Leaving

Yes, its time. I'm leaving tomorrow for 2 consecutive weeks to run a campaign and work on a campaign. TP-ers I'll see you tomorrow!

Everyone else, I won't have internet access as far as I know, so I'll be back in 2 weeks.

Happy Memorial day everyone! and remember...

If you can READ this...thank a teacher, if you're reading this in ENGLISH thank a vet!

Let us never forget!

KP

Updates and Judicial Activism

There is a very good reason that my posts have become more sporadic rather than regular lately.
I have been EXTREMELY busy the past few weeks. I thought that after April my schedule would SLOW DOWN. However, its only sped up. So for those of you interested in what exactly has sped up so much that I haven't done a political post in................a REALLY long time it is because of the following events that just happened since the beggining of May.

1. Finals-which are OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Operation Completion

3. 3 Hypothetical Campaigns

4. Named ******* County Volunteer Coordinator (2nd in command) for the Reed Campaign.

5. Confirmed ******* County TARS Communications Director

6. Elected Secretary of my GenJ club

I will be absent for 2 consectuive weeks from the 27th of May to the 7th of June doing political things and I probably WON'T have internet access.

So now that you know what I'm upto, I can post something interesting.

This is an essay I wrote back in October, with the recent judicial activism displayed in GA andother places Nation-Wide, and also right after reading Mark Levin's "Men In Black" we seriously need to think about our courts.
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Supreme Court V. America's Tide

There is an exciting time in our nation when the President gets to nominate justices to the Supreme Court. That nominee will be in office for decades, and has the potential to influence our nation dramatically. Because justices have so much influence on our nation’s course of domestic action, a lot of time, thought and prayer must go in to choosing a Supreme Court nominee. It is vital for Americans to understand why so much thought and preparation goes into this process. ²To fully understand the process we must first look at the judicial branch and how it affects our domestic society. Secondly we must look at some of the justices, how they are nominated and why it is important to nominate good ones. Finally we must look into the future and use history to reveal what type of justice should be nominated in the future and why it is important that type is nominated.

The Judicial branch was designed to uphold the Constitution, determine if laws were Constitutional, and resolve some conflicts between the states that involve the Federal Government (like laws, trade and commerce, etc...). The influential impact of the Supreme Court can be seen throughout History. The Court’s powers include moral Issues as well as law Issues. As seen in the moral issue of abortion in the Roe V. Wade unprecedented decision, The Court declared abortion Constitutional. With that ruling came a turning point in our nation, when before abortions were illegal and looked down upon, now our younger society sees them as good alternatives for themselves if they don’t want the child.

Now that we have seen a minute fraction of the influence of the judicial branch, we can look at the process of becoming a justice more in-depth. Once the President appoints his nominee to be a justice, he or she must go something called the “confirmation hearings” which is when the nominee is asked an extensive amount of questions and say things about him or her for the rest of the committee members to consider. After that the committee votes on it, if the nominee passes, he goes to the full senate for another vote. If the Senate passes he or she becomes a Justice. While it is important to pass through the voting process as quickly as you can if a justice like Rehnquist died or another Justice like Sandra Day O’Conner retired; it is vital that the President take time in considering who to nominate. One of the unique things about being Justices is that they have Life terms. So when a President nominates someone it is for his or her life, so he must be very careful who he chooses because those justices will be there for decades. As such they will have the “power” to turn the tide of our country for better, or for worse.

In the Oath of office the Justice takes he swears to uphold and protect the Untied States Constitution. There has been a turn in the tide of America and we have heard of “legislating from the bench” that is when a justice defies the oath that they have taken and has pushed his or her personal agenda over that of the United States Constitution. In the instance of Roe V. Wade, it was an unprecedented decision; which means the Courts did not sight a constitutional “right” that was actually in the constitution. More or Less they based their decision on the “It’s my body” and the “Health of the mother” talking points. Lately, phrases have been the reason for court decisions and the Constitution, which they have sworn to uphold, has not.

As we have seen throughout history, the Supreme Court has much influence in our domestic society. We have also seen how when we appoint justices they can change the tide for better or for worse. In the Instance of Roe V. wade, the tide changed for worse. However, if we appoint Justices that have what we call a “Strict interpretation of the Constitution” we can turn the tide for the better. It is vitally important to nominate this type of justice because The Constitution is one of the most important documents in American history, and more importantly, some of the standards set come from God’s Word.

The Courts are playing a very important role in our country, and they will continue to do so. Not only do they have the longest term in “office” but they have the power to turn this Country around. If we as Americans want to change for the better, wouldn’t it make more sense to elect those who will nominate people with a strict interpretation of the Constitution and who will their job and not legislate from the bench? It is for these reasons that we as Americans must think about who we are electing into office carefully; our decisions today will affect us for generations to come.

------------------------------------------
Here is an excerpt of a book report I wrote on the 16th of May. (it's on Men In Black)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After reading the biographies of some of the judges my first thought was and still is "why were they in there?” After I continued reading, it became clear "because the legislators and people didn't act". I was appalled at how the judges treated certain cases, and how they twisted the constitution to fit their activist agenda. The more I think about it, the more I realize that while we may be winning the war to preserve America on the foreign front, we are losing it our freedoms on the domestic front through Supreme Court decisions.

For instance, with eminent domain, you are losing your fourth amendment right to own property and keep it.

In Roe V. Wade, the unborn have lost the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, just because of ONE court decision.

In Feingold, your freedom of speech is regulated during elections.

The list goes on and on and on about Supreme Court decisions that directly usurp the founder's intent.

Over and over and over again in the past and recent history our U.S. Supreme Court has violated the constitution and given itself authority that it did not possess.

The sad thing is this will keep happening unless we and our legislators decide to take a stand and take back the power that we originally had. The Supreme Court has gone against the will of America and the founder's, it has instead decided to legislate from the bench and further the liberal agenda by calling the constitution a "living breathing document that changes with us". Last time I checked my constitution, which was about five minutes ago, it was the same as it was last year, and the same as it has always been. The Articles have not changed since the founding, no matter what the Men in Black think.

If there was ever a need to understand the Supreme Court and the decisions it is now; we cannot change the future unless we first understand the past. Patrick Henry once said, "The only way to judge the future is by the past", that is definitely true today. We need change in our court system, but until we know and learn what has gone on before and what we can do, our efforts will be fruitless.

The question is: what can we do about it?

The answer is debatable. Some propose term limits, some propose litmus tests, some propose re-doing the entire system completely, and others propose the “Constitutional Option”. While term limits and litmus tests may be good, the Constitutional Option is the best way to go.

What makes the Constitutional Option better? Impeachment serves as an effective deterrent and punishment for those justices who do not follow the law; the “threat” of losing one's job will usually cause one to realize that they need to get back in line and do the job they swore they would do.

We as Americans, and even more as Christians, need to be aware of our rights, and unafraid to use them. We must elect the right people into office, help them be elected, and maintain contact with them, to tell them that we care about what is going on. We must take a stand to stop judicial activism and turn America back to its roots; otherwise, in the next generation or two, our rights will be gone. I do not know about the rest of America, but I for one, want my grandkids to have the rights that have been enjoyed and exercised in centuries past.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some things to chew on.

Kierstyn P.

Sucess!!!

Sacramento Success, San Antonio Next


Monday, 15 May 2006
For Immediate ReleaseMedia Contact:

info@operationcompletion.org
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May 14, 2006Sacramento, CA – On Friday, Operation Completion held their first pro-military rally in the California state capitol. The event was highlighted by an outstanding performance from The Right Brothers who drew nearly two hundred to support the American Armed Forces and their mission of reconstruction in Iraq. Those in attendance included Blue Star Moms, a Gold Star family, veterans from five wars, active duty military, and patriotic families who turned out to support Operation Completion and the tour of rallies. The entire event was filmed by a professional crew to be produced and sent to all Californian active duty soldiers with the help of Operation Homefront. The DVD will include the full Right Brothers performance and all four speakers presentation which ranged from a discourse on the insurgent mentality to personal stories from Marine Master Sergeant (Ret.) John Ubaldi recounting the openness of the Afghani and Iraqi people to change and democracy. Sacramento's Channel 3 News asked Operation Completion's executive director, Micah Derry, if he was disappointed in the turnout for the rally. “Disappointed? By no means. This is our first rally and we had no paid media, everything was earned media, and to have this kind of turnout for a kick-off event is phenomenal.” The next rally will be in San Antonio, TX on June 3rd at Hemisphere Park starting 5pm. The Right Brothers will perform, talk show personality Adam McManus will emcee, and Operation Completion have just announced Rick Green as one of the speakers for the event. For more information on Operation Completion and the tour of rallies, email


info@operationcompletion.org
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or visit the website at www.operationcompletion.org.

Prayer Alert

Hey everyone!

Some of you know that I am working on Operation Completion with other students across the USA. This is a great opportunity to show support for our troops at home and abroad. As we lead up to the first rally taking place in Sacramento on the 12th, now more than ever prayer is needed. Keep Operation Completion and our soldiers in your prayers constantly. To quote Zell Miller:

"Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier. And, our soldiers don't just give freedom abroad, they preserve it for us here at home.

For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.

No one should dare to even think about being the Commander in Chief of this country if he doesn't believe with all his heart that our soldiers are liberators abroad and defenders of freedom at home."

Complete the Mission! Support our Troops! Do what you can, PRAY!

KP

The Problem With Oil?

Operation Impact's 2nd podcast entitled "The problem with Oil?" is now running here.

The Problem with Oil included three "heated" issues of today. Oil, Immigration Strike, and then my take on United 93. The sound quality improved a ton since the last episode, its only going to get better!

-Impacting the Future-
Kierstyn

United 93

I went to the premier of United 93 this evening. It was one of the BEST movies I have EVER seen!

Watching it, was like being brought back in time. Even though I knew the outcome of the whole thing, it seemed as though it had happened for the first time in history.

It brought back so many memories and it also showed the side of 9/11 that not many people see. How many people get an inside glimps of what went on behind the scenes at the FAA, ad all the local and state airport authorities?

I'm having a hard time expressing exactly what watching it was like, but I basically feel the same way I did right after watching the towers fall 4 years ago. The shock, awe, and anger towards those cowards that did this to us. But at the same time the American Pride that wells up inside.....the knowing that We ARE doing the right thing, and that we WILL NEVER forget, and that THE TERRORISTS WILL PAY the consquences of attacking us.

United 93 was not some movie you could go watch and not be impacted in some way or another. I left the theater in respect of those on flight 93 and a passion, to support those who have died and are fighting for us today.

Every True American should watch United 93 out of support for those who risked thier lives for others.

Let the world know, We Will Never Forget!

Kp

A Step of Faith...

You know, its so amazing how God works through people to convict you of something.I've experienced that in my own life these past few weeks. Most recently and most challenging was last weekend.I was talking to a friend of mine and *somehow* we started talking about Headcoverings.

Before I go into a bunch of detail its important to know some backround:
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1. I used to homechurch when I was little
2. I've heard the headcovering arguments before
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So anyway, we were talking about Headcoverings, and I always thought that:
1Cr 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.

meant that a woman's HAIR is her covering. BOY was I proved wrong!!! So the argument I THOUGHT I had was like wiped out in about 5 minutes when we went to the Greek definitions.

The Key Word in this verse is "covering" which means:
1) a covering thrown around, a wrapper

a) a mantle

b) a veil
(peribolaion {per-ib-ol'-ah-yon}Strong's 4018 )

So there went my whole argument....alot more transpired but thats the basics.

Needlass to say, all last week I felt convicted and curious as to why we didn't do it anymore. So Saturday, I asked my mom about it.

I said " you know how we say we believe everything in the Bible is true, and how we follow through on it?"

Mom" yes"

me " well then, how come we don't wear headcoverings anymore? I mean, isn't it a little hypocritical to say, 'yes, we believe everything in the bible is true' and follow through on that, but then when it comes to headcoverings we don't do it? I don't know but to me it just looks a little hypocritcal to like not do or believe what paul said while saying we believe everything in there"

Mom "yeah, thats true and thats actually been bugging me for the last few weeks"

Me "really?"

Mom "Yeah, I've been looking for some kindo of hat or something but haven't found one yet. Anyway the reason we don't do it anymore is because when we stopped homechuching and went to a conventional church, there was a lot of peer pressure on us not to do it, because it made them uncomfortable and we were called legalisic"

Me "thats a kinda petty reason"

Mom" yes it is, but peer pressure is hard to stand against"

Me "well its been bugging me too, since last week. I looked up all the words and stuff and it was really cool. but my argument was flawed!"

So anyway, the conversation continued and we decided we'd wear headcoverings :). However the story doesn't end there (that would be too simple and not worth writing about).

So my mom warned me, "the people we homechurch with don't wear headcoverings and we could make them very uncomfortable"

Me " Since when have we ever made people feel comfortable? we're polarizing...they either hate us or like us, its just how it is. "

I was a little worried about that, but what was so AWESOME was that through it all God gave me the strength to follow through on my decision to obey His word. Finally, we go to our homechurch today...and God was so AWESOME, nothing bad happened! in fact, I even get quite a few compliments on it. :)Anyway, thats my story.....isn't God AWESOME?

Kp

The Role of Government

this article will be featured in David Ketter's Christian Homeschooling Youths Gazzette-kp

What is the biblical role of government?

I talked a lot about the role of government in my previous article concerning welfare. In that we saw how it is not the role of government to provide for the poor. Which leads us to a question, what exactly is the biblical role of government?

If we go back and read Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy we can see the original form of Government and laws that God ordained and out in place. If we continue to read on up to the point where Kings were established, we can see that in their reigns they still followed the basic principles and laws already established. Of course, most of the kings became corrupt at some point in their reigns; however that still doesn’t negate the fact that the role of government is in the Old Testament as well as New.
A few examples of the biblical role of government include:

Lev 24:22Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I [am] the LORD your God.
Deu 16:18Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Deu 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Jer 22:3Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

According to those verses, a government should have a set of laws that everyone has to obey, a just court system, and authority to punish evil.
The Hebrew word for Law in Lev. 24:22 and Judgment in Jer. 22:3 is the word mishpat {mish-pawt'} which comes from the root word shaphat {shaw-fat'}. Shaphat means:

1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish
a) (Qal) 1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man)
1) to rule, govern, judge
2) to decide controversy (of God, man)
3) to execute judgment
a) discriminating (of man)
b) vindicating
c) condemning and punishing
d) at theophanic advent for final judgment
(to find the blue letter bible definitions, click here )

And Mishpat means:

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

a) judgment

1) act of deciding a case

2) place, court, seat of judgment

3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

6) execution (of judgment)

7) time (of judgment)

So those definitions are talking primarily about judging and law enforcement. The question may arise, HOW does this relate to government’s role?

In Leviticus, God was laying the framework for the government system, and gave the Israelites instructions on what things to do, how to do it, and how everything will work. Even though Israel did not stay a Theocracy, those principles established, such as making laws and having judges, were still in place.

In Jeremiah, the prophet was telling the king of Israel to execute judgment and righteousness but not to harm certain types of people. That word Judgment is the same as the word law (mishpat) in Leviticus. The principles established there for executing judgment are don’t kill innocent blood, take away the goods from the oppressor (or let the oppressed go free), have compassion on the fatherless and widows, and do no wrong.

These principles are still seen active in wars today, depending on what side you’re on. I know that in America these principles are held dear to almost everyone. The last thing we want to see is innocent blood shed because it is unjust, we want to see the oppressor suffer and the oppressed go free, we can’t stand it when someone harms the orphans and helpless, and we strive to do right.


God set the basis of laws that almost everyone knows as the 10 commandments. Most societies have some of these laws as well. For instance, don’t steal, don’t murder, and don’t lie are rules that can be found almost any where in the world. Not all people follow those laws, but the governments that have them established usually punish the violators.

This brings us to Romans 13: 3-4 which states:

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.

One thing that is very interesting is how each of the different aspects are intertwined. If you don’t have a set of laws, you cannot effectively punish evil, without a just “court system” you cannot effectively enforce laws OR punish evil. All three elements are needed in order for the system to be effective and just.
Now the question is: has America effectively put those principles into practice? Or haven't we?

Operation Impact

I am proud to announce that the first ever podcast of Operation Impact was sucessfully launched and recorded last night.

We covered Immigration, Iran, Moussoui, and closed with our hopes for an 08 ticket.

It was a lot of fun to do and I hope just as much fun to listen to. Operation Impact's podcast is going to be featured on SquareTalk radio, the official podcast of Regenerate Our Culture this weekend or Monday (hopefully).

so.......a major THANK YOU to Tim Sweetman of SquareTalk radio and AgentTim Online for the opportunity for us to guest podcast on SquareTalk, we really appreciate it!

unfortunately, we didn't start podcasting till 12:30 am, so I don't have the link yet, but as soon as everything is setup (with Operation Impact and SquareTalk) I'll link to it.

That said, I'll leave you with this:

"If you want to make sure crime doesn't pay, let the government run it." (reagan)

Have a good one!
kp

Interesting Event :)

I usually don't update about things I do unless its worth updating about. This time it is.

Last night I met my State Senator and 2 of my State Representatives at a meeting that my County Republican Party opened to the public.
It started off with a dinner and then the officials spoke. The first speaker was the State Senator followed by the Representatives. They spoke on what had been accomplished this legislative season before they adjourned. Turns out that in 2 years 681 Senate Bills were introduced and 1668 House Bills introduced. Thankfully, not all of them got passed or made it out of committee.

What struck me was how each official governed by a philosophy. My senator said that they voted down quite a few bills because it didn't fit with the Republcan philosphy of "limited government and tax cuts". He proceeded to show us what they had passed and didn't pass int he budget and how those items that were passed fit with priorities of the people in our district. Each of the Representatives built upon that and gave us listeners an idea on how they were furthering our agenda and the things that really matter to us.

Listening to them speak gave me a deeper appreciation and understanding of what had been done in the State government and why. You can sit and read bills/first readers all you want online but when you have an opportunity to hear your representative speak about and clarify the issues that had been presented that legislateive term, it means a whole lot more.

Not to mention that they took time out of their busy schedule to come and give you a deeper understanding of what exactly took place at the Capitol, it is much more personal and as the night went on you felt as if you had known them forever rather than a few minutes.

They opened up for questions and people asked about legislation, when my turn came I asked about Illegal Immigration. That stumped them, however they answered it quite well. They didn't shy away from the question like you normally see them do when they're on the news. Rather, they gave me an honest answer.

Interacting with my government officials last night really helped me see that they are normal people after all. Like Reagan said " I'm just a citizen temporarily in public service", that is finally how I see my electd officials. Citizens temporarily in public service, and I am thankful for that.

KP

Amature Homeland Security Policy

Department of Homeland Security
Policy by the Secretary of Homeland Security: Kierstyn P. (American Patriot)

One of the highest priorities of governments is the well being of their nation. This includes homeland security, for if your homeland is not secure you are more vulnerable to attacks from the inside as well as outside. Our domestic policy is just as important as foreign. If we are weak on the outside yet strong on the inside we are put at risk. If we are strong on the outside and weak on the inside we are still at risk. For a nation to remain sovereign we need not only to be strong internationally, but we need especially to be strong in keeping the homeland secure. In order to do that I propose the following plan:

*this is just the initial plan, it is subject to updates and revisions as deemed necessary*

Border Patrol:
Construct a wall between the Mexico Border.
Design will be a replica of the Israeli wall (trenches, barbed wire, and electric fence).
The wall will go about 20 feet under ground.

Any US citizen within 20 miles of the border should have authenticated proof of citizenship.

Cost
The Cost of construction should be 9 billion
The Cost of Labor will be none since the builders will be convicts.
Efficiency
The wall will serve as a deterrent against illegal immigrants and will keep our borders secure.
If for some reason an illegal makes it across the fence, and does not stop when called upon. The border security (or minutemen) already in place will have the authority to use any means necessary to get that individual to stop.


Nuclear, radiological, counter attacks:

Raise terrorist alert standards to “extreme”.
Work with D.o.D. and S.o.S
Check with Governors to make sure their respective States are able to handle the situation.
Be sure that the Governor’s have a plan of action etc...


Biological Attacks
Set up a system (if there isn’t one already) so that mail/packages can be scanned for biological chemicals.
Estimated cost
2 billion

Airport security

Keep the “status quo” but allow profiling of suspects.
Cost: should be the same amount that is currently spent on airport security.

A Few Public Awareness Announcements.

* begin public awareness announcements*

For the few of you that read my other blog you already know about the podcast. But for those of you that don't...

I'm doing a podacst with NeoFacist? and Joe. We all got on Thursday night to see if it worked, only to realize that Macs and Windows have some major compatability issues. However, around midnight we figured out a way to overcome those "technical difficulties"; all we have to do now is record (hopefully).

All that goes to say: look out for a new podcast comming soon!


Also, do you support our troops?
If you do, please check out Operation Completion. It is a series of student ran pro-military rallies, and we could really use your help! All the information is on the website, so go check it out!

*end public awareness announcements*

Welfare: the case for elimination.

(note: this is being published in the Christian Homeschooling youth's gazette, and has stirred quite a controversy on my xanga.)

Welfare: the case for elimination.

One of the controversial issues of today is Welfare. This is constantly argued and debated on each side of the political spectrum and even within each party. Some people advocate eliminating it altogether, others think that it should be reduced, and yet others seem to think that it’s a good program and needs to stay.

Welfare programs were created during the great depression, to “help” the economy and poor Americans. As Reagan once said “the 10 most dangerous words in the English language are: hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help”. That is definitely true in this case.

The Welfare system and the way it works can be summed up in this phrase: redistribution of wealth. The Redistribution of wealth has been tried and failed in many nations, even our own.

In 1620 when the pilgrims came from England on the May-Flower, we used that concept and this is what Governor Bradford had to say about it “it was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment...for the young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children without any recompense. The strong or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice.” As we can see, the redistribution of wealth deters people from working.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 Says: While we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

By providing for people no matter how much or little they work you are taking away any incentive they had to work. In the biblical illustration, the incentive to work would be food. In modern times it would still be food, but could also include going to the mall, or the movies, or parties, etc...

Margaret Thatcher once stated “"I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it. 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. And you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after our neighbor. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation."

That is so true of today’s “society”, people have the tendency to say “well, I’ll just apply for government aid” and give little or no thought as to whether or not it is the Government’s role to look after the poor.

The real question we have to face, before we can determine whether or not Welfare is wrong, should be: is this the role of government both Biblically and Constitutionally?

Let’s look first at the US Constitution. Article 1 section 8 is where all the powers of the federal government lie. It states:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. (this was taken from: http://www.usconstitution.net )

NO where in that article did it say something about providing for the poor. Oh, but Kierstyn, it mentioned the “general welfare”.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary “Welfare” means: health, happiness, or prosperity; well-being. So in other words, that first clause means that congress, or the federal government, is supposed to look after the prosperity of the nation; no where did it mention that the impoverished is the responsibility of the government.

Also, one other place in the Constitution that we need to look at is our 10^th Amendment. “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people.”

Since it was not provided for in Article 1 Section 8 of the US constitution, it overrides the 10^th amendment; which means that the welfare system in place is Un-Constitutional.

More importantly however, we need to look at the biblical aspect of this issue.

Romans 13:3-4 says:

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.

No where in that verse does it say anything about the government helping the needy. If you read Acts 4:35 and 6:1-3, and James 1:27 you'll find no mention of THE GOVERNMENT in the provision of those in need. Rather, you will see the Church and Family stepping up and doing it. Even in the Old Testament, you never saw the government taking care of the poor people or prophets, the Family always rose to the occasion. That is how God ordained it to be.

Acts 4:35 and 6: 1-3 are just a few examples of when the church or family or community rose to the occasion. James 1:27 states: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. Therefore, it is OUR responsibility to take care of those in need.

The argument has been made in previous debates that I’ve had with this issue that “we as the church don’t do it now...why would we later?” The answer I have is simple, and can be applied anywhere. We don’t do it, because that responsibility has been taken away from us, un biblically and unconstitutionally by the federal government.

Let’s say that doing the dishes is your chore around the house, its your responsibility to make sure they get done and taken care of. You’ve done it ever since you can remember and are quite good and used to it. Then all of sudden your mom takes over. She has more money and sometimes gets it done faster, but as a result you become lazy and lose your incentive to take care of them.

That is how it’s been with welfare. The Family, Church, and Community used to be the ones to take care of the needy. Then the Federal government intervened and we have become lazy. That is why we haven’t been on top of helping the needy outside of natural disasters.

However, I have come to believe judging by precedent, that when given the responsibility once again, we will rise up to the challenge.

The American Society is an amazing thing. Whenever something bad happens, such as a natural disaster, the people have always risen to the challenge.

For example, with Hurricane Katrina much of the gulf coast was in ruins for quite some time. Yet, it wasn’t long after the storm before we started seeing people from all over the United States helping us with search and rescue, restoring power, and cleanup. Some States even offered housing and education scholarships to the Katrina refugees.

Much of this was done OUTSIDE of Federal intervention. When Hurricane Charley came in 2004, the Port Charlotte area was without power for a long time, however people from my community and surrounding areas went up to Charlotte County to help with cleanup efforts and handing out ice. Some people even put together gift baskets for the families with children still in shelters.

Not too long ago there was a snow storm in North Dakota, and at least one community lost power. As a result the community came together and aided one another. The State didn’t even declare a State of emergency because the people were taking care of it. All of this happened without FEMA ’s involvement.

We as Americans have always risen to meet the challenge, which is why I believe we should give the responsibility back to the American people to take care of the needy, and eliminate the welfare system completely.

Until the day that we are completely off of government aid, there are ways to take our responsibility back. Such as working at a soup kitchen, holding a fundraiser for a pregnancy resource center, visiting a nursing home and bringing in supplies to their office, even local missions are all ways we can take back our role!

I have an optimistic view of America and America’s future; I believe that it will be our generation that turns the tide for the better. I believe that my generation realize, or will realize that providing welfare is not the Government’s role Biblically or Constitutionally and that in order to effectively change for the better, we must give the responsibility back to the Church. The Church will rise to the challenge, it always has. We as the church cannot afford to become lazy, we need to take back our responsibility entirely in order to become stronger.

Terri Schiavo

Today marks the one year anniversery of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube removal. That story was a huge controversy. The Right to Die phrase was used over and over by the euthenasia group that was supporting Michael Schiavo. It is interesting to note however, that Mr. Schiavo was living in Indianna with his GIRLFRIEND and 2 KIDS at the time of this, and just flew to Florida for the "event". It was and is sad to see that so many people bought into the unfounded "right to die" talking points.

God said " I have put life and death before you, Choose Life"

In the Declaration of Independence it states " We hold these triths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator certain unalienable Rights, that amoung these are LIFE, liberty, the pursuit of happiness".

Not only was this whole thing un-American, it was Murder. This group slaughtered an innocent person.
I was in Florida the whole time this was going on, and I believe that being there for that gave me some more insight and information as to what was going on. More so than other parts of the Nation.

I know that Michael Schiavo was given money to take care of Terri, but instead he spent it elsewhere. I know that the euthenasia people told Michael to move Terri to a hospice, which is where she was for 3 years. I know that, from the Affidavits and records, if the recovery money was spent on recovery Terri would have been better. I Know that Michael stopped therapy. I know that terri was respnsive. I know that she tried to talk. I know that she died a painful death.
(because when your eyes and toungue are bleeding.....its hard NOT to be in pain).
I also know that it wasn't Governor Bush's fault. Yes, he COULD have done more...but so could the US congress.

The US congress wanted Terri as a witness, which meant that she would 1. have been protected and 2. would have her feeding tube, and therefore would stay alive. However, the Judge in Fl ignored it, and ruled that the feedin tube be removed. He told Gov. Bush, that if he did anything he would be held in contempt of court.

Yet, the Judge was in contempt of congress! nothing came out of that.......no one acted. Then, Terri's tube was removed. She died a few weeks after. Euthenasia had its victory.....and we our loss. All because people didn't act.

Regenerate Our Culture.....has begun!

Hey everyone,

I'm excited to announce that Regenerate our Culture has officially started!

We have articles in there from Agent Tim, SecDef, and many other homeschoolers in the blogsphere. These articles are written by some amazingly intellegent people in America! So go check it out: www.regenerateourculture.com

-A young skull not so full of mush as people want to believe,
Kierstyn

Discussion.....

Hey everyone,

I would do a "real" post, BUT I have to prepare for some midterm stuff. So instead I thought some discussion on a what could be considered "hot topic" would be edifying. I will follow up with a "real" post on this topic later. However, first things first :

What do you think of Welfare?
-Is it a necessary evil? is it good? is it bad?
Why do you believe that?

(note-these answers MAY be used in an article I'm writing)

-a young skull not so full of mush as some people would like to believe,
Kierstyn P.

Regenerate our culture, and the abortion ban

Hey everyone,

I wanted to introduce you to something called "Regenerate Our Culture" its mission is to change America for the better and go back to the Bible. you can find out more here. Some of these names may or may not be familiar to you, but this group of people is amazing!

Regenerate our culture's message is something that I have been saying for a long time. We need to get Christians involved and Change for the better, go back to our roots! I encourage all of you to go check out the site, its amazing! I'm not the only person with the same goals!


Also, there is a petition to ban abortion, more info can be found here: http://travis17blog.blogspot.com/

We have an opportunity to make out voice heard in more than voting! lets not waste it!!!

-Kp

Wake up America!

Well there have been a few things that have just been sitting around in my mind and just bugging me to the point that I NEED to get it out!!!! So for starters.....

America you need to WAKE UP!!!! I know I said this earlier but LOOK AROUND and PAY ATTENTION! things are happening RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES and WE are not doing ANYTHING about it!

CHURCH! WAKE UP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We as Christians are NOT suposed to be inactive in the world around us! we are supposed to STAND up for what we believe, NOT SIT and watch our right to worship God be taken away!! CHRIST did not sit and let things be, he was ACTIVE HE changed the world, and we are supposed to follow Christ! HE made a difference, its time for us to make a difference too!

We as Americans...As CHRISTAINS especially need to stand up for what we believe, even if it means we get ridiculed for it!
One of the amazing things about being an American is that we have the PRIVELEDGE of VOTING and making our voices heard! yet SO many of us don't even go to the polls!

Do we as americans understand that this gift, this "right to vote" is NOT had by most nations in the world? do we understand that not everyone has the "right" to make their voice heard? This is a precious gift, but FEW use it! WHY?!

"well you know kierstyn, politics and christianity don't always intersect"
"Politics is all one corrupt organization"
" you know, its hard to be a christian and be in politics"
"well my vote won't count"
Those are some of the many general responses I get from people I meet when I answer the questions " what are you going to be when you grow up?" or "what college are you going to?" or "you're really into politics aren't you?"

and THOSE responses make me mad. because first of all, while politics and Christianity don't always intersect NOW, they CAN IF we let it.

Really, the base of ANY party is what keeps it going, and if the base is largely Christian, we are going to see more Christian candidates in politics. Christian candidates DO run for election. Take Alan keyes, -he ran in the 2000 primaries- he is a devout Christian, and very pro life, yet he didn't make it out of the primaries. Why? I would venture to say, that while Christains held the same beliefs that he did, the Christian voters did not go out to the polls in the primaries to vote for him.

"Politics is all one corrupt organization" -this comming from a "christain rapper" friend of mine while we were geting the word out about a concert. I was in the car with a bunch of other people and didn't feel like starting an argument. But look, while it CAN be corrput, and with some politicians it is, it doesn't HAVE to be! It doesn't have to be corrupt if we would stand up and make a diference!

"you know, its hard to be a Christain and be in politics" WHY? why is it hard? because its challenging, is that what makes it hard? where have we come as a society, if it a challenge is what should make someone re-think the call that God has placed on his/her life? Yes, I know it will be hard, it is hard just to be a Christain. But that doesn't stop me from being one, where have we come as a society to believe that something being hard to accomplish is not a good thing? how come eveything has to be easy? why is hard bad? Why am I and the few others like me being discouraged to do something that we know God has called us to do........JUST because its hard?
Not doing something becuase it is hard shows a lack of character. Where wouild we be today, if our founding fathers gave up the war for independence because it was hard?
WE WOULDN"T BE A NATION!!!! and get this, WAR is HARD, yet we had the GUTS to fight, and because it was hard and they perservered they had a character quality inside themselves called perserverence. Even though the task was dautning (going to war against the worlds super power, with a rag tag militia) they overcame that obstacle, and won the war.

"My vote won't count" That is one of the MOST ANNOYING things anyone can say to me. If everyone had that SAME attitude, NO ONE would vote. which means whatever guy was in office would stay there for a really really really long time. YOUR vote DOES count, when you vote it is YOUR voice being heard. YOU are contributing to the person you support being elected, and THAT matters!

You know, soemtimes the willingness of people to conform to whatever others want them to confrom to REALLY irritates me. we need to be Impervious, which means unable to penetrate, we need to take a stand for what we believe, before we lose the "right" to stand up.

/rant
Kp

Man On The Street.........Tuesday?

Yes, today was man on the Street Tuesday for me. Although, I wasn't on the street, so I guess it would be "Man In The Class Tuesday".

It was an interesting Man In The Class Tuesday, the first one that I have ever hosted, and it was actually an accident. I didn't realize that's what I was doing till I got home, then I decided that I have to bring my camera next time. ;)

The question for this tuesday was "what do you think about the war?" The responses I recieved were........well, amazing in my oppinion. I only got to "poll" 3 people but the reactions were sad, to say the least. The first person I asked responded " Oh, um, hm, I don't really know". Okay, so thats kinda your typical American teen that doesn't pay a whole lot of attention and is more pre-occupied with the upcomming prom than anything.

The second person I saked responded this way " well, I thought it was necessary at the time, but now its kinda drawn out" (yes, the First person I asked agreed with this statement after it was made).
Now those type of responses are enough to get me on a rant; which I did. My response was "Well, the Iraq war started 3 years ago. When we went in March 3 years ago, it was a poverty stricken tyrannical dictatorship ran by a terrorist who gassed his own people to death. In the course of 3 years, Iraq is now getting to be a democracy, they have had elections, voted people into the parliamentary offices, and Now we are working on a constitution. In 3 years. Now, if you look at it in relation to America. it took us a LOT longer than 3 years to be free of great Britian, and we were under the articles of confederation for 8 years before we came up with a constitution. So if you put it in the Right perspective: a lot of progress has been made, and it hasn't dragged on, its just reported that way."

After hearing my rant she nodded and changed the subject......typical. I kinda felt sorry for her though, I think she watched too much CNN.

The third person I asked was well.........typical..again. "so what do you think of the war?" "what?" she asked. "the war....Iraq?" I said. "Oh" was her response. so i stood there, waiting for a further response.....and she just smiled and continued on with her previous conversation about shoes.

So I guess thats a look at your typical American Teenagers. Haha, its very sad really, but I was enjoying myself and realizing, for the millionth time, how weird I really am. Oh well, hey The few..the Proud..STAND! and I'm proud to be one of those few!
-Kp

And the State of the Union is..........

The State of the Union is Strong, and together we will make it stronger!-Bush

Yes that is the state of the Union.

The President's speech was awesome! He NAILED the arguments that have been thrown at him for the past couple months, re-iterated WHY we are in Iraq, WHY we are staying the course, told us the progress we have made there, adn reminded us that freedom is NOT free, but is worth the cost. He showed us how, contrary to popular belief from talking points and so on, our economy is THRIVING!

It was an excellent speech that connected to every American, if you didn't see it, you really missed out.

-kierstyn