As far as this list of ten steps, I thought some were good.
2. Read the Constitution, Founding Documents, and a good history of America. [We have one of the best histories written by Freepers Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, entitled "A Patriot's History of the United States." Rush Limbaugh is also putting out a series of histories written for children, but are also entertaining for adults which are excellent.]
3. Read current events and know what is happening. Do not allow yourself to be a "low-information voter."
5. Educate the children and people in your life. Share with them your love the Constitution, and the Founding Documents. Inform them of current events. Be the go-to person for your friends and family on such things. Do not discount the effect and weight that can have.
4. VOTE. ALWAYS. EVERY TIME YOU HAVE THE LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY.
But “4” is only true if you do “5”. Ignorant voting is probably worse than not voting at all. Ignorant voting is not the same as mistaken voting that’s done in good faith. But voting just to vote without an idea of what and why you’re voting for something is basically useless, IMO.
7. Be self-sufficient and prepared. Plant a garden and sign up for greeneyes's garden threads. Get out of debt. Be thrifty. If you do not have ideas on how to do this specifically, consider signing up for Kartographer's prep threads.
10. This nation WAS founded and dedicated to God, who has blessed her. One of the most important steps to saving America is to pray for her specifically each day. Thank God for her; Our Father appreciates and enjoys our gratitude and our attention on Him. He truly DOES reward and bless abundantly those who serve Him and His children with grateful loving hearts.
We must remember: "Our God is GREATER!" than whatever challenge is in front of us. We must act as though it all depends on us - because it does. We must pray as though it all depends on God, and this is the key: IT DOES!
These are good ideas and good thoughts, IMO. I guess these did not pop out at me right away the way the stuff below did, so I was probably hasty in characterizing your whole list the way I did.
But the stuff below is not so hot IMO.
1. First, actually ask the question sincerely, "Uncle Sam, HOW can I save America today? Accept that it IS up to ME and I have accountability for my choices for her THIS DAY.
America began with different ideas than this. In America, an individual doesn’t live for the state. The state exists for the individual. America’s first formal political document, the Declaration of Independence, laid the foundation of the presumption of the liberty of the individual for the Law of the Land, the U.S. Constitution, by stating that the individual, not the state, has been endowed by his Creator “certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Individuals in a free society are free to do as they please as long as they do not interfere with other’s freedoms. And a free society is a happy and healthy society.
The benefits of a free society are also explained by Adam Smith as I posted earlier: "By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Book IV, Chapter II, Section IV.2.9
6. Live the words of President John F. Kennedy:"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
This oft-quoted “feel-good” part of Kennedy’s 1960 inauguration speech reeks with socialist mentality, for the same reasons I gave above. Our country is not based on “what you can or should do for the country. It is based on the idea that God has given you freedom to do whatever you want.
People didn’t die to get to this country to do for the country. That’s what they were trying to get away from in their communist and collectivist countries. They died to get to a country where they could “breathe free” and live the life THEY chose without anyone telling them they could not. A country that allowed people their God-given rights to pursue their dreams as they saw fit, not according to somebody else’s idea of morality. The only restraint is they don’t interfere with another’s freedom of pursuits.
# “I’m not sure what this ping list is”
It is simply some of the people on FR whom I respect. (There are many, and I did not manage to capture every last one of them!)
I wrote down names because my poor little pea brain isn’t up to the task of remembering all the specifics of some of the creative handles people have! Ie, is that name capitalized or is there a space? Which spelling did they use? You know, that kind of thing. As you are very likely aware, there is no way to look up other FReeper handles on our web site. It is not a ping list per say. I do not often initiate an article, much less a vanity, so I decided to write to people on FReeRepublic whom I hoped might be interested.
#”But “4” is only true if you do “5”. Ignorant voting is probably worse than not voting at all. Ignorant voting is not the same as mistaken voting that’s done in good faith. But voting just to vote without an without an idea of what and why you’re voting for something is basically useless IMO.”
Well taken. That is a good point. Since these are steps, I can see that the 4th step does hinge on education, so the 5th step should come before the 4th one.
#I appreciate your explaining how the 1st and 6th steps would rub you the wrong way. I understand now. What I was forgetting was the perverted lens through which the progressives view commitment and devotion to a cause. They continually demand that we give up everything to the State and sacrifice ourselves for others. They do NOT want people to be personally accountable. (This could explain why we have such a litigious society. No one wants to be accountable for their own actions.)
What has happened is that they constantly demand and seek to persuade the “Little Red Hens” and the “Ants” to support the “Unworking Eaters” and “Grasshoppers” perpetually in their self indulgent lifestyles. All too often they ARE successful in that persuasion.
I was coming at it in the way that I choose to believe our Founders and early patriots approached their cause. The key word here, in my mind, is “accountability.” Those soldiers with bleeding feet in the snow at Valley Forge and marching to cross the Delaware with Washington were not committed to the State, or to a prince. They were loyal to a great leader, but they took personal accountability for their lives and they knew that their lives and the lives of their families and neighbors could and would be so much better if they gave the full measure. That is true, noble sacrifice. It is true selflessness, and not the giving of one’s self in order for that giving to be misused.
Kennedy’s words, in this regard IMHO could be taken either way. One who DOES love America, DOES look to see what can be done as a good free citizen to further our nation. Those who are on the side of the “Grasshoppers” can see it as a good statement which could easily dupe the “Ants” into being forthcoming.
Thank you for your comments and for making me think!