Observations©

By Donald S. Conkey

Date: May 14, 2009 - # 9920 - Title: Ignorance of America’s history can be costly to personal liberty (825)

Recent letters to the Tribune editor strongly suggest there is a growing divide among local citizens over the direction the country is taking under the new administration. As I read these letters I often reflect on how the Founding Fathers struggled with similar diverse opinions as they set out to establish a new nation while breaking away from the tyrannical rule of the English king.

These colonists were as divided as Americans are today. A third of them were content living under the king’s rule, the insiders that were often beholden to the king because of political appointments or favors. Another third were upset with the taxing policies of the English parliament. The other third were content to live and let live. This analogy is similar to America’s political divide today.

Then, like today, a few began to call attention to what was happening as the English parliament (today’s federal government) began to make ‘changes’ in their lives: watering down the liberties they had become use to by adding heavier tax burdens and growing government in general. One of these making waves was Samuel Adams. Eventually he led a group that dumped British Tea into the Boston Harbor. His protests grew and soon a shot was fired at Lexington, a shot that led the colonists into the Revolutionary War, the shot that lead Thomas Jefferson to pen the Declaration of Independence in June 1776. Jefferson’s document brought about change, major change, changes that would soon lead to a new form of government, a government where the final authority would be the people, not the king.

As I continue to ponder the growing divide in America I see a third of the people wanting to shed the responsibility of self-government and turn it over to the few to make the decisions without their input. This is dangerous. It leads to slavery via dependence on the government, not on themselves or their God.  

            Then, while reading the Declaration for the thousandth time, the words “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” jumped off the page at me. Why did Jefferson use these very specific and definitive words?  What was he trying to convey to the people, both then and now? Did Jefferson insert these words as the cornerstone for both individual and national liberty? Interesting questions!    

Jefferson’s writings reflected his observations of the nature that surrounded him, of his scriptural knowledge and of his belief in the words of his ‘Creator.’ His personal beliefs, I believe, prepared him to write those foundational words of liberty, not only liberty for the individual but for all mankind.

            And because of his knowledge of the Bible Jefferson likely was fully aware of God’s words to the prophet Samuel after the Israelites asked Samuel, wanting to forgo the personal responsibilities of self-government, for a king to fight their battles and to take care of their every want. Biblical students remember how the Lord told Samuel to give them a king, and he did, Saul. But the Lord also warned the people through Samuel of what would happen to their personal liberties if they rejected Him, their God. Every word of his warning came to pass. Ignorance of mankind’s history can be costly to personal liberty.

Another prophet in another setting gave a similar warning  with words that read: “Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law – to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” A politically astute prophet!

One of the Tribune letters recommended Dr. W. Cleon Skousen’s book, “A Miracle That Changed the World – The 5000 year Leap – Principles of Freedom 101.”  I too recommend this book be read by every individual interested in learning the difference between liberty and tyranny and understanding the 28 principles of liberty America was founded upon. I also recommend that the Cherokee County School Board require this book be read as a requirement of graduation from our Cherokee County School System.

Education is more than the X’s and O’s of mathematics. A fully rounded education must include an understanding of America’s history and its source of liberty. Yes, ignorance of America’s historical roots can be costly to our personal liberties, very costly.