Author Paul Johnson wrote, “How do we recognize the heroes and heroines of today? "First, by absolute independence of mind, which springs from the ability to think everything through for yourself, and to treat whatever is the current consensus on any issue with skepticism. "Second, having made up your mind independently, to act – resolutely and … [Read more...]
A Missing Word Vital to Freedom
July 8, 2013 by 1 Comment
There is a word missing from our modern vocabulary. It is in the dictionary, but it is hardly ever used anymore. The word is “polity,” and it carries with it a whole worldview that has been lost since the American founding. The word comes from Aristotle, who said there are six main types of government. Three of these are monarchy, aristocracy and … [Read more...]
Sowing the Seeds of Rebellion
July 5, 2013 by 2 Comments
What do these things have in common? Providing someone with raw milk. Collecting rainwater to water your garden. Saving seeds from your garden to grow next year’s crop. All of them may be illegal depending upon where you live. It is the nature of government to seek to gradually expand its control over our lives. Seatbelt laws, legal tender laws … [Read more...]
What is Freedom?
July 1, 2013 by 2 Comments
I frequently get asked something along the lines of, “Oliver, you talk a lot about freedom; but what, exactly, do you mean by the word ‘freedom?’ How do you define it?” It’s a very good question. To answer it, I first want to define “liberty.” After all, the Declaration of Independence boldly affirms that among our inalienable rights are “life, … [Read more...]
Losing Faith in Washington?
June 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
President Obama’s fundamental argument since his campaign and through his first term and second campaign has been that our society can benefit more from government than it has in the past. This is an easy sell in Europe, but not so much in the United States. The framers mistrusted government, and felt that freedom can only last in a society … [Read more...]
Another Federal Scandal?
June 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Obama trifecta of scandals including Benghazi, IRS targeting, and AP phone records is now joined by another potential scandal. The EPA is accused of ongoing “Sue and Settle” practices, which means that they work with left-leaning environmental groups who file suits against a federal agency and then the attorneys work out settlements that … [Read more...]
The Person Most Likely to Save America
June 10, 2013 by 1 Comment
You don’t have be a pessimist to sense that the battle for the soul of America has ramped up sharply over the past few years. Politically, economically, spiritually and culturally, society continues to drift away from the foundational principles upon which our liberty was established. Too many Americans have been trained for generations to … [Read more...]
Electionocracy
June 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
We now live an Electionocracy. This means that the elections never end. Once a person is elected to office, especially at the national level, he or she doesn’t get to stop campaigning and focus on governing. Instead, everyone in office is required to keep campaigning even as they serve. One the one hand, this is a negative development in a … [Read more...]
“If it Saves Just One Life…”
May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Like everyone, I was shocked and dismayed by the the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. I grieved for the families who lost children. What an incomprehensible act of violence. It will indeed be a black mark on American history. And as much as I feel their loss and grieve with those families, I still believe that citizens have a right and duty to … [Read more...]
How I Would Destroy America
April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Years ago, Paul Harvey shared a commentary on contemporary America titled "If I were the Devil.” It was an inspiring way of illustrating the accelerating decline of societal morals and mores. With a tip of the hat to Paul Harvey, I’d like to shine a similar light on the decline of freedom in our time. If I wanted to destroy liberty in … [Read more...]
