Is America A Secular Nation?
A 42-year tradition at the Treasure Valley God and Country Festival in Nampa, Idaho ended this weekend when the Pentagon declined a request for a military flyover in honor of our veterans due to the event’s emphasis on Christianity. Prior to an address by President Obama at Georgetown University in April, the White House requested that all university signage and symbols behind the stage be covered, presumably to be consistent with what had been done for other policy speeches. And while he did issue a traditional Presidential proclamation marking the National Day of Prayer, President Obama chose not to continue the Bush administration tradition of holding a formal observance in the East Room of the White House, nor did he send an official executive branch representative to the capitol hill ceremony as has been done since 1952.
Our secular President has stated that “we are not a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation.” Some feel the actions and words of the President disrespect those of faith, while others who are fervent about the separation of church and state celebrate his emphasis of religious pluralism, including his acknowledgement of nonbelievers.
Amendment I to the United States Constitution says, in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” As strictly interpreted this prohibits our Federal government from promoting any one religion or faith over another, far from a complete separation of church and state. Have we now become a secular nation that no longer acknowledges the writings of our founding fathers, who felt it was important to allow recognition and celebration of our religious beliefs?
Is Now the Time to Increase the Federal Minimum Wage?
The Federal minimum wage was first enacted under Franklin Roosevelt in 1938 under the Fair Labor Standards Act. According to the US Department of Labor, on July 24 the Federal minimum wage is scheduled to increase 10% from $6.55/hour to $7.25/hour, which will impact 29 states that have state minimum wage rates below $7.25. This increase, as well as the 12% increase last year from $5.85 to $6.55, was mandated by a bill passed by Congress in 2007 after years at $5.15. This raises at least two issues:
1. Why is the Federal government involved in establishing minimum wage rates? This is but one example of Federal intrusion on states rights. (more…)
T. Lee Mac: Patriot and Freedom
Born ages ago on a far and distant shore, of lineage unknown, a young man’s spirit cried out, longing to become intimate with the most enticing of lovers. Though she nurtured him from his youth, he could not grasp her. Though she comforted him in his sorrow, he could not embrace her. Though he always felt her touch, he could not return the caress. Always present, but ever elusive, this phantom vixen gave him no rest. His desire for her grew deeper and deeper. The people of the village railed and ridiculed as he tried to describe her beauty and wonder. But like this stricken young man, they could not see her. And, content with the lot bestowed upon them by other men, neither could they hear her voice or feel her tug on their hearts.
The day came when the young man could no longer resist the wooing temptress. Choosing to leave his father’s home and his mother’s comfort, he bid them farewell. Though he didn’t know her name, though he could neither make out her form nor discern her face, he loved her as his own soul because she was lovely. He absolutely knew it. And, as he left the village, followed by the jeering crowd, he dedicated himself to the pursuit of his lover. She had changed his life forever and he pledged to cherish her until death should separate them. (more…)
As We Celebrate Our Independence
As we celebrate Independence Day here in the United States, we will repeat a variety of patriotic passages, songs and hymns which we have all shared throughout the relatively brief history of our nation. Below are two lesser-known writings which just might put a lump in your throat and bring tears in your eyes.
I Am The Flag
by Ruth Apperson Rous
I am the flag of the United States of America.
I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.
There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.
My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.
Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.
My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.
My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.
My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.
My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.
I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.
I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.
I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers – the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.
I am as old as my nation.
I am a living symbol of my nation’s law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
I voice Abraham Lincoln’s philosophy: “A government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
I stand guard over my nation’s schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.
I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.
Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.
I have my own law-Public Law 829, “The Flag Code” – which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.
I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.
Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.
I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.
If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.
Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.
As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are – no more, no less.
Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.
Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.
God grant that I may spend eternity in my “land of the free and the home of the brave” and that I shall ever be known as “Old Glory,” the flag of the United States of America.
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The American’s Creed
By William Tyler Page
“I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.”
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As a nation, we would be well served to remember the principles that form the very foundation for this great country and that have served us well for 233 years. Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, theists and atheists can all agree that liberty and freedom are worth fighting for. God Bless America.
Palin Bows Out — What’s Your Take?
Sarah Palin today dropped a bombshell on an unsuspecting Alaska–and the entire country–when she stated that she was stepping down as governor of Alaska, effective at the end of July, 2009. Much maligned in the months since her failed run for the vice presidency, she is also much admired by many. Why do you think she has opted to do so now, and how do you think the decision will affect her in the future? Sound off now!
Gregg: A Return to Virtue
“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”
Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, February 12, 1779
While attempting to resolve myself to the actions of the current administration and the declining morality exhibited by leaders such as SC Governor Sanford, I reflect on how it is we find ourselves in the current situation. While it is evident that we have had erosions in our foundation over the years, I find myself increasingly returning to the era of the Vietnam War. With few exceptions, it was indeed one of the most turbulent times in this Republic’s history. There were violent anti-war protests and racial strife following the assassination of Dr. King. Significant as these actions were, there were other issues from that era which I believe helped set the stage for our current situation. (more…)
