Mr. O

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  Robert Frederick Jackson, Jr. says

  Peter,
  
  Scanned your note quickly, hectic day! There is no time to get in a long discussion,but that could be an interesting future proposition. I'll just say that nationalism can be misused by government, but my patriotic focus is not related at this time to international issues. Due to lack of time, not shallowness, I' ll state the basis of my patriotism: [1] I believe in American Exceptionalism rooted in our deep seated belief in liberty and self reliance (both at risk today). [2] I am absolutely opposed to collectivism in any form no matter how slight and therefore reject even the weakest socialism. The other polar extreme of collectivism (Communism) should be illegal in my opinion, and the Communist Party should be outlawed in America. [3] I believe that individual rights should elevated and more emphasized in our culture, as illustrated in my belief that carrying a weapon by a citizen with no criminal or serious mental history should have no restrictions. In other words, I believe a legal weapon should be able to be carried any time, anywhere. [4] I do not believe there is a wall of separation between church and state, Rather that was a comment in one letter, by one of the founders. As the Bill of Rights was written to protect the rights of the individual, not the government, it is clear that the First Amendment is meant to allow free and public display of religion. The government is the one restricted. I disagree with the argument that having a Christian prayer at a government function leaps to the definition of officially "establishing" a religion.
  
  My most extreme positions in all of this concerns the fact that I might disagree with the Constitution on two points: [1] I would probably be in favor of a loose, official endorsement of Christianity, in the form of some sort of Amendment that stated we consider America to be a Christian nation but respect other beliefs, and just leave it at that. The inference would be that attacks on Christianity would be frowned upon. My concern is that other religions get more protection currently than Christianity. [2] I am greatly concerned about the Supreme Court as it now functions, because so often incredibly important issues of principle come down to one person's personal opinion (the deciding vote of one judge).
  
  I've made the point in several of the essays on my site that the founding of America was basically a reaction against centralized governmental power in its various forms. From the primitive tribe to modern Marxism, and including kingdoms and empires on that historical path, most societies have been and are controlling. America was conceived to be the opposite, and we immediately started slowly edging back toward central rule right after the Constitution was approved.
  
  I've evolved through the mild liberalism of the college student and the political apathy of the young adult and come to realize that individual liberty (with certain civic responsibility) was the founders' intent, the Constitution's intent, and the intent of Natural Law and God's law. Secondary only to my Chrisitan faith (which was another life journey of research, discovery, and personal evolution), this issue of liberty in America will be a life work.
  
  Well, my turn to apologize for being intrusive and long winded.
  
  Bob

  Posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )

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  Robert Frederick Jackson, Jr. says

  Thanks for the note. I'm guessing we will have quite a few conversations down the road. 'Finding my niche' is certainly true and a bit of an understatement; I'll tell you sometime when there is more time. The main negative in online communications with me is that my patriotism and conservatism have been awakened and are being "worn on my sleeve" as the old saying goes. But my approach to them is common sense and intellectual as well as perhaps almost visceral. Well, I'm off; have a good day! Bob

  Posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )