"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." George Washington, from his Farewell Address, September 17th 1796
"A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities. About to enter, fellow-citizens, on the exercise of duties which comprehend everything dear and valuable to you, it is proper you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our Government... Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." Thomas Jefferson, from his First Inaugural Address, March 4th 1801.
"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 of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a 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." Declaration of Independence
There was once a time in our nation's history when the above words from our Founding Fathers, who pledged their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" so that their posterity could reap the fruits of liberty, meant something to the average American. These words stood as a testament to the trials and tribulations that mankind would endure to secure their divine and natural rights to live a peaceable life free from all forms of tyranny, to be able to fully enjoy the end products of their toil and labor, and to worship (or not worship) the Almighty according to the dictates of their conscience. Americans knew that government existed solely for the protection of those rights. Government was not to be a surrogate mother or father to the people. It was not meant to feed and clothe the homeless, educate the nation's youth, or enforce morality.
In the early republic most citizens were familiar with the concept that "a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have". They did not want or desire government "assistance" or "welfare": with faith, sacrifice and hard work they were able to provide for themselves as well as their neighbors in need out of the kindness of their hearts. They did not need a government edict to force them to be charitable and to raise responsible, self-reliant children. Early Americans knew that morality, self-discipline, and accountability were the foundations for successful republican self-government and elected virtuous leaders like the Founders who would live up to their oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the rights enshrined therein.
Sadly the once common American values of independence, vigilance, thrift and virtue have been replaced by interdependence, apathy, fiscal irresponsibility and moral relativism. Instead of viewing the power of government soberly and cautiously Americans have come to embrace the alarming expansion of government. They expect government to keep them safe from all forms of "terror", to educate their children, to provide "welfare" services for the poor and disabled, and to tell them right from wrong all at the expense of the taxpayer. It's only a matter of time before the government starts telling us the exact amount of toilet paper we can use to wipe our backsides! It hasn't mattered one iota whether it was the "conservative" Republicans or the "liberal" Democrats in the majority on Capitol Hill or in control of the White House: with each new administration and congress the parasite that is government has only grown more bloated while the life blood of freedom flowing through the Constitution and Bill of Rights is further drained.
It is out of a deep love for our Founding principles and an equally deep worry of their eradication that I have launched this website and my blog, also named "A Young Man Speaks". It is my goal and mission to educate and inform as many people as possible about the values that drove our fight for independence and guided us as we became the world's greatest beacon of freedom. While I write from a conservative Christian viewpoint, I warmly welcome both believers and non believers who are eager to hear and share the message of liberty. In fact I have often found that it is nonbelievers who have a much greater appreciation for and knowledge of the principles of freedom and self-government than many professing Christians. Just as I fight to maintain my right to worship God, I fight just as hard for the right of those who don't believe in God. To paraphrase Voltaire I may disagree with what you believe but I will defend to the death your right to believe it. I would even prefer an atheist president, senator or congressman who upholds his/her oath to defend the Constitution over a Christian who would expand government at the price of our individual liberty!
Again I welcome ALL freedom lovers to the site. Together, let's get out the message of limited government, individual liberty, responsibility and morality that our Founders sacrificed their wealth, status, families, and lives to attain for themselves and us their posterity.
Yours in freedom,
Conor Mac
© 2011 Conor MacCormack All Rights Reserved
"A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities. About to enter, fellow-citizens, on the exercise of duties which comprehend everything dear and valuable to you, it is proper you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our Government... Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." Thomas Jefferson, from his First Inaugural Address, March 4th 1801.
"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 of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a 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." Declaration of Independence
There was once a time in our nation's history when the above words from our Founding Fathers, who pledged their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" so that their posterity could reap the fruits of liberty, meant something to the average American. These words stood as a testament to the trials and tribulations that mankind would endure to secure their divine and natural rights to live a peaceable life free from all forms of tyranny, to be able to fully enjoy the end products of their toil and labor, and to worship (or not worship) the Almighty according to the dictates of their conscience. Americans knew that government existed solely for the protection of those rights. Government was not to be a surrogate mother or father to the people. It was not meant to feed and clothe the homeless, educate the nation's youth, or enforce morality.
In the early republic most citizens were familiar with the concept that "a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have". They did not want or desire government "assistance" or "welfare": with faith, sacrifice and hard work they were able to provide for themselves as well as their neighbors in need out of the kindness of their hearts. They did not need a government edict to force them to be charitable and to raise responsible, self-reliant children. Early Americans knew that morality, self-discipline, and accountability were the foundations for successful republican self-government and elected virtuous leaders like the Founders who would live up to their oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the rights enshrined therein.
Sadly the once common American values of independence, vigilance, thrift and virtue have been replaced by interdependence, apathy, fiscal irresponsibility and moral relativism. Instead of viewing the power of government soberly and cautiously Americans have come to embrace the alarming expansion of government. They expect government to keep them safe from all forms of "terror", to educate their children, to provide "welfare" services for the poor and disabled, and to tell them right from wrong all at the expense of the taxpayer. It's only a matter of time before the government starts telling us the exact amount of toilet paper we can use to wipe our backsides! It hasn't mattered one iota whether it was the "conservative" Republicans or the "liberal" Democrats in the majority on Capitol Hill or in control of the White House: with each new administration and congress the parasite that is government has only grown more bloated while the life blood of freedom flowing through the Constitution and Bill of Rights is further drained.
It is out of a deep love for our Founding principles and an equally deep worry of their eradication that I have launched this website and my blog, also named "A Young Man Speaks". It is my goal and mission to educate and inform as many people as possible about the values that drove our fight for independence and guided us as we became the world's greatest beacon of freedom. While I write from a conservative Christian viewpoint, I warmly welcome both believers and non believers who are eager to hear and share the message of liberty. In fact I have often found that it is nonbelievers who have a much greater appreciation for and knowledge of the principles of freedom and self-government than many professing Christians. Just as I fight to maintain my right to worship God, I fight just as hard for the right of those who don't believe in God. To paraphrase Voltaire I may disagree with what you believe but I will defend to the death your right to believe it. I would even prefer an atheist president, senator or congressman who upholds his/her oath to defend the Constitution over a Christian who would expand government at the price of our individual liberty!
Again I welcome ALL freedom lovers to the site. Together, let's get out the message of limited government, individual liberty, responsibility and morality that our Founders sacrificed their wealth, status, families, and lives to attain for themselves and us their posterity.
Yours in freedom,
Conor Mac
© 2011 Conor MacCormack All Rights Reserved
