20 January 2009

Putting it into words...

I've been having a hell of a time putting my thoughts into words the past few months. I think a lot of my troubles stem from the hour at which I've been typing (late). In any case, I'll try one more time:

To those of you who come across this blog (if anyone does), I want to convey my feelings about the future of the country of my birth. While I believe that the United States of America is on the verge of collapse, I do not believe that our society is on the verge of collapse. I'm sure that some visitors may read my doomsday-ish posts and think that I'm a crackpot, but I'm not. I'm simply a man who cherishes the government created by his forefathers. In my opinion, the United States Constitution is the greatest plan of government in the history of the world. Is it perfect? No. Is there a better plan? Not of which I am aware.

With that said, my fears about the future of this country do not revolve around societal collapse, enslavement, communism, or any other horrible fate. Instead, they stem from the reality that the United States Constitution has become nothing more than a symbol. There was a time when the Constitution WAS our country, but that time has long since past.

I have little doubt that the United States of America will continue to exist and be a world power. It is my belief that we will continue to become more European-like in our form of government. That is, we will expand government services while slowly reducing basic freedoms of choice (in the name of public safety/health). While this has proven remarkably popular in Europe, it is quite at odds with the traditional American form of government.

I foresee the European-style of government being immensely popular in the United States. I think that the country will continue to thrive and attract immigrants from around the world. To have these things we need only to sacrifice one thing: those small freedoms that so many of us take for granted.

For me, no number of government services can equal the smallest freedom.

18 January 2009

What has happened to my once-great country?

The federal government of the United States of America is no longer a government based on the rule of law. The election of Barack Obama has highlighted its transformation into a government based on the whims of man.

I do not blame Barack Obama for creating this situation - he did not. However, he did take advantage of it like no other presidential candidate in American history.

Obama's popularity - both perceived and actual - illustrates how the majority of Americans have abandoned traditional American political principles in favor of rhetoric about "change" and "hope." It also illustrates how America has abandoned Republicanism in favor of Democracy.

In a republic, the rule of law limits a government's excesses, protecting its citizens from abuses of power. In a democracy, the people determine a government's actions. While this may sound preferrable, it leaves minorities vulnerable to the whims of the people. For example, a majority could pass legislation prohibiting the practice of a certain religion. Should adherents of that religion be forbidden to worship as they choose? Absolutely not.

Unfortunately, the days of such safeguards in American government are nearly gone.

While many Americans believe that the election of Barack Obama marks a positive change, a thoughtful minority fears that America's "noble experiment" may have finally failed.