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The Price Of Freedom
Thomas Paine spoke these words in the middle of winter, 1776 at a Continental Army fireside. He was speaking of "The American Crisis." Are not these words written by the wordsmith just as important today as ever before? Is there not a need in this country for a new revolution, a revolution of spirit? "I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical... God forbid we should be twenty years without such a rebellion," said Thomas Jefferson. Well it is obvious that more than a little rebellion is needed.
The hellacious symptoms are apparent for anyone to see. Kids revile their teachers, cursing them, physically abusing them, as well as carrying guns in schools. Athletes and movie stars have become our cultural heroes, rising and falling from grace like the ocean tides. The economy, like an old oak tree, is solid on the outside but rotten to the core, awaiting the first blast of wind to knock it down roots and all. The political system has deteriorated to the point where nearly anyone with money can buy his/her way into office, where doing your duty has become a mark of excellence instead of the norm. All the branches of government have become targets of ridicule. Where is our honor; where is the duty to live beyond the hungers of the flesh, to see to it that the ensuing generations of people have an America to inherit, rather than a shell of a country morally and financially bankrupt? All the symptoms that appear in our society are directly caused by the fact that
people don't know who the hell they are, what in the hell they are doing, or where
in the hell they are going. They have lost their spiritual identity and their reliance
on a greater power that watches over the affairs of men. It has become unfashionable
and unpopular to even believe in a practical spirituality, yet it was this same spirituality
that allowed 56 men to sign their names to the Unanimous Declaration of Independence
over 200 years ago, knowing that if they failed it would mean certain death for them
and their families. "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone.
The people themselves are its only safe depositories," said Thomas Jefferson.
By not exercising the power within themselves, the people have allowed a vacuum to
exist in their lives, which the rulers of society are only too happy to occupy. They
have no problem using people's power. Throughout all the writings and actions which
initiated the founding of this country there runs a golden thread of ultimate reliance
on that Divine Providence which has been slowly, methodically and utterly crushed
out of government and people's lives today. The politicians pay lip service to this
reliance on a Supreme Authority, but they only mirror back to the people that their
lives are increasingly bereft of principle, and this, my friends, is exactly what
the founding fathers had:
The Founding Fathers succeeded because they relied on the principle that there was something greater than themselves, and this something greater was always looking out for the best interests of the neighbor now and in generations to come. The foe these days is no less evil or insidious than it was two hundred years ago. The difference lies in the fact that instead of Britain being the object of the fight, now it is an inner battle that must be waged by each citizen. The political system is not going to effect a positive change, only each individual can effect a positive change within themselves which then plays itself out on the stage of men. As Thomas Jefferson said,
The appearance of freedom is not the same as freedom itself. The well-fed, well-housed slave is still a slave and not master of his destiny. Today people are slaves of opinion, of what is fashionable, of what is presented as the next greatest, latest and best new thing. People go off to work, indentured servants to a system that is fast losing its humanity, because it has lost its divinity. It is time my friends to turn within, to release the accumulated stress of the ages, of wars fought and scars left unhealed, so that we can have a better attitude towards our Creator, our country and ourselves. Let one man or woman find inspiration and that one individual can spark a whole neighborhood, town or city to take a renewed interest in themselves and each other. Let this issue of the American Spirit serve as a tool to inflame your desire to call a meeting with your higher self image, then pass it on!
Thomas Paine The American Spirit is published as an alternative newspaper. A small group of sensitive (perceptive) people have gathered with the intent to write (report) upon subjects of personal interest and of interest to the general public. It goes without saying that this newspaper isn't like the mainstream papers. Ours is a grass roots effort. Profit is not a major factor in why the paper exists. The writers (reporters) work without remuneration and the paper is free. It is their spiritual therapy and a love offering for the American people. The paper may not be considered letter perfect by some, but so what? Rome wasn't built in a day and we suspect this paper will undergo vast changes as time goes forward. What is truly important, at least to the staff, is that sensitive people are exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. They are aware that they aren't in the same league as the professional journalists. Nor, are they expected to be. They write well enough for our purposes. Besides, they aren't dependent upon this paper for a living. The newspaper is their hobby. It is their act of charity. What we love about the people who volunteer their time is that they are ordinary folk who enjoy doing their own thing, each with the intent to help and not hinder the spiritual growth of other sensitive people. We are very proud of them. They are true Americans who have a lot of common sense that needs an outlet for expression. Their entrepreneurial spirit is awe-inspiring for the simple reason that they can discern the truth from the lie and put their talents to good use by writing articles regarding their personal realizations. Again, I state the American Spirit is not a mainstream newspaper. It isn't intended to be. It is an alternative paper for alternative views. It is an avenue of expression for ordinary folk; the sensitive people who feel they have something worthwhile to make known. It is chock full of insights of people who feel that they have something to offer others who are kindred in spirit. Some may say that the articles written (reported) are more opinionated than not. We say that this is the opinion of those who say such things, just as much as they believe that these sensitive people are opinionated. Who do you know that is not opinionated? Whether or not it is their opinion makes little difference. Facts are like truths; they speak for themselves. You find them in between the lines. Read, and you will understand that you have seen, what was there all the time for your mind to perceive. We believe that what these sensitive people have to say is newsworthy because it is inspirational at core reality. If nothing else, we feel they offer a refreshing viewpoint. For many, I suspect, what they say will be considered "food for thought." Then again, there will be those who are nonsensical and believe that what is written is nonsense. All we can say is each to their own. We'd rather report the inner revelations of these sensitive people regarding certain topics, than print about who was killed, who was robbed, who was raped, who was mugged, shot, beaten, etc. You get the idea. There is enough of that sort of thing already being published. That's not news. Such horrors have been happening since the days of antiquity. Articles with negative content will more often than not cause you to become fearful and make you begin to believe that there isn't any hope. On a larger scale, it creates a massive amount of bad vibes in the people who come in contact with that bad news. Our desire is to publish what could empower individuals. Something that will help inspire people to live life to the fullest rather than retire or retreat from it. The writers (reporters) of the American Spirit are exercising their right of free speech to express themselves as it has been given to them to do so. We hope the paper is seen as a window of opportunity for freelance writers (reporters) who would love to see their work in print. It would be impossible to print all the articles received. Presently, there is only so much room. In the future, there may be more room, but for now, the space is limited. We reserve the right to refuse to print what we feel isn't suited to the purpose of the American Spirit. The editorial staff decides what will be inserted. We are mainly interested in inspiring people to take responsibility for their own lives. This is not to say that we aren't accepting articles about religion, politics or social issues. We review the article to see if it has spiritual value in helping humanity become aware for well being. In other words, to help people make better choices in regard to what they put into their body as well as their mind. If you like the American Spirit, then write us a letter and let us know. We would
love to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions regarding this paper. Better yet,
why not advertise to help support the paper? It might help your cause as well as
our own. The price of the paper is right. It's free! If we have to mail it to you,
then we do ask for you to contribute towards postage. The American Spirit has reached
Europe, the Middle and Far East and many states in America. Pretty good for a grass
roots effort. We hope to hear from you soon. |
The foe in 1776 was the same as it is today. It causes people to lose
heart, to succumb to the negative hypnotic inductions of the power brokers, who wheel
and make deals with people's lives. The foe is TYRANNY. It rears its ugly head whenever
a group of people do not assume the responsibility to carry forth in the same glorious
spirit that founded this country.
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