December 15, 2008

On Tuesday, 20 January 2008, the first black man elected to the Presidency of these United States will take the oath of office.  It should be a day of rejoicing, that a large number of his fellow citizens, of all colors and ethnicities and backgrounds, have chosen him to lead this Union further into the 21st Century.  It should be a day of enthusiasm for a standard ritual of a great republic, the longest existing since the time of Rome (509 BC to 31 BC).

It is not; indeed, it is a day of mourning.  Even the most resistant must now come to the conclusion that the Republic, this American Republican Union, has come to an end, as surely as the Battle of Actium marked the end of the Republic and the foundation of the Principate, led by Augustus Caesar. An impostor, a man of mystery, has been elected by a majority of a minority of 300 million Americans in a parody of both republican and democratic process, and will begin to enact a series of "changes" that will further destroy our liberties, our societies, and our peace and prosperity, in the name of "peace and justice" and hope - and change for the sake of change.

What will Mr. Obama do? 

Assuming that we can believe his own words, both in campaign speeches and documents and in the information provided since his election (at the popular vote) on 4 November 2008, we can expect an very active and activist start to his administration.

On the social front:

1.  As "his first official act," he will sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). This act¹, which is presumed will be passed by the newly-stronger Democratic majority in Congress, will eliminate virtually all federal, state and local restrictions on abortion.  In the meantime, new Executive Orders (the American version of an Imperial Decree) will authorize the financing of domestic and foreign abortion providers, end prohibitions on abortions at military medical facilities, and make other changes to increase the "freedom of choice" of women (and their medical providers) to kill unborn children at will, at any time during gestation.

2.  Repeal the "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA). This law², passed 85-14 and 342-67 and signed into law by President Clinton on 21 SEP 1996, provides: (1) No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) need treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state. (2)The Federal Government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states. This law will invalidate the laws of 30 states (a clear majority) recognizing marriage as being only "one man and one woman."  It will require every state and federal agency to recognize homosexual "marriages" issued by states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California.

3.  Sign the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act" (ENDA). This proposed federal law that would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation. (Currently, there are two versions of the bill: H.R. 2015, does include gender identity within its protections; and H.R. 3685 does not include gender identity within its scope. On November 7, 2007, H.R. 3685 was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 235 to 184 (14 members did not vote). Under both versions, the bill provides employment protections similar to those of the Civil Rights Act of 1964^[1] (also known as "Title VII"), but specifically directed to gay, lesbian, bisexual (and under HR 2015, transgender) employees. Obama supports the H.R. 2015 version, similar to a law in Colorado, which lets anyone who claims to be a woman or a man be treated as a woman or a man.  He will also use executive orders to end the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military, mandate child adoption by homosexual couples, and strengthen hate crime enforcement regarding homosexuals.

While there are other social issues, it is a good idea to turn our attention to two of the greatest evils of government: theft (especially that kind of theft called taxes) and regulation: two sides of the same coin:

1. Implement "carbon" taxes to "fight" global warming. Of course, global warming is now officially "climate change" - which is a much harder thing to challenge, since the climate is ALWAYS changing.  As stated in interviews with various media (and not reported until days before the election), Congress and the new President intend to initiate various taxes on carbon dioxide and monoxide emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) which Obama admits will "bankrupt" companies (and presumably non-federal government agencies) which burn coal.  Already implemented in the UK and the EuroZone, these taxes add somewhere between $600 and $1100 per year to the average household in those countries. Already, many companies are working desperately to both close down operations that would be subject to, or impacted by, this tax: coal mines are planning to close at the end of the year; older power stations are being mothballed or even shut down; the impacts are already reverberating through the economy.  The taxes themselves will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher electricity costs and higher fuel costs (fuel oil, electricity, diesel, gasoline, and even "clean" propane and natural gas); and indirectly through increased prices for many other products.

2. Implement "windfall profit" taxes to punish companies and subsidize the "95% of taxpayers" who are promised a drop in taxes.  While the carbon taxes may help (since coal mining, natural gas, and petroleum companies are all carbon-producers AND considered evil profiteers) in this, additional special taxes can be expected, both on the companies and on the owners (including shareholders) of the companies.  These of course will largely if not entirely passed on to consumers (just as with the carbon taxes); and despite the claims, not all of us will get taxes reduced.  The question must be asked, will the increased direct and indirect costs of these taxes be less than the direct tax reduction promised?

3. Establish "social engineering" taxation policies through changes in deductions and other tax policies. We have seen this coming, of course.  It is the standard Democratic (socialist) response to anything.  There is also the little matter of HOW the tax policies are implemented and enforced.  Based on the wholesale integration of Clintonistas into his administration, will the Clinton tactic of attacking opponents with tax law and investigations be continued?  At the same time, we can expect a significant escalation of the culture war in the United States using tax policies.  Some possibilities: ending the Federal charter for the Boy Scouts of America and ending its tax-exempt status as punishment for its religious beliefs and rejection of homosexuality.  Similar revocation of tax status for private educational institutions which reject homosexuality and have religious ties. An enforcement of the Johnson Amendment which removes the tax-exempt status of churches who get involved in politics. Denial of business expense deductions when the money is spent at businesses that do not meet federal standards related to "employment discrimination" or "diversity" and many other federal standards.  Many of these actions will require no Congressional action - but strictly "Executive Orders."

4. Change regulatory requirements for businesses and individuals.  There are two parts to this: the first is to cancel or revise previous Executive Orders, especially those which Bush implemented that are claimed to reduce regulatory oversight, especially in the environmental field.  The second is the creation of regulatory "reform" that is intended to force business, local and state governments, and individuals to conduct themselves more and more in accordance with federal demands in every aspect of life, from bookkeeping and lawn maintenance to raising children and dealing with the dead.  There are too many aspects to cover in this article; suffice to say, these will cost more and more (directly and indirectly), and bring us more and more to the point where NOTHING can be done without multiple government permission slips or reviews.

5. Introduce "Universal Health Care."  The appointment of Tom Daschle as HHS Secretary is a  clear indication that this is Obama's goal.  Already, states are adopting laws which punish people (especially the young and healthy) for NOT getting medical insurance to "pay their fair share" by withholding all manner of "privileges" including drivers licenses, degrees, income tax refunds, and various permits and licenses.  Expect federal mandates for ALL states to adopt such tactics, as the 55-mph speed limit, age-21 drinking, and seatbelt-laws have been rammed down our throats.

On the military and international front, too, Mr. Obama's moves have been somewhat telegraphed: 1. No troops are coming home. Although there will be withdrawals from "Iraq" to keep his anti-war supporters in thrall and denial, significant US forces will remain in the area; any upsurge in violence and destabilization (especially if Iran has anything to do with it) will be an excuse to keep more troops there.  Meanwhile, Afghanistan will see a massive influx in troops: although the Dems (and Obama) will not admit that the "Surge" helped in Iraq, they will attempt to imitate success with a similar ploy in Afghanistan, as they are incapable of understanding that one size does NOT fit all.  However, the real cost will be in other parts of the world: Democrats are far worse than neo-con Republicans when it comes to meddling in other nations, and the new administration will attempt to reestablish American world leadership by supporting ever harebrained idea that comes out of the UN for humanitarian and nation-building and peace-keeping actions.  Given Mr. Obama's natural affinity for Africa, we can expect much there: Zimbabwe, the DR Congo, a fresh return to Somalia, and very likely something in West Africa.  We can expect NATO intervention in Canaan (replacing Israeli troops separating Palestinian from Israeli areas, just as the US has been doing for 30 years in the Sinai), and to counter Russian penetration in the Caribbean and to demonstrate "resolve," expect more troops in Georgia and the Baltic States. The American-garrisoned world will continue to be a reality.

2. Universal Public Service. His selection of an advocate of such service as his chief of staff (Rep. Rahm Emmanuel) and his transition website (which talks about mandating 50 hours per year for high school students and 100 hours per year for college students "volunteer" service required in order to graduate) are pretty clear indicators. These will most likely quickly morph into a kind of indoctrination program - obviously, many types of traditional "public service" through Boy Scouts, churches, and other unacceptable organizations will not be allowed to count; and it could get worse as time goes on.  Volunteer programs such as VISTA, CCC, and all the new "corps" that Obama talked about during his campaign will accept graduates from the high school and college programs.  To mask his military adventuring, and to fulfill his vision of change, don't be surprised to see Mr. Obama follow Richard Rangel's idea of re-instituting the military draft, with lots of "alternatives."  And this isn't even talking about his massive "civilian defense corps."

3.  World Institutions.  Again, Mr. Obama has made it clear that the US will defer more and more to the United Nations, to various other international organizations, and to the various international court systems.  Expect a large number of treaties to be signed, even while various treaties again are submitted to the Senate for ratification (although with the current Senate makeup, these ratifications MIGHT still not get done).  But expect such items as world gun control, law of the sea, global warming, and more "currency" and "economic" reform to be high on the agenda.  It is not a pleasant sight.

What might be of even greater concern than the actual agenda items above, is the way in which the agenda will be implemented.  Perhaps more than any other administration in history, the Obama Administration is getting a jump start on January 20th: thousands of man-hours are being spent preparing legislation, executive orders, and other documents to be signed and implemented instantly upon his taking office - if not before, provided that Bush appointees are either cowed into doing it or bypassed.  Unlike Roosevelt's vaunted One Hundred Days starting with Inauguration, Obama's 100 days has probably already started.  The Democrats in Congress plan to have lots and lots of legislation ready for him to sign; much of the "emergency" variety.  Worse, executive orders will be used in such a way to make Bush's use seem mild by comparison: of course, many will be repealing Bush orders, but many will be implementing new requirements, prohibitions, and actions across the board.  Many of those orders can be expected to create "expedited" processes for implementing new regulations: shortening review periods and public comment periods for the sake of "dealing with the emergency."

Much of this can be expected to be done by second-tier appointees, as well: while the "big names" are going through the fancy hearings for confirmation (which could very well be done BEFORE inauguration), hundreds of lower-level appointments will be able to push through the key items. And it is obvious that the Obama Administration-to-be is already leaning on, and promising rewards, to state and even local governments.  With dozens of state governments with massive budget shortfalls, and more expected, it might be easier than ever to buy them off with almost anything.

I hope my predictions are wrong, but fear that they are right.

What can we do?

Prepare for the worst, pray for the best. As christians, we are to pray for "rulers" (in our case, the people of the United States) and to pray for our enemies - which means that we do have a category for Mr. Obama to be a subject of our prayers.  Assume that the economy WILL get steadily worse, and that lovers of liberty, Christians, and other undesirables will further be hampered by government regulation and harassment.  But also assume that more and more people will wake up and rebel... and therein lies our hope.  Mr. Obama may understand the people and politics of Chicago, but Chicago AIN'T the United States of America.  Mr. Biden may understand the politics and processes of Delaware, but Delaware AIN'T... (assuming that Mr. Biden has any more relevancy left.)  These people do NOT understand those of us bitter Americans who cling to our religion and our guns and our politically incorrect beliefs and practices, and can be expected to underestimate us and fail to understand what really pushes our buttons, and what CAN result.  And that includes those even in (or especially in) military service and "out in the boondocks" even in federal and state agencies.  And goes double for those of us in the private sector. Ultimately, for Mr. Obama and his ilk, resistance is futile.  But the cost in blood, treasure, safety, and serenity, will be high.  We MUST pay it - we have no other choice.

1. 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Choice_Act
2. 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act

Nathan Barton is writing this from a wonderful place in the West, which might be in the Black Hills of South Dakota or Wyoming, or might be in one of the Four Corners States. Exactly where it is, the breezes blow with the scent of liberty, and the sound of the pines or the pinions is the sound of freedom. For thousands of years, people have fought and died for the liberty that Americans in the great spaces of the West enjoy, and he writes these commentaries in the hopes that continued generations will be able to do so, until the end of Time. Visit the blog: The Gospel Sower

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