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"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32
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Author:  Gerald V. Todd
Bio: Gerald V. Todd
Date:  March 2, 2014
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Topic category:  Liberal/Progressive/Left

In order to save our democracy we must overcome the fanatics by William D. Bezdek, MD
As published in the Bakersfield Californian, February 25, 2014 with commentary following - or – at last a Liberal who isn’t a “progressive!”

My response to Dr. Bezdek begins on the following pages. It will be in the form of addressing his points or lack of from a Constitutional Conservative viewpoint. I subtitled his piece as “At last, a Liberal who isn’t a “progressive,” for a number of reasons: 1. He apparently has a belief in God. 2. He has a deep respect for the Constitution. 3. He is seeking solutions and exhorting the people to do the same. 4. He is apparently an advocate of polite discourse and compromise in the process of governing. 5. I believe his views are an excellent vehicle for dealing with traditional Liberals - “the loyal opposition.” Both Liberals and Conservatives must separate themselves from the abject evils of Alinskyite “progressivism” and its Cloward and Pivens strategies.

Dr. Bezdek writes: President Abraham Lincoln, in a short speech given at the dedication of the cemetery for those killed at Gettysburg, took the opportunity to exhort the nation to what he considered unfinished work: " ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that, government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

He was not only fighting for the restoration of the Union but was very much aware that throughout history, all previous democracies of the people had not survived (''That a house divided against itself could not stand"). Lincoln not only had to fight a war with the southern secessionists but also maintain political balance between radical and conservative Republican factions, peace-at-any-cost Democrats and violent anti-draft demonstrators. It is remarkable considering these difficulties that he not only succeeded but, by means of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, changed the moral deficit in our country and Constitution that previously permitted slavery to exist in our borders.

Our democracy, at this time, is faced with a similar threat to its survival. We have always had some dysfunction in our system of government; however, the present dysfunction is beyond all previous levels. It has become a concern to a great many citizens and many friendly nations. There is even a growing movement to draft a new constitution in order to establish a more-effective and efficient method of self-government.

I do not think this is yet necessary. Our present Constitution had been sufficient in the past and, as the example of Lincoln demonstrates, should be sufficient to re-establish a government by the people and for the people. What it requires is the identification and purging from the government of all "fanatics." What is a fanatic? This is a person who believes only his option matters, and in order to establish his opinion, he ignores all other opinions. He never compromises, even though his actions and beliefs cause great harm to others and the country. Some examples are: taking a pledge to never raise taxes; shutting down the government to establish his opinion, even though all his prior attempts at establishment have been rejected; attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering any alternative; blind faith in the present actions without thought to long-term effects; blind allegiance to the doctrine of small government without defining what that means.

Let us look at the "small government" mantra. It seems to be the fanatic's opinion that government limits freedom; therefore, government is bad because freedom is paramount. This denies the historical record which demonstrates that unbridled freedom without responsibility leads to chaos and violence. Our own Constitution was thought necessary because of the weaknesses and violence seen in our initial attempt at government under the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. Small government in and of itself is not healthy to any democracy. Fanatics often connect under this heading of small government regarding the nation's debt. But just as businesses take on debt to expand and dominate their market, so should government take on debt to maintain infrastructure, establish security and provide for the education and health of their citizens. A certain amount of debt makes economic sense. Fanatics never seem to define what would be an acceptable amount of debt, but when it comes to making an object of their desire, payment for existing debt, they hold the economy hostage in order to extort for some favorite

Why is the present Constitution adequate? It is adequate because it provides the means for correction by simply removing the fanatics. This can be done by voting them out of office or recalling them. This seems an impossible task, seeing as there are presently so many. However, past history has shown that, over and over again, once the public becomes aware to the extent of harm, they will rise to the occasion and defeat the fanatics. Lincoln did it, and there appears now to be an awakening consciousness that this again needs to done. The first test will be the upcoming November elections. So if this dysfunctional government with its fanatical cliques disgusts you, remember: Your vote will count.

William D. Bedeck, MD., of Bakersfield is a retired physician. -- ---------- My response to Dr. Bezdek begins on the following pages. It will be in the form of addressing his points or lack of from a Constitutional Conservative viewpoint. I subtitled his piece as “At last, a Liberal who isn’t a “progressive,” for a number of reasons:

1. He apparently has a belief in God.

2. He has a deep respect for the Constitution.

3. He is seeking solutions and exhorting the people to do the same.

4. He is apparently an advocate of polite discourse and compromise in the process of governing.

5. I believe his views are an excellent vehicle for dealing with traditional Liberals - “the loyal opposition.”

Both Liberals and Conservatives must separate themselves from the abject evils of Alinskyite “progressivism” and its Cloward and Pivens strategies.

Saving our Democracy – Even though it’s a Constitutional Republic - Overcoming the Fanatics Commentary by Gerald V. Todd – March 1, 2014

Dr. Bezdek expressed a great love for and confidence in the Constitution as written and for its original intent. This alone separates him from the “progressive” who believes it is a “living breathing document” subject to the whims of the power elite and the morality of the times – as if human nature has changed over the centuries. He used the example of the trials Abraham Lincoln faced, not only fighting “with the southern secessionists but also maintain political balance between radical and conservative Republican factions, peace-at-any-cost Democrats and violent anti-draft demonstrators.”

He opposes those who would draft a new Constitution to establish a more effective and efficient method of self-government. This is where the debate begins, as Dr. Bezdek when he starts defining “fanatics.” “This is a person who believes only his option matters, and in order to establish his opinion, he ignores all other opinions. He never compromises, even though his actions and beliefs cause great harm to others and the country. Some examples are: taking a pledge to never raise taxes; shutting down the government to establish his opinion, even though all his prior attempts at establishment have been rejected; attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering any alternative; blind faith in the present actions without thought to long-term effects; blind allegiance to the doctrine of small government without defining what that means.”

It is apparent that all his targets are Republican or Libertarian, especially Ted Cruz and the Tea Party – Constitutional Conservatives. There seems to be no criticism of the use of taxpayer, public employee union and Soros’ Tides Foundation funding of numerous left wing advocacy groups that by and large are anti-American while seeking to establish a one-world government and view the Constitution with disdain. Nor for the mainstream media that is clearly in the “progressive” tank. That’s for another time.

1. “…the present dysfunction is beyond all previous levels” True enough. I maintain it is because our leaders, elected and appointed, take a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution. For the majority – save for our military, take their oaths as merely a rite of passage and move ahead to follow the crowd of power brokers. Certainly the worst offender is the President himself who told Vladimir Putin in 2009 that “for all practical purposes, the Constitution (he swore to uphold) is dead.” His action toward making Executive orders the law of the land, bypassing Congress with impunity is proof enough of dysfunction at the top. One Democrat Congresswoman from Southern California was seen on TV stating “Congress’ job is to write executive orders for the President to sign!”

2. “…a person who believes only his option matters, and in order to establish his opinion, he ignores all other opinions.” I propose this is a clear definition of the President, his minions Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi taking bills written by outside forces, shut out the opposition and pass them “so we can see what’s in them.” When the Republicans of any stripe object, they are labeled as extremist and stupid with a lot of help from the media. The countless bills originating in the Republican House dealing with the full range of Congressional responsibilities from the budget to the military to domestic issues are dead on arrival at the Senate which refuses to debate or compromise. It is apparently not extremist or unconstitutional to fail to submit a statutorily required Senate budget for 5 years.

3. “…taking a pledge to never raise taxes” Manipulation of taxes and interest rates are well established vehicles for bringing about societal evolution – seldom for good. Wouldn’t it be common sense to strive to actually cut useless, harmful, inefficient or duplicate programs to save money? Instead what is called a cut is actually a reduction in the already inflated increase for the next budget year.

Conservative talk host Sean Hannity is proposing an across the board 1% cut in ALL government expenditures each year to lead to a balanced budget. The wail and cry from the left over “starving the children” – the ones that escaped the abortion mill – over a 1% cut is reaching a crescendo of opposition “because of its effects on the poor.” One stinking percent!

4. “…shutting down the government to establish his opinion, even though all his prior attempts at establishment have been rejected” An obvious jab at Senator Ted Cruz – who BTW got an 8 minute standing ovation upon returning to his home town. A politician who knows and adheres to the Constitution and keeps his campaign promises is certainly qualified for derision from those of “progressive” mindset. Shutting down the government yielded a typical Democrat strategy enhanced by a dictatorial President who selectively shut down national monuments and other visible government assets in the face of veterans traveling cross country to visit their war memorials. Federal employees upon returning to work were rewarded with full pay for their time off. What a perfect vehicle to further cement the loyalty and corruption of once public servants to party and public employee unions. After all, the public servants are now being paid at an average level of salary and perks far above the taxpayers who have to support them.

5. “…attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering any alternative.” As the flood of lies about the “benefits” of the ACA become obvious and painful, it is easily lost on us that we did actually develop the best healthcare system the world has ever seen. Perfect? No, but wise men and women build on what works – not destroy and try to rebuild on faulty premises. Attempts by government to intervene is a gross violation of the principle of subsidiarity and a denial of the Judeo-Christian norm of exercising the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It is on that foundation that hospitals and universities were born in the quest for knowledge and healing the pain and suffering of many. It is these very institutions the ACA is today seeking to destroy or take over.

The alternative already existed, but like the great Austrian health care system of the early 20th Century, totalitarian forces began to infringe on it – first by bankrupting the Austrian nation through financial manipulations, then the eugenics of a Hitler ruled nation started fulfilling his dream of a final solution that ultimately cost over 60 million lives across Europe.

When Muslim Brotherhood operative Neera Tanden bragged she had a hand in writing the ACA while in the employ of George Soros, a few clues as to the evil of this takeover of a major part of the economy and the finest health care system in the world should have been obvious. It also should be an indication of why Muslims get their health care free – gambling is a no no – but it’s a tax? I believe there are around 700 references to “the secretary shall determine” in the bill. One hated Tea Party group before the ACA was signed into law broke the bill down into 20 page blocks for evaluation by volunteers. It explains why the Tea Party was horrified by what George Soros and his minions had wrought and determined to fight against it.

Ted Cruz knew it too from his in depth knowledge of the Constitution. How many know the architect of the ACA is Zeke Emanuel, the brother of Chicago’s Mayor? Zeke and another adviser, Dr. Peter Singer are like Margaret Sanger, ardent eugenicists seeking a massive reduction in world population. Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger is here seen addressing a group of Democrats in Silver Lake, NJ in 1926. Sanger wanted to rid the world of Jews, Catholics and Negroes. And we’re not supposed to be worried about the ACA and its gross violations of subsidiarity and solidarity?

6. “…blind faith in the present actions without thought to long-term effects” Blind faith in “Hope and Change” is what got us in the trouble we’re in. There is no concern or understanding of the “progressives” idea of long term effects save for forming a one world government with a drastically reduced human population to “save the planet.” “Progressives” fail to understand, like the Nazis and Communists before them, are pawns in a massive spiritual war between two halves of the culture of death – themselves who hold no value for the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Their counterpart and current ally is radical Islam that sees the suicidal killing of innocents as a path to an eternal reward. With that mentality, it has to be a spiritual war whether atheists like it or not.

Currently our President is riding the two horses of this Apocalypse with his moves to destroy the USA while aiding and abetting the rise of Islam to its long awaited first world caliphate. These, by definition tell us we are in all out spiritual warfare – one where Christianity, the majority religion in the United States is required to check its “weapons” at the edge of the battlefield – the Luciferian Saul Alinsky’s back yard.

7. “…blind allegiance to the doctrine of small government without defining what that means” I don’t know what a “doctrine of small government” means. We do understand that the Framers probably unknowingly recognized the combined application of the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity. They never used the terms, but they sure understood that subsidiarity is the opposite of entitlement and that this one nation is designed to be in true solidarity with and among the states.

In the United States the concept of small government equals states’ rights – a right lost with the passage of the 17th Amendment. It compromised the Republic with the weakness and vulnerability of a democracy. Senators became popularly elected instead of as agents of the individual state legislatures, representing the interests of their sovereign state. With that, their allegiance falls to the central government instead of the state each is elected to represent. A classic example was seen recently when the very California Senators who have done all they could to shut off water to the California Central Valley actually show up or stand with the President at a press conference promising aid to mitigate the effects of the drought!

Is it necessary to restate the mottos of the United States: “In God we Trust” and “e pluribus unum” – our trust is in God whose image we are individually made, not the state? We come from widely diverse backgrounds and motivations to form a wonderful working unit – “from many, one!” This does not negate the need for a strong federal government. It is just the definition of what makes it both strong and responsible and in proper order.

• First, it recognizes and adheres to the Constitutional limits on its authority and its elected and appointed officials the solemnity of their oaths to protect and defend.

• Second, the Federal Government has key roles in a strong, constitutionally sworn military – not local or state policing. State National Guard units under the individual state’s Governors as their Commanders in Chief are there to protect the individual states in war and natural or manmade disasters. The Guard is there to help the Federal Government in national emergencies;

• An honest congressionally responsible monetary system that does not require borrowing to issue new currency that is spent into existence in specific not tied to social welfare programs to circulate throughout the economy as suggested below.

* For extraordinary needs such as natural and manmade disasters, the Federal government is the best physically equipped but last and shortest term resource for recovery. Last in – first out.

• Rules for interstate commerce, especially interstate highway, waterway and airport infrastructures. This is a good venue for new money to be spent into existence free of the tribute extracted from the value creating citizenry whose blood, sweat, tears, creativity, faith and determination made this nation what it is.

• Basic research through private and public institutions.

• There are three areas the Federal government has no competence or business being involved in – Health, Education and Welfare. Doing basic research, acting as a clearing house and a cheerleader are sufficient roles for a central government. Subsidiarity is key – not entitlement.

• Everything else belongs to the states and to the people.

Our Founders set the framework for government at all levels by limiting the powers of the central government, yielding to the states and the states to personal responsibility. Does that require definition beyond understanding what this means? They even gave us Article V of the Constitution to deal with a central government that has jumped over all its constraints and must be dealt with in a peaceful and constitutional manner while retaining the unity of the nation.
www.articlevprojecttorestoreliberty.com

More on Government of the People

The Founders so clearly emphasized we the people are “Beautifully” endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. They also gave us in the same Declaration a litany of the abuses despots force on the people, not unlike the good and evil defined in the Bible. No new sins, just new spins! Following from our inalienable rights, the Constitution sets the Ethical framework and the Bill of Rights their Logical protections – From there it is normal for the people to take on personal responsibility in a unified nation where the chaos of bright and unexpected meetings, discoveries and challenges yield work and prosperity for all who choose to strive. These will yield the Harmony of things of beauty, advanced technology, stewardship and a new way for investors, bankers and philanthropists to prosper their operations while truly serving their clientele.

The good doctor claimed that no one defines what small government means. We just did it in the preceding paragraph! Most Americans have intuitively understood what subsidiarity in government means. May we define it as a Fountain of Prosperity and demonstrate why it simple means re-prioritization back to the Founders’ original intent? Two primary elements should become obvious: Money is the servant – not the master; and Beauty is taken out of the sewer of depravity and debt to the proper place its Author and the Declaration set for it. Beauty is the philosophical, moral and spiritual tone of the whole adventure… Causes and Effects…

Fountain of Prosperity: defined by 3 groups of 3 Causes and Effects (1-3), (4-6) and (7-9):

1. Beauty and its Author as in the Declaration of Independence - defines the ->

2. Ethics of the Constitution - which is protected by the ->>

3. Logic of the Bill of Rights - allowing people to act in enlightened self-interest ->>

4. Subsidiarity of the personally responsible (the opposite of entitlement) - with all seeking the best for family, community and nation ->>

5. Solidarity of a free people to build and maintain a nation - opens all to the ->>

6. Chaos of exploration, unexpected discovery, opportune meeting, crossover ideas, artistic and technical pursuits leading to Harmony - where a real sense of beauty and esthetics accompanies ->>

7. High Touch in the natural flow of a creative environment - that entices the development of practical and useful ->>

8. High Tech to freely explore and apply diverse human talents and natural resources as good stewards - as a wonderful market for ->>

9. High Finance as servant of commerce, discovery, entrepreneurism, philanthropy, savings and works of mercy - where money is spent into existence to surge upward to wash down to enrich and prosper all as it is spent and re-invested.>

We Must End the Cause and Effect of Money and its Manipulators as our Masters. We’ve become so used to the structures of our political system has degenerated to and the “progressive” manipulations that control it. This reverse order absolutely perverts the causes and effects shown above. We must re-prioritize our systems to do much better for the American people with their myriad and infinite range of jobs, careers, talents and responsibilities. It would make elected officials, bureaucrats, financiers, law enforcement and military more efficient, less costly and even more honorable and meaningful careers. It means turning that Multistory Outhouse of an upside world capped by the mastery of “progressive” finance, taxation and bureaucratic overreach into a beautiful Fountain of Opportunity and Prosperity that can exceed the wildest dreams of the greediest hedge fund manager or power hungry politician – or the child dreaming of his future. They just have to learn to be good boys and girls. We will work to show them the way to change and enjoy it.

Finally, the good doctor is joined by those of us who look forward to November – for the same reasons – love of God and country and a sense of urgency to return to our roots where we can at least be “the loyal opposition to each other”: “The only hope at present is the forthcoming November midterm elections and, if power in the Senate can be acquired by the Republican Party and expanded in the House, efforts to thwart the deliberate destruction of the nation can be enacted. We have been living with a President who has refused to negotiate with Congress and with a Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, who has blocked debates and votes on any of the legislation initiated in the House.” Alan Caruba in the Tea Party Nation Forum

By now us Conservatives and Liberals should know who the fanatics are. They are the ones striving to take down our country. The real fanatics are proud to call themselves “progressives.” We are the loyal opposition – coming from different directions, but loyal opposition nonetheless. Liberal and Conservative and the folks in the middle.

Commentary © 2014

Gerald V. Todd

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Biography - Gerald V. Todd

Jerry is a retired engineer with strong experience in environmental innovation which he still applies today with 2 clean water and energy saving technologies. His life avocation in writing and study of philosophical and biblical themes as they apply to the body politic's spiritual warfare. He survived stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006; now in excellent health. A graduate of the University of Illinois (1958, Industrial Engineering), Jerry had post graduate studies at both the University of San Francisco and the University of Santa Clara in California between 1961 and 1963 (Logic, Marketing). As co Founder and seminar presenter he was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Valley Christian University operating under California private-post secondary statutes for mid career student, VCU was the pioneer external degree school for mid career students. Its course structures were picked up by several well known Christian colleges. Hosted local broadcast radio and TV shows, "Religion on the Line" and "The News Firm" (jointly with wife, Joanne), respectively. Jerry has published several books that are available at Amazon. Jerry is available to speak as a visiting lecturer at the high school, college or community organization level. Jerry is married 55 years to Joanne Dean Todd – 3 children, 8 grandchildren.


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