Thoughts from Glenn Beck's book, Common Sense

I am probably the last conservative in America to read this book, but I finally did!  The following are just some notes I wrote as I was reading:

P10: [on government] "They have set our house on fire and blocked the exits, all the while convincing us that there is nothing to fear because they are the fire department.  When will someone cry out with the truth?  They're not our saviors; they're the arsonists.  They're not rescuing our country; they're destroying it.  To save ourselves from political and economic slavery, we must first admit what we already know: America has serious problems that transcend this economic crisis.  We must also recognize and admit our critical role in helping create these problems. Finally, we must choose to live by our founding principles and rid ourselves of the poison of those who are proven to have broken the law - no one is above it."

Thomas Paine, "The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind."

Recently, I have been thinking about how my passion for history and love for art intersect.  Others are generally puzzled by my political interests - which seem harshly practical - and appreciation for art - which is viewed as a fantastic subject with little basis in reality.  On the contrary, art is, always has been, terribly political and made harsh social commentary - from Michelangelo to Jackson Pollock.  Even more than politics, however, i am interested in ideas and the philosophies that shape life.  This is why I study they American Revolution - it was not merely the rebellion of disgruntled colonists, but the culmination of the centuries of man's struggle to realize his purpose and natural right.  the American Revolution was about ideas.  Likewise, art is about ideas - many spiritual.  As a Christian, I cannot help but be interested.  Artists are always searching for meaning, attempting to realize and grasp truth and purpose.  So too, the Founding Fathers.  Theirs was a spiritual quest to attain the position for which they had been created - "with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  America is the realization of man's quest for freedom, man's quest throughout history.  Art is a record of this search.

Thomas Jefferson, "The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling the futurity on a large scale."  Politicians should consider themselves "unauthorized to saddle posterity with our debts, and morally bound to pay them ourselves."

P14: "There are no shortcuts in living and achieving the American Dream.  It takes hard work, relentless dedication to your core principles and values, and, above all, patience.  Nothing comes easy; nothing happens fast."

P43: Capitalism is the freedom to try and fail.  Unfortunately, most Americans would rather not try so they won't fail.  In a blind scramble to claim and keep the comfort they crave, these men and women are incurring the biggest favor possible.  Not only is this apathy severe cowardice, it is gross misuse of American liberties.

P44: "When Americans say that socialism is a better system than capitalism they are essentially saying they prefer to be lead and fed by the state than be free."  They are short-sighted Esau's slurping up the gruel of servitude.

P62: "We are once again living in the days that will 'try men's souls,' days that will be remembered by historians as great and perilous.  But how will history remember us?  Will we be remembered as the heroes of our time or as those who lost that which was most precious in order to satiate our own desires and appetites."

Thomas Paine, "until an independence is declared, the Continent will fee like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity."

Witnesses at a high-profile congressional hearing on Islamic radicalization said Thursday that America is "failing" to confront the threat posed by homegrown extremism, as lawmakers for hours traded accusations over whether the inquiry unfairly singled out Muslims. (FOXNews.com)

Unfortunately, the truth is that Islam has, done, and will continue to produce and encourage terrorists and terrorist activities.  Just as the Nazis were responsible for terrorizing Europe and the atrocities of the Holocaust, radical Muslims are responsible for attacking freedom around the world and the horrific events of 9/11.  And, regrettably, as the German people suffered because of what their Nazi leaders believed and did, so to, all Muslims must be suspect.  Whether or not they understand their religion well enough to know that it is not peaceful (and never has been and was not intended to be), by willingly associating with Islam they are not embracing peace and freedom.  They are supporting a religion that is threatening life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in America and the rest of the world.  By not standing for freedom, they are standing against it.

Protestors, Security Clashing In Capital...Nextdoor.

My last post responded to news coverage of the protests breaking out in Middle East capitals.  Ironically, the main item of news the past few days has been the major union protests at the state capital in Madison, WI.  While there are a lot of issues at stake in this battle, the biggest issue is the attitude of average American citizens.  Union tangles and policy disputes occur because, over the last few decades, Americans have developed an entitlement mentality demands everything and sacrifices nothing.