Alas, Detroit

With today's announcement of a bankruptcy filing by Chrysler Corporation, America's once mighty industrial giants have revealed their weakness. In light of the recent economic crash, federal bailouts, and skyrocketing spending and job losses, this is no surprise. However, what made it unique was the President's announcement of the bankruptcy - which came on the heels of his demand that the CEO of GM resign. Whether right or wrong (hey, I'm from Detroit - I am all for saving the Big 3), what has been missing from the equation are our First Principles. How does this all square with (1) the rule of law, (2) equality, (3) unalienable rights, (4) the Social Compact, and (5) limited government. The answer may be out there, but no one is asking the question. If the question is not asked, how can we expect that our nation's founding principles will be followed?

Emancipation Day

April 16 marks the anniversary of Emancipation Day. This is the day on which Abraham Lincoln signed a bill that emancipated about 3100 slaves in the District of Columbia. The First Principle of equality was finally beginning to be recognized. This came months before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which freed slaves in all states in a state rebellion.

TAX DAY

April 15 is a day that lives in infamy in America. Every year millions of manhours are spent calculating taxes and wading through complicated tax regulations and forms. Every year the Congress tinkers with the tax code, adding to its complexities and mammoth size. In America, the rule of law is supposed to govern - but it is undermined because the tax code is so complicated, and so large, and its compliance costs are so high, that most citizens are befuddled by what exactly is taxed, at what rate, for how long. Tax evasion (legal and illegal) is rampant. A healthy state of affairs would be furthered if those in Washington, DC and across state capitals began to look at the First Principles of the rule of law, equality, and limited government when reforming the tax code.

Striking at the Pirates - Protecting the Rule of Law and Unalienable Rights

The US Navy's liberation of US Captain Richard Phillips is a victory not only against piracy, but also for the rule of law and unalienable rights. Watching ABC's This Week this morning, one could rightfully have wondered whether a large portion of America's pundits cared much about either. Thankfully, the President and the US Navy stood up against the ravages of piracy and acted decisively to save Captain Phillips by killing 3 of the 4 pirates, and capturing the fourth.

Apparently over 60 pirate attacks on non-USA targets have already occurred this year. To continue to allow the pirates to run roughshod would simply give victory to lawlessness. By taking the pirates out, the rule of law and the protection of unalienable rights have triumphed.

The pirates operating around the Horn of Africa continue to hold over 200 hostages from several non-USA countries. The question becomes, will the rest of the world act follow America's lead and act decisively to protect the rule of law and unalienable rights?

China - The Communists Reject Reform

Although China has made huge strides economically and socially, politically it steadfastly refusing to reform. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of China's Parliament, and China's second-ranking Communist Party official, recently issued a statement claiming that China would never accept a multiparty system. The statement also rejected any reform that would embrace separation of powers, a bi-cameral legislature, or an independent judicary.

Over 1.3 billion Chinese continue to live under the thumb of the Communist Party. Having visited China, I can personally attest that they are a wonderful people, full of life and huge potential. They are warm and generous. Unfortunately, their government refuses to acknowlege what we take for granted in our First Principles. The rule of law, unalienable rights, and limited government are rejected. The Social Compact and equality, while given lip service, is also ignored. The rights of the people remain secondary to the control of the government.

If China really wants to enter the world community, it is time for serious reforms that embrace the First Principles.

For more, see www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.

The Ides of March

Today is the Ides of March (the 15th of March), made most famous by the assassination of Julius Casear by a group of Roman Senators. The leaders of the cabal, most notably Brutus, claimed that they struck Caesar down to stop him from becoming an all powerful emperor. In the end, their plot was spoiled because the civil war that erupted after Caeser's assassination was ended by the victory of a faction led by Augustus Caesar (the nephew of Julius) - who promptly became emperor. The age old Roman Republic died, and world would never be the same.

"We the People" Bear Responsiblity as Well

Cicero, in explaining where blamed lay in Rome, stated:

"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions. Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new wonderful society' which shall now be Rome's, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious.' Julius was always an ambitious villian, but he is only one man."

Indeed, despite all the gnashing of teeth to the contrary, America remains a republic. As such, we the people bear the responsiblity for our current state of affairs. Haven't we done our own share of dancing and rejoicing, courting the dangers we face today?

We can save our freedoms and liberties - as well as our society - if we expend the energy and time to do so. If not, we can only blame ourselves.

For more, check out www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.