Prompted by the Democratic senators recently attempting to abolish the Electoral College, I will be writing about its importance.
I would like to start by telling you what the Electoral College does...
Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution tells us:
"...Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List 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 shall be the President...."
Secondly, why is it important?
The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College as a compromise between Congress choosing the President and those qualified to vote choosing the President. It assures that the President is chosen by a Constitutional majority and maintains the rights of the less-populated states.
To commemorate this celebrated holiday, I would like to share with you George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation and bring us back to the true meaning of its origination.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their Joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation
in the Massachusetts Centennial
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the greatest degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
When the Constitution of the United States of America was written in 1787, many of the Founding Fathers did not deem it necessary to include a bill of rights. For one, they did not think it a critical issue, because they visualized a national government that was limited. Also, almost all of the state constitutions included a list of rights that the people were guaranteed. However, many Antifederalists feared that without this bill, the new government would take away the rights that the people had just fought for. So, to appease those who opposed the Constitution, the Federalists drafted about 350 ideas, which then were reduced down to 12 amendments, passed through Congress, and then were sent to the states. Although only 10 were ratified by the appropriate number of states, those 10 became known as the United States Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was written
to protect the U.S. citizens, to secure their rights, and to defend their
beliefs. Highly important, this set of laws is the basis on which all our basic
rights as Americans are founded upon. It bans actions that would threaten—and
possibly blight—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Were these rights
taken away, America would not be the free country it was designed and intended
to be. The freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and the freedom of the
press are some of the greatest liberties America is known for. If those were
taken away, where would we be? Wouldn’t we be a bit like Great Britain, whom we
just spent a costly war breaking away from? Protecting the rights listed in
this bill is essential to preserving American liberty.
"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Inspired by a recent discussion, I would like to dedicate this post to the importance of voting.
God has richly blessed Americans with the ability to vote. Many Americans in our day and age take this privilege for granted. Numerous Christians in countries around the globe are persecuted under tyrannical governments that do not allow their citizens to have a voice in choosing their leaders. We in America are mercifully blessed that we are able to partake in electing our leaders without fearing for our lives and for those of our families. In recent elections, 2 out of every 5* self-professing Christians underappreciated this right and did not vote. About 1 in every 5* eligible Christians are not even registered to vote.
It is my contention that we should be good stewards of this privilege of voting and not squander the opportunity we have been given to use this great gift. Just because God is in control of all things does not mean we should be apathetic and not further His will.
As said in Matthew 5:13-14: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven." Casting a vote in the right direction is acting as a grain of salt, or a city on a hill, because it will affect the outcome. For..."All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing."~Edmund Burke
It is our responsibility as American citizens to give our aid to our nation during such a critical time as the presidential election.
"A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends on the character of its user."
As yesterday was our nation's 240th birthday, I would like to dedicate this post to some quotations &c. to celebrate its birth!
~Quotations~
"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."
~George Washington, 1st United States President
"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other."
~John Adams, 2nd United States President
"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president."
~Theodore Roosevelt, 26th United States President
"Our debt to the heroic men...in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices."
~Harry S. Truman, 33rd United States President
"America was founded by people who believed that God was their Rock of safety."
~Ronald Reagan, 40th United States President
~Scripture~
"For you have been called to live in freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but to serve one another."
~Galatians 5:13
"Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-slaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
~1 Peter 2:16-17
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
~Psalm 33:12
~Poetry~
The Ragged Old Flag
by Johnny Cash
I walked through a county courthouse square, On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down." He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town." I said, "Your old flagpole has leaned a little bit, And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it."
He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down. "Is this the first time you've been to our little town?" I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag, But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.
"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when Washington took it across the Delaware. And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key Sat watching it writing Say Can You See. And it got a bad rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seems.
"And it almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though. She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill. There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg, And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.
"On Flanders Field in World War I She got a big hole from a Bertha gun. She turned blood red in World War II. She hung limp and low by the time it was through. She was in Korea and Vietnam. She was sent where she was by her Uncle Sam.
"She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, And now they've about quit waving her back here at home. In her own good land here she's been abused -- She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused.
"And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land. And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin, But she's in good shape for the shape she's in. 'Cause she's been through the fire before And I believe she can take a whole lot more.
"So we raise her up every morning, take her Down every night. We don't let her touch the ground and we fold Her up right.
On second thought, I do like to brag, 'Cause I'm mighty proud of the Ragged Old Flag."
~A Fun Quiz :)~
How Much Do You Know About Independence Day?
1)The 4th of July commemorates what
important historic occasion?
a)The end of the Revolutionary War
b)The signing of the Declaration of Independence
c)Adoption of the Declaration of Independence by
Congress
d)The signing of the Constitution
2)In which city was the Declaration signed?
a)Boston
b)New York
c)Philadelphia
d)Washington
3)Which of the following did not sign the
Declaration of Independence?
a)Thomas Jefferson
b)John Adams
c)William Whipple
d)George Washington
4)Which of the following was included in the
Declaration as a complaint against King George and the British Parliament?
a)Allowed only British tea to be sold in America
b)Imposed taxes without consent
c)Appointed liberal, non-originalist judges
d)Gave charters to Church of England only, not
other religious bodies
5)Which memorable phrase is not included in
the Declaration of Independence?
a)Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
b)The laws of nature and of nature’s God
c)Give me liberty or give me death
d)Supreme Judge of the world
6)The original Declaration of Independence is
housed in:
a)Independence Hall in Philadelphia
b)Library of Congress
c)Smithsonian Institution
d)National Archives
7)How many delegates from the 13 colonies
signed the Declaration of Independence?
a)13
b)26
c)39
d)56
8)Which two presidents died on the 4th of
July?
a)George Washington and John Adams
b)John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
c)Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
d)Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt
9)What year did they die in?
a)1822 and 1826
b)1787 and 1833
c)1905 and 1929
d)They both died in 1826
10)Which president was born on the 4th
of July?
a)Howard Taft
b)Calvin Coolidge
c)Dwight Eisenhower
d)Richard
Nixon
11)According to the Declaration of Independence,
the people have the following right:
a)The
right to bear arms
b)The
right to equal protection of the laws
c)The
right to alter or abolish their government
d)The
right to a free education
Adapted from the Ashbrook Center
The answers are at the end of this post. Let me know how you do in the Comments section! ;)
~Some Constitutional Humor :)~
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Prompted by a conversation I had with some friends on Sunday, I have studied the Pledge of Allegiance this last week; and whether we, as Christians, should be reciting it.
"There is nothing sinful about saying a pledge, as long as the pledge does not take away from our commitment to the Lord Jesus. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States certainly does not contain any wording that would usurp the authority of Christ in our lives. The Bible, therefore, does not forbid the pledging of allegiance to our flag." ~ Gotquestions.org
Allegiance in the context of the pledge means that you are promising to be a loyal citizen. In my opinion, being a good citizen is a Christian duty. In Romans 13:1 we read--" Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there in no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."
Also in Titus 3:1 Paul reminds us--"Be subject to rulers, to authorities,...to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men."
"Showing consideration for all men" includes those who risked their lives for our freedom. By respecting the flag we honor those who defended it, and the families of those who died for it.
Included in honoring the Veterans is using Flag Etiquette.
Rules of Flag Etiquette
The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
The flag should be flown in fair weather.
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless used as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used for any decoration.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes.
The flag should never be stepped on, sat on, or anything of the like.
The flag should not be fastened or tied back. It should be able to fly freely.
The flag should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on anything that is to be discarded after use.
The flag should not be used as part of a costume, uniform, or the like; excepting a flag patch on the uniform of a military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
The flag, when lowered, should not touch the ground, or any other object.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
The flag,when worn so that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
