Principles of American Government

Stone Setting

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How to begin the first column of the year! Perhaps “setting a foundation” is the proper place.

The red-blooded, jump-right-in, American-patriotic way, is to ignore the context and get-right-down to the details!!!!

That is said in jest. No – The true American patriot never deals in details without building a context for them. i.e. Don’t plant your feet firmly in mid-air!

The Bible even starts, “In the beginning –“In the beginning – what? “In the beginning, God –“ In the beginning, God – what? “In the beginning, God created –“ It goes on to describe step-by-step how God created, “everything that was created.” Each word creates a context for what follows!

I call it the “mixing bowl” theory. Unless the bowls are properly nested, the drawer won’t close. Suppose God had created the cow, before He made a pasture. One confused cow!!!

My point — If we are not to build upon sand, we must deal in history and fundamental principle. God does!!!!

I like Larry Wagner’s phrase about the Pilgrims, “A rock flung o’re the ocean, they were laid a cornerstone!”

The Foundation for American Christian Education (FACE) was founded in the early 1960’s by Miss Verna Hall and Miss Rosalie Slater in San Francisco. Their gravesites are there on a slope facing westward. I was honored to be present at both of their memorials.

These ladies spent a lifetime collecting the documents that influenced those who founded America. It was a privilege to browse their library and discuss American history and government with them.

Mind you – In the early ‘60’s there were not many scholars and broadcasts documenting America’s unique foundation. Three radio networks dominated oral communication. Television was just beginning. Computers required a large, air-conditioned room, and were “spoken to” by a deck of keypunch cards! There was no internet. FACE was trail-blazing for the outstanding scholars and organizations that espouse the greatness of our nation today.

FACE is now headquartered in Chesapeake, VA. You will find a mountain of information in the internet. A library has been built to house their collection. Those of you who recognize the significance of my words will follow the link below and read the inspiring words of Dr. Carol Adams, president of FACE.

FACE_Fundraising_Letter_(Nov.pdf

BTW – ACH “Principles of American Government” online classes begin Monday, January 7. $195 tuition is less important than planting the precious seeds. Join the class and pay what you can, when you can. First step – phone me 916-722-2501.

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Principles

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“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” –[Thomas Paine, The Crisis, no 1, 1776]

“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” –[Samuel Adams]

“ … Your Founding Fathers came over with that (a Biblical foundation). They came over with the doctrines of the New Testament as well as the Old. They looked after one another, not only as a matter of necessity, but as a matter of duty to their God. There is no other country in the world which started that way” — [Margaret Thatcher]

Sound principle or your opinion – By which will you measure alternative choices?

If you have never contemplated a set of principles all you have is opinion. Is your opinion any better than the other guy’s opinion?

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk … . For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little.” [Isaiah 28:9-10]

Where do we find sound principle? The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20] first come to mind. Next Christ’s answer about the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord … and thy neighbor as thyself.” [Matthew 22:37]

How did our Founding Fathers apply these doctrines?

· For example: The principle of “private property”. The 10th Commandment, “Don’t covet your neighbor’s community property?!”

· Again: The principle of “federalism”. “Love God and your neighbor” (Vertical and horizontal) It is difficult to be a citizen of the USA without also being a citizen of one of the states.

· And again: The principle of “separation of powers”. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king … .” [Isaiah 33:22] (Judicial, Legislative, Executive departments)

If we are to set right our ship-of-state we must restore understanding of such principles. That is ONLY done one-person-at-a-time! Will you or the teens you influence be part of that restoration?

ACH Study Groups offers a 3-month online course, “Principles of American Government” (PAG). We use Skype as a virtual classroom. Normally, the tuition is $195. Because of the current economic stress AND the incredible importance of this topic – we offer this course for what you are able to invest.

NOTE – Experience has shown that without an investment, the value is not recognized.

The course begins on January 7th. Texts may be obtained at a discount from the publisher, else used, from an online search. 24 classes twice daily (9AM & 6PM California time) so you can miss one and catch the other on Monday and Wednesday.

I encourage you to phone or e-mail me and discuss being a member of this class.

For His-story & government –

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Willful Ignorance

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–By Ben Gilmore

We don’t know that we don’t know, what we MUST know.

“Willful ignorance.” – Rush Limbaugh reports 3 million fewer Republicans voted this year than voted for McCain / Palin. Franklin Graham (Billy Graham’s son) reports that a great portion of evangelical Christians failed to vote in either 2008 or 2012.

The result – Registered Republicans, or evangelical Christians (the two groups overlap some), either group, of those who chose NOT to vote, could have changed the Presidential outcome.

There is a culture war against “conservatism” (dealing in proven principle and letting results take care themselves) and “Christianity”. These are the only groups that stand in the way of a humanistic police state. They come from the same root, “The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”

Is “willful ignorance” too strong a term? No it is not. Test for yourself at the next Republican meeting, or church next Sunday — Ask 5 people, “Would you like to learn about history and government?” Answers will, I predict, range from “I’d love to, but …”

1. “… I have taken a Constitution course.” (i.e. I already know all I need to know.)

2. “… I’m just too busy.” (i.e. I am free to do what I want – and I don’t want.)

3. “… Evangelicals should not get involved in politics.” (i.e. I don’t love my neighbor!)

4. “… I am focused upon Bible study and evangelism – not history and government.”

Regarding #4 – The Bible is a major history book! It is overflowing with principles of governing: self; family; church; and state.

Regarding #3 – The greatest law – “Love the Lord … and thy neighbor …” If you want the best for (i.e. love) your neighbor, you will help protect his “life, liberty, and property.”

Regarding #2 – I have discovered we are usually able to do what we really want to do. It is a case of priorities. Everything of value, has a price.

Regarding #1 – Our Constitution is the fruit of Biblical Principles of Government. If one is to defend the Constitution, one must learn and apply the principles upon which it rests.

No – We don’t know that we don’t know, what we MUST know – If we are to help restore what the hand of God has revealed about governing

All that to say this — Things are changing rapidly.   It may soon be illegal to teach true American history and Biblical principles of government.  We need to plant and preserve these precious “seeds” in the heart of every patriot.  — And most especially — in the heart of every willing teen.

Fran and I have been shouting from the housetops for over three decades.  Our “ACH Study Groups” events have earned enthusiastic responses from alums, like, “I have discovered a whole world of understanding, I did not know existed.”  Yet, in 3 decades, we can count only a thousand alums.

The alums, like ourselves, have seen eyes glaze over at the mention of history and government.

ACH currently offers three events: (see letterhead for our web site)

  • A 4-day 30-hour seminar, taught by three master teachers of History & Government.
  • A 3-month 30-hour online course (The 4-day seminar on steroids!).
  • A Friday-Saturday introduction to History & Government.

The 4-day seminar in June or July, 2013 needs a sponsoring organization that will do its best to produce at least 40 students.  That represents a major change in our 30 year-old tradition.  For three decades, we have asked these outstanding teachers to give up most of a week, travel from their homes, and face 4 X 12-hour days, while the tuition honoraria from small turnouts did not meet their expenses.

In recent years, ACH has enjoyed outstanding host facilities, for which we are most grateful.  The turnout however, has been from other than the host groups, and too small to cover expenses.  If there is no market, there is no need to offer the product.

The next 3-month online course begins on .  Students may choose 9AM or 6PM 75-minute classes (miss one, catch the other) on Monday and Wednesday.  Students commit to 5 X 1-hour personal study times per week.  Classes usually include both adults and teens.

The Introduction to History and Government event is scheduled upon request.

Ben Gilmore
[Contact Ben]

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More Situation Ethics

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–By Ben Gilmore

“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislators thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.” [U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 3. June 21, 1788]

“Situation ethics” — Making choices in an effort to manipulate the results. The XVII Amendment [April 9, 1913] changed the original wording to, ” … elected by the people thereof …”

What is wrong with that change? It is a legal change according to the rules of amendment. “We the people” are the ultimate authority over the U.S. Government. So why do I say that change was situation ethics and not principle ethics?

The root problem appeared to the voters to be a loss of votive power which the founders had placed in the hands of each state legislature. The amendment placed power in the hands of the majority of voters at large in the state. Did that give the voters more votive power? No, they voted away their control of the U.S. Senate!

The change was focused upon the perceived disconnect of the Senate members from “We the people”. That was only the symptom. The cause was ignorance of the principle of federalism (sovereignty of both state and national government).

Look at the details. In California, we have 40 State Senators and 80 State Assemblymen. That is 120 legislators, each elected (by the people) from separate districts in California. Originally, our two U.S. Senators were answerable to those 120 lawmakers. In turn, those California lawmakers were answerable to their respective voters back home. Our state’s interests were equally represented among the other states in the U.S. Senate.

After the 17th Amendment (1913), each U.S. Senator was answerable to all the voters in California! Who has more influence over a U.S. Senator – 1 of 120 state legislators, or 1 of millions of voters? Before the amendment, Senators had to win the confidence of the legislators. After the amendment, they had to win confidence of millions. That takes money, lots and lots of it. Who will the winners represent – the State, or the source of the funds?

Our founders created the House of Representatives to represent “We the people”. The larger states (population) had more Representatives. They created the U.S. Senate to represent the interests of their respective sovereign states.

Why was that important? If we eliminated the U.S. Senate and had only the House of Representatives, the few largest state delegations, (say New York, California, Illinois) would dominate the legislature in Washington, D.C. and Rhode Island, Nevada, and Delaware citizens would have no effective vote. The national government would grow ever bigger and the state governments and their regional interests would grow ever weaker.

Had the people learned the sound principles debated and understood by our founders, our state and national governments would be far healthier than they are today. Such principles are seldom understood by citizens today. Why is that?

I believe those opposed to our founding principles have found ways to “dumb down” our education system. They have applied the principle that, “mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves …” [Declaration of Independence -1776]

The solution — What is done is done! Until we learn again those founding principles, we are ill equipped to repair and restore our ship of state. Having mastered sound principles of American government, there are many areas you may apply them.

On the other hand – Ignorant activism is more dangerous than apathy! Take an ACH course , or one like it!

For His-story & Government!!!

Ben Gilmore
ACH Study Groups

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HAPPY NEW DECADE! – and why you should take the PAG Online Course

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–By Ben Gilmore

What a decade it promises to be!  In the next ten years, historians will have written volumes about the last ten years.  Though there is a massive effort to mold and shape accounts of historical events, truth has a nasty way of fighting its way to the surface.

Many believe this to be America’s, “Post-Christian” era.  That view I repudiate. That which the hand of God begins, it finishes.  Shortly after our high point of ratifying the US Constitution and its first ten amendments, our nation started a backslide right into a civil war.

While the rest of the world was peacefully doing away with slavery, America chose to fight a bloody war over it.  A war, one could say, was between “Pride” in the south, and “Self-righteousness” in the north.

I believe our nation has yet to blossom into that which the Lord had in mind two centuries ago.

Whether my view, or that of the cynics, turns out to have been the correct one,  I choose to focus upon what is true, honest, just, pure and lovely!

The cynic will be awed by the size and scope of the problem.  Attempting to alert others to the danger, the cynic will seek ever more sensational examples of the problem.  The result will be frustration, hopelessness , anger and (hopefully) an activist opposition effort.

On the other hand, a better approach.  Recognize that the “problem” is a “consequence“.  (The result of drifting away from the principles that served us so well during our two hundred year backslide.)  Relearn those principles.  Instill them into the next generation.  Apply them to the problems we face.

Test yourself:

  1. Build a one line sentence defining the God of the Bible.

  2. What is a “law” according to Sir William Blackstone, “father of the legal profession“.

  3. What is behind the Declaration’s wording, “…Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”

  4. “Family, Church, State” are all governmental.  Upon what government rests the quality of each?

  5. If you have not learned sound principle, how do you evaluate alternative choices?

  6. If God’s Principle of Individuality is violated, why does the effort fail?

  7. Why the difference?  “God’s principle of individuality” and the, “Christian principle of self-government.”

  8. What is your measure of Quality Character?

  9. Without the principle of “Private Property“, has the 10th Commandment any meaning?

  10. What three forms of government were combined into ours for the first time in human history?

  11. Why is “Local Authority” preferred over centralization?

  12. “Law without liberty is slavery.  Liberty without law is anarchy”.  What is law with liberty?

  13. Can you recognize “situation ethics”?

  14. Have you learned how to never lose a debate?

Soon (See Schedule for course dates) we begin our next “Principles of American Government” online course*.  There is still time to enroll.  Please Contact Ben for information.

*24 each, 75 minute interactive classes, offered twice (9AM & 6PM Pacific time) on Monday and Wednesday.  Participants commit themselves to one class Monday and Wednesday plus guided reading assignments requiring 5 hours a week outside class.

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Ben Gilmore 1929-2023

On March 30, 2023 Ben Gilmore, the co-founder of ACHStudyGroups (co-founded with his wife Fran), went to be with the Lord in Glory.

A Memorial: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/BenGilmore/