Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818

These days it is common to hear all kinds of cute ideas about changing the nature of our government. What’s good for the goose is not necessarily what’s good for the gander, especially when it comes to rights. Learn more in Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818.

A Republic Madam, If You Can Keep It

Moreover, apparently it has become controversial to correctly refer to The United States as a Representative Republic. Sanding and buffing away the differences in search of ‘democracy‘ in “These United States” has created a nearly monolithic “The United States”.

Civil War and World War 2

Especially relevant in this process were two significant events for the US and the world. The US Civil War and Reconstruction, and World War 2. Both events had far reaching consequences. I’ll explain why and how in Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818.

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Consequently I think it is time to celebrate “These United States” as a concept. I have traveled on back roads all over this country. I have learned and often talked about the differences between states. While these differences should be celebrated, our politicians seem hell bent for leather to sand away the federal system. It’s time to suggest this action negatively effects our individual rights.

Sovereignty

When it comes to our local, state and federal governments a key word is sovereignty. The concept of joint sovereignty in the United States federal system is often overlooked when it comes to politics. The fact that this is what makes it all work, is lost on politicians who want a chicken in every pot, or tell us our boys won’t be sent to any foreign wars.

Pure Democracy is the Mob

Finally I think one of the most overused words in politics today is ‘democracy‘. We are not a ‘democracy’. As a people we don’t decide every issue. We elect representatives to do that for us, so we can get on with the pursuit of happiness. When representatives start messing with sovereign rights it is time to “throw the bums out” regardless of party.

Don’t Mess With The Core Code

In conclusion when politicians start tinkering with the core code, getting rid of the electoral college, expanding the power of the federal government, turning the Supreme Court into a mini senate and increasing the membership of congress we should pay attention.

When government is used to solve all the world’s problems and “make” us happy, tyranny is often the result.

(Photo By Andrew Davis)

Sponsored by John D Scott Personal Injury Lawyer and WhiteTail Builders of Andover Minnesota

Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818

Podcast 602-Political Fighting Doesn’t Make Civil Society

Fighting and Arguing

A presidential press conference that had the look of a Dino De Laurentiis movie. Angry tweets. Arguments about whether the president is a narcissist or psychotic. These days the argument is the thing. Division. Confusion. Anger. Frustration with the fact that everything is political. A friend said recently, “When civil society breaks down everything becomes political”. The more we fight about politics the less we know. Argument and rhetoric have replaced substantive discourse. This idea forms the basis of Podcast 602-Political Fighting Doesn’t Make Civil Society.

What is Civil Society

People think Civil Society these days is political action groups. Angry protests. Social media rants. Angry calls to talk radio. Everyone wants the silver bullet argument. We want to be the guy on TV that ‘takes it to them’. This is not civil society.  In Podcast 602-Political Fighting Doesn’t Make Civil Society.

Stop Yelling and Start Building A Community

Civil Society is community. It is distinct from government and business. Civil Society is individuals working together to solve problems, build community and be good citizens. People who have learned from experience to build consensus to get things done. Civil Society is the core of your town, village, city, county and state.

Fighting and Arguing Does Not A Warrior Make

Do you show up to set the chairs up and make the coffee for the community meeting? Help your neighbors? Attend boring public meetings no one else cares about?  Are you one of those people who responds to calls for help in the community regardless of where they come from?. Are you willing to work with people you may not agree with politically? Show genuine concern for others through your actions? You’re the real warrior. Commentators and people who imitate them are not warriors and they are not leaders. We’ll talk about it in Podcast 602-Political Fighting Doesn’t Make Civil Society

Eroding Civil Society

There are times when political action is called for. When people who have different points of view try to gather people to their cause. These can be bitter contests. Bitter feelings linger after contests that inevitably produce winners and losers. These days people won’t convene with anyone they don’t agree with. Discussions descend into bitter screaming matches on Social Media, Talk Radio, and Cable TV News. The media cultivates and encourages anti social behavior. Friendships are ended. Familial relationships are strained.

Don’t Argue

A true warrior doesn’t yell and scream. A leader is a good citizen people trust. These are people who understand people of like mind have to work to see that their ideas gain support. Protests and rallies serve a purpose but they are just a starting point. You don’t win in the rally. You win because you can work behind the scenes to build support for a concept, idea, or a solution to a problem.

It May Not Be Working Anymore

Recent studies show the stress levels of Americans increasing since the election. Not just the left. People on political right show the same kinds of intensifying stress levels. This kind of stress can’t be sustained. We might be seeing the end of the efficacy of rhetorical argument to fuel a movement. People may have just about had it with all the shouting and arguing regardless of where it is coming from. Maybe rebuilding civil society is a good first step.

Sponsored by Hydrus Performance and Brush Studio.

Podcast 90

This may be the ultimate ‘slash and burn’ podcast. From making coffee, bacon and eggs at the broadcast bunker, to traveling the icy backroads of rural Minnesota on the ‘coldest day of the 21st Century’. A live talk at Baklund R&D in Hutchinson, Minnesota covering a breadth and depth of topics. From the media’s terrible reporting of the current ‘Polar Vortex’ and its ‘economic impact’ to inequality, the media’s overuse of polls to tell us what ‘we’re’ thinking, to China and the Middle East and Oil, organic produce and much, much more. Sponsored by Baklund R & D. Check them out here www.baklund.com.