The Hunger Games

"Have you seen it?" "Have you read the book?" "Did you like the shaky camera?"

"Yeah, twice." "Yeah, I finished it in 2 days!" "No, it was too distracting."

The Hunger Games movie, based on the book by Suzanne Collins, was big this summer. I read this book about 2 years ago. While it is YA fic that has its share of teen romance, I found the book series intriguing with the portrayal of a government in a post-apocalyptic America.

Moving past the "it was good" and "it stuck close to the book" analysis of the movie, here's a list of similarities between the situation in our nation now and the situation of the nation in the book.

1. Strong central government.
2. Manipulation through media.
3. Watching and glorification of violence.
4. Seemingly all-powerful president.
5. Pop culture as a distraction from real issues. 


What similarities did you notice?
-M.

Is consent the same as agreement?

As I drove to work this morning, I was pondering a previous post by Salt Prime regarding consent of the governed. I pondered a series of questions which I post below hoping to generate discussion over them, as I do not have clear answers.

Is consenting to a form of government also consenting to the laws generated by the government in so far as they are constitutional?

Is not consenting the same as not agreeing? For example, while you may not agree with a decision to declare war, if the decision is made through constitutional means, are you consenting because you consented to the constitutional provisions for how war would be declared even though you disagree with the decision?

What are your options if you disagree with a government action taken through constitutional means?

What are your options to actualize your dissent to unconstitutional law?

When should we comply with laws to which we dissent and when should we actively rebel? Is it worth feeling right and morally justified while languishing in prison?

Is choosing to comply with laws to which you do not consent the very definition of slavery?

As it is unlikely man will ever create and abide by a perfect government to which all consent 100%, is slavery simply a matter of degree?

Does creation of government neccessitate giving up a certain level of individual freedom to a collective body?

In the Church we sustain authorities and the decisions of authorities even though we do not always agree. Should we treat government authorities the same way in so far as they do not usurp their constitutional powers?

While I don't have clear answers to these questions, the following principles seem clearly designed to help preserve freedom amongst differing opinions about government.
1. Written constitutions limiting government powers
2. Power as close to the governed as possible
3. Elected officials
4. Power of impeachment
5. Right of secession

-T.

Conversion

[In reflecting on some recent family experiences, here are some perspectives and insights.]

First of all Al Qaeda and Muslims are not the same thing. Members of Al Qaeda claim to be Muslims but not all and actually not many Muslims are members of Al Qaeda. Those who truly follow the Muslim religion are some of the best people around. They live a very caring and dedicated life. They are truly good people and can make wonderful neighbors and friends. 

Second, from the book of Romans, being a Jew and being circumcised does not make you a better than anyone else. If you don't live the law you proclaim to follow you truly aren't worthy of the “blessings” that go with the title. Romans 2 states you will be judged by the law you live not the law you proclaim to belong to. 

Last, from the time of Alma until the time of the coming of Christ to the Americas the Prophets went about teaching and reclaiming the members of their church to Christianity. They did this over and over again. The people would humble themselves for a time then would fall back into pride and contentious activities. Many of the people of the church at that time would begin to persecute those who did not belong to the church or those who had less possessions than they did. Only a few remained faithful in their beliefs and actions. 

Today we find much the same in behaviors. Many people claiming a belief, yet not willing to live accordingly. Outwardly they want others to see them as a devout follower of something good, they don't want to put effort in following what they profess. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't make you a Christian nor does it make you a saint. Only living the principles that are taught therein will make you either a Christian or a saint. Being a Jew doesn't make you one of the chosen people. Only living the righteous principles can make you part of the chosen group. Being a member of any Christian church does not make you a Christian. Only walking in the way of Christ truly makes you a Christian. You may lay a claim to the title, but to actually be one you must follow the principles that the organization stands on and for. This also comes to being an American. You may be a citizen of the Untied States which then you can claim to be an American but unless you understand and live by the constitution following the laws that were set up therein are you really an American. 

It is something to think about. Where do you stand on any of these positions? Are you what you profess to be?

-V. Salt

Righteousness brings peace and security

Peace and security in the last days will be come about among a people who serve the Lord. 3 Nephi 21 is the Savior quoting Isaiah (one of two parts of Isaiah quoted by the Savior recorded in 3 Ne; the other is in 3 Ne 16:18-20). This chapter is a description of the "heritage of the servants of the Lord” (v.17), including the following blessings:

• "My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed"
• "Great shall be the peace of thy children"
• "Thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near thee"
• "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper"
• "Every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn"

These blessings will be received by the "servants of the Lord", of whom the Lord states, "their righteousness is of me" (v.17). These blessings are not exclusive to any particular group or people but are open to any who will serve the Lord. The previous chapter mentions four groups from among whom will be servants of the Lord. First, the Gentiles that repent and hearken to His words (v.22). Next, the Remnant of Jacob that will live among the Gentiles (Nephites and Lamanite decendents or others?) (v.22). Third, the decendents of the Nephites and Lamanites (v.26). Finally, the lost tribes of Israel (v.26). Those four groups effectively cover everyone on the earth. This says to me that the Lord is no respecter of persons and His blessings including eventual peace and security are reserved for anyone who will be His servant, any who will accept Him as their leader and sovereign. 

-T. 

Law is force

When I started learning more about politics, I read "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat. That book is easy to read and understand. It helped me to understand that

Law is force.

This principle alone is important to understand. Why? Because it explains why law should not compel (or force) people to contribute to any number of social causes and issues. The law should only force the ability for everyone to enjoy life, liberty, and property. 

Currently, the law compels us to participate in a myriad of unconstitutional programs that manipulate the free market, demotivate people to work hard, and tax us to do such.

What does the law force you to do?
-M.

A different justice for terrorists

I saw an article today about a prisoner who had died recently in Guantanamo prison, name undisclosed. It caused me to pause and reflect on the abomination that is this prison. At this prison people are held without charge for indeterminate amounts of time and can face torture while they are there. By providing them a convenient label such as "enemy combatant" and using euphemisms such as "waterboarding" and "interrogating" while torturing them, an attempt is made to justify these actions. Trials, when they do occur, are allowed outside of the regular court system as a result of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This new justice system for so-called terrorists is not justice but rather an abomination. But one of the most revolting parts of it all is the attitude of "kill them all" and "let them rot" displayed by some of our citizenry toward terrorists (presumed terrorists, that is, because they have not even been charged with terrorism). Justice is getting thrown out with the bathwater.  -T.

How to get started in politics

I was recently asked how someone could get started in politics. The implication was that I am "experienced at it". The truth is that like anyone else my wife and I are feeling our way out in how to get involved. Hopefully we are doing some things right, but primarily we are just trying to do something for good government. I would say the best thing to do is to just do something. Write a letter to a congressman, support a candidate, read a book about economics, etc. Or even consider running for office! My commitment to being involved politically sometimes comes in spurts. I often say a good day is a day when I didn't read the news. Ignorance truly is bliss. Yet if I did not strive to do my duty, I think the words of Moroni would convict me. "Can you think to sit upon your thrones in thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? ....And now my beloved brethren--for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people..." (Alma 60:7,10)

The first thing to do in my mind is to study principles of good and righteous government so we can develop skills to discern truth and develop a foundation to frame our thoughts. Unfortunately debate on national issues often resides in the shallow soil of policies and procedures and rarely seems to get into the bedrock of questions regarding what principles should guide us. I have found the John Birch Society to be a good resource in studying principles of government. JBS.org has a lot of resources and there are probably some JBS chapters in Oklahoma City as well as all over the nation. I got my political start and love of libertarianism through connections to the JBS as a youth. On the level of studying and learning principles by which to guide our political actions, I firmly believe we need to liberate ourselves of the mental box created by major media. One of the most insidious impacts of major media in my mind is to create the box that constrains national dialogue. As the saying goes, we need to think outside of the box. The same goes for political parties, which tend to constrain debate to false options. We need to look beyond political parties for guidance and knowledge.

The second thing to do is to cry, because we have departed so far as a nation from the great gift of liberty God and our forebearers gave us. But when you're done crying, then all we can do is get to work and do the best you know how, and let God take care of the rest. Like President Monson says, "Do your duty, that is best, leave unto the Lord the rest".

We have found a lot of meaning in campaigning for Ron Paul, because we feel he truly stands for liberty and our Constitution. This year we have also spent a great deal of time campaigning for a local candidate for state representative, because he is an honest, upright, and God-fearing man. D&C 98:10 says, "Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil." We have recognized that by the time a general election is upon us, the choices of candidates are essentially already fixed. To have more influence, we have decided we have to get involved in the political process a long time before the ballot box. We have also joined the central committee for a political party in our county so we can try to have more influence on the political process in our area. While we do not like political parties and wish they did not exist, we have finally decided that the reality of the moment is that two political parties have a stranglehold on the political process in our nation, and if we are going to have much beyond superficial influence politically, we are going to to have to do so via a political party. We believe the two major political parties in this nation are highly corrupt on the national level and both are sending our nation careening into an abyss. We actually see little difference in the FRUITS of either political party on the national level in spite of the incessant rhetoric regarding differences in philosophies.

Ultimately we believe and know that God controls the destiny of nations. Ben Franklin said that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without God's notice, and surely an empire cannot rise without His aid. So, perhaps the best "political" tool we have is prayer. We can implore the Lord to raise up righteous men and women to govern us. And of course we can learn righteous principles so we can govern ourselves well, as Joseph Smith taught. The better men govern themselves, the less cry there is to have someone else govern them. Taking responsibilities for the natural consequences in our own lives is part of this, rather than trying to cast the burden on society, i.e. the government.

My  personal conviction is that the Lord will cause a separation among the people of this nation and of the world. An example (there are more) of a scripture prophesying of this event is 2 Nephi 30:10, which states, "For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire". I don't believe that this refers to a division along partisan lines or anything like that, but rather between those who have God as their king and those who don't. The Lord repeatedly told the Nephites and Lamanites that if they were righteous and had Christ for their King, they would prosper in the land, but if not, they would be destroyed. I personally believe our nation is ripening in iniquity and ripening for destruction for many reasons. However, I do not believe it will be a wholesale destruction but rather a division as prophesied in Nephi, because there are so many who serve and honor God. Among the people I associate with both in and out of the Church, I feel I have seen a growing dedication to God. At the same time wickedness casts a lowering shadow over the land, the brightness of truth and righteousness is also growing in intensity. However, these cannot long coexist, and in a coming day the darkness will be eradicated. I say all of this in relation to politics for two reasons. First, I believe God stands for our constitutional government and the liberty of mankind, and I believe when we reject the Constitution and principles of liberty in favor of alternate ideas, we are rejecting God's principles. Second, I believe that no matter how hard we work for liberty or other principles of godliness, it is ultimately God who will bring the victory. Similar to Gideon in the Old Testament, it is not the strength, wisdom, or efforts of man that will allow liberty to prevail, but rather The grace and goodness and power of God magnifying the efforts of the those who fight for liberty.

I believe in optimism. There have always been trying times on the earth. We cannot get discouraged about what we cannot control. We can only do our best to be our best and to influence others to be their best, and then be happy! The Lord has a plan for His children and for this earth, and man cannot destroy His plan. Men who do not follow God's plan can only destroy themselves. Cecil Demille, producer of the movie, "The Ten Commandments", stated in a commencement address at BYU in 1957:

"Some, who do not know either the Bible or human nature, may see in the orgy of the Golden Calf only a riot of Hollywood's imaginations--but those who have eyes to see will see in it the awful lesson of how quickly a nation or a man can fall, without God's law. If man will not be ruled by God, he will certainly be ruled by tyrants- and there is no tyranny more imperious or more devastating than man's own selfishness, without law. We cannot break the Ten Commandments. We can only break ourselves against them- or else, by keeping them, rise through them to the fulness of freedom under God. God means us to be free. With divine daring, He gave us the power of choice."

-T

Liberty <- Freedom <- Agency

Liberty, freedom, and agency.  We hear these terms brandied about frequently, and for the most part use them interchangeably.  What do they actually mean, and how are they related?

AGENCY

Agency is a fundamental principle of godliness.  It is a right given to each of us by God.  It is the inherent capacity to be able to choose.  Agency cannot be abrogated by others, it cannot be limited or constrained by any external entity.  We willingly requested agency and as such are bound by the consequences of such a great privilege.  Natural Law dictates that agency is required to approach the divine, that any entity not endowed with agency cannot be morally judged as all their actions are based upon and determined by the set of laws given for the sphere in which they dwell.  Agency is the greatest gift we can be given.

FREEDOM

Freedom is the ability to act.  It is the realm of constraints upon our ability to exercise our agency.  Freedom is measured by the level of impositions upon our opportunity for choice.  Our freedom can be compromised by ourselves or others.  Consequences of our actions may limit our freedom, as can external forces.  We can have a direct affect on promoting or limiting our freedom, but some restrictions are completely out of our control.  Our freedom dictates the extent to which our agency can be implemented.

LIBERTY

Liberty consists in the social and political environments which create the level of freedom which we enjoy.  Liberty is purely a function of inter-human relations and conventions.  Liberty differs from freedom in that it exists only within a social context;  where there is law and the enforcement of rights.

Liberty, Freedom, and Agency are three of the grand keys upon which the Lord's plan of salvation is predicated.  To the extent that any of them are reduced, we become limited in our ability to act and become like our Father in Heaven.

EXAMPLES

In Life is Beautiful, a father and his son are confined in a Nazi concentration camp.  They have no liberty, and their freedom is severely constrained.  Yet we see the father , Guido, acting through the use of his agency.  He makes deliberate choices as to how he will behave and view the deplorable situation he finds himself in.  Guido finds joys to share with his son.  His actions increase his freedom that others are trying to deny them.  The father is able to shield his son from many of the harsh "realities" of their situation and to an extent remake their world.  While liberty is lacking, agency is expressed, and therein freedom is found.

The almost exact opposite story is told in the Count of Monte Cristo.  Edmund is imprisoned unjustly, stripping him of all his liberty.  He falls into despair, sacrificing his what little freedom remains to him to the bonds of despondency, anger, and fear.  Contact with the priest brings a measure of hope, prompting action, which leads to his escape and eventual acquirement of great wealth.  Edmund has been restored to his prior level of liberty, enhanced greatly in status and property.  It would appear as though his freedom to act has also been fully restored, perhaps even increased.  However, upon discovering the circumstances of his betrayal, Edmund shackles himself to revenge.  He cannot forgive, he cannot progress.  He becomes a creature of wrath, bereft of any sort of freedom which is shattered on the alters of his bitterness.  He becomes so embroiled with hate that he is no longer able to direct his agency.  Restored to liberty, he sells his freedom.

While freedom may be rejected in the presence of liberty, and some portion of freedom can exist when stripped of liberty, the impact and extent of use of either is dependent on agency.  The imperative then becomes to maximize the potential, use, and power of agency.  We must understand how to use agency, and what we are to accomplish with it.  Only in an environment of maximum liberty are we fully able to comprehend and utilize the full extent of our agency.  If we truly desire to become as our Father, we should earnestly strive to come to a knowledge of true principles of liberty, and then implement them, thus instituting freedom so we can act.  The pursuit of liberty is the noblest quest of  human society.