8-31-2020
The constitution
oIncorporates the ideology of individual freedom into a governing creed
Not merely a philosophy
Commands allegiance/reverence
oNumerous European observers agreed “the United States was quite unlike their
own or any other nation.
American Exceptionalism means: “Emotional, value, patriotism, jingoism/chauvinism,
etc…
“Exceptional Ideology”
oPeople have:
Moral sense
Seek approval
Can possess virtue and intelligence
oHumans can also
Pursue power
factionalize
desire to compel
advance personal interest over others.
“Assumptions about the American System
oHumans acting in their private interests tend to be resourceful and benign.
9-2-2020
4 main traits of the American people
oIndustriousness
Self-reliance
Hard work
oEgalitarianism
Equality of human dignity (not outcomes)
No Aristocracy
Affluent Americans dressed in higher quality clothes, but there
were no distinctive modes of dress.
Identify with middle class
Rich Americans refused to consider themselves upper class and
poor Americans refused to consider themselves lower class.
oReligiosity
Not state sponsored or ordered religion or national churches as in Europe
or elsewhere.
Self-Government
Utopian Aspirations
oCommunity Life
Neighborliness
Not simply hospitality
oRather, widespread voluntary mutual assistance.
oCivic Engagement
Voluntary associations
Not Government based
Socials Trust
Assume even strangers are generally trustworthy
Operation of the American Political System
oNot receptive to communist revolution
oEurope Progressed from:
Classic liberalism > growth of workers movements > socialism > social
democracies (advanced welfare states)
oCritical views of the United States
Slavery and Indian territory
Ideology
Industriousness
Egalitarianism
Religiosity
Community life
9-9-2020
The constitution was a promise
The constitutions promise has still not been fulfilled today.
Obeying laws is not enough for “we the people”.
A government of the people has worked for over 200 years and should work, as long as
the people remember that they are not subjects of the government, but that the
government is subject to the people.
“A republic madam, if you can keep it.”. – Benjamin Franklin
America was the first time a nation had self-government.
There was a basis of trust in early America
oReligious disparity fostered a respect for religious freedom
10-14-20
Homework
Video: Ron Miller “Securing Liberty (Racial Issues)
oOne parent home is 70%ish in black community
The church needs to go into these communities and support family
structure
oMetaxes
Venerating Hero (Bonhoeffer)
oGingrich
The US is comprised of private associations and organic structures –
Tocqueville
Government cannot and should not replace civil society, because the
static and singular nature of government cannot accommodate the
manifold needs of American citizens. When government intervenes in any
field served by civil society, it shrinks the size and scope of civic life, taking
more of the money that would otherwise be available for private
associations.
Americans give more time and money to fellow countrymen and people
across the globe than any civilization in history.
NOTES
Free govt has to be based on free people
Honest religious people for a limited govt - Gingrich
Becoming tolerant to everything diminishes right and wrong – Cooper
11-2-2020 RULE OF LAW
4 principle threats against the rule of law
oInfluence of big government on officials
Corruption was used by the founders to characterize political plots and schemes to
circumvent constitutional checks and balances
Congress should be the lawmaking body, but congress has pushed off their lawmaking to
other agencies
oThese local agencies make their own rules, they are given the appearance as if
they have the power of law but in reality they do not.
Agencies often are very politicized and their politics depend on who is in
power locally.
oCongress gives local departments power yet congress criticizes these
departments using the power that they granted.
Federal deregulation has saved 24 Bill
Obamacare
oCommerce clause did not support the ACA
This law prevents the states from tariff and trade practices that negatively
affect the US as a whole.
oACA provided 1968 specific grants of power to federal agencies
oACA required the Secretary HHS to arbitrarily
oFEDERALIST PAPER #78
11-4-2020
Religion and lawmaking
oEveryone has a sort of religion that shaped them
If atheists say there is no God their morals come from
those views
Marxists argue religion is the root of problems in America
oSome religions may be, but not the Bible
The judiciary has been the key instrument in enshrining radical secularism
as an official, privileged religion
o1st court determines if the law furthered a states interest
Health, morals, safety, public welfare
oMoral judgements were viewed as legitimate basis for legislation:
INCLUDING: polygamy, public indecency, animal cruelty,
prostitution.
In 2003, SCOTUS concluded that Texas had no
legitimate interest which could justify its intrusion
into the personal and private lives
Justice Scalia: “This effectively decrees the end of
all morals legislation… including criminal laws
against fornication, bigamy, adultery, adult incest,
bestiality, and obscenity.
The logic of radical secularism not only displaces traditional moral
judgements, it condemns them
The third radical secularists thinking is ultimately sectarian and partisan.
It turns the coercive power of GOVT against judeo Christian tradition that
animated Americas founding.
1996 Defense of Marriage act
oSigned into law by Bill Clinton
Defined marriage as one man and one women
Allowed states to refuse to acknowledge same sex
marriages granted under the laws of other states.
In 2011 AG Eric Holder (Obama Admin) ruled this law was
unconstitutional and would not enforce it.
SAFETY AND PEACE
Without safety, freedom itself is threatened
What is the principle role of govt, but the protection of divinely
given life, liberty and happiness (property)?
The primary role of civil govt is to protect its people.
11-6-20
The price of freedom is life – many men and women have sacrificed their lives at home
and abroad to provide and protect.
The rule of law provides stability to the land.
Romans 13
oMisinterpreted verse
God is higher than kings, we do not blindly submit to authority.
Peace through strength
oThe courage to be free is only sustained by the moral capacity to distinguish
between good and evil
Numbers 14:2 (wanted to return to slavery, didn’t like freedom)
Numbers14:7
oAmerican leaders have always linked battle courage to morality
Lincolns 1858 “eternal struggle between right and wrong”
FDR’s 1941 “We choose human freedom – which is the Christian ideal”
oMorality and courage must be embodied by Americans
o“Peace through strength” is a statement has traditionally maintained this
position
Robust Military Capacity
Clear Strategy
Do not seek out confrontation
oA strong military discourages enemies and encourages friends
Jimmy Carter
oDid not believe in biblical authority
oLet Islamists militants taking US embassy in Teheran along with 52 hostages,
failing a rescue attempt.
Ronald Reagan
oRaised military budget $116 Billion (1979) $273 billion (1986)
oActively called out the evil of communism
oPeace through strength was effective because it was first, biblically moral.
oThe strategy required great courage as enemies abroad and at home attacked the
president
oThe president demonstrated courage by rebuilding the military and confronting
the expansionist communist empire in Latin America.
oThe continued pressure forced the USSR to seek peace, but first on their terms.
Obamas evil acts as president
oSupported Iran’s 2009 sham election
Supported the election, then came out as surprised when there was
violence and backlash.
oFamous principle of “leading from behind”
11-13-2020 Notes. The economic collapse of the Big-Government Welfare State
Economic Stimulus
Obama care
Progressive Era 1890-1916
oIndustrialization
oAnti-Trust laws
oConsumer protection
oProfessionalize the govt workforce
oGovt curbs the excesses of capitalism through regulation
oUniversal healthcare
Social Security Administration 1935
oSenior poverty
oDisability
oUnemployment
Great Society 1963
oWar on poverty
oMedicare/Medicaid
oHead Start/Education Reform
oUrban Renewal
oEnvironmental Initiatives
Potential President Biden Priorities
Taxpayer Abortion (planned parenthood)
Amnesty/No wall funding
oBreaks the rule of law
Covid-19 Board
Green economy
BidenCare
“Free College”
Equality act
The moral collapse of the Big-Government Welfare State
The welfare state is incompatible with human nature as it doesn’t view recognize
individual dignity and rights
The founders championed the wealth shared by family, religion, charities, and civic
groups
oPositive moral requirements
Progressives shunned these in favor of the European socialism – substituting
government.
oRejected moral elements – ultimately rejecting God’s authority to define
morality.
Why American Exceptionalism Matters
Progressives know that its power rests not on popular support, but on its ability to use
big govt to reward its allies and punish its enemies
Though the big government welfare state is fatally flawed, it possesses an innate
attraction for many because it appeals to a common desire for all to have equality and
opportunity.
Beneficiaries of these programs will not be willing to sacrifice that support without
acceptable replacements.
10 steps to Restoring American Exceptionalism
1. Learn about American History
2. Speak out
3. Question governmental authority at every turn (govt works for us)
4. Teach the children around you
5. Insist on schools that teach responsibility and the fundamentals of American citizenship.
6. Defeat and replace bad judges
7. Re-establish the work ethic
oSimple low tax system
oAll American energy plan
oWelfare reform 2.0
oAlternatives to social security
8. Celebrate American Holidays
9. Volunteer in your community
10. Run for office
11-23-2020
Islam Video
Teqiya – lying to advance islam
Acceptable to deny islam to get elected
Ridda laws – kill whoever converts from islam
Only promise to afterlife is to die while killing
Shirk?
The word Islam is the opposite to freedom of Liberty
Sharia law governs every aspect of your life
Islam means submission, surrender
In Islam, heaven is through works, but Mohammed didn’t know if he did enough works
St Marks bones were smuggled by being packed under pork, they were brought to
Venice.
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