Bacon's Novum Organum

A few quotes:

Those who have taken upon them to lay down the law of nature as a thing already searched out and understood, whether they have spoken in simple assurance or professional affectation, have therein done philosophy and the sciences great injury. For as they have been successful in inducing belief, so they have been effective in quenching and stopping inquiry; and have done more harm by spoiling and putting an end to other men's efforts than good by their own. --Never quench inquiry.  Innovation is necessary to the survival of our society.  Look at what happened in Atlas Shrugged when everyone became mediocre.

But this remedy comes too late to do any good, when the mind is already, through the daily intercourse and conversation of life, occupied with unsound doctrines and beset on all sides by vain imaginations. And therefore that art of logic, coming (as I said) too late to the rescue, and no way able to set matters right again, has had the effect of fixing errors rather than disclosing truth. There remains but one course for the recovery of a sound and healthy condition — namely, that the entire work of the understanding be commenced afresh, and the mind itself be from the very outset not left to take its own course, but guided at every step; and the business be done as if by machinery.  --Our past experiences sometimes cement in our minds false beliefs.  We need to come at a topic with an open mind, willing to believe that our own ideas may be inaccurate. 

Thoughts on Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand

Let's begin with the positives, shall we? 

I think Ayn Rand got some things right in her book, Atlas Shrugged.  In terms of the economy, the best way to "stimulate" it is to get out of the way.  We need minimal laws and complete trust in the free market system.  The economy will regulate itself if left alone so that innovators and thinkers are free to create. 

She also did a great job of depicting human nature, it's tendency to be lazy and feed off of another's success or ideas.  Men do often want to reap the benefits of another man's work, even if it hurts said man.  We can see this very plainly in the current state of affairs of our country.  President Obama was largely re-elected because he promised hand-outs.  Why should we assume we are any different than hundreds of other civilizations that have existed throughout history?  We are as Rome during the "bread and circuses" period.

That said, there is very little else I agree with.  Ayn Rand was clearly an atheist.  She did not believe that we are held accountable to anyone other than ourselves.  It bothers me that in the entire book none of the heros/heroines have children.  Though there is one paragraph given to a mother raising two children, the remainder of the book is void of them.  If she really believes that her "Objectivism" works for all in the world she should have spent more time showing how this applies to the 50% of Americans that have children.

It also bothers me that the heroine, Miss Dagny Taggert, sleeps with whomever she is impressed with.  Having lived in a world where most are mediocre, she does not encounter many men that do impress her, but once she does it becomes ok for to sleep with him whether he is married or not.  Ayn Rand actually makes it sound like Dagny is justified for doing so.  Again, Ayn does not feel we as humans are accountable to anyone.  Being faithful to a spouse or obeying such commandments as, "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery," don't apply.  A person must only do what leads to their own happiness.

If people began to follow Ms. Ayn Rand's philosophy we would soon have a world where...well, look around.  Many people ARE following exactly this idea of objectivism and families are disintegrating all around us because of it.  With the destruction of the family we are seeing the end of a moral society.  Children suffer from a lack of parental support/supervision. Selfishness abounds and people can't trust each other or rely on anyone.

Though she paints it in a good light, not being held accountable to anyone--having a world void of duty and honor-- only leads to destruction in my opinion.  As ancient Rome fell when they followed the idea of Objectivism, so to shall we if we do not alter our course and become a little more human, compassionate, and bound down by duty.

Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens

History continues to go through a cycle.  Every 100 years (give or take 20) our society tends to make it through four different "seasons".
Season 1:  The Founding
Season 2:  The Awakening
Season 3:  The Unraveling
Season 4:  The Crisis
(For more information on this subject read The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe.  They researched over 3,000 years of history and found this cycle to be consistent)

Guess where we are?!  That's right.  Smack dab in the middle of Crisis.  It began with 9/11 and continues with the current decline in our economy,  We are facing some tough times ahead.  Duh!  Right?  We've all figured that out by now (I think).  But, have you figured out how to survive in our current season of Crisis?  Or how we can make the upcoming season of Founding a successful one?  If your answer is no (and even if your answer is yes)  you need to read this book.  Especially if you are a teenager or the parent of one.

Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens outlines what our youth need to do to prepare for and survive through the Crisis and Founding seasons of our country.  And the advice is great for adults as well who are NOT narrow-minded and set in their ways.  Having lived in a time of Awakening and Unraveling most adults have the wrong philosophy for how to survive in current times.  This book can help you break down your paradigms and actually help you and your teen thrive in these difficult seasons.

Get it here

Pushing to the Front

This book, by far, is the one that has impacted me the most.  Though Marden's writing is choppy to me at times and, therefore, hard to follow it contains so many nuggets of wisdom that I would recommend this book to every adult.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities.  Seize common occasions and make them great."  These words were speaking directly to me.  I am very good at waiting for the extraordinary opportunities.  For example, having fun.  I wait for vacation to really play with and enjoy my children; a girls-weekend out to relax and let my hair down; the ability to afford college to get my education, when the truth is I can seize common occasions and make them great.  I can put down the dish rag and seize a few minutes to really play with my children.  I can spend 5 minutes laughing with a friend on the phone or create a spontaneous "play date."  I can read a book today, right now, and learn instead of waiting, waiting, waiting. 

(chapter 3)"Many a father's son," says Thurlow Weed, " has found the best opportunities for mental improvement in his intervals of leisure while tending 'sap bush'."  Who am I to complain of not having any time to study?  These "farmer's boys" kept a book in their back pocket and read any chance they got.  I can do the same.  I can listen to audio books while I'm doing my mundane chores like folding laundry or driving to the store.  I can keep a book in my purse always so that I can seize an opportunity to read while waiting in line or waiting for Karate to get over, or whenever I am just waiting, waiting, waiting. 

(chapter 3) I love the story of William Lloyd Garrison.  "In the first issue of his paper, Garrison urged an immediate emancipation, and called down upon his head the wrath of the entire community.  He was arrested and sent to jail."  After spending 49 days there did he relinquish his plan of securing freedom for slaves? No! "In Boston, with no money, friends, or influence, in a little upstairs room, Garrison started the 'liberator' "  And he included this declaration in the very first issue:
                         
                     "I will be as harsh as truth, as uncompromising as justice.  I am in earnest.  I
                     will not equivocate.  I will not excuse;  I will not retreat a single inch, and I will
                     be heard." 

(chapter 8) "Great advantages bring great responsibilities.  You cannot divorce them."  It seems today that our society tries to avoid responsibilities or at least does not take them very seriously.  Children are neglected.  Civic duty isn't even thought about.  Paying one's debts is no longer a matter of honor - "we'll just file bankruptcy."  Am I to behave in a similar manner?  I have been blessed with so many great advantages: the gospel, good parents, a wonderful husband, healthy children, food, knowledge, etc."  I have a responsibility to take care of my blessings and to pass on what I can to others.  I can choose to do nothing, but I still cannot divorce my responsibilities.  I will be held accountable for them one day.

What I learned from Clouds

 Clouds was a play written by Aristophanes (about 445 BC -380 BC).  It is important to note that play-writes at this time wove into their plays current issues and personalities that citizens were dealing with.  For example, Aristophanes wrote about Cleon, Socrates, and the contrast between old and new systems of education because those were things of import at the time.

What I gleaned from "Clouds"

1. The main character, Strepsiades wants his son to get an "education" so that he can use persuasive logic to keep from having to pay his debts.  How common is that in our day?  People everywhere are not concerned if something is right they are only concerned with "Is it legal," or "can I get away with it?" People hire lawyers to get them out of "paying their debts" whether to society, or to the one they have harmed.  Dishonesty is rampant in our world.
2. Strepsiades so easily sets aside his belief in God.  His teacher merely tells him that there is no God and he accepts it as true without question. This is common in our places of higher-learning.  Young minds enter the university as sponges and quickly seem to absorb any idea that their professors rain on them.  Why wouldn't they?  They have been taught for most of their public school education that the teacher is the authority.  "Don't question the teacher!"  Or, "But he is the professional - he should know." We need to be careful who we listen to and who we believe.  We need to teach our young people how to think for themselves.  Most importantly we need to give them a measuring stick that they can measure all new information against.  Some absolute truth that they can go to with this new bit of information and evaluate, "Does this fit?  Is this truth?"  For me that is the scriptures and modern day prophets.  For others, it may be something else - but can only be useful as a measuring stick if it is absolute truth.
3. Logic does not necessarily mean truth.  "Wrong logic," or twisting things to make them work in your favor, only leads do the eventual erosion of your soul, your family, and/or your country.
4. Greece and Rome fell because they became an immoral people.  They became immoral because their Gods, or the people they looked to as examples, were immoral.  Our country is following a similar pattern.  We must become people of integrity and that would be best done by turning our gaze from todays "heroes" in sports or Hollywood and fixing it upon the perfect example - Jesus Christ.

Started school at Monticello College

On April 10, 2014 I started attending Monticello College online. I am learning a lot about freedom and the great people of history.  This blog is now going to become the place where I record the things I am learning from my readings as well as my classes. My hope is that my education will benefit more than just myself.

Healing this nation

It is so tempting to quit this sick country and form a new, yet if we would but follow the constitution and its original intent our country would be miraculously healed.

The Dangers of Complacency

Watch  this  video and then read the paragraph below:

Who runs the United States of America?  The citizens do, or at least they should.  Instead of sitting by and watching the downfall of our economy get up and DO something.  Turn off the TV, read the 5,000 Year Leap, read up on what your congressman is voting on in Washington as well as in your state, go to your city counsel meetings.  BE AWARE of what is going on around you and stand up for freedom.  If we spend all of our time on entertainment we have no right to complain about what is happening in our country.  Instead we may proudly boast to our grandchildren (when they ask us why we let our freedoms be taken from us), "I knew it was happening, but I didn't know what to do about it so I watched my favorite TV show every night or read my favorite novel to get my mind off of it."
STOP THINKING "SOMEONE ELSE" WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.  You have a responsibility to your children, grandchildren, and country. 

Who will save the Constitution...according to Pres. Benson

A great video on what a prophet of God has to say about the Constitution and who will save it.
You can find it here

Why it is imperative that more Americans become entrepreneurs

The following link is a GREAT video on the importance of entrepreneurs.  Granted this was given to a room of people involved in the MLM, Strongbrook, but it is applicable to ALL Americans. Everyone needs to hear this.  Just ignore any reference made to Strongbrook (they are minimal).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKdVN9Mw6LI&feature=youtu.be

After watching it ask yourself, "What is my passion" and "How can I use my passion to bless the lives of others."  Then, think about how you can turn this into a business. 

I also highly recommended that you read the book "Conscious Creator" by Kris Krohn.

We can change America one entrepreneur at a time!

How to reform government

"If we would have the government reformed, we must reform ourselves. The more virtue there is among private persons, the more there will be among rulers, and the more easy it will be for government to carry into execution laws for the suppression of vice and the encouragement of virtue." - Joseph Lathrop, 1786 (As found in American Political Writing during the Founding Era, Vol I. pg 672)

Are YOU truly free?

"[T]oday here in the United States of America, and in all industrialized countries...there is a class of men and women, perhaps the majority, that...is unfree.

"I mean, all those who subsist on a wage, the price paid for the commodity they have and who have no other means of maintenance for themselves and their families.

"I mean...all those who subsist on a wage that is paid to them by those who are, in actuality, their masters; a wage that may be withdrawn at any time and for any reason, leaving them on the dole, or to starve, if they can find no new job...

"These are not free men in any rational and exact sense of the word."

-Ralph Adams Cram, written in 1937

What "we the people" can do to change America

"...let every man, in his private capacity, maintain sobriety, purity, temperance, industry and self-government, and attend more to the culture of his mind, the improvement of his virtue, and the regulation of the manners of his domestics, than to the indulgence of pleasure or the accumulation of wealth; let this be the general spirit and conduct of mankind, and what will be wanting to make them as happy as the condition of mortals will permit, or as beings in a state of probation can reasonably desire?" - Joseph Lathrop (found in American Political Writing during the Founding Era, Vol I, pg. 665)

If the majority of Americans would focus on improving themselves rather than their income we would be a different country.

Prophesies about the Constitution

Brigham Young, 2nd President of the Church of Jesus Christ said:

"Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, 'The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.' It will be so." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p.15)

Ezra Taft Benson, 13th President of the Church of Jesus Christ said:

"Unfortunately, we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: 'Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.'" (Ensign, November 1987,p.4)

This poses a question: When this nation is on "the very verge of crumbing to pieces" and "the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin," will we know the Constitution well enough and the principles of freedom that were used to create it well enough that we will be able to "bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction" ?

You may think to yourself, "But this probably won't even happen in my lifetime! So why worry about it?" Let's say that the Constitution isn't on the brink of destruction for another 50 - 100 years. Who will save it then? Will it be your grandchildren? Great-grandchildren? Only if you have taught your children about the Constitution, so that they can teach their children, and their children's children etc. They will not learn about it at school. These things are not taught any more. You must teach them to your children and you can only do that well if you know the principles of freedom and the Constitution yourself. Educate yourself! It is vital to the preservation of the Constitution and freedom.

Ideal Government

"One is apt to think of moral failure as due to weakness of character: more often it is due to an inadequate ideal." -Richard Livingstone

What is our ideal government? We can only effectively answer this if we can envision our ideal society, and we can only envision our ideal society if we have a sense of our ideal family. In fact, we can only really picture and work toward our ideal family if we have a clear picture of our ideal self.What is your ideal self? Really?When a person genuinely answers this question, he or she will have so much work to do that he will worry less about the flaws or mistakes of others and put more effort and time into improving himself. As this occurs, he will become a better father, brother, son, friend, leader and citizen. The result: he will simultaneously, often without realizing it, gain a clear picture of ideal government and start exerting his influence to create it. Those who focus on changing others usually reduce freedom. Those who genuinely improve themselves increase freedom.Once again: What is the ideal you?

-From The Social Leader Daily by Oliver Demille (10/26/11)

No more mediocrity!

One of my favorite quotes is from Sister Julie B. Beck, General RS President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

"I want you to know that I believe with all my heart that our pioneer grandmothers did not make the sacrifices they made and come across the plains for us to have better shopping malls, for us to have nicer pedicures, for us to have bigger wardrobes. My grandma Elizabeth Walmsley did not bury the children she buried along the way, and those husbands, and make that effort to get to the temple so that I could just be comfortable. Some day I will meet her and she will say, "What did you do with the opportunities I created for you? I laid the foundation." All of us build on the shoulders of someone, some giant who helped us."

What does this have to do with freedom? EVERYTHING! The pioneers made great sacrifices to colonize the west, but LONG before they entered the seen our Founding Fathers laid the foundation for freedom in our country. They sacrificed so much and we are reaping the benefits of their labors. But they didn't do that just so we could be comfortable and sit around and watch American Idol! We are not doing great things with the opportunities they created for us. We are letting them down. If we don't speak up in defense of our freedoms then we, in essence, are telling them that we don't care about the sacrifices they made.

Why I started this blog

I took a class on the constitution last year and was appauled at how far we've gotten from the original founding principles. I am even more disturbed by how few Americans are even aware of the current crisis they are in. We are losing our freedoms. It is my desire to make every American aware of this fact, so they can do something about it.

I am, of course, not talking about a bloody or violent revolution. The battle we will fight for freedom will be peacefully within our own communities, within the walls of our own homes, and indeed within our own souls. We the people must first change ourselves before we can see clearly how to heal America and win back our freedoms. As we educate ourselves and not only come to know the Founding Fathers, but to know what they knew we will be prepared to defend freedom as they did. And it won't be by changing Washington. It will begin as we strengthen our familes and thus our neighborhoods and our communities. We CAN change America one family at a time.

Sound to good to be true? Try it! Start educating yourself NOW. Begin by reading The Five Thousand Year Leap by Cleon Skousen. Your library probably has several copies. Even better - get your own copy and write your thoughts and feelings in the margins as you read it. (And no! I don't make any money by suggesting this to you! I'm just a concerned citizen!) Then, teach others about what you've learned (especially those in your own family and neighborhood).
This one simple thing can make a huge differnce because it will educate you. After reading this book when you hear things that are going on in the government you will be able to ask yourself, "Does this go with or against the Founding Principles?" Just by knowing the answer to this question you will know when to contact your local representatives and make your voice heard. You will be able to tell them that you don't agree with something because it goes against the principles of freedom. Or you'll be able to give them your full support because it defends the principles of freedom. So, go get this book and get started on gaining back our freedoms (liberating the captives) TODAY!