Post-Election Ponderings

This week has provided one of the best arguments I have seen in a long time for states taking power back from the Federal Government. Massachusetts elected a new Senator. I haven't lived there for over 16 years. I've been a student in Utah, a resident of California, and am now happily an Idahoan. I should not really care, therefore, what the outcome of this election was. But I did, I do. Why? Because the Senate as a group has way too much control over the details of my life in my state.

Currently, the future of health care in this nation is the issue at stake. The direction of the health care reform is not only controversial, but of crucial import. The consequences, deemed good or bad, will be significant and far-reaching. In this case, the election of one candidate over another may determine the passage or rejection of the bill.

My purpose, however, is not to debate health care. It is to illustrate the predicament we have collectively put ourselves in by allowing the Federal Government powers which are not given them by our Constitution. When our nation was formed, it was a Union of States. The states were powerful. They largely managed themselves. They came together to create a central government and crafted a document which enumerated its powers. Those powers, those responsibilities, were few and specific. Duties not listed were to be left to the states. The case is easily made that the vast majority of current Federal departments and regulations are unconstitutional.

Washington is a mess. Congress has become a body of largely career politicians with apparent disdain for their constituents. The sitting president shows little understanding of the stewardly nature of his position. "I," "me," "mine," and "my," are words used more frequently by him than by any other president in my memory. He doesn't care for America as it is--he seems to want to be Europe. The president before him certainly wasn't for a small federal government either. The judicial system has come to see themselves as the balance of power rather than a balance. And citizens all over the nation feel some degree of helplessness. We are witnesses to the process rather than being a significant part of it. Citizens have lately been ridiculed for voicing their opinions and concerns.

It doesn't really matter which party is in power. The status quo will not change until states begin reclaiming their rights. The more locally anything is operated, the less waste there tends to be, the more the actual needs of the people are met, and the stronger influence the people have in their government. Why should someone in Massachusetts dictate what type of health care system will be used in Idaho? Why should Texans decide that the education policies which were effective for their children should be the standard for kids in every state? Why should California have more say in what will happen to folks in Rhode Island then the people of that state? One size does not fit all. It never has and it never will.

I'm proud to note that Idaho is a state which is currently working to pass a bill to exempt themselves from national health care regulations, should they pass. More states need to tell the Federal Government to take a hike more often for all sorts of control they try to impose. I believe that is the only way to weaken central power, for they will never vote for policies to that end, regardless of campaign promises.

The result would be a choice. We can choose where to live. There are already differences between states. Our decision to move to Idaho was influenced by many factors, and politics was not an insignificant one. Being business owners, policies effect us rather drastically. But the differences could be greater, and more of us could be happier living in an area more suited to our individual ideals and needs.

Book for June meeting

Just a quick reminder for June's meeting. We will be reading "The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner" by Ezra Taft Benson. You can find it at amazon.com. They start at $6.70 for used and go up from there. I just ordered mine today and with shipping it came to just under $11.00. Last time I looked they had about 20 copies in stock. See you all this coming Tuesday, May 12th at Anna's home at 10:30am!

The Constitution of the United States of America

April 14th we had our book club discussion and it was great. What a divinely directed document and what humble men to set it forth as the guiding law for this promised land! The question that we felt was the most important for us was: Now that we have read the Constitution, what do we do with it? What a great, thought provoking question. Here is what we decided. First, we need to keep this document in our homes, read it, refer to it, teach our children and others about it. Next, we need to be aware of what is happening around us. This means know what is going on in the various levels of government so that we can have our say when we feel it is important. It is just a matter of being informed. Finally, it is vital to have the Spirit of our Heavenly Father with us so that we will always know what to do and where to focus our energies. If we do these things, we can be responsible citizens and always put first things first.

Our next meeting will be held in May and we will discuss The 5000 Year Leap. I am definitely looking forward to this discussion.

Great First Meeting

Our book club had a great meeting this past Friday. We watched Glenn Beck's program where he introduced his 9-12 Project. What a great idea! We must be founded upon values and principles that have, throughout history, made us such a blessed nation. We had a wonderful discussion on the Declaration of Independence. What inspired men braved to set the foundation for this country. I am so thankful for their courage, their determination, and their willingness to be led by our Father in Heaven. We are beneficiaries of the lives they lived and the things that they did. Next month we will meet again and discuss the Constitution of the United States. I am sure that this will be a very enlightening meeting. See you then!

Welcome!

We are so excited about our new group. This is a great opportunity for us to read about the people and the values that this great country was founded upon and the ideals we need to return to. We will keep you updated on the books that we read and the activities we are involved in. This country and God are too important not to take a stand for!