‎”War is the death of freedom because war is the health of Big Government.”
- Judge Andrew Napolitano

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And, here is the text to the above (video) monologue.

“In modern usage, the phrase has become an adjective to describe a populace that no longer values civic virtues and the public life. To many across the political spectrum, left and right, it connotes the triviality and frivolity that characterized the Roman Empire prior to its decline.”

“This phrase originates from Rome in Satire X of the Roman poet Juvenal (circa 100 AD ). In context, the Latin phrase panem et circenses (bread and circuses) identifies the only remaining cares of a Roman populace which has given up its birthright of political involvement. Here Juvenal displays his contempt for the declining heroism of his contemporary Romans. Roman politicians devised a plan in 140 B.C. to win the votes of the poor: giving out cheap food and entertainment, “bread and circuses”, would be the most effective way to rise to power.”

“Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.” – Juvenal (Satire 10.77–81)

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Wikipedia.org

This is a great monologue!

Enjoy!

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I’m sure there are many definitions of faction; but, when I think of political factions, I think of it as any like-minded group of voters, or elected officials, trying to infiltrate, or influence, our Government, laws, Constitution etc.

As George Washington, astutely, pointed out, the formation of factions, and allegiances, among several like-minded individuals, is, indeed, consistent with human-nature. However, in my humble opinion, they also defy human-nature. For example, we are individuals; and, as individuals, we don’t generally appreciate being controlled, or told to walk lockstep with a certain ideology; yet, we see this in so many facets of our lives, and political system -

For example, there are labor unions, who bond together, and influence political outcomes, in order to advance their agendas. However, the presumption is, that the labor union bosses can take dues, paid by individuals, and throw them into a political party – regardless if a particular member belongs to that party or not. Therefore, in the name of job security, perhaps, some are willing to sell out some other values, and walk lockstep with the demands of these labor union bosses, but, I, and I’m sure, others, would not be able to do so.

Then, there is, perhaps, the two most powerful unions of all – they are called The Democrat and Republican Parties. For years, we have been led to believe that these two parties are our Government; and, if we don’t vote for one of these two parties, then our voice has very little chance of being heard. While there may be some truth to that, I still believe, that, if a vast majority of the American population registered to Independents, then we would be a nation of individual voters, again, and not a nation of Republicans and Democrats, being led by the party platform of the day.

The truth is, when our Constitution was written, political parties were not even anticipated in The Constitutional Convention, and, therefore, we had a Constitution that presumed that we would have one political body, in Congress, and a nation of independent Americans – who would elect those who best represented their views. And, over the last few years – as many Americans have become acutely aware of, neither party really pays attention to the 17 specific, limited, and Enumerated Powers, that were given to Congress, by our Founders. Therefore, we are constitutionally electing our Government, but, as far as the laws passed, and the powers assumed, we most certainly do not have The Federal Government that our Founders envisioned; and, which was promised to our nation, by our Founders.

Naturally, and understandably, there are things, that, as a nation, we have come to expect from our Federal Government; whether they are wholly Constitutional, such as having a military to defend our nation; or were created without explicit Constitutional authority, as with Medicare and Social Security, these three things, among others, are often referred to as sacred cows. They are referred to as such, because, while the majority of Americans appear to be realizing that we do, indeed, need to make some tough fiscal choices, in regards to Government-spending - generally-speaking, it is always some one else’s programs, or sacred cows, that, when asked, should be the first to be cut, or eliminated.  I suppose that should be of no surprise, as it is a very part of our human-nature to not want to be forced into making potential, life-altering decisions.

Irregardless, according to most professionals, these are the three items, in our Federal budget, that seem to be placing our Federal Government, and country, in very serious danger of  going broke. Therefore, in my humble opinion, all programs, and all agencies, in the Federal Government, must be put on the table; and every American, who really wants to see our country be passed onto future generations, as a free and prosperous nation, must be willing to make some difficult choices.

Most, if not all, Americans, would agree, a military is absolutely critical to our security; and, like it or not, millions have become dependent on Medicare and Social Security. For these reasons alone, these three items, in our country, are classified as the third rail of politics; simply, because, they are very hot things to touch, politically. And, generally-speaking, only the most honest of politicians will give us the truth, in regards to the sovereignty, and longevity, of these three items. 

While some, in our Federal Government, including our President, have publicly acknowledged that Medicare, then Social Security, are the two Government programs, that, if unchanged, will put our nation most at risk, few are putting fourth any serious legislation that would deal with any of the these increasing monstrosities.

I don’t have all the numbers, and I am not an economist, but one idea I have heard, and really liked, was to block grant Medicare and Social Security down to the respective states, and let the states manage them, and decide their fates, going forward. That would not only be a great step, Constitutionally, in regards to states’ rights, but it would also allow our Federal Government to get back to the few things that they were initially created for, by our Founders; while, getting their own fiscal house in order!

In regards to our military:

I have the highest respect, and admiration, for all military men, and women, who have served, and are serving, our nation. I would “never” want to see them go without proper equipment to keep them safe, or to accomplish their missions. However, perhaps it is time, as a nation, for us to honestly ask, what exactly is the overall goal for our military? Is the goal to protect our 50 states? Or, several countries? Who may have needed our help, for some time, after World War 2 - but, after 65 years, should be well-prepared to defend their own nations! Is our goal to track down terrorists, who want to do our country harm? Or, is it to build nations, and create Governments? Where such Governments may never even be accepted! And, no matter how much money we throw at Governments, and countries – without a free-market system of economics, most under-developed countries will, likely, never rise out of poverty.

These are the questions that we, as a nation, need to be asking ourselves, and discussing, openly, with fellow-citizens. There are certainly no easy answers; but, if we act sooner, rather then later, the results will be less painful and more rational. If we all step up, and honestly ask, where would I take a cut? And, how much of a cut am I willing to take? We can begin the process of resetting, and getting our country back on the track that made us a powerful, free, and prosperous, nation, in the first place.

The result of doing nothing, could mean, no longer being able to pay for Medicare, Social Security, and a number of other Federal Government programs. And, could you imagine a time to where we can no longer afford any military, whatsoever? God help us!

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 

As Americans, we should be outraged by the horrific, and tragic, shootings, that took place, last weekend, in Tuscon, Arizona. And, we should all want our Representatives, and all members of Congress, to feel secure, when they are out seeing their constituents. However, even more frightening, in light of this tragedy, is some members of Congress, who think they have some right of ownership over our speech, and political discourse, are talking about creating new laws that would regulate certain types of political discourse in America! That would not only be outrageous, but very misguided, and very un-Constitutional!  

Everyday, I hear political discourse, and often from Congress themselves, that is infuriating, and divisive! However, I would never, in a 1000 years, go out and harm another person, simply because I don’t like what they are saying! 

Consider this:

So often, in the last two years, we hear members of The Democrat Party, in Congress, and The President, himself, perpetually bash rich people, and perpetuate this class-warfare, divisive, rhetoric. Now, God-forbid, if a poor person were to go out and start gunning down millionaires, can we call for a Federal investigation of members of Congress, for antagonizing murder? Of course not! Even the thought of it is ridiculous!

And, if Congress were given the ability to regulate speech, where would it end? And, how long would it be before they start regulating our religious freedoms? As our Founders, wisely, knew: such powers, in the hands of a central government, would undoubtedly become arbitrary, and inevitably, despotic! In fact, in countries where the Freedoms of Speech are suppressed, it is very likely that the bigger guns do prevail! Our Freedom of Speech, and free elections, are absolutely necessary for free people to vent their frustrations, and discontent, with their government; which, ultimately, prevents a free nation from digressing into a chaotic, and despotic, state!

These over-reactionary, law-makers, often, don’t seem to be able to separate prudent governance from political activism!  And, as long as that is the case, it is left to We, The People, to force these over-zealous, opportunist, law-makers, to remain within the confounds of their Enumerated Powers, as enumerated in our Federal Constitution!

Rational people understand, that barring freak accidents, guns do not kill people – Just as matches, on their own, do not light fires!  The only thing that kills people, are unstable, and unbalanced, individuals, who likely needed to be helped medically, before such a tragedy could occur! Therefore, instead of jumping to hyperbolic, and irrational, conclusions, in the future, perhaps, we, as an nation, should start examining the true roots of such problems!

Due to the increasing size and scope of our Federal Government, and the increasing far-left agendas of The Obama Administration, there is no doubt, that even people who previously identified themselves as Conservatives, have increasingly moved further right, to a more Libertarian point of view. It is doubtful that our country could ever go back to a completely Libertarian state, as in the days of our founders, but it is great to see such a Constitutional awakening in our country, and a desire to move closer and closer to our founding values, and The Constitutional principles that made us such a great country, for so many years.

I have often said, “if a plant loses it’s roots,” then the plant could never survive. Conversely, if a country is too far removed from it’s foundation, then God only knows where it could lead. Sadly, the many problems that we are currently experiencing in The United States, is greatly due to the lack of prudence to our Constitution, by our Federal Government, over the last 100 or so years.

Please listen to this insightful and informative discussion:

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Through various Constitutional questions, and explanations by Judge Andrew Napolitano, they help the audience, and viewers, begin to guage where they fall, in the political spectrum, in United States’ politics.

The entire show is very interesting, educational, and certainly worth watching…

Enjoy!

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