May 2005     

Cowboy-up America...

America Adrift or America Restored
-A Choice-

By Ronald J. White

Without a doubt, American society is split almost evenly on many ideological philosophies. The determination of a President in the 2000 election was not resolved for weeks; disagreement between the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court surfaced in the election debacle; both houses of Congress are almost evenly split on a partisan basis; virtually every television program that invites debaters to participate, end up with participants clearly divided. Usually, they get so emotionally involved, they all talk simultaneously, and cannot be understood by anyone. Often in court proceedings it's "our scientists" v. "their scientists."

America has great potential, if we are willing to step up and meet our responsibilities - because freedom is not free!

Forthright debate serves society well, and everyone has the right to peaceably voice his opinion. However, little is accomplished if all the problems are discussed ad nauseam, with nothing ever done about them. Many people have quit attending meetings about the issues because they go home and nothing happens. Others no longer participate in the political process or local events, because they feel the situation is out of hand. In my opinion, if we continue individual non-involvement much longer, America will no longer exist as a Constitutional Republic. The Constitution will continue to be reinterpreted by the courts, and the nation will be governed by oligarchy - ruled by an elite few.

Time to Restore America

The early colonists, and the Founding Fathers, established a new nation through peaceful debate and compromise, but only after years of war and social turbulence to secure their independence. The unprecedented phenomenon of a free people designing and implementing their own government resulted in the best government, and most powerful and influential nation in the history of the world. God blessed America abundantly. For over a century, Americans met their responsibilities at home, as well as serving as a shining example for the world. Today, however, the American concept of self-government is being tested. A misguided society is floundering in a secular environment, and moral and civil disarray.

Have we learned our lesson, or will we let the trend continue, until we live under an aristocratic or socialistic system, like many that occur around the world? The goal of this forum is to illuminate some of the problem issues, and stimulate American ingenuity and enthusiasm to restore liberty under the banner of the Constitution, with the continued blessings of God. Is it too little, too late? I think not, but the clock is ticking. America has great potential, if we are willing to step up and meet our responsibilities - because freedom is not free! If we want to pass a culture and government that resembles anything like the Christian heritage we inherited along to our children, and grandchildren, it is critical we get involved now.

As a society, we have lost our moral compass, and we are on the threshold of losing the blessings of God. For those who want to initiate change, various problem issues will be considered in this, and future, columns. The issues will be addressed by:

1. Stating the problem;
2. Listing the solution(s);

3. Developing strategies to achieve the solution(s).

Statement of Problem:

America has lost its Christian heritage and Christian worldview.

Solution to Problem:

Restore America's Christian Heritage and Christian worldview.

Strategies to Achieve the Solution:

1. Pray frequently - as individuals, and in groups for Divine assistance. Acknowledge that we have been remiss in meeting our responsibilities, and ask for guidance in turning the deteriorating situation around.
2. Become informed - vote in local, state, and national elections. God's help may be withheld, if we are not willing to do our part. Christians can:

1. Develop a list of pertinent questions to ask candidates.
2. Support appropriate candidates.
3. Vote and encourage others to register and vote.
3. Become involved - in community affairs and seek public office. In America, 192 million people claimed to be Christians in 1996. Whether or not they are fervent Christians, most of them probably hold Christian values. In 1970, 82 percent of the nation wanted prayer back in school. The percentage had risen to 89 percent by 1991. Also, in 1991, 83 percent wanted the Ten Commandments back on the walls, and 70 percent wanted creation by God classes taught in the classroom. With the high number of people with Christian values, and the high percentages of people stating they wanted prayer, the Ten Commandments, and creation classes back in the school room in 1991, why do we have the current situation? Perhaps one reason is because many Christians have not been voting.

   In the 2000 presidential election year, about 200 million Americans could have qualified to vote. However, only 133,780,000, or 67 percent, of them registered to vote. A total of 105,399,313 (nearly 79 percent) of those who registered, voted, but that leaves nearly half of the 200 million who could have qualified to vote as nonvoters.

   These statistics indicate it does not take much thought to realize that many Christians are not participating in the political process. Improved participation would dramatically impact existing circumstances, although it will probably be a slow process. We didn't get into this mess overnight, and it will take time to turn it around. A lot needs to be accomplished. Many replacements will need to occur on local school boards, and in local, county, state, and federal government positions. If political offices are filled with people who hold Christian values, many new judges and others can be appointed who hold and reflect Christian values.

4. Review school textbooks and what teachers are telling students. This can be accomplished by people, as individuals, or in a group. Perhaps a church committee could take on the task. Textbooks should contain adequate American history, including the religious aspects. The importance of informed voting should be stressed in textbooks, and parents should set an example by meeting their responsibility. The theory of evolution should not be taught, unless the biblical creation belief is also taught. If evolution is taught, it should be presented as theory, and not as established fact.

It is time to quit complaining and cowboy-up America!

Get Involved!

Ronald J. White is the President of the Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties for Stable Economic Growth. He also conducts Freedom is Not Free - A seminar/forum to restore American liberty, with participants developing and implementing solutions for local and national issues.
P.O. Box 115, Monticello, NM 87939.