VIDEO: Politicit - Ryan Wilcox and Jeremy Peterson 12 Nov 2024, 1:32 am

Recently, I was invited by the Politicit Podcast to banter with Rep. Ryan Wilcox about recent election results. 

Here is our discussion:

Enjoy!

STEADY STOICISM: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius 11 Aug 2020, 7:23 pm

Marcus Aurelius reigned at the peak of the Roman Empire's power and prestige.  His steady leadership and virtuous disposition blessed the empire as it settled conflicts with Germanic tribes along it's northern border.  Upon his death, the Empire began its epic decline into the pages of history.  

So who was this great man and what did he believe?  Fortunately, almost 2,000 years later, his words remain for us to learn from .  His Meditations is a collection of thoughts and insights that were written in his own hand for personal reference and for the benefit of posterity.  We are fortunate to have his words.  

Here my highlighted excerpts from this great work:

"That I lived under the government of my lord and father, who would take away from me all pride and vainglory, and reduce me to that conceit and opinion that it was not impossible for a prince to live in the court without a troop of guards and followers, extraordinary apparel, such and such torches and statues, and other like particulars of state and magnificence; but that a man may reduce and contract himself almost to the state of a private man, and yet for all that not to become the more base and remiss in those public matters and affairs, wherein power and authority is requisite."

"But I that understand the nature of that which is good, that it only is to be desired, and of that which is bad, that it only is truly odious and shameful: who know moreover, that this transgressor, whosoever he be, is my kinsman, not by the same blood and seed, but by participation of the same reason, and of the same divine particle; How can I either be hurt by any of those, since it is not in their power to make me incur anything that is truly reproachful? or angry, and ill affected towards him, who by nature is so near unto me? for we are all born to be fellow-workers, as the feet, the hands, and the eyelids; as the rows of the upper and under teeth: for such therefore to be in opposition, is against nature; and what is it to chafe at, and to be averse from, but to be in opposition?"

"Tell whosoever they be that intend not, and guide not by reason and discretion the motions of their own souls, they must of necessity be unhappy."

"That that life which any the longest liver, or the shortest liver parts with, is for length and duration the very same, for that only which is present, is that, which either of them can lose, as being that only which they have; for that which he hath not, no man can truly be said to lose."

"Thou must hasten therefore; not only because thou art every day nearer unto death than other, but also because that intellective faculty in thee, whereby thou art enabled to know the true nature of things, and to order all thy actions by that knowledge, doth daily waste and decay: or, may fail thee before thou die."

"This also thou must observe, that whatsoever it is that naturally doth happen to things natural, hath somewhat in itself that is pleasing and delightful: as a great loaf when it is baked, some parts of it cleave as it were, and part asunder, and make the crust of it rugged and unequal, and yet those parts of it, though in some sort it be against the art and intention of baking itself, that they are thus cleft and parted, which should have been and were first made all even and uniform, they become it well nevertheless, and have a certain peculiar property, to stir the appetite. So figs are accounted fairest and ripest then, when they begin to shrink, and wither as it were. So ripe olives, when they are next to putrefaction, then are they in their proper beauty."

"So will he be able to perceive the proper ripeness and beauty of old age, whether in man or woman: and whatsoever else it is that is beautiful and alluring in whatsoever is, with chaste and continent eyes he will soon find out and discern."

"See therefore in the whole series and connection of thy thoughts, that thou be careful to prevent whatsoever is idle and impertinent: but especially, whatsoever is curious and malicious: and thou must use thyself to think only of such things, of which if a man upon a sudden should ask thee, what it is that thou art now thinking, thou mayest answer This, and That, freely and boldly, that so by thy thoughts it may presently appear that in all thee is sincere, and peaceable; as becometh one that is made for society, and regards not pleasures, nor gives way to any voluptuous imaginations at all: free from all contentiousness, envy, and suspicion, and from whatsoever else thou wouldest blush to confess thy thoughts were set upon. He that is such, is he surely that doth not put off to lay hold on that which is best indeed, a very priest and minister of the gods, well acquainted and in good correspondence with him especially that is seated and placed within himself, as in a temple and sacrary: to whom also he keeps and preserves himself unspotted by pleasure, undaunted by pain; free from any manner of wrong, or contumely, by himself offered unto himself: not capable of any evil from others: a wrestler of the best sort, and for the highest prize, that he may not be cast down by any passion or affection of his own; deeply dyed and drenched in righteousness, embracing and accepting with his whole heart whatsoever either happeneth or is allotted unto him."

"Moreover, let thy God that is in thee to rule over thee, find by thee, that he hath to do with a man; an aged man; a sociable man; a Roman; a prince; one that hath ordered his life, as one that expecteth, as it were, nothing but the sound of the trumpet, sounding a retreat to depart out of this life with all expedition. One who for his word or actions neither needs an oath, nor any man to be a witness."

"For it is not lawful, that anything that is of another and inferior kind and nature, be it what it will, as either popular applause, or honour, or riches, or pleasures; should be suffered to confront and contest as it were, with that which is rational, and operatively good. For all these things, if once though but for a while, they begin to please, they presently prevail, and pervert a man’s mind, or turn a man from the right way."

"Never esteem of anything as profitable, which shall ever constrain thee either to break thy faith, or to lose thy modesty; to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to dissemble, to lust after anything, that requireth the secret of walls or veils. But he that preferreth before all things his rational part and spirit, and the sacred mysteries of virtue which issueth from it, he shall never lament and exclaim, never sigh."

"For all his life long, this is his only care, that his mind may always be occupied in such intentions and objects, as are proper to a rational sociable creature."

"As physicians and chirurgeons have always their instruments ready at hand for all sudden cures; so have thou always thy dogmata in a readiness for the knowledge of things, both divine and human: and whatsoever thou dost, even in the smallest things that thou dost, thou must ever remember that mutual relation, and connection that is between these two things divine, and things human. For without relation unto God, thou shalt never speed in any worldly actions; nor on the other side in any divine, without some respect had to things human."

"Let nothing be done rashly, and at random, but all things according to the most exact and perfect rules of art."

"A man cannot any whither retire better than to his own soul."

"By tranquillity I understand a decent orderly disposition and carriage, free from all confusion and tumultuousness. Afford then thyself this retiring continually, and thereby refresh and renew thyself."

"For what is it that thou art offended at? Can it be at the wickedness of men, when thou dost call to mind this conclusion, that all reasonable creatures are made one for another? and that it is part of justice to bear with them? and that it is against their wills that they offend? and how many already, who once likewise prosecuted their enmities, suspected, hated, and fiercely contended, are now long ago stretched out, and reduced unto ashes? It is time for thee to make an end."

"pleasure? But the care of thine honour and reputation will perchance distract thee? How can that be, if thou dost look back, and consider both how quickly all things that are, are forgotten, and what an immense chaos of eternity was before, and will follow after all things."

"For the whole earth is but as one point; and of it, this inhabited part of it, is but a very little part; and of this part, how many in number, and what manner of men are they, that will commend thee? What remains then, but that thou often put in practice this kind of retiring of thyself, to this little part of thyself; and above all things, keep thyself from distraction, and intend not anything vehemently, but be free and consider all things, as a man whose proper object is Virtue, as a man whose true nature is to be kind and sociable, as a citizen, as a mortal creature. Among other things, which to consider, and look into thou must use to withdraw thyself, let those two be among the most obvious and at hand. One, that the things or objects themselves reach not unto the soul, but stand without still and quiet, and that it is from the opinion only which is within, that all the tumult and all the trouble doth proceed. The next, that all these things, which now thou seest, shall within a very little while be changed, and be no more: and ever call to mind, how many changes and alterations in the world thou thyself hast already been an eyewitness of in thy time. This world is mere change, and this life, opinion."

"In sum, remember this, that within a very little while, both thou and he shall both be dead, and after a little while more, not so much as your names and memories shall be remaining."

"Conceit no such things, as he that wrongeth thee conceiveth, or would have thee to conceive, but look into the matter itself, and see what it is in very truth."

"First, do nothing at all, but what reason proceeding from that regal and supreme part, shall for the good and benefit of men, suggest unto thee."

"He who is greedy of credit and reputation after his death, doth not consider, that they themselves by whom he is remembered, shall soon after every one of them be dead."

"Use recreation with sobriety."

"He is a true fugitive, that flies from reason, by which men are sociable. He blind, who cannot see with the eyes of his understanding. He poor, that stands in need of another, and hath not in himself all things needful for this life. He an aposteme of the world, who by being discontented with those things that happen unto him in the world, doth as it were apostatise, and separate himself from common nature’s rational administration. For the same nature it is that brings this unto thee, whatsoever it be, that first brought thee into the world. He raises sedition in the city, who by irrational actions withdraws his own soul from that one and common soul of all rational creatures."

"For if thou shalt look backward; behold, what an infinite chaos of time doth present itself unto thee; and as infinite a chaos, if thou shalt look forward. In that which is so infinite, what difference can there be between that which liveth but three days, and that which liveth three ages?"

"Think thyself fit and worthy to speak, or to do anything that is according to nature, and let not the reproach, or report of some that may ensue upon it, ever deter thee. If it be right and honest to be spoken or done, undervalue not thyself so much, as to be discouraged from it."

"As a horse after a race, and a hunting dog when he hath hunted, and a bee when she hath made her honey, look not for applause and commendation; so neither doth that man that rightly doth understand his own nature when he hath done a good turn: but from one doth proceed to do another, even as the vine after she hath once borne fruit in her own proper season, is ready for another time."

"For if a man shall hear things mentioned as good, which are really good indeed, such as are prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude, after so much heard and conceived, he cannot endure to hear of any more, for the word good is properly spoken of them."

"Consider the whole universe whereof thou art but a very little part, and the whole age of the world together, whereof but a short and very momentary portion is allotted unto thee, and all the fates and destinies together, of which how much is it that comes to thy part and share!"

"For he is a happy man, who in his lifetime dealeth unto himself a happy lot and portion. A happy lot and portion is, good inclinations of the soul, good desires, good actions."

"The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them."

"Let this be thy only joy, and thy only comfort, from one sociable kind action without intermission to pass unto another, God being ever in thy mind."

"Either this universe is a mere confused mass, and an intricate context of things, which shall in time be scattered and dispersed again: or it is an union consisting of order, and administered by Providence. If the first, why should I desire to continue any longer in this fortuit confusion and commixtion? or why should I take care for anything else, but that as soon as may be I may be earth again? And why should I trouble myself any more whilst I seek to please the Gods? Whatsoever I do, dispersion is my end, and will come upon me whether I will or no. But if the latter be, then am not I religious in vain; then will I be quiet and patient, and put my trust in Him, who is the Governor of all."

"For the praises of many tongues, is in effect no better than the clattering of so many tongues. If then neither applause, what is there remaining that should be dear unto thee? This I think: that in all thy motions and actions thou be moved, and restrained according to thine own true natural constitution and construction only."

"Suppose that at the palestra somebody hath all to-torn thee with his nails, and hath broken thy head. Well, thou art wounded. Yet thou dost not exclaim; thou art not offended with him. Thou dost not suspect him for it afterwards, as one that watcheth to do thee a mischief. Yea even then, though thou dost thy best to save thyself from him, yet not from him as an enemy. It is not by way of any suspicious indignation, but by way of gentle and friendly declination. Keep the same mind and disposition in other parts of thy life also. For many things there be, which we must conceit and apprehend, as though we had had to do with an antagonist at the palestra. For as I said, it is very possible for us to avoid and decline, though we neither suspect, nor hate."

"Death is a cessation from the impression of the senses, the tyranny of the passions, the errors of the mind, and the servitude of the body."

"Do all things as becometh the disciple of Antoninus Pius. Remember his resolute constancy in things that were done by him according to reason, his equability in all things, his sanctity; the cheerfulness of his countenance, his sweetness, and how free he was from all vainglory; how careful to come to the true and exact knowledge of matters in hand, and how he would by no means give over till he did fully, and plainly understand the whole state of the business; and how patiently, and without any contestation he would bear with them, that did unjustly condemn him: how he would never be over-hasty in anything, nor give ear to slanders and false accusations, but examine and observe with best diligence the several actions and dispositions of men. Again, how he was no backbiter, nor easily frightened, nor suspicious, and in his language free from all affectation and curiosity: and how easily he would content himself with few things, as lodging, bedding, clothing, and ordinary nourishment, and attendance. How able to endure labour, how patient; able through his spare diet to continue from morning to evening without any necessity of withdrawing before his accustomed hours to the necessities of nature: his uniformity and constancy in matter of friendship. How he would bear with them that with all boldness and liberty opposed his opinions; and even rejoice if any man could better advise him: and lastly, how religious he was without superstition. All these things of him remember, that whensoever thy last hour shall come upon thee, it may find thee, as it did him, ready for it in the possession of a good conscience."

"But if it were so that happiness did consist in pleasure: how came notorious robbers, impure abominable livers, parricides, and tyrants, in so large a measure to have their part of pleasures?"

"He that seeth the things that are now, hath Seen all that either was ever, or ever shall be, for all things are of one kind; and all like one unto another."

"When thou wilt comfort and cheer thyself, call to mind the several gifts and virtues of them, whom thou dost daily converse with."

"The ambitious supposeth another man’s act, praise and applause, to be his own happiness; the voluptuous his own sense and feeling; but he that is wise, his own action."

"Is any man so foolish as to fear change, to which all things that once were not owe their being? And what is it, that is more pleasing and more familiar to the nature of the universe? How couldst thou thyself use thy ordinary hot baths, should not the wood that heateth them first be changed? How couldst thou receive any nourishment from those things that thou hast eaten, if they should not be changed?"

"That which thy neighbour hath committed, where the guilt of it lieth, there let it rest. Examine in order whatsoever is spoken. Let thy mind penetrate both into the effects, and into the causes. Rejoice thyself with true simplicity, and modesty; and that all middle things between virtue and vice are indifferent unto thee. Finally, love mankind; obey God."

"The art of true living in this world is more like a wrestler’s, than a dancer’s practice. For in this they both agree, to teach a man whatsoever falls upon him, that he may be ready for it, and that nothing may cast him down."

"The nature of the universe did once certainly before it was created, whatsoever it hath done since, deliberate and so resolve upon the creation of the world. Now since that time, whatsoever it is, that is and happens in the world, is either but a consequent of that one and first deliberation: or if so be that this ruling rational part of the world, takes any thought and care of things particular, they are surely his reasonable and principal creatures, that are the proper object of his particular care and providence. This often thought upon, will much conduce to thy tranquility."

"2. Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself; How will this when it is done agree with me? Shall I have no occasion to repent of it? Yet a very little while and I am dead and gone; and all things are at end. What then do I care for more than this, that my present action whatsoever it be, may be the proper action of one that is reasonable; whose end is, the common good; who in all things is ruled and governed by the same law of right and reason, by which God Himself is."

"fix thy mind upon the thing itself; look into it, and remembering thyself, that thou art bound nevertheless to be a good man, and what it is that thy nature requireth of thee as thou art a man, be not diverted from what thou art about, and speak that which seemeth unto thee most just: only speak it kindly, modestly, and without hypocrisy."

"Thou hast no time nor opportunity to read. What then? Hast thou not time and opportunity to exercise thyself, not to wrong thyself; to strive against all carnal pleasures and pains, and to get the upper hand of them; to contemn honour and vainglory; and not only, not to be angry with them, whom towards thee thou doest find unsensible and unthankful; but also to have a care of them still, and of their welfare?"

"Forbear henceforth to complain of the trouble of a courtly life, either in public before others, or in private by thyself."

"Receive temporal blessings without ostentation, when they are sent and thou shalt be able to part with them with all readiness and facility when they are taken from thee again."

"Then upon this presently call to mind, that neither that which is future, nor that which is past can hurt thee; but that only which is present."

"And when all is done, what is all this for, but for a mere bag of blood and corruption?

"In the whole constitution of man, I see not any virtue contrary to justice, whereby it may be resisted and opposed. But one whereby pleasure and voluptuousness may be resisted and opposed, I see: continence."

"One thing rejoices one and another thing another. As for me, this is my joy, if my understanding be right and sound, as neither averse from any man, nor refusing any of those things which as a man I am subject unto; if I can look upon all things in the world meekly and kindly; accept all things and carry myself towards everything according to the true worth of the thing itself."

"Well; that he speaketh ill of thee, so much is reported. But that thou art hurt thereby, is not reported: that is the addition of opinion, which thou must exclude."

"“They kill me, they cut my flesh; they persecute my person with curses.” What then? May not thy mind for all this continue pure, prudent, temperate, just?"

"He that feareth death, either feareth that he shall have no sense at all, or that his senses will not be the same. Whereas, he should rather comfort himself, that either no sense at all, and so no sense of evil; or if any sense, then another life, and so no death properly."

"All men are made one for another: either then teach them better, or bear with them."

"It were indeed more happy and comfortable, for a man to depart out of this world, having lived all his life long clear from all falsehood, dissimulation, voluptuousness, and pride. But if this cannot be, yet it is some comfort for a man joyfully to depart as weary, and out of love with those; rather than to desire to live, and to continue long in those wicked courses. Hath not yet experience taught thee to fly from the plague? For a far greater plague is the corruption of the mind, than any certain change and distemper of the common air can be."

"4. He that sinneth, sinneth unto himself. He that is unjust, hurts himself, in that he makes himself worse than he was before."

"Either teach them better if it be in thy power; or if it be not, remember that for this use, to bear with them patiently, was mildness and goodness granted unto thee."

"As virtue and wickedness consist not in passion, but in action; so neither doth the true good or evil of a reasonable charitable man consist in passion, but in operation and action."

"Go to the quality of the cause from which the effect doth proceed. Behold it by itself bare and naked, separated from all that is material. Then consider the utmost bounds of time that that cause, thus and thus qualified, can subsist and abide."

"When any shall either impeach thee with false accusations, or hatefully reproach thee, or shall use any such carriage towards thee, get thee presently to their minds and understandings, and look in them, and behold what manner of men they be. Thou shalt see, that there is no such occasion why it should trouble thee, what such as they are think of thee. Yet must thou love them still, for by nature they are thy friends. And the Gods themselves, in those things that they seek from them as matters of great moment, are well content, all manner of ways, as by dreams and oracles, to help them as well as others."

"Loss and corruption, is in very deed nothing else but change and alteration; and that is it, which the nature of the universe doth most delight in, by which, and according to which, whatsoever is done, is well done. For that was the estate of worldly things from the beginning, and so shall it ever be."

"Whatsoever doth happen unto thee, thou art naturally by thy natural constitution either able, or not able to bear. If thou beest able, be not offended, but bear it according to thy natural constitution, or as nature hath enabled thee. If thou beest not able, be not offended. For it will soon make an end of thee, and itself, (whatsoever it be) at the same time end with thee."

"Toys and fooleries at home, wars abroad: sometimes terror, sometimes torpor, or stupid sloth: this is thy daily slavery."

"And when shalt thou attain to the happiness of true simplicity, and unaffected gravity? When shalt thou rejoice in the certain knowledge of every particular object according to its true nature: as what the matter and substance of it is; what use it is for in the world:"

"What use is there of suspicion at all? or, why should thoughts of mistrust, and suspicion concerning that which is future, trouble thy mind at all? What now is to be done, if thou mayest search and inquire into that, what needs thou care for more? And if thou art well able to perceive it alone, let no man divert thee from it. But if alone thou doest not so well perceive it, suspend thine action, and take advice from the best. And if there be anything else that doth hinder thee, go on with prudence and discretion, according to the present occasion and opportunity, still proposing that unto thyself, which thou doest conceive most right and just. For to hit that aright, and to speed in the prosecution of it, must needs be happiness, since it is that only which we can truly and properly be said to miss of, or miscarry in."

"What is that that is slow, and yet quick? merry, and yet grave? He that in all things doth follow reason for his guide."

"And remember this, that unto reasonable creatures only it is granted that they may willingly and freely submit unto Providence: but absolutely to submit, is a necessity imposed upon all creatures equally."

"otherwise. But generally remember that nothing can hurt a natural citizen, that is not hurtful unto the city itself, nor anything hurt the city, that is not hurtful unto the law itself."

"That soul which is ever ready, even now presently (if need be) from the body, whether by way of extinction, or dispersion, or continuation in another place and estate to be separated, how blessed and happy is it! But this readiness of it, it must proceed, not from an obstinate and peremptory resolution of the mind, violently and passionately set upon opposition, as Christians are wont; but from a peculiar judgment; with discretion and gravity, so that others may be persuaded also and drawn to the like example, but without any noise and passionate exclamations."

"A branch cut off from the continuity of that which was next unto it, must needs be cut off from the whole tree: so a man that is divided from another man, is divided from the whole society. A branch is cut off by another, but he that hates and is averse, cuts himself off from his neighbour, and knows not that at the same time he divides himself from the whole body, or corporation. But herein is the gift and mercy of God, the Author of this society, in that, once cut off we may grow together and become part of the whole again. But if this happen often the misery is that the further a man is run in this division, the harder he is to be reunited and restored again: and however the branch which, once cut of afterwards was graffed in, gardeners can tell you is not like that which sprouted together at first, and still continued in the unity of the body."

"From justice all other virtues have their existence. For justice cannot be preserved, if either we settle our minds and affections upon worldly things; or be apt to be deceived, or rash, and inconstant."

"Will any hate me? let him look to that. I for my part will be kind and loving unto all, and even unto him that hates me, whomsoever he be, will I be ready to show his error, not by way of exprobation or ostentation of my patience, but ingenuously and meekly."

"They contemn one another, and yet they seek to please one another: and whilest they seek to surpass one another in worldly pomp and greatness, they most debase and prostitute themselves in their better part one to another."

"remembering withal that no object can of itself beget any opinion in us, neither can come to us, but stands without still and quiet; but that we ourselves beget, and as it were print in ourselves opinions concerning them. Now it is in our power, not to print them; and if they creep in and lurk in some corner, it is in our power to wipe them off. Remembering moreover, that this care and circumspection of thine, is to continue but for a while, and then thy life will be at an end. And what should hinder, but that thou mayest do well with all these things? For if they be according to nature, rejoice in them, and let them be pleasing and acceptable unto thee. But if they be against nature, seek thou that which is according to thine own nature, and whether it be for thy credit or no, use all possible speed for the attainment of it: for no man ought to be blamed, for seeking his own good and happiness."

"And in thy passions, take it presently to thy consideration, that to be angry is not the part of a man, but that to be meek and gentle, as it savours of more humanity, so of more manhood."

"Whatsoever thou doest hereafter aspire unto, thou mayest even now enjoy and possess, if thou doest not envy thyself thine own happiness. And that will be, if thou shalt forget all that is past, and for the future, refer thyself wholly to the Divine Providence, and shalt bend and apply all thy present thoughts and intentions to holiness and righteousness."

"If therefore whensoever the time of thy departing shall come, thou shalt readily leave all things, and shalt respect thy mind only, and that divine part of thine, and this shall be thine only fear, not that some time or other thou shalt cease to live, but thou shalt never begin to live according to nature: then shalt thou be a man indeed, worthy of that world, from which thou hadst thy beginning; then shalt thou cease to be a stranger in thy country, and to wonder at those things that happen daily, as things strange and unexpected, and anxiously to depend of divers things that are not in thy power."

"Use thyself even unto those things that thou doest at first despair of. For the left hand we see, which for the most part lieth idle because not used; yet doth it hold the bridle with more strength than the right, because it hath been used unto it."

"What pleasure, what death: what fame or honour, how every man is the true and proper ground of his own rest and tranquillity, and that no man can truly be hindered by any other: that all is but conceit and opinion."

"How happy is man in this his power that hath been granted unto him: that he needs not do anything but what God shall approve, and that he may embrace contentedly, whatsoever God doth send unto him?"

"Whatsoever doth happen in the ordinary course and consequence of natural events, neither the Gods, (for it is not possible, that they either wittingly or unwittingly should do anything amiss) nor men, (for it is through ignorance, and therefore against their wills that they do anything amiss) must be accused. None then must be accused."

"If all be a mere confusion without any moderator, or governor, then hast thou reason to congratulate thyself; that in such a general flood of confusion thou thyself hast obtained a reasonable faculty, whereby thou mayest govern thine own life and actions."

"Cast away from thee opinion, and thou art safe."

"How nearly all men are allied one to another by a kindred not of blood, nor of seed, but of the same mind."

"For, for a man to be proud and high conceited, that he is not proud and high conceited, is of all kind of pride and presumption, the most intolerable."

"Herein doth consist happiness of life, for a man to know thoroughly the true nature of everything; what is the matter, and what is the form of it: with all his heart and soul, ever to do that which is just, and to speak the truth."

~~~~

While not a Christian, Marcus Aurelius's stoic philosophy echos many of the principles of Christian religion.  Ironically, it was the contentious and confrontational nature of the 2nd century Christian evangelists that spoiled any affection and common ground Marcus might have found with the budding sect.  Nevertheless, there is much here to ponder and benefit from.  We are fortunate to have his words.      

The City of God: Words of Wisdom from St. Augustine's Epic Work 4 Mar 2019, 4:08 pm

I recently completed reading St. Augustine's epic work The City of God.  Written in the early 400's AD, the book is a fascinating window into early Catholic religious thought and contemporary religious questions of the day. 

At nearly 1,000 pages, the book touches on a wide range of issues.  The first portion is dedicated to identifying the spiritual history and nature of pagan gods and worship popular in his day.  He offers a spirited defense of Christianity while denouncing pagan worship.  The book then dives into his vision of the City of God, (i.e. the disciples of Christ as organized in the church) versus the city of this world. 

Besides basic theological topics, other interesting topics of discussion include the will of God during war, thoughts on abortion and the resurrection, philosophy, justice under law, translation of the scriptures, plus a pointed exegesis of the Old Testament.  The book gives great insight into the mind of the Christian faithful during the very fall of the Roman Empire. 

There are many great quotes in the book to share:

Righteousness and Wickedness

"It grieves them more to own a bad house than a bad life, as if it were man’s greatest good to have everything good but himself."

"For the good man is neither uplifted with the good things of time , nor broken by its ills ; but the wicked man , because he is corrupted by this world’s happiness , feels himself punished by its unhappiness."

"How, I say, can good be the cause of evil? For when the will abandons what is above itself, and turns to what is lower, it becomes evil-not because that is evil to which it turns, but because the turning itself is wicked. Therefore it is not an inferior thing which has made the will evil, but it is itself which has become so by wickedly and inordinately desiring an inferior thing."

"They will not refuse the discipline of this temporal life, in which they are schooled for life eternal; nor will they lament their experience of it, for the good things of earth they use as pilgrims who are not detained by them, and its ills either prove or improve them."

"For to the just all the evils imposed on them by unjust rulers are not the punishment of crime, but the test of virtue. Therefore the good man, although he is a slave, is free; but the bad man, even if he reigns, is a slave, and that not of one man, but, what is far more grievous, of as many masters as he has vices."

"Felicity He gives only to the good. Whether a man be a subject or a king makes no difference; he may equally either possess or not possess it."

"Nevertheless, they who restrain baser lusts, not by the power of the Holy Spirit obtained by the faith of piety, or by the love of intelligible beauty, but by desire of human praise, or, at all events, restrain them better by the love of such praise, are not indeed yet holy, but only less base."

"For so great is the righteousness of that man who receives his virtues from the Spirit of God, that he loves his very enemies, and so loves them that he desires that his haters and detractors may be turned to righteousness, and become his associates, and that not in an earthly but in a heavenly country. But with respect to his praisers, though he sets little value on their praise, he does not set little value on their love; neither does he elude their praise, lest he should forfeit their love. And, therefore, he strives earnestly to have their praises directed to Him from whom every one receives whatever in him is truly praiseworthy."

"Certainly, if they are blessed, they envy no one (for what more miserable than envy?)"

"So that, with these miserable creatures, it is not enough that they are sick, but they boast of their sickness, and are ashamed of the medicine which could heal them. And, doing so, they secure not elevation, but a more disastrous fall."

"And wisdom insinuates itself into holy souls, and makes them the friends of God and His prophets, and noiselessly informs them of His works."

"Good men are of greater value than bad angels."

"Prohibition increases the desire of illicit action, if righteousness is not so loved that the desire of sin is conquered by that love."

"For if man despise the will of God, he can only destroy himself; and so he learns the difference between consecrating himself to the common good and reveling in his own."

"He shall neither hate the man because of his vice, nor love the vice because of the man, but hate the vice and love the man. For the vice being cursed, all that ought to be loved, and nothing that ought to be hated, will remain."

"And what is pride but the craving for undue exaltation? And this is undue exaltation, when the soul abandons Him to whom it ought to cleave as its end, and becomes a kind of end to itself."

"The possession of goodness is increased in proportion to the concord and charity of each of those who share it."


Rewards for Righteousness

"And so of the good things of this life: if God did not by a very visible liberality confer these on some of those persons who ask for them, we should say that these good things were not at His disposal; and if He gave them to all who sought them, we should suppose that such were the only rewards of His service; and such a service would make us not godly, but greedy rather, and covetous."

Of Suffering

"For even in the likeness of the sufferings, there remains an unlikeness in the sufferers; and though exposed to the same anguish, virtue and vice are not the same thing."

"So material a difference does it make, not what ills are suffered, but what kind of man suffers them. For, stirred up with the same movement, mud exhales a horrible stench, and ointment emits a fragrant odor."

"But because this man listens and that man scoffs, and most are enamored of the blandishments of vice rather than the wholesome severity of virtue, the people of Christ, whatever be their condition-whether they be kings, princes, judges, soldiers, or provincials, rich or poor, bond or free, male or female-are enjoined to endure this earthly republic, wicked and dissolute as it is, that so they may by this endurance win for themselves an eminent place in that most holy and august assembly of angels and republic of heaven, in which the will of God is the law"

"Wherefore, though good and bad men suffer alike, we must not suppose that there is no difference between the men themselves, because there is no difference in what they both suffer. For even in the likeness of the sufferings, there remains an unlikeness in the sufferers; and though exposed to the same anguish, virtue and vice are not the same thing."

"They are punished together, not because they have spent an equally corrupt life, but because the good as well as the wicked, though not equally with them, love this present life; while they ought to hold it cheap, that the wicked, being admonished and reformed by their example, might lay hold of life eternal."


Missionary Work

"For often we wickedly blind ourselves to the occasions of teaching and admonishing them, sometimes even of reprimanding and chiding them, either because we shrink from the labor or are ashamed to offend them, or because we fear to lose good friendships, lest this should stand in the way of our advancement, or injure us in some worldly matter, which either our covetous disposition desires to obtain, or our weakness shrinks from losing. So that, although the conduct of wicked men is distasteful to the good, and therefore they do not fall with them into that damnation which in the next life awaits such persons, yet, because they spare their damnable sins through fear, therefore, even though their own sins be slight and venial, they are justly scourged with the wicked in this world, though in eternity they quite escape punishment."

"They abstain from interference, because they fear that, if it fail of good effect, their own safety or reputation may be damaged or destroyed; not because they see that their preservation and good name are needful, that they may be able to influence those who need their instruction, but rather because they weakly relish the flattery and respect of men, and fear the judgments of the people, and the pain or death of the body; that is to say, their non-intervention is the result of selfishness, and not of love."

Death and Dying

"Of this at least I am certain, that no one has ever died who was not destined to die some time."

"That death is not to be judged an evil which is the end of a good life; for death becomes evil only by the retribution which follows it."

"And since Christians are well aware that the death of the godly pauper whose sores the dogs licked was far better than of the wicked rich man who lay in purple and fine linen, what harm could these terrific deaths do to the dead who had lived well?"

"With how much more reason ought we to care for the bodies of those we love, which they wore far more closely and intimately than any clothing! For the body is not an extraneous ornament or aid, but a part of man’s very nature."

"But this we affirm, this we maintain, this we every way pronounce to be right, that no man ought to inflict on himself voluntary death, for this is to escape the ills of time by plunging into those of eternity; that no man ought to do so on account of another man’s sins, for this were to escape a guilt which could not pollute him, by incurring great guilt of his own; that no man ought to do so on account of his own past sins, for he has all the more need of this life that these sins may be healed by repentance; that no man should put an end to this life to obtain that better life we look for after death, for those who die by their own hand have no better life after death."

"And truly the very fact of existing is by some natural spell so pleasant, that even the wretched are, for no other reason, unwilling to perish; and, when they feel that they are wretched, wish not that they themselves be annihilated, but that their misery be so."

"And regarding what happens after death, it is no absurdity to say that death is good to the good, and evil to the evil."

"For he whose life is short spends a day no more swiftly than he whose life is longer."

Community

"For the blessedness of a community and of an individual flow from the same source; for a community is nothing else than a harmonious collection of individuals."

"Although, then, our present life is afflicted, sometimes in a milder, sometimes in a more painful degree, by the death of those very dear to us, and especially of useful public men, yet we would prefer to hear that such men were dead rather than to hear or perceive that they had fallen from the faith, or from virtue,-in other words, that they were spiritually dead."

Ruin of Rome

"For why in your calamities do you complain of Christianity, unless because you desire to enjoy your luxurious license unrestrained, and to lead an abandoned and profligate life without the interruption of any uneasiness or disaster? For certainly your desire for peace, and prosperity, and plenty is not prompted by any purpose of using these blessings honestly, that is to say, with moderation, sobriety, temperance, and piety; for your purpose rather is to run riot in an endless variety of sottish pleasures, and thus to generate from your prosperity a moral pestilence which will prove a thousandfold more disastrous than the fiercest enemies.
It was such a calamity as this that Scipio, your chief pontiff, your best man in the judgment of the whole senate, feared when he refused to agree to the destruction of Carthage, Rome’s rival and opposed Cato, who advised its destruction. He feared security, that enemy of weak minds, and he perceived that a wholesome fear would be a fit guardian for the citizens. And he was not mistaken; the event proved how wisely he had spoken. For when Carthage was destroyed, and the Roman republic delivered from its great cause of anxiety, a crowd of disastrous evils forthwith resulted from the prosperous condition of things.
First concord was weakened, and destroyed by fierce and bloody seditions; then followed, by a concatenation of baleful causes, civil wars, which brought in their train such massacres, such bloodshed, such lawless and cruel proscription and plunder, that those Romans who, in the days of their virtue, had expected injury only at the hands of their enemies, now that their virtue was lost, suffered greater cruelties at the hands of their fellow-citizens. The lust of rule, which with other vices existed among the Romans in more unmitigated intensity than among any other people, after it had taken possession of the more powerful few, subdued under its yoke the rest, worn and wearied."

"But unscrupulous ambition has nothing to work upon, save in a nation corrupted by avarice and luxury. Moreover, a people becomes avaricious and luxurious by prosperity; and it was this which that very prudent man Nasica was endeavouring to avoid when he opposed the destruction of the greatest, strongest, wealthiest city of Rome’s enemy. He thought that thus fear would act as a curb on lust, and that lust being curbed would not run riot in luxury, and that luxury being prevented avarice would be at an end; and that these vices being banished, virtue would flourish and increase the great profit of the state; and liberty, the fit companion of virtue, would abide unfettered."

"In truth, Rome, which was founded and increased by the labors of these ancient heroes, was more shamefully ruined by their descendants, while its walls were still standing, than it is now by the razing of them. For in this ruin there fell stones and timbers; but in the ruin those profligates effected, there fell, not the mural, but the moral bulwarks and ornaments of the city, and their hearts burned with passions more destructive than the flames which consumed their houses."

"Why must a kingdom be distracted in order to be great? In this little world of man’s body, is it not better to have a moderate stature, and health with it, than to attain the huge dimensions of a giant by unnatural torments, and when you attain it to find no rest, but to be pained the more in proportion to the size of your members?"

“Frequent mobs, seditions, and at last civil wars, became common, while a few leading men on whom the masses were dependent, affected supreme power under the seemly pretence of seeking the good of senate and people; citizens were judged good or bad without reference to their loyalty to the republic (for all were equally corrupt); but the wealthy and dangerously powerful were esteemed good citizens, because they maintained the existing state of things.” Sallust as quoted by St. Augustine

“I do not think that it was by arms that our ancestors made the republic great from being small. Had that been the case, the republic of our day would have been by far more flourishing than that of their times, for the number of our allies and citizens is far greater; and, besides, we possess a far greater abundance of armor and of horses than they did. But it was other things than these that made them great, and we have none of them: industry at home, just government without, a mind free in deliberation, addicted neither to crime nor to lust. Instead of these, we have luxury and avarice, poverty in the state, opulence among citizens; we laud riches, we follow laziness; there is no difference made between the good and the bad; all the rewards of virtue are got possession of by intrigue. And no wonder, when every individual consults only for his own good, when ye are the slaves of pleasure at home, and, in public affairs, of money and favor, no wonder that an onslaught is made upon the unprotected republic.” Cato as quoted by St. Augustine

Moral Customs

“The lewdness of comedy could never have been suffered by audiences, unless the customs of society had previously sanctioned the same lewdness.” - Cicero as quoted by St. Augustine

"Accordingly, in public, a bold impurity fills the ear of the people with noisy clamor; inprivate, a reigned chastity speaks in scarce audible whispers to a few: an open stage is provided for shameful things, but on the praiseworthy the curtain fails: grace hides disgrace flaunts: a wicked deed draws an overflowing house, a virtuous speech finds scarce a hearer, as though purity were to be blushed at, impurity boasted of."

"Awake more fully: the majesty of God cannot be propitiated by that which defiles the dignity of man."

"But since those Romans were in an earthly city, and had before them, as the end of all the offices undertaken in its behalf, its safety, and a kingdom, not in heaven, but in earth,-not in the sphere of eternal life, but in the sphere of demise and succession, where the dead are succeeded by the dying,-what else but glory should they love, by which they wished even after death to live in the mouths of their admirers?"

"But even though the perversity of the age should permit that all the better men should be more highly honored than others, neither thus should human honor be held at a great price, for it is smoke which has no weight."

"They did not love glory for the sake of justice, but seemed rather to have loved justice for the sake of glory."

"The things of time are to be used rather than enjoyed."

"But now, since our nature has God as its requisite author, it is certain that we must have Him for our teacher that we may be wise."

"For the vanquished succumb to the victorious, preferring any sort of peace and safety to freedom itself; so that they who chose to die rather than be slaves have been greatly wondered at."


Paganism

"But what kind of gods were these, pray, who declined to live with a people who worshipped them, and whose corrupt life they had done nothing to reform?"

"The demons are found to look after their own ends only, that they may be regarded and worshipped as gods, and that men may be induced to offer to them a worship which associates them with their crimes, and involves them in one common wickedness and judgment of God."

War

"But to make war on your neighbors, and thence to proceed to others, and through mere lust of dominion to crush and subdue people who do you no harm, what else is this to be called than great robbery?"

"Therefore, to carry on war and extend a kingdom over wholly subdued nations seems to bad men to be felicity, to good men necessity."

"For I do not see what it makes for the safety, good morals, and certainly not for the dignity, of men, that some have conquered and others have been conquered, except that it yields them that most insane pomp of human glory."

"For not even lions or dragons have ever waged with their kind such wars as men have waged with one another."

"The wicked war with the wicked; the good also war with the wicked. But with the good, good men, or at least perfectly good men, cannot war;though, while only going on towards perfection, they war to this extent, that every good man resists others in those points in which he resists himself."

Government

For, as far as this life of mortals is concerned, which is spent and ended in a few days, what does it matter under whose government a dying man lives, if they who govern do not force him to impiety and iniquity?"

"But we say that they are happy if they rule justly; if they are not lifted up amid the praises of those who pay them sublime honors, and the obsequiousness of those who salute them with an excessive humility, but remember that they are men;"

"For it is very easy for a man to seem to himself to have answered arguments, when he has only been unwilling to be silent. For what is more loquacious than vanity?"

"There can be no people, and therefore no republic, where there is no justice."

Miscellaneous

"Every man prefers to grieve in a sane mind, rather than to be glad in madness."

"the rational nature, even when wretched, is more excellent than that which lacks reason or feeling, and can therefore experience no misery."

"So also in the passing of time,-you try to lay your finger on the present, and cannot find it, because the present occupies no space, but is only the transition of time from the future to the past."

"There is, therefore, something in humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it."

"Secret ruin precedes open ruin."

"We cannot be expected to find room for replying to every question that may be started by unoccupied and captious men, who are ever more ready to ask questions than capable of understanding the answer."

"But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."

"When the miser prefers his gold to justice, it is through no fault of the gold, but of the man; and so with every created thing."

"For what right-minded man will contend that books so religiously preserved during thousands of years, and transmitted by so orderly a succession, were written without an object."

"For while the hot restlessness of heretics stirs questions about many articles of the catholic faith, the necessity of defending them forces us both to investigate them more accurately, to understand them more clearly, and to proclaim them more earnestly; and the question mooted by an adversary becomes the occasion of instruction."

"For God, the Creator of all, knows where and when each thing ought to be, or to have been created, because He sees the similarities and diversities which can contribute to the beauty of the whole. But He who cannot see the whole is offended by the deformity of the part, because he is blind to that which balances it, and to which it belongs."

"Now every temptation is not blame-worthy; it may even be praise-worthy, because it furnishes probation. And, for the most part, the human mind cannot attain to self-knowledge otherwise than by making trial of its powers through temptation, by some kind of experimental and not merely verbal self-interrogation; when, if it has acknowledged the gift of God, it is pious, and is consolidated by steadfast grace and not puffed up by vain boasting."

"For where virtue is the slave of pleasure it no longer deserves the name of virtue."

"Salvation, such as it shall be in the world to come, shall itself be our final happiness. And this happiness these philosophers refuse to believe in, because they do not see it, and attempt to fabricate for themselves a happiness in this life, based upon a virtue which is as deceitful as it is proud."

"It is a happier thing to be the slave of a man than of a lust; for even this very lust of ruling, to mention no others, lays waste men’s hearts with the most ruthless dominion."

"that he who loves to govern rather than to do good is no bishop. Accordingly no one is prohibited from the search after truth, for in this leisure may most laudably be spent; but it is unseemly to covet the high position requisite for governing the people, even though that position be held and that government be administered in a seemly manner. And therefore holy leisure is longed for by the love of truth; but it is the necessity of love to undertake requisite business. If no one imposes this burden upon us, we are free to sift and contemplate truth; but if it be laid upon us, we are necessitated for love’s sake to undertake it. And yet not even in this case are we obliged wholly to relinquish the sweets of contemplation; for were these to be withdrawn, the burden might prove more than we could bear."

"To some, servitude is useful; and, indeed, to serve God is useful to all."

"And men are punished by God for their sins often visibly, always secretly."

"And consequently, when God is said to change His will, as when, e.g., He becomes angry with those to whom He was gentle, it is rather they than He who are changed."

"But who can conceive, not to say describe, what degrees of honor and glory shall be awarded to the various degrees of merit? Yet it cannot be doubted that there shall be degrees. And in that blessed city there shall be this great blessing, that no inferior shall envy any superior, as now the archangels are not envied by the angels, because no one will wish to be what he has not received, though bound in strictest concord with him who has received"


Repentance

"He was miserable because he was foolish. In his case, therefore, folly was the cause of this useful and desirable sorrow, wherewith a man mourns that he is what he ought not to be."

"And if vices have not gathered strength, by habitual victory they are more easily overcome and subdued; but if they have been used to conquer and rule, it is only with difficulty and labor they are mastered. And indeed this victory cannot be sincerely and truly gained but by delighting in true righteousness, and it is faith in Christ that gives this."

"principles. Accordingly vices are then only to be considered overcome when they are conquered by the love of God, which God Himself alone gives, and which He gives only through the Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who became a partaker of our mortality that He might make us partakers of His divinity."

"As, therefore, there are two ways of knowing evil things,-one by mental insight, the other by sensible experience, for it is one thing to understand all vices by the wisdom of a cultivated mind, another to understand them by the foolishness of an abandoned life,-so also there are two ways of forgetting evils. For a well-instructed and learned man forgets them one way, and he who has experimentally suffered from them forgets them another,-the former by neglecting what he has learned, the latter by escaping what he has suffered."

"Nevertheless does the patience of God still invite the wicked to repentance , even as the scourge of God educates the good to patience.

~~~

Or course, with such a massive book, there are too many quotes to share. This is just a sample.  But the insights and wisdom are far reaching and provide plenty of material for further discussion.  If you are interested in history, religion, and philosophy, I highly recommend this book.   

WHO ARE THEY? Candidates for House District 9 17 Mar 2018, 10:03 pm

When looking across all the races for office this year, it is exciting to see so many people throw their hat in the ring to do some good for their community.  With my late retirement announcement last Thursday, I was initially nervous that nobody would have sufficient time to ponder the decision to run for office.  Fortunately, many were already thinking about how they could apply their talents in behalf of the rest of us well before my announcement.  With the filing period closed now, the candidates names are known.

I reached out to each of the potential Republican candidates for my replacement and asked them to craft a brief biography to share.  I thought posting this would help delegates and voters in District 9 hear the candidates in their own voice and help them get a feel for who the candidates are before Caucuses convene next week.

I know most of these candidates personally and I will be withholding an endorsement for the time being.

Here are the contenders (in their own words) presented in alphabetical order.
Emily Beeli is a Utah Wife and Homeschool mother. As she raised her children she was inspired to delve into the history of the founding of America and learn about the groundbreaking principles of Liberty and Individuality that empowered the courageous colonists to develop the system we live in today.

 Emily has always striven to be an educated and involved citizen; but it wasn't until 2011 when her daughter got involved in the Teenage Republicans, that Emily began to learn more about the proper role of government and the unique caucus system that we have here in Utah. As she learned more about America's founding principles that set us apart from the entire world; Emily began to notice more fundamental concerns with the way current politicians are making decisions and asserting their authority in Utah. In an attempt to better educate our leaders on the authority of the State. Emily organized several events where Legislators had the opportunity to receive training on the Sovereignty and role of the State in restraining the Federal Government.

After getting involved with many political action teams and even forming her own "Liberty Forum" group, Emily has served as a delegate and has now decided to run for a state position.




Adrian William Eads is a 36-year-old male who is running for the Utah House of Representatives for the 9th District. I have been a lifelong resident of the State of Utah. I currently reside in the Trolley District in Ogden and have been in my current house for almost nine years. I bleed purple and have graduated with both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree from Weber State University. I have been married for almost 18 years to my high school sweetheart, Starcia. Together we have seven children and are currently foster parents to two great kids. We have been foster parents for over 10 years and have adopted four amazing children who were unable to go home to their parents. I am employed by Adult Probation and Parole and have been a correctional officer, probation/parole officer, and currently am responsible for supervising staff. I take the safety of our community seriously and am proud to serve as a law enforcement officer in our community. I believe contributing to our community is important and currently serve as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, and am on the Board of Trustees for the Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership.

I believe the safety of our community is paramount. To that end I commit to work on legislation which will make our community, Weber County, and the State of Utah safer. I believe individuals who victimize our community need to be held responsible for their actions. In 2015, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative was passed; however, it currently lacks an effective treatment component and therefore offenders are being released back into the community without addressing their underlying issues. Next, I believe we need to provide for the next generation and help raise our workforce. To accomplish this I look forward to assisting to improve our schools, expand choices for parents, incentivize teachers/schools who are exceeding standards, and helping to make sure adults have the training/education needed to support themselves and draw new employers to Weber County. Finally, I plan to work with law enforcement, treatment providers, medical professionals, stakeholders, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to combat the opioid epidemic. I commit to only introducing legislation which can be shown to have a direct effect/impact on our community.



Mary Khalaf is a wife, mother, former Federal Officer, cancer survivor & civil rights activist with a deep commitment to the Constitutional principles that have shaped the American experience. Mary has operated The Khalaf House, which serves the wellness needs of the community, for over a decade.

Mary entered politics after seeing the Planned Parenthood videos which greatly affected her as a former patient who almost had an abortion based upon the lies of an immoral corporation propped up by corrupt politicians.

Mary has a passion for fighting for the common individual who is over regulated, over taxed & under represented. If elected you can count on Mary doing all she can to help shape Utah’s future with integrity, hard work & honesty.

Recipient Activist of the Year 2017 by Americans for Prosperity for her commitment to fighting taxes.





Calvin Musselman was raised from the time he was nine years old in southeastern Utah. He loved growing up in the small town of Monticello and thrived in a small-town upbringing. While growing up he fell in love with Utah’s unique outdoors and the recreational opportunities it provides. To this day Calvin counts himself privileged to call Utah home. During his junior year of high school, he enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard with the 1457th Engineer Battalion. Directly after graduating high school he was sent to basic training in Fort Leonard Missouri where he also completed his advanced individual training as a 62 echo (heavy equipment operations). He then attended and graduated from Dixie State College in St. George Utah. Shortly after graduating from Dixie State College he attended the University of Utah, majoring in geology, until he was activated into full time military service for Desert Storm.

Upon returning home from Desert Storm he married a girl he had been dating since Dixie College that just happened to be from West Haven named Dawnell Anderson. They have been married nearly 27 years and have 4 wonderful children. Cal and Dawnell have not only been equal partners in their marriage but have been equal partners in their small business for over 20 years. Shortly after being married they lived in Ogden on Orchard Avenue just off 21st street. From Ogden they moved to Roy then to West Haven where they still live today. All three of their homes in their married life have been right in the heart of District 9 where they have developed a deep love for the people and area they call home.

Calvin has always been dedicated to his country, his state, his home towns, and the people in them. Whether it was his military service, coaching youth sports, volunteering at his kids’ schools, his deep dedication to his faith, or sacrificing his time to serve his professional vocation he has always served. He now wants to take all the life lessons he has received through a life of service to dedicate his time for those that live in his community at the Utah State Legislature. If elected, Calvin is dedicated to uphold the constitution, fight for small business, improved public education, improved economic development in Weber County, and more government transparency. Calvin is a lifelong member of the Republican Party and fully supports the Republican Party platform of limited government.

~~~~

So there you have it.  I will see you at Caucus on Tuesday next week!

SINE DIE SILLINESS: The Cache County Boys...And That Other Guy 11 Mar 2018, 1:07 am

Our annual Sing Along and Roast was a hit this year.  We topped off years worth of performances with this politically incorrect piece of pointed satire. 

With Reps Webb, Redd and me retiring,  Rep. Val Potter will need to solicit some new talent to keep the tradition going.

2018 General Session: Week 7 11 Mar 2018, 1:01 am

Mr. Peterson Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2018 9 Mar 2018, 10:12 am

It is with both reverence and reluctance that I announce my intent to retire from the Utah House of Representatives.  I will not be seeking re-election in 2018.  I am immensely grateful for all the support that has been given to me and my family during the past eight years as I have served at Capitol Hill in behalf of the people of District 9.  I am forever indebted to those
who have helped me in being elected to and serving in higher office.

Having consulted with my dear wife and family, we feel that now is the right time to take a pause from public service as we focus on shepherding our four daughters through adolescence and give much needed attention to our growing business ventures.

District 9 needs a strong voice at Capitol Hill and I encourage anyone with the aptitude to serve to file to run.

May God continue to bless our community and the great state of Utah!

2018 General Session: Week 6 3 Mar 2018, 3:48 pm

Week 6 saw the Legislature enter its traditional logjam as bills streamed out of committee en masse and landing on the Floor reading calendars.  The committee agendas this week were typically followed in ad lib fashion as bill sponsors were double or triple booked trying to present all of their bill files to multiple committees during the same hour block.  Nevertheless, we survived.  The week also saw some interesting and important events.



Before that, she did what most of us in our committee meetings really want to do.


My mom, sister, and daughter spent some time with me as well.  Then they headed downtown to do some shopping.

Majority Leader Brad Wilson is teased by Minority Leader Brian King who #Resists the sign requirements for Floor desks.



 Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox gave us a frank and honest legal briefing on the matter.  The bottom line?  Republicans should be terrified.


HB80 - Child Placement Amendments - This bill is tabled on the Senate 3nd Reading Calendar and should be funded.

HB110 - Lobbyist Licencing Amendments - This bill passed passed the House Floor and was heard by Senate Committee.  It passed out of both bodies.

HB126 - Offender Housing Amendments -   This bill's funding was caught in the crossfire of House and Senate negotiations.  We are looking for any funding mechanism we can find at this point.  If not, we will pass the bill with no appropriation and have the blueprint in the books for future funding.

HB193 - National Popular Vote Interstate Compact - This bill will return to rules committee and expire.  Our committee vote count was never sufficient enough to bring it up for discussion and pass.  I am still convinced it is a sound policy proposal despite the vitriolic emails and phone calls I received from the misinformed. 

HB270 - Teacher Employment Amendments - This bill passed the Senate and is being enrolled.  It goes to the Governor's desk for a signature. 

HB384 - Trust Deeds and Statute of Limitations - This bill fizzled out this week.  We had another round table with the banks and credit unions and our second draft of the bill created more complications than expected.  This issue will be discussed over the summer and another bill brought back in 2019.  

2018 General Session - Week 5 24 Feb 2018, 5:29 pm

Week 5 was short but punchy.  We came back from President's Day to a 3rd Reading Calendar chuck full of bills to debate.

We had a heart wrenching recognition on the House Floor of Deserea Turner.  She is a shooting survivor who was left for dead by two classmates in Logan last year.  Her  head wound has left her physically impaired and has caused some mental impairment.  But she is improving.  She is a strong girl.


We recognized Orin Hatch on the House Floor and declared February 21st as Orin Hatch Day.  To celebrate this new holiday, we all dressed up like politicians.


The Legislature's love/hate relationship with premium creamy chocolate continues as we restock with consolation prizes to hand legislators after their bills fail.  For example...


Our Oversight Committee proposal was panned by the Utah League of Cities and Towns who effectively lobbied a majority of representatives to stick a knife in the bill.  The bill has since had the knife pulled out of its heart and is being resuscitated after the city provisions are amputated from the bill language.


We had a serious discussion about tax reform for the state.  There are four major bills on their way through the Legislature that realign our tax structure.  Combined, they would decrease taxes while shifting some of the tax burden more evenly from one source to others. Two of the bills increase taxes and two of them decrease taxes if passed alone. However, we took no position as a body on the combined package and will be debating each of the bills on their merits. This scenario could prove to be an explosion of excitement as we near the end of the Session.


Congresswoman Mia Love paid us a visit.  She candidly shared her feelings about President Trump while Speaker Hughes simultaneously offered us his best poker face.


I presented HB384 at committee which deals with preventing predatory foreclosures on orphaned 2nd mortgages left over from the Great Recession.  The committee hearing was heated.  You can listen to the presentation HERE.  Afterword, we gathered with the Credit Union Association, the Bankers Association, and Lundberg and Associates to forge a path forward.  After about 3 hours of discussion we found a way that would appease all parties involved.


You know its been a long day at work when you are almost the last guy to leave.


Quote of the Week

"I hope this bill dies in the Senate."

- Rep. Francis Gibson speaking about his own bill


Mr. Peterson's Bills

HB20 - Political Acitivies and Elections - This bill is sitting on the Governor's desk.

HB80 - Child Placement Amendments - This bill is tabled on the Senate 3nd Reading Calendar.

HB110 - Lobbyist Licencing Amendments - This bill passed committee this week on a 6-3 vote and is scheduled to be heard on the House Floor.

HB126 - Offender Housing Amendments -   This bill waits on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar. 

HB193 - National Popular Vote Interstate Compact - This bill is still in possession of our Government Operations Committee.

HB270 - Teacher Employment Amendments - This bill passed Senate Committee unanimously and is on the Senate Consent Calendar.

HB384 - Trust Deeds and Statute of Limitations - This bill, despite the heated discussion, was passed out of committee and sits on the House 3rd Reading Calendar.  In an unusual move, the committee opted to move it forward trusting that we would collaborate with stakeholders to come to a consensus solution.  That process has occurred and the bill is being redrafted.  A substitute bill is forthcoming for stakeholders to review. 

2018 General Session - Week 4 17 Feb 2018, 2:44 pm

Week Four moved at a steady pace.  Here is the week in pictures.


The week started out with a 7am gathering of our Northern Utah Caucus.  As you can tell from the vantage point of the photo, I was a few minutes late to the meeting. 



Our annual Speaker's Dinner this year was held on the floor of the Vivint Arena.  It was a sentimental event and a nice way to honor Speaker Hughes. 



We were paid a visit by the Consul General of Canada Stephane Lessard.  He discussed the problems facing free trade between Canada and America and their desire to maintain trade between our countries.  Over 76,000 Utah jobs are tied to trade with Canada.  Exiting NAFTA would cost Utah approximately 18k-36k jobs.  NAFTA is a big deal for our state. 


Students from Ogden High School came up to the Capitol to learn how our system works. 



My daughter Wynnie came up to pal around with me for a day. 


Quote of the Week

"I support this bill...regardless who the sponsor is."

- Rep. Tim Quinn



Mr. Peterson's Bills

HB20 - Political Acitivies and Elections - This bill is sitting on the House Concurrence calendar and will be voted on Tuesday before going to the Governor's desk.

HB80 - Child Placement Amendments - This bill is on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar.

HB110 - Lobbyist Licencing Amendments - This bill is scheduled to be heard at committee Tuesday, February 20th.

HB126 - Offender Housing Amendments - This bill was substituted and passed out of Senate Committee unanimously.  It will now wait on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar while we prioritize funding.

HB193 - National Popular Vote Interstate Compact - This bill is still in possession of our Government Operations Committee.

HB270 - Teacher Employment Amendments - This bill passed House Committee unanimously and was placed passed the House on the Consent Calendar.  It now goes to Senate Committee for a hearing. 

HB384 - Trust Deeds and Statute of Limitations - This bill has been numbered and has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

2018 General Session - Week 3 10 Feb 2018, 10:57 pm

The third week of the Session saw some major events.

Halfway House Reform

I was able to meet with House Leadership and the Department of Corrections to find common ground on HB126 and our efforts to re-align our halfway house system.  A late Monday evening gathering was a breakthrough for us.  The Department of Corrections offered constructive feedback for us that turned into the 1st Substitute of the bill.  I presented the bill on Thursday and it was overwhelmingly supported with a 64-5 vote.  Our next step is to shepherd the bill through the Senate as we work on the fiscal note.  Here is a video of the floor presentation:



Remembering Our Progenitors

My grandmother passed away Saturday evening and her funeral was held in Shelley, Idaho on Wednesday.  I was asked to speak at her funeral.  We spent the day with family as we remembered the great life and example Grandma gave us. 

2018 General Session - Week 2 4 Feb 2018, 6:53 am

2018 General Session - Week 1 28 Jan 2018, 5:57 am

Session Opening

The 2018 General Session kicked off with the House being serenaded by alumni.







Meeting with other Northern Utah politicos to discuss issues affecting our region of the state.

VIDEO: National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Heard at Committee 16 Nov 2017, 3:49 am

Today I presented my proposal to have Utah join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact at the Government Operations Interim Committee.

Here is video of the powerpoint presentation with audio from my remarks and the committees questions:




The bill will be heard again at the Government Operations Standing Committee in the up coming 2018 General Session.

WINNER TAKE ALL: Mormon Missouri Expulsion and the Electoral College 13 Nov 2017, 8:26 pm

In 1820, Missouri and and Maine entered the Union under the auspices of the Missouri Compromise.  Maine was admitted as a free state and Missouri was admitted as a slave state.  Through the compromise, the precarious balance of power between the North and South was maintained for a little longer.

Eleven years later, in the summer of 1831, Mormon settlers began to migrate from Ohio to Jackson County, Missouri to establish a new center of Mormon life.  The territory was untamed and on the frontier. Life was hard.  Nevertheless, the group worked diligently to improve their land and livelihoods.

Unfortunately, their presence was not appreciated by other locals who took a dim view on their new religious neighbors.  With Missouri being a slave state, anti-slavery sentiments among the Mormons proved to be a potential threat to slaveholders.  The large Mormon presence threatened to upset the political balance that supported Missouri as slave state.

Settler agitation against their Mormon neighbors began in earnest in 1833.  A local paper in Independence, MO published a letter signed by community leaders.  Here are their unbelievable words:



Clearly, the settlers of Jackson County had little tolerance for their religiously enthused neighbors.

After tensions mounted and the Mormons abandoned their settlements to relocate in Clay County, the Missouri Legislature created two new counties for the Mormons to reside.  Caldwell and Daviess Counties were created as safe havens for Mormons to segregate themselves from the rest of the state.  The settlements quickly filled to overflowing and Mormon settlers spilled into surrounding areas.  Lands were purchased in surrounding counties and tension again began to rise.  Tensions erupted into violence including Mormon youth and prisoners killed at the Haun's Mill Massacre.

In 1838 Governor Boggs issued Executive Order 44 "The Mormon Extermination Order":



The result of the extermination order was swift.  General Clark surrounded the largest Mormon settlement of Far West and laid it under siege.  Mormon settlers capitulated.  Terms were issued giving the Mormons until Spring to leave the state or face a slaughter.  Rather than waiting, the Mormons abandoned their settlements that winter and left for Illinois.

The material losses were enormous.  The 12,000 Mormons left behind their land, their homes, and their possessions.  Estimates of financial losses in today's money is around $25 million.



After the exodus, Joseph Smith, the president of the church, traveled to Washington D.C. to seek redress for the abuses the Mormons had experienced.  Considering their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to have been trodden down, he took the grievances of the Mormon people to the highest level.  Joseph met with President Van Buren to plead for justice.  After hearing the issue Van Buren's response was stunning.  There are two quotes attributed to his retort upon hearing of the Mormon's deprivations in Missouri:

    "What can I do? I can do nothing for you, -if I do anything, I shall come in contact with the whole State of Missouri." 

"Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you; if I take up for you, I shall lose the vote of Missouri."

His words (whichever quote you chose) is stunning.  We read the words of a calculating politician who is weighing his electoral chances in the run up to an election year.  In 1839, Missouri held four electoral votes in the Electoral College.  The state also awarded those votes based on a winner-take-all system that Utah and 48 other states still employ today.  President Van Buren figured that he would lose all of Missouri's electoral college votes if he helped the Mormons.  That was simply too much to ask.

In the end, the result was truly winner-take-all:  The mobs took all of the Mormon's wealth and Van Buren took all of Missouri's electoral votes in the 1840 election.

Thus, we see yet another example of how our current winner-take-all electoral college system produces distorted (and in this case grossly unjust) outcomes based on the rules for electing our President.  You can learn more about my proposed solution to this problem. 

STATES' RIGHTS: Federalism and the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact 6 Nov 2017, 7:54 pm

Federalism, the 10th Amendment, and State's Rights are all subjects near and dear to my heart.  Having observed the course of business in our national capitol and its propensity for one-size-fits-all policy, I recognize the great wisdom our Founder's showed when they ordained the separate states as laboratories of democracy.  So, it is with great regret that I watch as national policy is drafted that pleases a few but runs counter to the will and best interests of other various states.  Such a process is not only insensitive, but also completely unnecessary.

Presently, national directives are dictated by the great policy making exercise that occurs every four years: the Presidential Election.  It is during this great exercise in political showmanship that promises are made and deals struck by candidates to assure their ascendance to power.  If the right agreements are made with enough of the right people, the candidate prevails and becomes our head of state.

We witnessed this in President Trump's surprising victory in November.  He defied conventional political wisdom by wooing Rust Belt Democrats to his cause and blurring the traditional party lines.  In order to secure the support of these voters, it was required to strike a deal with the trade unions to promote a trade policy that encourages U.S. manufacturing.  This policy would involve tariffs, regulations, and potential trade wars with other countries.  While a trade war would be good for Ohio and Pennsylvania, it would not be good for Utah which is an export state.


Which begs the question, why would such a bargain be struck to gain support of the Rust Belt states in the first place?  Well, as it turns out, states like Pennsylvania and Ohio are swing states.  Like Colorado, Nevada, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina, the margins of support in the 2016 election were too close to call before election day to know if the state would throw its Electoral College votes to a candidate of either party.  The reason this electoral uncertainty is important is because nearly all the states in the country, except Nebraska and Maine, have pledged their Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the state popular vote.


This winner-take-all policy has in turn created battleground states who gain all the attention during presidential elections. Meanwhile, the remaining states, like Utah, sit on the benches and watch as national policy is crafted based on the needs and desires of these all-important battleground states. The spectator states are left wanting.

To offer some examples, let's look at two of the most partisan issues that have risen in recent Utah memory: Public Lands and Medicaid Expansion.  Regarding Medicaid Expansion, Utah, like most states, applied for Federal waivers to the program.  The waivers would have exempted Utah from some parts of the law to help the program better fit with what local political leaders felt would work in the state.  Our request was outright rejected.  Meanwhile, Florida, a battleground state, received their Federal waiver and was able to move forward with the program.  Had the Federal government been willing to accommodate Utah's specific needs, the acrimonious debate on Medicaid expansion would probably have been much more subdued.

The other issue vexing Utah is how we manage our public lands.  With over 60% of the land in our state being owned and managed by the Federal Government, we have a strong interest in making sure that management is being handled properly.  Many rural communities depend on that stewardship being treated seriously.  With the Federal Government having such a large footprint in the state, problems are bound to surface.  When they do, Utah has petitioned the Federal Government to resolve the conflicts.  Unfortunately, few of our requests are granted.  Meanwhile, Colorado, who also has a large amount of Federally owned public land, has most of their public lands conflicts resolved.  Is it merely a coincidence that Colorado is also a battleground state?  It is not.

So, how does Utah reassert its rights as a state and engage in the national policy discussion?  The answer is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.  By forcing Presidential Candidates to consider the needs of all the voters in all of the States, the policy outcomes will be more even-handed.  Given the diverse perspectives and needs of each state, candidates would be forced to promise policy that would accommodate large swaths of the country rather than specific niches.  Spectator states, like Utah, would become proportionally relevant again to the policy discussion and improve the likelihood that their grievances are heard.

I hope you can join me in supporting the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.  Utah deserves to have a seat at the Federal policy table.  I look forward to presenting this exciting policy initiative in the 2018 General Session.                 

     

     

The Ultimate Quotable Tocqueville: Words of America's Most Insightful Observer 15 Oct 2017, 5:22 am

I recently concluded reading the classic work Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville published in 1835.  It is a magnificent read and should be mandatory reading for every American.  The book details the American system of government but digs at its roots and history.  The book highlights America's promise as a nation and offers plenty of caution against pitfalls.  He describes the principles that drive Americans at their core.  Despite being 182 years old, the book is timeless.  The natural and political truths he illustrates apply to all of humanity from all eras.

In an effort to scratch the surface of Tocqueville's brilliance, here are quotes from the book to tantalize your taste buds.


Despotism and Tyranny

"Formerly tyranny employed chains and executioners as its crude weapons; but nowadays civilization has civilized despotism itself even though it appeared to have nothing else to learn."

"Despotism corrupts the man who submits to it much more than the man who imposes it."

"Despotism, suspicious by its very nature, views the separation of men as the best guarantee of its own permanence and usually does all it can to keep them in isolation.  No defect of the human heart suits it better than egoism; a tyrant is relaxed enough to forgive his subjects for failing to love him, provided that they do not love one another."
"In despotic states, men do not know how to act because they are told nothing; in democratic nations they often act at random because there has been an attempt to tell them everything."

"The chief and, in a sense, the only condition one needs in order to reach a centralized public power in a democratic society is to love equality or to make men believe you do.  Thus, the art of despotism, which was formerly so complicated, is now quite simple: it is reduced, as it were, to a single principle."

"If despotism were to be established in present day democracies, it would probably assume a different character; it would be more widespread and kinder; it would debase men without tormenting them."

"How can tyranny be resisted in a country where each person is weak and where individuals are not united by any shared concerns?"
"There is nothing more irresistible than a tyranny that rules in the name of the people."

"Thought is an invisible power which cannot be bound and which makes fun of tyrannies."
"Tyranny may be able to do without faith, but freedom cannot."
"The vices fostered by tyranny are exactly those supported by equality."

"Equality places men shoulder to shoulder, unconnected by any common tie.  Tyranny erects barriers between them and keeps them separate.  The former persuades them not to think of their fellows while the latter turns their indifference into a sort of public virtue."

"I readily agree that public tranquility is a benefit; but I do no intend to forget, however, that all nations have reached tyranny through good order."

"The tyranny of a faction is no less to be feared than that of a single man."



Human Nature

"Whatever happens, you will never come across true exercise of power among men, except by the free agreement of their wills; only patriotism or religion can carry, over a long period, the whole body of citizens toward the same goal."

"Not only do they have no natural liking for public business but often they lack the time for it.  In democratic times, private life is so active, so frantic, so full of desires and work that each man has almost no energy or leisure left for political life."

"Democratic nations often hate those in whose hands central power is placed but they always retain their affection for the power itself."

"The favor of the people may be won by some brilliant action but the love and respect of your neighbors must be gained by a long series of small services, hidden deeds of goodness, a persistent habit of kindness, and an established reputation of selflessness."

"What most sharply stirs the human heart is not the quiet possession of a precious object but the as yet unsatisfied desire of owning it and the constant fear of losing it."

"It is, moreover, simple to understand that, if those men passionately seeking physical pleasures desire them over-eagerly, they are also easily discouraged.  Since the ultimate objective is enjoyment, the means to it has to be swift and easy; otherwise the trouble to attain it would outweigh the enjoyment itself. Most souls are, therefore, both enthusiastic and slack, violent, and nervous.  Often death is less feared than the persistent efforts needed to achieve the same ambition."
War

"Nothing is as dangerous as an army amid a nation with no taste for war; the citizens' liking for quiet daily exposes the constitution to the mercy of the soldiers."

"War would only be a remedy for a people always seeking glory."

"War does not always surrender democratic nations to military rule but it invariably and immeasurably increases the powers of civil government, into whose hands it almost unavoidably concentrates the control over all men and all things."

"Once citizens are educated, disciplined, decisive, and free, you will have orderly and obedient soldiers."

"When war has lasted long enough finally to have wrenched every citizen from his peacetime activities and has brought disaster to his small-scale enterprises, those very passions which made him attach so much value to peace will turn toward war."



Revolution

"In civilized nations, it is generally only those with nothing to lose who revolt."

"When a society really does have a mixed government, that is to say, one equally divided between opposing principles, it embarks on revolution or it breaks apart."
"I know nothing more hostile to revolutionary conditions than commercial ones.  Commerce is a natural opponent of all violent passions."

"When ambitious men once have power in their grasp, they believe they can dare to do anything and, when it slips from their grip, they immediately contemplate overthrowing the state in order to recover their loss."

Women

"Religion is often powerless to restrain man in the face of the countless temptations offered by wealth and cannot moderate his eagerness to become rich, which everything around him helps to stimulate; but it reigns supreme in the souls of women, they are the protectors of morals."

"No free societies ever existed without morals and morals are made by women."

"It is easy to see that, in this ambition to make the one sex equal to the other, both are demeaned and that, from this crude mixing of nature's works, we will emerge weak men and immodest women."

"The Americans have applied to the sexes the great principle of political economy which currently dominates industry.  They have carefully divided up the functions of men and women so that the great work of society might be better performed."

"And now, as I come near to the end of this book in which I have recorded so many considerable achievements of the Americans. if I am asked how we should account fo r the unusual prosperity and growing strength of the nation, I would reply that they must be attributed to the superiority of their women."


Religion and Faith

"Americans show in practice that they feel it necessary to instill morality into democracy by means of religion.  Their thoughts about themselves in this context contain a truth which must permeate every democratic nation."
"This civilization is the result of two quite distinct ingredients which anywhere else have often ended in war but which the Americans have succeeded somehow to meld together in wondrous harmony; namely the spirit of religion and the spirit of liberty."

"Liberty looks upon religion as its companion in its struggles and triumphs, as the cradle of its young life, as the divine source of its claims.  It considers religion as the guardian of morality, morality as the guarantee of law and the security that freedom will last."

"Along side evry religion lies some political opinion which is linked to it by affinity.  If the human mind is allowed to follow its own bent, it will regulate political society and the City of God in the same uniform manner and will, I dare say, seek to harmonize earth and heaven."

"America is still the country in the world where the Christian religion has retained the greatest real power over people's souls and nothing shows better how useful and natural religion is to man, since the country where he exerts the greatest sway is also the most enlightened and free."

"While the law allows for the American people to do everything, religion prevents their imagining everything and forbids them from daring to do everything."

"If Americans, who change their head of state every four years, choose new legislators every two years, replace provincial administrators annually, and if Americans, who have handed over the realm of politics to the experiments of innovators, had not placed their religion somewhere beyond their reach, what could it hold on to in the ebb and flow of human opinions? Amid the struggles of parties, where would it find its due respect? What would become of its immortality when all around it would be perishing?"

"Two great dangers threaten the existence of religions: schisms and indifference."

"On the other hand, the man who still believes is not afraid to display his faith for all to see.  He looks on those who do not share his hopes as unfortunate rather than hostile; he knows he can win their respect without following their example.  He is, therefore, in conflict with no one; since he does not view the society in which he lives as an arena where religion has to struggle constantly against a thousand relentless enemies, he is attached to his fellow men while he condemns their weaknesses and sorrows over their mistakes."
"We have to recognize that if religion does not save men in the other world, it is at least very useful for their happiness and importance in this."

"When a nation's religion is destroyed, doubt takes a grip upon the highest areas of intelligence, partially paralyzing all the others.  Each man gets used to having only confused and vacillating ideas on matters which have the greatest interest for himself and his fellows.  He puts up a poor defense of his opinions or abandons them and, as he despairs of ever resolving by himself the greatest problems presented by human destiny, he beats a cowardly retreat into not thinking at all. Such a state cannot fail to weaken the soul, strains the forces of the will, and shapes citizens for slavery.  Not only do the latter allow their freedom to be taken from them, they often give it up."

"Not only does self-interest guide the religion of Americans but they often place their interest in following it in this world.  In the Middle Ages priests spoke only of the afterlife, hardly bothering to prove that a sincere Christian might be happy here below.  But American preachers return constantly to this world and have some difficulty in detaching their gaze from it.  So as to touch their listeners more profoundly, they show them every day how religious belief is beneficial to freedom and public order.  It is often hard to know from listening to them whether the main intention of religion is to obtain everlasting joy in the next world or the prosperity of this."
"One observes men losing the object of their most cherished hopes through forgetfulness.  As they are swept along by an unseen current against which they have not the courage to struggle but to which they submit with regret, they abandon the faith they love to pursue a doubt which leads to despair."

"When authority in religious matters no longer exists any more than in political matters, men soon take fright at the sign of this boundless independence.  This constant upheaval in everything brings disquiet and exhaustion.  As everything in the domain of their intelligence is shifting, they crave at least for a firm and stable state in their material world.  Being unable to recover their ancient beliefs, they find a ruler.   In my opinion, I doubt whether man can ever support at the same time complete religious independence and entire political freedom and am drawn to the thought that if a man is without faith, he must serve someone and if he is free, he must believe."

"But as the light of faith gradually dims, men's range of vision grows narrow and you would say that every day the object of human endeavors is more within reach. Once they have grown accustomed to no longer bothering about what is to happen after this life,  they readily fall back into that completely brutish indifference about the future which is all too suited to certain attitudes found in the human race.  As soon as they have lost the way of taking a long-term view for their principal hopes, they naturally tend to seek the immediate gratification of their smallest wishes and it seems to me that from the instant they give up the hope of living forever they are inclined to act as if they were to live for only one single day."

"The soul has needs which must be satisfied.  Whatever efforts are expended upon diverting it from itself, it soon grows weary, anxious, and restless amid the pleasures of the sense."

"Whenever among the opinions of a democratic nation you come across some of those evil theories which promote the belief that everything perishes with the body, you must consider men with such views a natural enemies of the people."

"It is not man who has inspired in himself the taste for infinite things and the love of what is everlasting.  These lofty instincts are not the offspring of some whimsical desire; they have their firm foundations in human nature and exist despite man's efforts.  Man can impede and disfigure them but he cannot destroy them."

"The individual taste for physical pleasures which occurs in democratic times is in no way a natural threat to good order; on the contrary, it often requires good order for its satisfaction.  Nor is it hostile to moral orderliness. for good morals are conducive to public tranquility and encourage industry.  Often enough it may combine with a type of religious morality, for people wish to do as well as possible in this world without giving up their chances in the next."

"It is true that Christianity teaches us to place others before ourselves in order to gain heaven; but Christianity also teaches us to do good to our fellow men for the love of God.  What a magnificent expression; man uses his intelligence to penetrate the mind of God and sees that God's aim is order.  He freely joins in this grand design and, sacrificing his private interest to this admirable order of all creation, he expects no other reward than the joy of contemplating it."



Political Power

"The people reign in the American political world like God over the universe.  It is the cause and aim of all things, everything comes from them and everything is absorbed in them."

"Once you remove the strength and independence of the township, you will reduce the citizens to administrative units."

"But beware that an elected authority not subject to judicial power sooner or later eludes all control or is destroyed."

"However enlightened and wise one imagines a central power to be, it cannot entirely on its own incorporate all the details of life of a great nation, because such a task exceeds human strength."

"The dangers of the system of election increase, therefore, in direct proportion to the influence exercised by the executive power on state affairs."
"Since sovereignty of the Union is restricted and incomplete, its use is not at all dangerous to its freedom.  Neither does it arouse that excessive craving for power and reputation for fatal to to great republics.  Since nothing needs to gather at a common center, there are neither great capital cities, nor inordinate wealth, nor extreme poverty, nor sudden revolutions.  Political passions, instead of spreading instantly like wildfire over the whole country, crash against the individual concerns and passions of each state."
"The historians in democratic times not only deny that a few citizens have the power to influence the destiny of the nation, they also remove from the nation itself the capability of altering its ow destiny and they subject it either to an inflexible Providence or to a sort of blind fatalism."

"The only way opinions and ideas can be renewed, hearts enlarged, and human minds developed is through the reciprocal influence of men upon each other."

"You have to therefore change the people en masse, not simply the President, if you wish to alter the guiding political principles."

"The moral ascendancy of the majority is partly founded upon the idea that more enlightenment and wisdom are found in a group of men than in one man alone and that the number of legislators counts for more than who is elected."

"There is a state of society in which the members of the minority can never hope to win over the majority because, to do so, would entail the very abandonment of the struggle they are waging against it."


American Attitudes

"In their relations with foreigners, Americans seem irritated by the slightest criticism and appear greedy for praise.  The flimsiest compliment pleases them and the most fulsome rarely manages to satisfy them; they plague you constantly to make you praise them, if you show yourself reluctant, they praise themselves."

"In democratic society such as that of the United States, where fortunes are small and insecure, everyone works and work opens all doors; this has turned honor inside out and set it against idleness."

"The love of comfort has become the dominant taste of the nation.  The main current of human passions runs in that channel and sweeps all before it in its course."

"People who spend every day of the week making money and Sunday praying to God give no scope to the comic muse.  This single fact is enough to demonstrate that the theater is unpopular in the United States."


Other Gems

"Today's rulers appear to be seeking to use men to achieve great things.  I should like them to think a little more of creating great men."

"I am strengthened increasingly in the conviction that, to be honest and prosperous, democratic nations still only have to wish to be so."
Warnings

"The principle of re-election makes the corrupting influence of elective governments still more widespread and more dangerous, while leading to a decline in the political morality of the nation and the substitution of craft for patriotism."

"Once the provinces are subject to the capital, the destiny of the whole empire is placed not only in the hands of a section of the nation, which is unfair, but also into the hands of a nation acting unilaterally, which is most dangerous.  The supremacy of capital cities represents a great threat to the representative system.  It submits modern republics to the same defects as those of ancient times which have all perished from their ignorance of this system of government."

"The habit if inattention has to be regarded as the greatest defect of the democratic character."

"Stability must not be confused with strength, nor the greatness of anything with its duration."

"We should not, therefore, complacently think that the barbarians are still far away for, if some nations allow the torch to be snatched from their hands, others stamp it out themselves."

"Whenever working citizens refuse to attend to public affairs and the class which might have devoted its leisure hours to such concerns no longer exists, there is a virtual void in the place of government. If a clever and ambitious man happens to seize power at such a critical moment, he discovers an open path to any encroachment."

"But destroying political freedom is easy, for just loosening ones' grip is enough for it to slip away."

"Egoism blights the seeds of every virtue, individualism at first dries up only the source of public virtue.  In the longer term it attacks and destroys all the others and will finally merge with egoism."

"Not only does democracy make men forget their ancestors, but also hides their descendants and keeps them apart from their fellows.  It constantly brings them back to themselves and threatens in the end to imprison them in the isolation of their own hearts."


I hope you have enjoyed this selection of choice quotes from Tocqueville's work.  If you did, then you will absolutely enjoy the book itself.  Pick yourself up a copy and spread the wisdom.

Save Polk Elementary! Vote YES for the 2017 Ogden School District Bond 12 Oct 2017, 11:29 pm

I recently attended a town hall meeting hosted by the Ogden School District to discuss the proposed bond that will be voted on shortly.  With ballots arriving in the mail anytime, I thought it would be good to inform myself on the bond's purpose and scope. 

Presently, Ogden School District has a large inventory of aging school buildings that will require upgrades or replacement in the future.  The financial tool that the School District has at their disposal, courtesy of the State, to pay these kinds of needs is bonding.  In this specific case, the School District has paid down enough of its existing debt to have room to borrow again to pay for new buildings.  Coincidentally, the timing is just right to allow the borrowing to occur without increasing property owner's taxes from their present level.  This is good news.

All the facts on the proposed bond can be found here.  But, in summary, the district proposes borrowing $106.5 Million to replace Horrace Mann Elementary and consolidate Taylor Canyon Elementary with Polk Elementary.  The Taylor Canyon site would become a park owned by the district and jointly managed by the city and school district.  It would effectively serve as a land bank for any future needs the district has for future generations
. 

The main contention during our recent meeting involved what to do with the Polk Elementary site.  While there were a myriad of strong opinions, everyone was in agreement that something has to be done with the school.  Presently, deferred maintenance and functional obsolescence of systems has reached a critical point.  So, should the school be demolished and rebuilt?  Should it be renovated in its current form?  Or is a combination of renovation and new construction possible?


   

The Utah GOP's Improbable Quest Through Middle Earth 11 Sep 2017, 4:47 am

It was interesting to watch the latest iteration in the Utah GOP's struggle to find itself as the party's State Central Committee met last week to wrestle over the fate of its current lawsuit against the state over SB54.

The Salt Lake Tribune recently reported on the meeting.

For those of you just tuning in, here is a brief recap of what's going on:

The Utah Republican Party has been in control of its internal process of vetting candidates via the Caucus/Convention system.  The caucus is a meeting of local party members who elect delegates.  A convention is a meeting of delegates who elect candidates to go on the ballot.  Simple enough.

However, within (and without) the party are critics who claim that the Republican delegates elected are far too conservative or ideological.  These moderate forces complain that the delegates then choose candidates who don't represent the public at large.  They cite the Harrod/Curtis dust up in the recent Congressional District 3 race as a prime example.

Within the moderate Republican crowd is a group of subversives known as County My Vote.  This group has sought to eliminate the Caucus/Convention system entirely and replace it with access to the ballot via signature gathering.  This system essentially favors well funded candidates by default since it takes so much money to campaign successfully in such a system.

County My Vote threatened to obliterate the Caucus Convention System in 2014 and so to avoid that the Legislature created a "dual" path to the ballot that accommodated signature gathering while preserving the CC system.  The Utah Republican Party did not like that compromise and sued the state.  The party spent $300,000 of money it did not have to push the lawsuit.  A final appeal to the suit is due in court in a couple weeks from today.  Meanwhile CMV is rattling sabers again threatening to blow CC out of the water with another ballot initiative.  At last week's meeting, the State Central Committee failed to take a vote as the meeting ended in deadlock between moderates and stalwart Republicans.



This whole scene reminds me of Frodo's quest to destroy the ring of power in the film Lord of the Rings.  For a long time, the Utah Republican Party has had exclusive power to decide upon its candidates.  This ultimate power (the ring) has slowly distorted the party over time.  Like Smeagol, who spent too much time isolated and alone with the ring and transmogrified into Gollum, this exclusive possession has imbued party enthusiasts with a potentially lethal lack of self-awareness. That, in turn, has blinded them to the forces that prove to be a looming existential threat.

In the film, Frodo and his hobbit pals recognize that the ring in its current form has too much power.  It is jealously desired by Sauron and his legion of Orc goons.  Meanwhile, Gollum is loath to let the ring out of his own grasp and lashes out at Frodo and crew in exasperation.

The uneasy partnership between Frodo and Gollum is unpleasantly resolved in the end of the film. The uneasy alliance between moderate republicans and their tunnel-visioned counterparts may have a similar ending.  While die-hard republicans fix their gaze on "precious", CMV threatens to unleash their army of signature gathering orcs to annihilate all of them.

How will this end?  The path is long and wrought with peril. It may be that the forces of Mount Doom prevail and make Utah politics an exclusive realm of the moneyed interests.  I certainly hope not.  But Frodo and his hobbit kin of moderate Caucus/Convention supporting Republicans need to stand up and speak up if they are to raise the alarm and successfully navigate the pitfalls that are to come.      

NCSL Boston: The Freedom Trail 8 Aug 2017, 3:26 am

We recently arrived in Boston for the National Conference of State Legislators 2017 Summit.  We took some time before meetings started to visit some of the important places in American history.  Our path took us along The Freedom Trail

Boston Common

Our trip started in the historic Boston Common.  This 40+ acre site has never been developed since pilgrim times and has served as a symbol of American political self-reliance since its creation.  The British military exploited this symbolism by occupying the space in 1768.  The open green space is full of monuments and also surrounded by other parks and important landmarks.




The State House



This amazing building is found on Beacon Hill.  The Massachusetts Legislature comprises of 160 members in the House and 40 members of the Senate.  The building was completed in 1798 at a cost of $133,000.


Park Street Church



Our next stop was Park Street Church which was a center of Abolitionist activity and served as a local gathering place.


The Granary Burying Ground

Behind the Park Street Church is a graveyard that holds the bodies of thousands of people (mostly stacked on top of each other).  Notable people include John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Ben Franklin's parents.









King's Chapel

The pilgrims were Puritans.  Later, Episcopalians arrived in Boston and wanted a chapel as a place to worship.  Since the Puritans wouldn't sell their neighbors any good place to build a chapel, the King ordered a chapel built in a cemetery.  The first chapel was wood.  Then in 1749 this granite structure was constructed outside of it and the original was dismantled.




The Old South Meeting House

This beautiful edifice was the scene of public outcry immediately prior to the dumping of tea into the sea during the Boston Tea Party.



The Old State House

The Old State House was where the Declaration of Independence was announced and read to residents from the balcony.






The Boston Massacre

Outside the Old State House is the site of the Boston Massacre.



Faneuil Hall

Once a large indoor market, this landmark has been converted back into use as such.



 
Paul Revere's House

Paul Revere's home was constructed in 1680 and is the oldest standing structure in the city.

OFFSIDES: Legislature Throws Flag on Guv's Special Election 22 Jun 2017, 5:44 am

So, a lot of hullabaloo has been made in the press lately about the Legislature's grievances with the way Governor Herbert chose to execute a Special Election to fill the soon-to-be-vacated seat of Congressman Jason Chaffetz.

The Curious Conservative Case for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact 21 Jun 2017, 4:02 am

During the 2017 General Session, I drafted a resolution supporting the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.  The resolution was intended to be a bi-partisan effort to bring attention to the problems afflicting our current presidential election process and to demonstrate Utah's leadership on the issue.  Unfortunately, the partisan rancor immediately following the election prevented us from moving forward as we have waited for passions and sentiment to temper.

It appears now that the the time has come to again address this issue and begin a conversation on this important subject.  So, let us begin.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE INTERSTATE COMPACT?

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) is actually very simple in its premise.  The Compact is an agreement between states.  In this case, the agreement deals with how Electoral Votes from the Electoral College are awarded to presidential candidates based on how voters vote in the presidential race.  Presently, in most states, the Legislatures of the various states have directed all their Electoral Votes to be cast in favor of the candidate that receives the popular vote in that state (aka Winner-Take-All).  So, if a presidential candidate receives 51% of the popular vote, the candidate receives 100% of the Electoral Votes.  The NPVIC provides states with an alternative to this status quo by volunteering to assign their Electoral Votes to the winner of the national popular vote rather than the winner of the individual state.

WHY WOULD ANY STATE WANT TO BE A PART OF THE NPVIC?

The NPVIC is designed to address several problems that currently exist in our presidential election process.  The first is that our present presidential elections and campaigns are geared to battleground states.  The dominant Winner-Take-All practice means that, in most states, the Electoral Votes are easy to predict due to wide margins in the popular vote of those states.  However, for a handful of states, the margins are too close to call.  These states then become battleground states and the focus of campaigning and messaging.  Indeed, campaign promises and policy are crafted mostly by candidates efforts to woo voters in swing battle ground states.

This intense attention to battleground states means that the other states, like Utah, are left out of the discussion.  The campaign promises and policy nuances that may win over voters in battleground states may actually work to the disadvantage of the other states.  Also, after the election these battle ground states perennially receive preferential treatment due to their lopsided clout.  For instance, when it comes to public lands issues, Colorado is much more likely to have their grievances addressed than Utah.  When it comes to receiving Federal waivers, Florida is more likely to receive a waiver than Utah.

The bottom line is that the NPVIC would put every state on an equitable standing when it comes to crafting and honing policy at the presidential level.

HOW DOES THE NPVIC MAKE EVERY STATE A BATTLE GROUND STATE?

The NPVIC is designed to "go live" once enough states have joined the compact to constitute 270 Electoral Votes among them.  Until that time, nothing changes. Hence, the urgency in having states like Utah join the compact to reach the 270 threshold.  Once the threshold is reached and the compact's provisions are implemented, it will award the 270 electoral votes to the presidential candidate that wins the national popular vote.

Since 270 electoral votes are required to win the presidency, the states that joined the compact would effectively change the way presidential campaigns and races are run for every state, even those that did not join the compact. If a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win, and those electoral votes are awarded based on the outcome of the national popular vote, then candidates have an incentive to obtain every vote from every state possible to achieve that goal.  Thus, every state becomes a battleground state.  Clearly, this would be a dramatic difference from how things are run today.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NPVIC?

• Funds raised in the states for political purposes will stay in the states rather than being exported to current battle ground states.  
• Voter participation would increase due to the importance of every single vote being cast to determine the winner.  
• Presidential campaigns will have a presence in all states rather than just current battle ground states. 
• Policy will be influenced by all states rather than just a few battle ground state.
• Party nomination processes would seek candidates with the broadest appeal to Americans at large rather than candidates that merely play well to a battle ground state audience.  
• and more!

Look for more information on this topic in the coming months.  The resolution is currently being drafted and will be presented for discussion in the 2018 General Session.  If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Of Death, Dying, and Our Memorial 29 May 2017, 4:11 am

Death is an immovable force.  It punctuates our life experience and renders it complete.  It terminates our life work and delivers it ready for judgement by peers and posterity.  Some die in glory and honor while others pass in ignominy.  Sadly, most of us expire in anonymity.

Annually, we honor our progenitors and our protectors who have gone before us.  Our veterans died for a cherished idea we call America.  Our police men died to protect the law and order that binds our society together.  Our firefighters died protecting lives and livelihoods.  They have all offered up their bodies as a sacrifice in our stead.

Whether it be early or late, there will be no escape for us from death's reach.  Thus, the inevitability of our physical demise begs the question of us all.  What is worth dying for?

In the final analysis, God, family, and country are the pillars that elevate a death regardless of its timing; and, it is these same pillars which form the foundation of what makes life worth living.

On this Memorial Day, may we ponder the lives of those who have gone before us.  If we must ever risk our own lives, let be said of us that our valor was noble and our causes just.  If we are privileged to live out our lives in peace, may generations hence speak of our good deeds.  Such is said of all those who dedicate their lives to honorable and worthy pursuits.    
   

Weber GOP Organizing Convention 2017 28 Apr 2017, 6:05 pm

Weber County GOP Delegates met to elect new executive and legislative district leadership.

RAILROADED: Our Historic Locomotive Ride to Ogden With Union Pacific 28 Apr 2017, 1:32 pm

Union Pacific recently brought one of the last operating steam engine trains to Ogden for display.  To bring more attention to the event, they invited dignitaries from Northern Utah to ride along with them from Brigham City to Ogden.  It was a fun experience.