The Patriot Post® · Trouble in Paradise

Perhaps a year ago, I read Mark Levin’s book, “Ameritopia – The Unmaking of America”. I began thinking about the deception in Obama’s 2008 campaign slogans of “hope and change”; the implicit promise of Utopia. Most of humanity wants to believe they can find, or somehow achieve, Utopia; that is no revelation. It worked for Obama in 2008. After the Obama win for reelection in 2012 it became evident that many Americans are deceived. “Utopia” is God’s business; it is beyond the reach of man.

Not being one who can sit and judge, complain and do nothing, I am now inspired to do my part. We must awaken those Americans who place their hope in a utopian society. They do not see that the quest is a path to tyranny. In this essay, I will also attempt to put a light on the solution that offers the greatest hope for successfully returning our nation to its once great glory.

Some Americans look at the debt the USA owes and they know we are in trouble. For some, the unemployment numbers are key indicators. For others, the unending price hikes in the marketplace tell the tale, especially at the gas pumps. My big concern lies in the general perceptions of the severity of our problems, and how we differ in our ideas for possible solutions.

There are many among us who do not perceive the problems as severe at all. With a 16 trillion dollar debt, high unemployment, inflation affecting the costs of everything, and the historical credit rating reductions on the credit of our government, how could anyone think things are OK?

Many liberals respond to the question with something like: “America is in better shape than many other countries.” Another is: “We probably should spend more than we do to create more equality in America.” There are also those who chant the popular mantra: “Our problems are not that bad. Tax the rich more so that they have to pay their fair share.”

From a more conservative view, it seems obvious that those liberals are simply deceived. But, trust me; those that feel this way are completely serious. So, once again, let us seriously consider those statements:

Other nations:

The fact that some other nations are also in obvious trouble does not make me feel any better. If I have the misfortune to fall in a pit of poisonous snakes, looking around and seeing others have had the same misfortune does not change anything. I still need to get out of that pit or my life is over!

Those who believe utopia can be achieved by the principle of “more” must accept reality. The principle of “more” will insure the nation dies a slow and painful death, dashing their dreams on the rocks of oppression. (The Principle of More: more taxes, more spending, more government bureaucracy to manage the growing chaos). More wasted “stimulus” spending? Keynesian theory to stimulate the economy with government spending has never worked in the past; how could they reason it would work now?

Spending more for “equality:”

“All men are created equal…” Some men read these words and say it is a lie and so think it their duty to create equality among men. Those who are more thoughtful accept it as the truth and then discern the manner in which equality exists. All men are created equal under the law. Not man’s laws set forth eons after the creation of the first man. But rather, men are equal under the natural laws of our Creator.

The Creator bestowed upon all men equal and unalienable rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But the Lord did not bestow equality of outcomes on anyone. My review of Scriptures provides me with evidence that the Lord acknowledged that we would always have poor in our mists and also that He expected His people to be generous toward them.

Another distinction between our ideologies is the manner of our generosity. Liberals assume the government should tax more, and spend more, to provide more aid to the poor. Conservatives want to do it mostly by personal donations to charity. The idea is that the more the government tries to manage, the more government must grow, and the more overhead has to be deducted before it gets into the hands of those who need it. Example: if I learn of an especially needy family in my community, perhaps through church or a friend, and I go directly to that family with a financial gift of $100, they get it all. Nothing would be spent on bureaucrats and paperwork. Plus, I would have the added blessing of an opportunity to directly share my passion for their need and my hope for their relief, perhaps through a sharing of prayer. The giver and the receiver both get much, much more. And an enduring friendship could blossom.

Ah, but if helping the poor is done the conservative way, there would be no government handouts to use as political currency.

Tax the rich; tax the rich:

Tax rate increases do not increase tax dollars collected. It has been historically proven: increasing tax rates on those who already pay the most in actual tax dollars will create a decline in actual revenue.

The real problem here is more deception. It is a deception some are eager to believe. The deceivers state the 14% capital gains tax rate for the rich and compare it to the wage income rate of about 17% for most wage earners. Capital gains are income from a return on investments. There is more risk in investments than in wages. Plus, it is quite easy to smother economic growth by discouraging investment. The net result is higher unemployment and fewer taxpayers. The net-net is less tax revenue to pay down the deficits and debt.

Why are many predisposed to buying this lie? The answer is simply that they hope someone else will pay more so that they do not have to pay more. But it cannot honestly be said that it is more “fair” or that it creates greater “equality”.

The root of deception; a glimpse of the solution:

“And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” –Genesis 3:4-5

The first deception caused mankind’s loss of innocence. Man knows “good” from “evil” in his conscience, but his fallen nature makes him a slave to the evil.

As a Christian, the only solution I can reason for our nation is spiritual revival and salvation. Though there are many New Testament passages dealing with salvation, in sum it is described as an act of faith acceptance of the gift of Grace (in that Christ paid for our sins) and a turning away from our sin. Here is my favorite:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” –Ephesians 2:8-9

George Rogers Clark blogs at myFreeBlogs: http://www.myfreeblogs.us