Feb. 8, 2008 - Gary North

Long ago, I decided to take my stand in the United States. I speak the American language in the widest sense of the word. I know how the system works.
What does the country offer that gives me hope that there is long-term hope for time and money expended here?

1. A very large free trade zone -- the largest on earth. This has been its #1 economic advantage since 1788.
2. A tradition of officially distrusting politicians
3. A tradition of localism (weakening rapidly)
4. A social order based on eight words: (1) Live and let live; (2) Let's make a deal.
5. A 40-hour work week (not less) with 2 weeks of paid vacation (not more)
6. Weak labor unions, growing weaker
7. Not much envy
8. Easy creation of small businesses
9. A tradition of entrepreneurship
10. Property rights in land
11. Widespread gun ownership
12. A secure jury system
13. The first amendment
14. A lot of churches -- countervailing power to the state, if pushed
15. 3,000+ counties -- separate jurisdictions (sheriffs)
16. Geographical mobility ("Kiss my tailgate!")
17. A tradition of saying, "You, and who else?"
18. A million guys nicknamed Bubba
19. A three centuries-old literature of political resistance
20. A lot of charitable giving
21. Habeas corpus
22. Decent yet varied weather (outside of North Dakota)
23. Low real estate prices outside of large cities and bubble zones 24. American Marxism (Groucho, Harpo, and Chico)

I have probably missed a lot more.

__________________
Chris Rhoades -33
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (PCA) Nashville, TN-Under Care

Vera theologia non theoretica, sed practica est; Finis siquidem eius agere est hoc est vitam vivere deiformem. - Martin Bucer
""True theology is not theoretical, but practical. The end of it is living, that is to live a godly life."

I've worked overseas in totalitarian countries, and in Europe too. When I came back home, I really understood Richard Hugo's line:

What thou lovest best remains American.

What pains me is to see what I saw overseas 20 years ago start to become the norm here. But I'm an American and will always love her as my land.

__________________
R.Vic Bottomly
Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

for all her faults, she is a lovely lady...

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-JD
1Thess5:21
Ordained Deacon, PCA
Serving in an Acts 29 Church

MS

My links: ChristianSkepticism.org | personal | facebook | Prescriptive Psalmody

The Puritanboard.

Good people.

American toilets. Have you ever been over in Europe or Africa?

__________________

(Norseman Moderator)

R. Martin Snyder
1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

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...or Asia.

__________________
Rich
Northern VA
PCA

WebsiteMaven - Web Hosting Reviews, Guides, and Advice to build and promote your web site.
SoliDeoGloria.com - A Community for Reformed Thought and Discussion

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O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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Mark Maney
Kwanglim Korean Methodist Church - 1689'er Baptist Pastor (read profile for more info)
Master of Theological Studies emphasis Biblical Studies
Trinity Western University, ACTS Seminaries
Surrey, BC. (Vancouver), Canada

Thanks, Chris. And that is why some of us criticize bad policies that lawmakers in the US come up with. We love the US and don't want bad things to happen to her. If I really hated the US I would keep my mouth shut.

__________________
J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

This is for Josh

The USA has Texas! The Crown Jewel of the 50 States!

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~etexas~

5. uhm, we've never seen two weeks vacation...never. Happy for those of you so blessed. But this is not the norm for many Americans.

6. there are good and bad to these. Study the history behind it (both England and America) and you will understand that it was necessary. Also, for many today, it is a necessary ill.

10. that's subjective in many cases.

13. that's disappearing at an alarming rate.

21. I understand that is disappearing also.

__________________
JC
URCNA
PA, but homesick for SC

"Who says you can't go back, been all around the world and as a matter of fact. There's only one place left I want to go, who says you can't go home" Bon Jovi

Canada's
true function.

Attached Images

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__________________

Travis Speegle
Redeemer Presbyterian, PCA (Waco, Tx)
Pacific Cross Roads, PCA (Los Angeles, CA)


"When it comes to trustworthy theologians one can usually honor the rule of thumb that the deader the better."-Dr. John Hannah, DTS (of all places)

Brutal! Ouch!

What does that make Mexico? Think about it.....

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~James Helbert~, Wytheville, VA
Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCUS
TheBibleAlone.com / The Edinburgh Inn
"Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” - Zechariah 3:2

18. that includes Bill Clinton

ha ha

__________________
~Jay~
Husband of ENS, father of J II. | Indian Trail, NC
Substitute Teacher
Communicant Member, Precentor | Presbyterian Reformed Church of Charlotte, NC | Presbyterian Reformed Church

Habeas corpus ?

Did you hear about the Military Commission’s Act?

The death of habeas corpus

__________________
Chris Mangum
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Charlotte
student, GPTS
.357 Mangum

He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
~ II Samuel 23:3b

In most states where there is no state income tax, like Texas: No sales tax on a Bible!

Lincoln proved habeas corpus was a farce when he suspended it in the the 1860s, if it can be repealed by executive order then it truly is not existent as it is on loan from the government and not a right.

And Hillary's just waiting ...

Except that his actions were repudiated by the US Supreme Court. Ex Parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866). True, it was after the fact, but it effectively put the executive in his place.

It is not a farce. It has taken a few hits recently, and I've publicly howled about it. But it still has power as long as we have even a few judges that remember the common law and the Constitution, and a population that will respect judicial decrees.

Sorry it has to be a beer commercial, but I love this commercial.

__________________
Jeff Wyman
Seminarian
Little Farms Chapel OPC, Coopersville, MI
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." 1 Peter 1:2-3 (ESV)

Back to what is good about the USA: We can pray for a true revival. I think we should, God might listen to our prayers