We Hold These Truths....

“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

This Declaration of Independence is perhaps the most important document in modern history.  Its principles are we define this nation, and what we should celebrate this holiday.

As you enjoy the holiday (extending over the weekend for many), remember the sacrifices of our Founding Fathers and other great patriots over the generations.  Remember that it is up to us to preserve the sacred fire of liberty.  

Take same time and read the entire Declaration:  http://patriotweek.org/the-declaration-of-independence

For more, visit www.PatriotWeek.org and www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.

King Arthur: My laws must bind everyone, high and low, or they're not laws at all.

In the movie classic Excalibur, King Arthur's wife, Guinevere, is accused of adultery with the King's champion, Sir Lancelot.  In the story, normally such a charge would be met on the field of battle by the husband of the wife, but Arthur defers the battle to Lancelot. Arthur, as King, must preside over the battle as judge to ensure that the battle follows the law and the pure of heart prevails.

Outraged that her husband refuses to champion her reputation, Guinevere confronts Arthur later that night, and the following exchange occurs:

Arthur to Guinevere: You [Lancelot and Guinevere] are the people I love best in the world. 

Guinevere: Then why can't you defend me? 

Arthur: The law!  My laws must bind everyone, high and low, or they're not laws at all. 

Guinevere:  You are my husband. 

Arthur: I must be king first. 

Guinevere: Before husband? 

Arthur: If need be.

Arthur exemplifies the First Principle of the Rule of Law.  He refuses to break his own law to ensure its integrity for the rest of his kingdom.  It was a concept alien to his own wife, and to most of world history.

As Arthur explained, a law is not a law if it does not bind everyone - from the lowest person to the highest - from the janitor to the CEO, from the prisoner to the judge, from the taxpayer to the President. Thankfully, America has taken a different path - one in which the rule of law prevails and our leaders are bound by the laws they make.

To learn more about the rule of law, check out PatriotWeek and Americas Survival Guide.

"[I]f the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted." --Noah Webster

Noah Webster was not just a great lexicographer, he had an astute political mind.  Although seemingly trite, his observation that a government full of unprincipled men must lead to corruption is very astute.  That men and women who run for office can leave principles behind in light of political or personal advantage is no surprise, but voting for a principled, honest politician has vexed American voters for generations.  Why is this so?  Are not the politicians simply an reflection of the people?  Perhaps principled government is hard to come by because we as a people have forgotten our principles and history.  The studies reveal that our citizenry is poorly informed of even the most basic tenants of our Constitution - is it no wonder that those who ask for our votes are often unmoored from it?  This is why initiatives like Patriot Week and books like America's Survival Guide are indispensable to preserving our liberty.  Save the republic - educate yourself and your family and vote accordingly.