As we advance in the 21st century, America has slipped into a spiritual void.  I was watching a film tonight of how things were in the first half of the 20th century. It showed, among other things, churches full of worshipers. I look around our city today, and I see church buildings with empty pews. One or two are still well attended, but as a whole, the various congregations are slowly dying. I see fewer and fewer young people, and the congregations are aging. 
The saloons are no more full or empty than they always have been, so that is not the problem.

I, as a pastor am seeing fewer people attending my services. I minister in nursing homes, and I don’t see the passion for seeking The Lord. One of the places that I teach, is a Catholic hospital. Very few attend Mass any more.  

If you want to know the truth, I really don’t know what the problem is.  Can it be that the schools have turned away from any spiritual acceptance? Is it the news media, radio, TV, Newspapers, and the internet downplaying, and even disdaining religion? Is it that as many believe, Satan is gaining more and more control? Is it a combination of all the above?  I don’t know.

What I do know, is that as a nation we are falling into a spiritual darkness that is hard to understand.

What I do know, is that I personally am still walking with The Lord.  I am maintaining my faith, and doing all that I as, a human, can do to walk in holiness and purity.  Sometimes I fail.  That’s a pretty tough admission for a preacher to make. But it is true.  It is true for all of us.                                     
The answer to many of our problems is to instill Godly principles in our children, and express it in our daily lives. We can return to the practice of loving one another, to live by and teach our children the golden rule - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Start going back to church and take your children.

Although I am a devout Christian, I urge you to follow the faith of your fathers. We can come together. We can stop killing each other in the name of our gods.

We can turn this world around. It won’t take very long either.  In the 1960s and ‘70s many of us set out to change the world. Unfortunately, we did. That change came in a very few years Now it is time to change it back. We can. You can. Make that decision today, to change the world

As we advance in the 21st century, America has slipped into a spiritual void.  I was watching a film tonight of how things were in the first half of the 20th century. It showed, among other things, churches full of worshipers. I look around our city today, and I see church buildings with empty pews. One or two are still well attended, but as a whole, the various congregations are slowly dying. I see fewer and fewer young people, and the congregations are aging. 
The saloons are no more full or empty than they always have been, so that is not the problem.

I, as a pastor am seeing fewer people attending my services. I minister in nursing homes, and I don’t see the passion for seeking The Lord. One of the places that I teach, is a Catholic hospital. Very few attend Mass any more.  

If you want to know the truth, I really don’t know what the problem is.  Can it be that the schools have turned away from any spiritual acceptance? Is it the news media, radio, TV, Newspapers, and the internet downplaying, and even disdaining religion? Is it that as many believe, Satan is gaining more and more control? Is it a combination of all the above?  I don’t know.

What I do know, is that as a nation we are falling into a spiritual darkness that is hard to understand.

What I do know, is that I personally am still walking with The Lord.  I am maintaining my faith, and doing all that I as, a human, can do to walk in holiness and purity.  Sometimes I fail.  That’s a pretty tough admission for a preacher to make. But it is true.  It is true for all of us.                                     
The answer to many of our problems is to instill Godly principles in our children, and express it in our daily lives. We can return to the practice of loving one another, to live by and teach our children the golden rule - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Start going back to church and take your children.

Although I am a devout Christian, I urge you to follow the faith of your fathers. We can come together. We can stop killing each other in the name of our gods.

We can turn this world around. It won’t take very long either.  In the 1960s and ‘70s many of us set out to change the world. Unfortunately, we did. That change came in a very few years Now it is time to change it back. We can. You can. Make that decision today, to change the world
 

 

 I posted this in a previous blog, but the edits did not appear, which changed the whole tone of the message. Hence, I repost it with the required edits.

 

Certain laws enacted by the government of The United States of America have invalidated the Constitution of The United States.  I propose that we return to the Articles of Confederation. 

 

A state by definition is  "a nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government."








Articles of Confederation of the various states to repeal and replace the current Constitution of The United States.  
 

Those portions struck through shall not be included in the document  Those words written in Italics are to be inserted into the document



Article I.  The Stile of this confederacy shall be, “The United States of America.”

Article II.  Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.

Article III.  The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.

Article IV.  The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different states in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from Justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunites of free citizens in the several states; and the people of each state shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other state, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any state, to any other State of which the Owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any state, on the property of the united states, or either of them.

                       If any Person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any state, shall flee from Justice, and be found in any of the united states, he shall upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, and removed to the state having jurisdiction of his offense.

                       Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these states to the records, acts and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other state.

Article V.  For the more convenient management of the general interests of the united states, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of each state shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each state to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead, for the remainder of the Year.

                 No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor by more than seven Members; and no person shall be capable of being delegate for more than three years, in any term two terms  of six two years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united states, for which he, or another for his benefit receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.

                 Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the states, and while they act as members of the committee of the states.

                 In determining questions in the united states, in Congress assembled, each state shall have one vote.

                 Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any Court, or place out of Congress, and the members of congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.

Article VI. No State, without the Consent of the united States, in congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance, or treaty, with any King prince or state; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the united states, or any of them, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state; nor shall the united states, in congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
No two or more states shall enter into any treaty, confederation, or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the united states, in congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.

No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the united States in congress assembled, with any king, prince, or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress, to the courts of France and Spain.
No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace, by any state, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the united states, in congress assembled, for the defence of such state, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up, by any state, in time of peace, except such number only as, in the judgment of the united states, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such state; but every state shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accounted, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition, and camp equipage.

No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the united states in congress assembled, can be consulted: nor shall any state grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the united states in congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or State, and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the united states in congress assembled, unless such state be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue.

Article VII. When land forces are raised by any state, for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each state respectively by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such state shall direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the state which first made appointment.

Article VIII. All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the united states in congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the value of all land within each state, granted to or surveyed for any Person, as such land and the buildings  and improvements thereon shall be estimated, according to such mode as the united states, in congress assembled, shall, from time to time, direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several states within the time agreed upon by the united states in congress assembled. And immediately be rescinded upon payment of the above debts.
Article IX. The united states, in congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the sixth article - of sending and receiving ambassadors - entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made, whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever -  of establishing rules for deciding, in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the united Sates, shall be divided or appropriated - of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace  -  appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas; and establishing courts; for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures; provided that no member of congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.

The united states, in congress assembled, shall also be the last resort on appeal, in all disputes and differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more states concerning boundary, jurisdiction, or any other cause whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following. Whenever the legislative or executive authority, or lawful agent of any state in controversy with another, shall present a petition to congress, stating the matter in question, and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given, by order of congress, to the legislative or executive authority of the other state in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question: but if they cannot agree, congress each state shall name three persons out of each of the united states, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen the number of states; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names, as congress shall direct, shall, in the presence of congress, be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn, or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges, who shall hear the cause, shall agree in the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing reasons which congress shall judge sufficient, or being present, shall refuse to strike, the congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court, to be appointed in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence, or judgment, which shall in like manner be final and decisive; the judgment or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to congress, and lodged among the acts of congress, for the security of the parties concerned: provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State where the cause shall be tried, “well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgment, without favor, affection, or hope of reward: “provided, also, that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the united states.

All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more states, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the states which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or either of them being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition of either party to the congress of the united states, be finally determined, as near as may be, in the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different states.

The united states, in congress assembled, shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective states - fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the united states - regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, those not members of any of the states; provided that the legislative right of any state, within its own limits, be not infringed or violated - establishing and regulating post-offices from one state to another, throughout all the united states, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same, as may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office - appointing all officers of the land forces in the service of the united States, excepting regimental officers - appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the united states; making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.

The united States, in congress assembled, shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of congress, to be denominated, “A Committee of the States,” and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the united states under their direction - to appoint one of their number to preside; provided that  No person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the united states, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses; to borrow money or emit bills on the credit of the united states, transmitting every half year to the respective states an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted, -  to build and equip a navy - to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each state for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such state, which requisition shall be binding; and thereupon the legislature of each state shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men, and clothe, arm, and equip them, in a soldier-like manner, at the expense of the united states; and the officers and men so clothed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the united states, in congress assembled; but if the united states, in congress assembled, shall, on consideration of circumstances, judge proper that any state should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than its quota, and that any other state should raise a greater number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, clothed, armed, and equipped in the same manner as the quota of such state, unless the legislature of such state shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, clothe, arm, and equip, as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so clothed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the united states in congress assembled.

The united states, in congress assembled, shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof nor ascertain the sums and expenses necessary for the defence and welfare of the united states, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united states, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine states assent to the same, nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day, be determined, unless by the votes of a majority of the united states in congress assembled.

The congress of the united states shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the united states, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six Months, and shall publish the Journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances, or military operations, as in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State, on any question, shall be entered on the Journal, when it is desired by any delegate; and the delegates of a State, or any of them, at his or their request, shall be furnished with a transcript of the said Journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several states.

Article X. The committee of the states, or any nine two thirds majority of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of congress, such of the powers of congress as the united states, in congress assembled, by the consent of nine two thirds majority of the states, shall, from time to time, think expedient to vest them with; provided that no power be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation, the voice of nine two thirds majority of the states, in the congress of the united states assembled, is requisite.

Article XI. Canada acceding to this confederation, and joining in the measures of the united states, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this union: but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine two thirds majority of the  states. two thirds majority of the resident inhabitants of that state, with no members of any military or civilian authority or any person placed in that territory to affect that election in any way.

Article XII. All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed, and debts contracted by or under the authority of congress, before the assembling of the united states, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the united States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said united states and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.

Article XIII. Every State shall abide by the determinations of the united states, in congress assembled, on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them. And the Articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every state, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them, unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the united states, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every state.

 

 

 I also propose that the following amendments to the current Constitution be included in the proposed Articles of Confederation, to insure the rights of the people of the various states.

These additions chosen, and edited my this writer, based upon the current constitution of The United States unless they are covered in any other article in the Articles of Confederation shall be included in such document



1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.



2. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.


3. No Soldier shall, in time of peace or war, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner.



4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures at any time or place, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken.

6. In all criminal prosecutions, in any state, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed,  and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

7. In Suits at common law, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States.

8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.


9. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

11. The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
 

11. Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President,  they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice- President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, and The person having the greatest Number of votes for Sice President shall be the Vice President. if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers on the list of those voted for as President, the people of each state  shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President, before the fourth day of March next following But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. 

 

12. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.



13.  All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.


14.  The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, including imprisonment, if that sentence has been completed


15. The Congress shall never have any power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, or property, or allow the ownership by the United States any property other than the buildings used and the immediate property surrounding surrounding such building, not to exceed one acre in total size .



16.  The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

 

17.  The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January. No session of congress shall last more than nine months, at which time it will be dissolved, unless there is an attack on the territory on any of the various states by a foreign power. 
 

17.  If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President

18. No person shall be elected to the office of the President, or serve as a member of congress for more than one term.


19. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, to be electors appointed by a State; 

20. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State.
 

21. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

22. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the members of congress, by vote shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. That vote shall be confirmed by a vote of two thirds majority of all the people in all the states

23. Whenever the President transmits to congress his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. Thereafter, when the President transmits to the congress written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon the Vice President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

24. No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect without the approval by vote of two thirds of the people of the people in all of the various states.

25. No organizations or political parties shall have any say in the operation of governing of within of the various states, or in the united states as a whole
And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, Know Ye, that we, the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do, by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained. And we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations of the united states in congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said confederation are submitted to them. And that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the states we respectively represent, and that the union shall be perpetual. In Witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, in Congress.

A Soulution To CARB Problems

Feb. 28 2019

I have been reading about the uproar over the ill advised and draconian rules the California Air Resource Board has placed on diesel powered trucks. It is costing California businesses, and interstate truckers and businesses billions of dollars. I know of several trucking companies which no longer go to the golden state because of those rules.

Now, California is California, and has the constitutional right to make whatever rules they deem necessary to ensure the health and safety of their residents. I do not have to agree nor disagree with them, as I no longer live there.

So here is my solution to the problem for interstate truckers.

At the US- Mexico border, there are transfer stations where Mexican trucks unload their cargo, and American trucks pick it up and carry it to their various destinations.

What if some enterprising people were to put up similar stations just outside the California border. The interstate and California trucks could come there, discharge their loads, and pick up from the other. If the transfer stations were just barely inside the borders of the adjoining state, and with perhaps a modest fee, the CARB problem could be overcome, and everyone could go away happy.

Utopian? Perhaps, but it is a workable solution to a very vexing problem.