higher rates. utilities would have little or no incentive to invest in conservation programs because when customers reduce consumption, the company loses revenue. In exchange for Idaho Power agreeing to continue to invest in conservation programs (the cheapest form of electricity for all customers), the Commission agreed that Idaho Power should be able to receive back at least its fixed costs of serving customers.
12. Why was it necessary for the PUC and Idaho power to use “deliberate speed” to have these new meters installed? the commission directed Idaho Power to "move forward with all deliberate speed" with installation
13. Why do rates have to differ for different classes of people. Do I pay more than some one that has no job, that pays no taxes, that is illegal? Is this a form or wealth distribution where we charge more to those who can pay to afford to give to those who don’t’ can’t ot won’t? The percentage of decrease will vary because the adjustments don’t apply to all customer classes and vary in size according to customer class.
14. Why was it important to have these meters installed during a time when the state is experiencing financial difficulty and doesn’t it concern the company that this may not be a good time to hit us for this expense? The current meters appear to have worked fine, why the additional costs now? Idaho Power may include $2.36 million in base rates for the second year of a three-year installation of automated meters throughout its territory. expenditures are at $47.3 million.
15. How will these increased charges benefit the customers with the loss of control? So the benefit to the customer only comes with the reduction in power consumption, that ends up costing the taxpayer anyway due to the lack of power usage and allows them to Idaho power to recoup lost funds?
The Fixed Cost Adjustment allows Idaho Power to recover its fixed cost of serving customers when sales of electricity are reduced because of energy conservation and efficiency programs ? “will inevitably benefit customers and lower the pressure for increased rates,” Reducing demand on a utility’s generating system, particularly during times of peak-use, is less expensive per kilowatt-hour than building new power plants to meet demand. By enrolling in these programs, customers can benefit by using electricity more efficiently,Without recovery of at least their fixed costs, utilities would have little or no incentive to invest in conservation programs because when customers reduce consumption, the company loses revenue. Idaho Power is allowed to assess a one-year surcharge to recover those costs.
16. As we know with environmental entities, there purpose appears more to create more regulation and government control over citizens, how can the endorsement of an environmental entity benefit taxpayers? The Idaho Conservation League submitted comments supporting the FCA, By enrolling in conservation programs, customers can benefit by using electricity more efficiently,
17. So the PUc determines what to charge, that conveniently determines their own profit margine in addition to that of Idaho power? abide by our promise to regulated utilities that they recover prudently incurred costs of doing business, plus a rate of return, which is also set by the Commission, They are allowed to earn only up to a rate of return that is capped by the Commission, In exchange for their promise to serve every customer, the state ensures utilities recovery of all prudently incurred expenses plus a reasonable rate of return, also set by the state.
18. According to this document statement, paying our bill is not mandatory because it Is required by the state, regardless of cost because it is essential to life, or is it again the burden of the tax payers to pay for those who don’t work, don’t pay taxes including illegal immigrants? Utilities are required by state statute to provide reliable and adequate service to every customer in their assigned territory regardless of how many customers request service and regardless of cost. If costs go up, utilities cannot deny service or cut back on service because the service they provide is essential to life. can appeal to the state Supreme Court as can any customer or customer class.
19. Why are conservation programs the cheapest form of electricity? In exchange for Idaho Power agreeing to continue to invest in conservation programs (the cheapest form of electricity for all customers), the Commission agreed that Idaho Power should be able to receive back at least its fixed costs of serving customers.
1. As I learned in a conversation with Idaho power, Since they the PUC is funded by profits from Idaho Power and not necessarily from the tax payers, although they are in that profits come from their usage, is this another government agency essentially lobbying for a private corporation on how they can maximize their profits through regulation and make the taxpayers responsible for it.
2. Are the percentage of profits the PUC makes capped, what is “reasonable” They are allowed to earn only up to a rate of return that is capped by the Commission, So the regulating body that is funded by profits from the corporation determines the cap?
3. Idaho power has made the purchase and installation of AMI softmeters mandatory for all users, also claiming it is for the benefit of the customer. How is it beneficial to us? Iis it how regulate our costs so others can make profits that we pay for anyway. Out of all the studies, Has a study been done on how many people actually read their meters or if people users would feel it is an advantage or is this a means for taxpayers to pay for excessive corporate profits?. (0.34 percent) is to pay for automated meters that will provide tremendous advantages to both company and customers. that will eventually allow customers to monitor electric prices and adjust their use to take advantage of lower price-periods.
4. The present rate increase comes at a bad time economically and the suggestion that they take from our savings to pay for their employee pensions is wealth distribution. Instead of allowing users to protect themselves economically, through the retention of their savings, we are to protect the employees of the monopoly. May I demand of Idaho power that for them to be blessed by my choice to use their services that they should compensate me by me taking from their savings to pay for my retirement?. The commission is allowing Idaho Power to increase rates by 0.77 percent to allow it to collect $5.4 million over 12 months to replenish its pension plan, Recent market conditions and increasing pension obligations require Idaho Power to begin funding the plan again.
5. In there own words of this document supplied , they realize paying for their pensions it is wrong but who else is responsible? If individual employees retirements suffer a loss, is it not the responsibility of the tax payers to may the difference?…“ Customers have always been paying for Idaho Power’s contribution to its pension plan, It is unreasonable for Idaho Power’s customers to be solely responsible for large contributions to the company’s defined pension plan. Idaho Power is required to apply for pension funding in a separate case and must do so to meet federal deadlines, the Commission has allowed recovery of estimated projected contributions to the Company’s pension accounts. Idaho Power is required by federal law to replenish the pension account.
6. According to an employee I spoke to their really isn’t a cap on how much they can raise rates if they feel they are necessary. If Idaho Power deems they need more money, the tax payers are on the hook for the mandatory use of their services if they deem necessary?So the controlling entity that benefits directly from profits, the PUC, is trusted to control spending and contributions? The commission will not approve additional pension plan contributions from customers without evidence that Idaho Power has carefully reviewed alternatives to reduce the burden placed on customers.” During those years when the market doesn’t perform, Idaho Power is required by federal law to replenish the pension account.
7. Idaho power is a monopoly and we are rendered helpless to explore other alternatives for energy sources while they soak the taxpayers for their shortfalls and the users are made to believe that a government oversight committee and advocate for their own salaries are looking out for our best interests or perhaps the interests of their own?.
8. Mandatory meter installs are a loss of employment for Idaho power and a means in which to control power to our homes remotely violating our privacy and relinquishing control of the homeowners, to control our power consumption when it is a commodity we not only need but willingly pay for and get penalized by buying more than our neighbor in the form of a tiered cost structure where the more you use the more you are punished. The increased use of a product that is purchased by the user, to afford you profits, is penalized for a product you sell in order to make profits while economically we know that the more we buy, the more you profit without the need for tiered pricing. allow customers to monitor electric prices and adjust their use to take advantage of lower price-periods, The advanced meters can be read from a remote location, negating the need for an Idaho Power representative to access customer properties, can be read from a remote location, negating the need for an Idaho Power representative to access customer properties, potentially allowing them to manage their use and reduce their bills.
9. Tiered costs are a means of punishment in that I pay for a service and commodity from a business. If I decide to buy more, I am hit with penalties in the form of higher KW usage depending on the time of day I use it and am forced to regulate my power usage because the government conservation committee is telling me to by charging me overages on usage according to the time of day and the amount of usage? Can we apply this economic theory to anything and everything like gasoline for our cars or propane for our homes?.
10. Is power really more expensive to use during a particular time of day and is that something that taxpayers who pay for the service should be responsible for?
11. Why do utility companies have to invest in conservation programs? In other words, as long as Idaho power adheres to the environmental regulations they would get something in return, The Commission does several cost-effectiveness tests that must show that without the conservation programs funded by the FCA, customers would be paying even higher rates. utilities would have little or no incentive to invest in conservation programs because when customers reduce consumption, the company loses revenue. In exchange for Idaho Power agreeing to continue to invest in conservation programs (the cheapest form of electricity for all customers), the Commission agreed that Idaho Power should be able to receive back at least its fixed costs of serving customers.
12. Why was it necessary for the PUC and Idaho power to use “deliberate speed” to have these new meters installed? the commission directed Idaho Power to "move forward with all deliberate speed" with installation
13. Why do rates have to differ for different classes of people. Do I pay more than some one that has no job, that pays no taxes, that is illegal? Is this a form or wealth distribution where we charge more to those who can pay to afford to give to those who don’t’ can’t ot won’t? The percentage of decrease will vary because the adjustments don’t apply to all customer classes and vary in size according to customer class.
14. Why was it important to have these meters installed during a time when the state is experiencing financial difficulty and doesn’t it concern the company that this may not be a good time to hit us for this expense? The current meters appear to have worked fine, why the additional costs now? Idaho Power may include $2.36 million in base rates for the second year of a three-year installation of automated meters throughout its territory. expenditures are at $47.3 million.
15. How will these increased charges benefit the customers with the loss of control? So the benefit to the customer only comes with the reduction in power consumption, that ends up costing the taxpayer anyway due to the lack of power usage and allows them to Idaho power to recoup lost funds?
The Fixed Cost Adjustment allows Idaho Power to recover its fixed cost of serving customers when sales of electricity are reduced because of energy conservation and efficiency programs ? “will inevitably benefit customers and lower the pressure for increased rates,” Reducing demand on a utility’s generating system, particularly during times of peak-use, is less expensive per kilowatt-hour than building new power plants to meet demand. By enrolling in these programs, customers can benefit by using electricity more efficiently,Without recovery of at least their fixed costs, utilities would have little or no incentive to invest in conservation programs because when customers reduce consumption, the company loses revenue. Idaho Power is allowed to assess a one-year surcharge to recover those costs.
16. As we know with environmental entities, there purpose appears more to create more regulation and government control over citizens, how can the endorsement of an environmental entity benefit taxpayers? The Idaho Conservation League submitted comments supporting the FCA, By enrolling in conservation programs, customers can benefit by using electricity more efficiently,
17. So the PUc determines what to charge, that conveniently determines their own profit margine in addition to that of Idaho power? abide by our promise to regulated utilities that they recover prudently incurred costs of doing business, plus a rate of return, which is also set by the Commission, They are allowed to earn only up to a rate of return that is capped by the Commission, In exchange for their promise to serve every customer, the state ensures utilities recovery of all prudently incurred expenses plus a reasonable rate of return, also set by the state.
18. According to this document statement, paying our bill is not mandatory because it Is required by the state, regardless of cost because it is essential to life, or is it again the burden of the tax payers to pay for those who don’t work, don’t pay taxes including illegal immigrants? Utilities are required by state statute to provide reliable and adequate service to every customer in their assigned territory regardless of how many customers request service and regardless of cost. If costs go up, utilities cannot deny service or cut back on service because the service they provide is essential to life. can appeal to the state Supreme Court as can any customer or customer class.
19. Why are conservation programs the cheapest form of electricity? In exchange for Idaho Power agreeing to continue to invest in conservation programs (the cheapest form of electricity for all customers), the Commission agreed that Idaho Power should be able to receive back at least its fixed costs of serving customers.
Idaho power and the Public utilities commission journal
This month, like every month, I sat down to pay my bills and knew the continual increase in rates would not have subsided but always wonder when the next one will occur.
I did something that this month that I don’t normally do due to the fact that inserts usually are a sign of more rate increases but knowing this, I decided to read this one anyway. When I began to read it I began to get furious for if I understood what I read to be true, it was worse than I had expected. There in the second paragraph read:
“Idaho Power also filed three requests with the IPUC, Idaho public Utilities Commission, on March 15which affect rates: The annual Fixed Cost Adjustment(FCA), funding for continued installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure( AMI), including smart meters, and a pension funding request.”
After reading this insert several times, I immediately called Idaho Power and spoke to the customer service rep to make sure I understood what I was reading to be accurate and I was assured it was. At this point I became more heated and asked a few questions about how the rates are determined and what factors are needed for these increases to take effect and she told me that the IPUC was actually in charge of setting rates and she gave me the phone number. I explained for a few more minutes about my concerns and she said she understood but there wasn’t anything she could do.
I Immediately hung up and called the number she had given me ( 334-0369) and I spoke with Glenda and told her why I was calling and she stated that I needed to speak to a commissioner but that they were all out of the office and one would return my call when they returned. I placed this call on 7-8-2010.
I received a call from Daniel on July 12, where we were to establish a time to meet to discuss my concerns, instead he called and asked for my email address and said that he would have Gene Fadness email me some information that should explain what I needed to know.He was polite and urged me to contact him after reviewing the documents and we could meet to discuss what concerns weren’t explained well enough and we agreed.
For the next few days, I had read and re-read the documentation sent by Gene and began compiling questions and thoughts about what I had read and as of July 17th, am ready to call a meeting with the commissioners letting them know I will be coming with others who share the same concerns. We have been in contact and we have a meeting August 4, 2010 at 3pm at the PUC office.
I did something that this month that I don’t normally do due to the fact that inserts usually are a sign of more rate increases but knowing this, I decided to read this one anyway. When I began to read it I began to get furious for if I understood what I read to be true, it was worse than I had expected. There in the second paragraph read:
“Idaho Power also filed three requests with the IPUC, Idaho public Utilities Commission, on March 15which affect rates: The annual Fixed Cost Adjustment(FCA), funding for continued installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure( AMI), including smart meters, and a pension funding request.”
After reading this insert several times, I immediately called Idaho Power and spoke to the customer service rep to make sure I understood what I was reading to be accurate and I was assured it was. At this point I became more heated and asked a few questions about how the rates are determined and what factors are needed for these increases to take effect and she told me that the IPUC was actually in charge of setting rates and she gave me the phone number. I explained for a few more minutes about my concerns and she said she understood but there wasn’t anything she could do.
I Immediately hung up and called the number she had given me ( 334-0369) and I spoke with Glenda and told her why I was calling and she stated that I needed to speak to a commissioner but that they were all out of the office and one would return my call when they returned. I placed this call on 7-8-2010.
I received a call from Daniel on July 12, where we were to establish a time to meet to discuss my concerns, instead he called and asked for my email address and said that he would have Gene Fadness email me some information that should explain what I needed to know.He was polite and urged me to contact him after reviewing the documents and we could meet to discuss what concerns weren’t explained well enough and we agreed.
For the next few days, I had read and re-read the documentation sent by Gene and began compiling questions and thoughts about what I had read and as of July 17th, am ready to call a meeting with the commissioners letting them know I will be coming with others who share the same concerns. We have been in contact and we have a meeting August 4, 2010 at 3pm at the PUC office.
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