Sunday, February 28, 2010

28 Fundamental Beliefs Of The Founding Fathers ...

Principle 1 – The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law.

Principle 2 – A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong.

Principle 3 – The most promising method of securing a virtuous people is to elect virtuous leaders.

Principle 4 – Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained.

Principle 5 – All things were created by God, therefore upon him all mankind are equally dependent, and to him they are equally responsible.

Principle 6 – All mankind were created equal.

Principle 7 – The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things.

Principle 8 – Mankind are endowed by God with certain unalienable rights.

Principle 9 – To protect human rights, God has revealed a code of divine law.

Principle 10 – The God-given right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the whole people.

Principle 11 – The majority of the people may alter or abolish a government which has become tyrannical.

Principle 12 – The United States of America shall be a republic.

Principle 13 – A Constitution should protect the people from the frailties of their rulers.

Principle 14 – Life and liberty are secure only so long as the rights of property are secure.

Principle 15 – The highest level of prosperity occurs when there is a free-market economy and a minimum of government regulations.

Principle 16 – The government should be separated into three branches.

Principle 17 – A system of checks and balances should be adopted to prevent the abuse of power by the different branches of government.

Principle 18 – The unalienable rights of the people are most likely to be preserved if the principles of government are set forth in a written Constitution.

Principle 19 – Only limited and carefully defined powers should be delegated to government, all others being retained by the people.

Principle 20 – Efficiency and dispatch require that the government operate according to the will of the majority, but constitutional provisions must be made to protect the rights of the minority.

Principle 21 – Strong local self-government is the keystone to preserving human freedom.

Principle 22 – A free people should be governed by law and not by the whims of men.

Principle 23 – A free society cannot survive as a republic without a broad program of general education.

Principle 24 – A free people will not survive unless they stay strong.

Principle 25 – “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations — entangling alliances with none.”- Thomas Jefferson, given in his first inaugural address.

Principle 26 – The core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family; therefore the government should foster and protect its integrity.

Principle 27 – The burden of debt is as destructive to human freedom as subjugation by conquest.

Principle 28 – The United States has a manifest destiny to eventually become a glorious example of God’s law under a restored Constitution that will inspire the entire human race.


--sja

10 comments:

BOB said...

From whence doth die principles liste come ... Polonius?

Anonymous said...

"The 5000 Year Leap" by W. Cleon Skousen is one ...

BOB said...

Any kin to "Moose?" ...I know, I know, my ken ain't what it used to be

Truly an interesting man ... my favorite note about him ... Skousen was Salt Lake's Police Chief until 1960 when it's new mayor was arrested during a police raid of an illegal poker club.

Great list ... can we condense the list to something a bit shorter without damage to the principles or their individual relevance?

Anonymous said...

That is the condensed version ... unless one goes with Ecclesiastes 12:13, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

BOB said...

28 is more than 10

Fatibony said...

Awesome Sja.... thumbs up for #5 & 6..

Anonymous said...

Absolutely Fatibony ... and I'm sure there are many on this list that any human being couldn't help but agree with ... thanks for the visit and the comment ...

BOB said...

I've always had a problem with number 6 ... what did it mean, other than to make King George and those of his station sit up and take notice that we considered ourselves to be as good as them ... and what does it mean now?

Seems to me that we're all unique ... from birth ... it's one of the things that make us great. Nothing wrong with inequality ... some folks have six toes, others have four.

There's a powerful amount of smarts in them 28 ... makes my head hurt just to contemplate ... and yet, most of it is common sense based methinks.

God did a lot in six days ... he rested the seventh ... must have been tired. What did he do on the eighth?

Anonymous said...

I suppose number 6 means in theory that all mankind were created equal before the law ... equal in their rights ... and equal before God ...

And on the eight day, God was likely regretting the last thing he did on the sixth day -- "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." Genesis 6:5,6 ...

BOB said...

Ain't it the truth ... I'm afraid to ask about days nine and 10

Man's notion that we are created equal in the sight of God may well be valid but it is indeed heavy.

Regardless of man's wickedness, I think it important that we strive to adhere to the golden rule and treat everyone fairly and with understanding ... while holding each and all accountable.

At least I think I so think ...

Like I said, them's a powerful 28 ... it would be interesting to find out how and the extent to which folks disagree with any ...

Indeed, we must return to those principles if we are to long survive ... and even were survival not an issue, adherence to them is necessitated if our survival is to be worthwhile and of consequence.

When Moses returned from the mountain, he found things had dramatically changed ... rather quickly too, methinks.

It may not be requisite but I think more is needed than simple recognition of the importance of the principles and adherence thereto ... more than recognition of the importance of returning to them too.

We've been there done that!!

That's what 1774, 1775, 1776 ... the war, the Constitution and so much more were all about!

No, it's important that we consider why these wonderful, vital principles ... the essences of our very being as a nation, as a people ... have been so abused .... abandoned by so many.

Knowing why will enable us not only to rekindle the inner spirit of our people and bring about desired change ... it will better enable us to provide a framework of safeguards for assuring long lasting adherence.

In my opinion, the notion that revolution is necessitated or even in order as the vehicle or instrument may or may not be well intended but regardless, it is as misguided as it is repugnant.

We need not go outside the system to repair it ... we need not insidiously promote strife and discord among the classes to achieve our objectives!

The principles are equally important to us all ... from messers Buffet and Gates to those dependent assistance for survival ... those who do not share a belief in those principles are in the minority, contrariwise protestations notwithstanding!

We do need to actively strive to rekindle the spirit of our people so that they return to adherence to the principles upon which our country was founded, made us great, and in many ways distinguished us from all others!

God helps those who help themselves ... let's get on with the job at hand!

Just my singular opine ... what's yours?




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