By Chuck Baldwin
November 17, 2011

On Wednesday, November 16, 2011, Montana Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Fanning and I held a press conference in downtown Kalispell, Montana, and announced that he and I are running for Montana Governor and Lieutenant Governor in the 2012 Montana elections. Needless to say, I am very honored to have had Bob invite me to join his campaign. In fact, he is the only candidate for governor that I believe in enough to run with.

The Montana governor’s race is a crowded field. There are nine announced Republican candidates. And there will be no incumbent in next year’s election. The current Democrat governor is term-limited out, and, therefore, it is an open seat. This combination makes for a very special opportunity for Bob and me. The pie is going to be sliced mighty thin, and in Montana, there is no run-off in the primaries. That means, whoever gets the most votes–no matter what the percentage–wins. It is very conceivable, therefore, that the winner will receive far less than 30% of the votes. Do you see the opportunity Bob and I have in this election?

The neocon votes are going to be split several ways, and no real constitutionalist candidate has emerged from the pack to excite anybody–until now, that is! Bob Fanning and I are going to be the team that will bring excitement and energy to this gubernatorial race! In this race, we are the champions of constitutional government, State sovereignty, and personal liberty. Can you imagine what could happen in these States United if committed constitutionalists such as Bob Fanning and myself were elected governor and lieutenant governor? Many were already saying that the Montana governor’s race is going to be one of the most-watched elections of 2012.

See this report, which was written back in June: http://tinyurl.com/7ygzql7

Some are asking me why I, as the Constitution Party (CP) candidate for President in 2008, would run in a State race as a Republican. The motto of the CP is “Principle Over Politics.” For example, in 2008, the Montana State Constitution Party put a Republican, Ron Paul, on their Presidential ballot. So, there is certainly precedence for a constitutionalist running as a Republican in the State of Montana. Plus, the CP does not even currently have ballot access in the State of Montana. Therefore, for Chuck Baldwin to run for State office in Montana as a Republican is most definitely the proper thing to do in 2011 and 2012. I fully anticipate that constitutionalists throughout the State of Montana–independents and those from various minor parties–will enthusiastically support the candidacies of Bob Fanning and Chuck Baldwin.

Readers should know that, as in most states, the GOP frontrunner in the Montana governor’s race is an establishment neocon, a career politician, who has deep pockets from elitists who are enriched by maintaining the status quo. It is going to take at least $400,000 for us to be competitive in next June’s primary elections. However, the ramifications of a Fanning-Baldwin victory in Montana would reverberate all across the United States of America. I am convinced that all it will take is for one State–ONE STATE–to draw a line in the sand against this Big-Government juggernaut that is sweeping the country, and dozens of other states would follow suit. And Montana just might be the perfect State to do it!

I know it’s early, and I know the holidays are forthcoming, but I also know that if Bob and I are going to have a chance to prevail in this election, it’s going to take donations and support from thousands of people. In reality, we have not even begun to really launch this campaign, but if we could raise $100,000 right out of the gate, I assure you, we will change the dynamics of this race–and maybe hundreds of races like it throughout the country.

To launch the Fanning-Baldwin campaign, we need 200 people to give $500. Or 400 people to give $250. Or 1,000 people to give $100. You get the idea. Folks, we can do this! I know that there are tens of thousands of people who read this column and who believe in the message of constitutional government that this column puts forth every week. You know me. And when I tell you that Bob Fanning and I are running for governor and lieutenant governor of the State of Montana, you know that this is a historic opportunity to turn the tables on the power elites. Will you help us?

To donate to our campaign, please go to our campaign web site at:  http://www.fanning-baldwin.com

Will you make a generous contribution to the Fanning-Baldwin campaign? And will you please tell your friends, relatives, and coworkers about our campaign?

Bob and I are committed to fighting for constitutional government, opposing Agenda 21, protecting the right to life of the unborn, preserving State sovereignty, opposing federal government land grabs, and protecting the right of states to govern themselves, which includes defending Montana’s duly established medical marijuana laws. Will you help us? Again, if 200 people would donate $500 to our campaign, we will launch a campaign that could not only change the course of history for the State of Montana, it could change the course of history for the entire country!

Again, to donate or learn more about the Fanning-Baldwin campaign, go to:

http://www.fanning-baldwin.com

And, more than anything, will you please remember to pray for us?

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4181

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=6

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
November 10, 2011

A couple of weeks ago, I brought a Sunday message, which was taken from the Old Testament Book of Amos, chapter 7, verse 13, entitled, “The King’s Chapel, And The King’s Court.” In this chapter, the chief priest of Bethel, a man named Amaziah, scolded the prophet Amos for delivering an unpopular message against the kingdom of Jeroboam. In delivering his rebuke, he told Amos that neither he nor his message was welcome in Bethel, because “it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court.” I cannot think of a passage of Scripture that is more relevant to what is happening in the United States of America today than this passage in the Book of Amos.

I invite readers to view or download this message by going to:

http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4130

I was reminded of this Biblical story again as I read the news report that a US judge has thrown out a suit brought against the Transportation Security Administration by former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. According to Paul Joseph Watson at InfoWars.com, “Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura said he would now refer to the country of his birth as the ‘Fascist States of America’ after a judge dismissed his case challenging airport pat downs, adding that his only recourse now would be to run for President.

“‘Ventura made his comments outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul, where in January he sued to challenge the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) airport security procedures,’ reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.”

US District Judge Susan Richard Nelson rendered the decision.

Watson’s report continued saying, “A further detail that Ventura revealed on the Alex Jones Show which has not been picked up by mainstream media reports is the fact that Ventura’s lawyer was told the case could not go to a jury trial due to ‘secrecy reasons’ related to national security.

“‘You cannot know what’s legal for the TSA to do or not, it’s considered national security, so there’s no way to know if you’re being abused or not,’ said Ventura, adding, ‘The judge said it in the ruling, it’s secret and we have no way of knowing whether the Governor was abused or not.’”

The report also said, “Vowing to ‘never fly commercial’ again, Ventura gave a passionate press conference today, expressing his anger at TSA grope down procedures that force people like himself with metal implants to go through humiliating pat downs every time they pass through airport security.”

Watson concluded his report saying, “During his interview on the Alex Jones Show, Ventura put out a ‘come and get me’ plea to the Libertarian Party, indicating that he will run for President if they approach him. Ventura has also said he would seriously consider being Ron Paul’s Vice-President pick if the Congressman was successful in the Republican nomination or if Paul ran as the Libertarian Party candidate.”

This report reminded me of the above-mentioned Scriptural passage in the Book of Amos, because, historically, both the chapel (church) and the court are supposed to be independent of the executive power of government–regardless of what kind of executive power happens to be in place at the time. Historically, the chapel (church) is considered the province of God, and the court is considered the province of justice. But when government’s chief executive (king, president, prime minister, etc.) hijacks the chapel (church) and/or court, that executive government becomes tyrannical and despotic. The maintenance of freedom and liberty depends on an independent clergy and an independent court. But just as in Amos’ day, so in America today, neither the church nor the court is truly independent. Both are subjects of an omnipotent central government.

For many years, but especially since the events on 9/11/01, US courts have rolled over and played dead in the face of the usurpation of individual and State rights and do not even remotely resemble being the check and balance to government abuse of power as envisioned by America’s Founding Fathers and enshrined by the US Constitution. The Ventura case is a prime example.

In the name of “national security,” the courts have repeatedly “looked the other way” to the encroachments of liberty by the executive branch of the federal government. In his report, Watson wrote, “Referring to 9/11, Ventura questioned the reasoning behind the whole war on terror. ‘George Bush said we were attacked because they were jealous of our freedoms. So we take away our freedoms so they won’t be jealous anymore?’ he said. ‘I think they’re winning.’”

See Watson’s report at:

http://tinyurl.com/6bdtw6u

Well, Governor, I KNOW they are winning! The courts, like many in Congress, and even many in State governments, are little more than rubber stamps for what more and more looks like an American Fuhrer.

That leaves only the “chapel.” And, unfortunately, here, too, there is hardly any independence. Thanks to a brilliant piece of deception known as the 501c3 section of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC)–and a pervasive and fallacious interpretation of Romans chapter 13–the vast majority of today’s pastors, churches, and radio and TV preachers are modern-day Amaziahs: toadies for modern-day Jeroboams. To them, the church really is Jeroboam’s chapel. Believe me, these Amaziahs know exactly where Jeroboam has drawn the line. They know exactly where the “third rail” is, and they will not go near it!

And, trust me, too, when I say that when an Amos comes along (anyone who dares to challenge unlawful abuse of power by the executive branch of the federal government)–be his name Jesse Ventura, Ron Paul, or Chuck Baldwin–the modern-day “priests” will be as vocal and vociferous in their denunciations of said prophet as was Amaziah, the chief priest of Bethel.

Ladies and gentlemen, when the churches and courts lose their independence, when they lose their ability to think for themselves, when they lose their courage to stand against “the powers that be,” when they cannot be trusted to judge righteousness and stand for truth, then freedom and liberty are threatened with extinction in the land. And that is exactly the threat that these States United now face!

As for Governor Ventura, I applaud his courage to face the giant, and I hope he will stay on the battlefield and help us fight this leviathan, because there are still a lot of Amoses out there who will not submit to Jeroboam’s tyranny or Amaziah’s coercion. There are still millions of red-blooded, freedom-loving Americans who have vowed to live free or die trying! And I am one of them!

Please don’t give up, Governor!

P.S. My constitutional attorney son Tim Baldwin and I have just released the second edition of our blockbuster book, “Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission.” The new edition is simplified, succinct, and very salient. I am absolutely convinced that if churches and Christians throughout America could get a good grasp of the true meaning of Romans 13, we could literally change the direction of the country! This imbecilic “obey-the-government-no-matter-what” misinterpretation of Romans 13 is as much responsible for America’s demise as is anything else that one can name. I strongly encourage readers to purchase this book for themselves and for their friends and relatives–and especially for their pastors and fellow churchmen.

To learn more about this hard-hitting new book, or to order, go to:

http://www.romans13truth.com/

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4164

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=6

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
November 3, 2011

Montana Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg lent his support for ceding more power and authority to the federal government’s emerging police state by supporting HR 1505, the “National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act.” This monstrous bill empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confiscate to itself tens of thousands of acres of land across the US northern border. This is for “national security” reasons, of course. Gag!

My friend, Dr. Ed Berry, has written a very astute summary and analysis of HR 1505 on his web site, PolyMontana.com. I am going to be borrowing heavily from his research in this column.

Dr. Berry rightly notes that the DHS is the giant head of no less than seven federal agencies: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs & Border Protection (CBP), US Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Secret Service (SS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and US Coast Guard (USCG).

Dr. Berry says pointedly, “FEMA is the one with the small cages to put you in if you do not behave. TSA is the one that gives you a useless body scan before you get on an airplane, bus, etc. DHS is the one adding its sensors to streetlights around America and the promoter of E-Verify and Real ID as a cradle-to-grave biometric tracking system for every American.” And it is CBP that the DHS is using to seize property along the US northern border.

According to Denny Rehberg, the reasons the DHS needs to seize all this property are: 1) to stop the “turf war” between federal agencies, 2) Drug growers are hiding in our forests, 3) to catch criminals hiding in our forests, 4) to stop illegal aliens from coming in America.

Let’s first acknowledge that the federal government has absolutely no natural right or constitutional jurisdiction to claim (much less seize) land and territory outside of the District of Columbia. In many of the western states of the US, for example, the vast majority of land in any given State is now regarded as “federal” land. Ask yourself, where is the constitutional authorization for this federal land grab? When did the various State legislatures vote to give these properties to the federal government? When did the various State governors sign the State laws giving these properties to the federal government? When did the citizens of the various states vote to give these properties to the federal government? The answer is, nowhere, and they didn’t!

How is it, then, that we have elected representatives such as Denny Rehberg–people who took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States–who are either so ignorant of the Constitution that they took an oath to uphold, or who are so flippant and careless about that oath, that they so quickly and routinely trample, not only the federal Constitution, but the natural laws and principles of God, and the sovereign rights and authority of the several states?

Now, let’s look at Rep. Rehberg’s reasons why he supports HR 1505 one at a time:

*To stop the “turf war” between federal agencies

This is a very specious argument, to say the least! No federal agency has any claim to State land! The land doesn’t belong to those miscreants inside the Beltway! It belongs to the people of the several states! Therefore, it is the responsibility of the State governor and county sheriff to determine who is and who is not allowed access to these lands. All this talk of a “turf war” between federal agencies is just a bunch of hooey!

On this point, we must note that Rep. Rehberg has introduced a “Sheriffs First” amendment to HR 1505. If approved, this amendment would recognize county sheriffs’ law enforcement power over federal agencies and personnel. Of course, this is power sheriffs already have!

For the record, I don’t believe for one second that Denny Rehberg cares one whit whether county sheriffs exercise their authority over these Nazi-like federal agencies. He came up with this amendment as a way to mollify the people of Montana after he discovered that a sizeable number of his constituents are rightfully “mad as hell” about his support for this draconian piece of legislation. After all, he is campaigning for a US Senate seat.

One disagreement I have with Dr. Berry’s analysis is his statement, “The exception to a sheriff’s ultimate authority should be our Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which may be our only way to remove corruption among local police.” The way to deal with corrupt local police officials is for the governor to intervene. Per the Tenth Amendment, law enforcement is the exclusive jurisdiction of State government.

*Drug growers are hiding in our forests

In this regard, Dr. Berry’s analysis is absolutely spot-on: “America’s War on Drugs is a scam. It keeps the price of drugs high by limiting supply, so drug cartels and our CIA can make money selling drugs. It hires police to catch pot growers and smokers who overflow our prisons. But wealthy drug dealers who pay off the police have a free run. The solution is not to give DHS control over our land. The solution is to stop the War on Drugs.”

Dr. Berry is also correct when he states, “Virtually all drugs used in America come across our southern border and DHS has not been able to stop it. So why should we allow DHS to control non-existent drug traffic [over] our northern border when they can’t stop the problem where it exists?”

*To catch criminals who are hiding in our forests

Again, law enforcement is the responsibility of State and local government. If there are criminals “hiding in our forests,” it is the job of the State law enforcement agencies to find and apprehend them. Moreover, Dr. Berry astutely observes that to use this argument as justification to cede more authority and territory to DHS “shows the real intent of HR 1505 is to control American citizens.” Amen!

*To stop illegal aliens from coming into America

I cannot believe Denny Rehberg could say this with a straight face! Yeah, we have a real problem with all those illegal Canucks coming across our northern border, don’t we? That’s so absurd; I doubt that anyone reading that statement could do so without laughing out loud!

For the record, I live about 75 miles south of the Canadian border, and, ladies and gentlemen, I can tell you unequivocally that there is absolutely no problem with illegal aliens coming across that northern border! In fact, the western states that border Canada enjoy some of the lowest crime rates anywhere in the country.

I’ll tell you where we have a problem will illegal aliens (not that I have to): it’s along our southern border! So, what are the DHS and the rest of the federal government doing to protect our southern border? Not much! The DHS often imprisons Border Patrol agents who attempt to do their jobs. The federal Justice Department sued the State of Arizona for its attempt to stop illegal immigration and constantly hassles and harangues Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, because of his no-nonsense enforcement of Arizona immigration laws. Furthermore, the Obama administration secretly used federal police agencies to actually supply sophisticated firearms to Mexican drug cartels–firearms that were used to murder a US Border Patrol agent, no less. Does this sound like a federal government that is truly concerned about illegal immigration to you? And now we are supposed to believe that HR 1505 is designed to stop illegal immigration where, for all intents and purposes, it doesn’t even exist? Get real!

Dr. Berry inserts one more salient point into his column: “Do you see a pattern here? All the claimed reasons for HR 1505 are the result of federal laws or lack [of] enforcement of our Constitution. Now the feds want another law to supposedly cure the problems they created.”

See Dr. Ed Berry’s column at: http://tinyurl.com/44vnu9q

I implore readers to contact their US congressman or congresswoman and find out where he or she stands on HR 1505. This is a monstrous bill that lurches the United States forward into a federal police state in giant strides! The implications and ramifications of this bill, should it become law, are staggering–and scary!

P.S. Let me once again remind readers that my son Tim Baldwin and I have just released the second edition of our blockbuster book, “Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission.” I am absolutely convinced that if churches and Christians throughout America could get a good grasp of the true meaning of Romans 13, we could literally change the direction of the country! This imbecilic “obey-the-government-no-matter-what” misinterpretation of Romans 13 is as much responsible for America’s demise as is anything else that one can name. I strongly encourage readers to purchase this book for themselves and for their friends and relatives–and especially for their pastors and fellow churchmen.

To learn more about this hard-hitting new book, or to order, go to:  http://www.romans13truth.com/

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4117

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=6

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
October 27, 2011

In 1836, former frontiersman and congressman Davy Crockett led a band of volunteers all the way from their home State of Tennessee to San Antonio, Texas, in order to join up with William Travis and his small company of soldiers, and help defend the Alamo–and Texas independence–from Mexican General Santa Anna and his army of over 5,000 seasoned troops. To men such as Crockett, Travis, Jim Bowie, and the rest, State independence and freedom was worth fighting and dying for. To a man, they each proved that. Therefore, it is fitting to wonder what Davy Crockett would think about his home State of Tennessee joining with federal agencies in establishing random checkpoints throughout the Volunteer State.

According to a local Tennessee news source, “You’re probably used to seeing TSA’s signature blue uniforms at the airport, but now agents are hitting the interstates to fight terrorism with Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR).

“‘Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate,’ said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.

“Tuesday Tennessee was first to deploy VIPR simultaneously at five weigh stations and two bus stations across the state.”

The report went on to say, “The Tennessee Highway Patrol checked trucks at the weigh station with drug and bomb sniffing dogs during random inspections.”

See the report at: http://tinyurl.com/3zeq864

As I have noted in this column before, the one thing that the bogus “war on terror” and “war on drugs” does is it justifies and ratchets up the emerging surveillance state in America. In this regard, virtually every constitutional and historical protection of our God-given and civil rights are being systematically and thoroughly expunged–in the name of “national security.”

For all intents and purposes, the Patriot Act eviscerated the 4th and 5th amendments to the US Constitution (and seriously injured many of the others). The Posse Comitatus Act, which dates back to 1878, was flushed down the toilet during the presidencies of George Herbert Walker Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and now Barack Obama. Since 1968, 2nd Amendment liberties are only a shell of what America’s founders intended and established. And the above-mentioned story out of the State of Tennessee is just the latest example of how the US and State governments are continuing to shred the Bill of Rights–and virtually every other protection of individual liberties once thought sacred.

The State of Tennessee should be ashamed of itself–and the people of Tennessee should be outraged!

The problem is, this kind of unlawful activity has been taking place for years. And more often than not, it is the federal government that is both promoting this practice and paying for it, of course. So, why should anyone be alarmed that TSA is now joining scores of other federal alphabet agencies and getting into the act? At least, that’s the thinking of these KGB wannabes.

Most of us over the age of 50 can well remember the stories and images that came out of the old Soviet Union and its satellite states in the East Bloc. In fact, the phrase, “Show us your papers,” was symbolic of totalitarianism and despotism. Today, that same phrase is part and parcel with America’s “war on terror” and considered “patriotic.” Back in the days of “Free America,” checkpoints were synonymous with Red Russia and Red China. We could never have imagined–or tolerated–those kinds of practices going on in these United States. Now, they are part of everyday life in “Occupied America,” and standard operating procedure in the State of Tennessee and elsewhere.

For federal police agencies to be conducting checkpoints (i.e., Tennessee), organizing searches and seizures against citizens complying with State law (i.e., Montana), patrolling city streets (i.e., Alabama, Florida), and even ambushing and killing American citizens  (i.e., Idaho, Texas) is the sign that the American experiment of federalism, separation of powers, State sovereignty, etc., is certainly over, and that this new “Occupied America” is in the throes of an ever-burgeoning police state!

If Davy Crockett lived today, he wouldn’t have to ride far to find oppression to fight, would he?

P.S. My son Tim Baldwin and I have just released the second edition of our blockbuster book, “Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission.” The new edition is simplified, succinct, and very salient. I am absolutely convinced that if churches and Christians throughout America could get a good grasp of the true meaning of Romans 13, we could literally change the direction of the country! This imbecilic “obey-the-government-no-matter-what” misinterpretation of Romans 13 is as much responsible for America’s demise as is anything else that one can name. I strongly encourage readers to purchase this book for themselves and for their friends and relatives–and especially for their pastors and fellow churchmen.

To learn more about this hard-hitting new book, or to order, go to: http://www.romans13truth.com/

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4086

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=6

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
October 20, 2011

It’s once again time for my annual survival list column. One does not have to be a prophet to know that we are on the precipice of some potentially catastrophic–or at the very least, challenging–days.  In fact, most of us are already in challenging days, and some are already enduring catastrophic events. That is, if one would call being out of work, losing one’s home, facing life-threatening medical conditions without any prospect of medical insurance, several families being forced to live in one house due to homes being foreclosed, etc., catastrophic.

The potential for an escalation of cataclysmic events, however, is very real. Only a “blooming idiot” would call someone who attempts to prepare for “the day of adversity” a Chicken Little now. Anyone who does not see the storm clouds on the horizon isn’t paying attention.

For example, can one imagine what would happen if terrorists nuked a major American city or cities? (Once again, I encourage readers to watch the CBS TV series “Jericho” to get an idea of how quickly life, and even civilization, could change.) Imagine if there was another 9/11-type event. What would happen if some form of Zimbabwe-style inflation hit the US? What would happen if anything disrupted the distribution of Welfare checks, or food to local grocers? Imagine a Hurricane Katrina-style natural disaster in your town. I think people everywhere are beginning to awaken to just how vulnerable we all really are.

As a result, people from virtually every walk of life have asked my thoughts on how they should prepare. Therefore, I will, again, attempt to share with my readers some of the counsel I have given these folks.

First, a disclaimer. I am not an economist; I am not a survival expert; I am not a firearms expert; I am not an attorney; I am not a physician. In fact, I am not an expert in anything! For several years, however, I have tried to learn from others. I am an avid reader. My work has allowed me to travel extensively. I have had the privilege of sitting at the feet of–and learning from–many of America’s most learned, most trained, and most qualified “experts” in a variety of fields. What I write today, I have learned from others. I’ve formed my own opinions and priorities, of course, but everything I’m sharing has been said, or written about, before. But if I can share something in today’s column that will help someone be better prepared for the days to come, then my goal will have been achieved.

 Location:

Analyze your living conditions. Where do you live? Do you live in an urban or rural environment? Is it a big city or small town? Do you live in an apartment or condominium? How close are your neighbors? Do you even know your neighbors? Would you trust them if the electricity was off and they were hungry? Could you grow your own food if you had to? How easily could you secure your home? If you live in a cold weather environment, how long could you stay warm without electricity? These are the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself now.

Over the past several decades, masses of people have migrated into large metropolitan areas. More people currently live in urban areas than at any time in American history. While this may be well and good for times of prosperity, it is an absolute nightmare during any kind of disaster. Does anyone remember what New Orleans looked like after Hurricane Katrina came through? Can anyone recall what happened in downtown Los Angeles during the 1992 riots? Needless to say, any inner-city environment could become a powder keg almost instantaneously, given the right (or wrong) circumstances. And the bigger the city, the bigger the potential problems.

If you live in the inner city, I suggest you consider moving to a more rural location. Obviously, now is a very good time to buy property (especially rural property), but the downside is, selling property is not as favorable. If you can afford it, now is a great time to buy a “safe house” outside the city. If you are fortunate enough to have family or some true friends nearby, you may want to put your heads–and some resources–together in preparation for serious upheaval. Obviously, a team of prepared people is much better than being alone.

If you must stay in your urban location, have some commonsense plans in hand in the event of a major disaster. Get to know your neighbors: find out whom you can trust and whom you can’t. Keep some extra gasoline on hand, in case you need to get in your car quickly and leave. Have several exit routes planned ahead of time, in case roads are blocked. Have a “bug-out” bag containing essential ingredients to live on for 3 to 4 days. If leaving is not an option, have a plan to secure your home as best you can. You’ll need to think about things such as food, water, medicine, warmth, self-defense, etc. But at this point, to do nothing is absolute lunacy!

Most readers probably know that my entire family and I made the decision last year to move 2,600 miles from our home of 35 years in the Florida panhandle to the Flathead Valley of Montana, which is located about 75 miles south of the Canadian border just west of the Rocky Mountains. We’ve been here a year now (including dealing with one of the harshest winters in recent memory here, according to locals), and I can tell readers without equivocation or hesitation that we are so glad we made this move. We (including our womenfolk, southern girls all) absolutely love it here–all the difficulties and trials associated with such a life-changing move notwithstanding. In fact, I’ve never lived in a place I love so much!

If readers want to learn more about what prompted our move to Montana, please peruse the information on this web page:  http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=2243

 Provisions:

During a major disaster, food will quickly disappear. Living for over 3 decades on the Gulf Coast, I can tell you with absolute certainty that whenever disaster strikes (usually an approaching hurricane, for those folks), food and provisions at the store sell completely out in a matter of a few hours. People panic, and within hours, you cannot find food, bottled water, ice, generators, batteries, candles, etc. In a matter of hours, every gas station in the area will be completely out of gas. Not days. Hours!

Furthermore, almost all disasters include a complete loss of electricity. The water supply is compromised. Bottled water becomes more valuable than bank accounts. Dehydration becomes a very real and present danger. I remember witnessing a man offer an ice vendor $100 for an extra bag of ice during Hurricane Ivan. My wife and I went 2 weeks (14 days) without electricity in the aftermath of that hurricane. Believe me, I got a taste of just how precious bottled water, ice, batteries, generators, fuel, etc., can become.

I suggest you have a supply of food and water to last at least two weeks. A month would be better. Many survival experts insist that a three-month supply is the minimum. Personally, I can live a long time on tuna fish or peanut butter. You can purchase MREs from a variety of sources, as well as “camp-style” packaged food from many sporting goods stores. Of course, bottled water is available everywhere during normal times. Stock up! Distilled water will store longer than spring water. Plus, I suggest you have some water purification tablets or a Katadyn water filter on hand. And, if you are able, prepare to grow your own food. In cold weather climates such as we have here in Montana, people quickly learn how to construct and utilize green houses in which to grow food. Canning food is another very helpful hedge against deprivation. If your parents and grandparents were like mine, this was standard operating procedure.

Get a generator. Keep a supply of fuel on hand. Stay stocked up on batteries, candles, portable lights, first aid supplies, and personal hygiene items–especially toilet paper. Trust me, during times of intense and prolonged disaster, toilet paper could become more valuable than money. I also suggest you never run out of lighters or matches. You never know when you’ll need to build a fire–and during a prolonged survival situation, fire could save your life. If you live in a cold weather climate, you probably already have some sort of wood stove or fireplace.

Obviously, you need to take stock of your clothing. Do you have clothes suitable for extended outdoor activity? What about boots? During a disaster, you would trade your best suit from Neiman Marcus for a good pair of boots. Do you have gloves? Insulated underwear? What about camouflage clothing? These could become essential outerwear in the right conditions. Plus, any “bug-out” bag will need to include spare clothing. And as most folks here in Montana know, “cotton kills.” For extended outdoor wear in cold weather, wool is the only way to go!

Communication and medical provisions are also a high priority in any kind of emergency. How will you communicate with your loved ones when the phones (including cell phones) go down? Portable ham radios are a very valuable resource. But the time to buy (and train to use) one is NOW! A preordained rally point (or safe house) might be something to think about. And what about medical supplies? Do you have enough to take care of routine (and not-so-routine) emergencies? What about your prescription drugs? How long could you function if you were cut off from your druggist for any length of time? Also, seriously consider learning about natural, herbal medicines. Those plants growing in your “back forty” might just cure a headache, stop bleeding, or even save your life. Think about it now.

And one more suggestion, while we’re on this subject: the best resources in the world are of little use if one is physically incapable of making good use of them. In other words, GET IN SHAPE. During any kind of emergency situation, physical exertion and stamina become immensely important.

 Commodities:

I suggest you have at least some cash on hand. Just about any and all disasters will result in banks being closed for extended periods of time. That also means credit card purchases being suspended. You need to have enough cash to be able to purchase essential goods (if they are even available) for an undetermined amount of time.

Of course, some survival gurus insist that during any cataclysmic climate, precious metals will become the only reliable currency. A little gold and silver could go a long way in a prolonged emergency. For that matter, with the way our fiat money system is coming unraveled, you may want to seriously consider moving your IRA accounts into precious metals, if for no other reason than to better protect your savings. Ask yourself, how much money have I already lost at the hands of these banksters in the Federal Reserve and their toadies in the stock market?

If you are interested in converting an IRA into precious metals or simply purchasing precious metals, I personally recommend that you contact my friend Chuck Coppes. He is honest and trustworthy–and no one that I know can match his overhead and profit margins. And, yes, Chuck is one of my supporters. And I am proud to return the favor. To learn more, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3dvebvw

In fact, in a disaster, what is considered a valuable commodity can change rather quickly, as the barter system takes a life of its own. What is valuable is determined by what you need and how badly you need it. In a prolonged disaster, simple things such as toilet paper, canned goods, ammunition, and clothing could become extremely valuable; while cars, video games, televisions, etc., could be reduced to junk status. In antiquity, wars were fought over things such as salt. You might be surprised to learn that there are already active barter groups in your area. I suggest you establish a relationship with these people now!

Speaking of cars, remember that during a prolonged “national emergency” that might involve some sort of nuclear attack or widespread civil unrest, an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) might be employed; in which case, most every late model vehicle would be completely inoperable. Accordingly, if one can keep an older, pre-computer-age vehicle in good working order, he or she might be driving the only non-government vehicle capable of going anywhere. Of course, you might not want to drive it to town!

 Self-Defense:

Needless to say, during any kind of disaster, your safety and protection will be completely up to you. If you really think that the police are going to be able to protect you during an upheaval, you are living in a dream world.

In both the New Orleans and Los Angeles disasters, police protection was non-existent. Lawless gangs quickly took control of the streets, and people were left to either defend themselves or swiftly become the helpless prey of violent marauders. In fact, in New Orleans, some of the policemen actually abandoned their oaths to uphold the law and joined with the criminals, turning their weapons upon the public.

Face it, folks: in any kind of disaster, you must be able to defend yourself, or you and your family will be meat for these animals of society that will quickly descend without mercy upon the unprepared, unsuspecting souls around them. This requires that you be armed! It also requires that you be skilled enough to be able to efficiently use your arms. Therefore, I strongly suggest that you purchase firearms sufficient to keep you and your family safe, and also that you practice sufficiently to know how to use them.

Now, when it comes to a discussion of which firearms are preferable for self-defense, the suggestions are as varied as the people who proffer them. These are my suggestions:

I believe every man (along with his wife and children of adequate age) should be proficient with the following weapons: a handgun in .38 caliber or above, a .22 rifle, a center-fire bolt-action hunting rifle, a semi-automatic battle rifle, and a shotgun.

My personal preference for a self-defense handgun is either a .45 ACP 1911 (either Colt or Kimber), a Glock .45, or a .40 S&W. In the .40 caliber, my favorite is a Glock 23. In the 1911, I like the Commander size configuration. I prefer either the Model 21 or the Model 30 in the Glock .45. And I will also admit to sometimes carrying a 9mm Glock 19 or a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. My two favorites in this caliber are the Model 66 with a 2 1/2-inch barrel and the Model 586 with a 4-inch barrel. My wife prefers to carry a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver in the snub-nose, J-frame configuration. But this is primarily due to the reduced weight of these weapons for carry purposes. If needed, she could make a good accounting of herself with the Glock 19. If you are someone who has never owned and seldom fired a handgun, I recommend you buy a Glock. They are as simple as revolvers to operate, reliable, and almost indestructible. Plus, they provide increased magazine capacity, and are safe. They are also very easy to disassemble and clean. Of course, in dangerous game territory, you will need the power of a 10mm (the Glock 20 shines here), .45 Long Colt, .44 Special or .44 Magnum, or even a .454 Casull. These calibers are not for the limp-wristed, but when one is facing a brown bear or mountain lion, it is what one will need to survive. Plus, when your life is on the line, you’ll never feel the recoil.

For a .22 rifle, I really like the Ruger 10/22. A Marlin tube-fed .22 is also very effective. The CZ bolt-action .22 just might be the most accurate .22 on the market. For a hunting rifle, my suggestion is either a .270 or .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle. I prefer the Remington Model 700 BDL or Browning X-Bolt, but there are several fine weapons in this configuration and caliber by numerous manufacturers. In dangerous game territory, a Marlin .45-70 could be a lifesaver. For a battle rifle, I suggest an AR-15-style weapon (I prefer Bushmaster) in .223 caliber or a .308 Springfield M1A. For a shotgun, I suggest a 12-gauge pump. Here I prefer a Winchester Model 1300, which is not made anymore. So, you’ll probably have to choose between Mossberg and Remington. For ladies, however, a 20-gauge shotgun is probably a better choice, and at “bad breath” range (where a shotgun shines, anyway), it is just as lethal.

Whatever you choose, practice with it to the point that you are able to use it proficiently. And be sure you stock up on ammunition. A gun without ammo is reduced to being either an expensive club or a cumbersome paperweight.

Go to your local independent sporting goods store (I don’t recommend the large national chain stores to do your firearms shopping) and get to know your hometown firearms dealer. Most of these people are kind and helpful folks who will be more than happy to assist you in finding exactly what type of firearm is suitable for you and your family.

 Spiritual Power:

I firmly believe that man is created to have fellowship with his Creator-God. I really don’t know how people can face the uncertain future that we currently face without the spiritual knowledge, wisdom, comfort, and power that is made available through Jesus Christ. I believe the maxim is true: “Wise men still seek Him.” I strongly suggest that you seek to possess a personal relationship with God’s only begotten Son. In truth, spiritual preparation is far and away the most important preparation of all. Accordingly, be sure to pack a copy of God’s Word in your survival gear.

And if you have not been able to find a local church where the pastor isn’t afraid to deal with the kind of issues like I am dealing with in this column, I invite you to worship online with us at Liberty Fellowship. People all over America who are tired of these 501c3, establishment churches–who have no clue as to what is going on and who wouldn’t take a stand if they did–are tuning in to hear my messages at Liberty Fellowship every Sunday afternoon. To tune in this Sunday, go to:  http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=2606

That we are facing challenging days is a certainty. Exactly what that means is yet to be determined. I trust that some of my suggestions will help you be better prepared for what lies before us. Plus, here is an excellent online Survival Blog chock-full of great suggestions and resources for all things survival. Check it out: http://www.survivalblog.com/

And if you are considering relocation, please check out Joel Skousen’s web site at:

http://joelskousen.com/strategic.html

And if you think you may want to relocate to the Flathead Valley of Montana, George Hudson, a man at Liberty Fellowship who “escaped” from California to locate here–and who is now helping scores of people from all over the country to resettle in our beautiful valley–may be contacted at: hudnut1940@gmail.com

Please give George a few days to email you back, but he will be happy to try to answer any questions you have about moving here.

I am sure that I have left out several items that others more qualified than me would include. I welcome their suggestions, as I am always desirous to learn from those who are wiser and more experienced. In the meantime, remember your Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared.”

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4065

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

“>http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3859

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
October 13, 2011

In a recent column appearing on InfoWars.com, Kurt Nimmo succinctly and correctly pointed out that the federal government’s usurpation of State sovereignty, jurisdiction, and authority is worsening. The current case in point is the recent open letter to all firearms dealers by the ATF. Nimmo begins, “In its continuing effort to pare down the number of Americans who can exercise their rights under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has sent a letter to firearms dealers informing them that medical patients ‘addicted’ to legally dispensed medical marijuana have no right to own and possess firearms.

According to Arthur Herbert, Assistant Director of Enforcement Programs and Services at the ATF, ‘any person who uses or is addicted to marijuana, regardless of whether his or her State has passed legislation authorizing marijuana use of medicinal purposes, is an unlawful user or addicted to a controlled substance, and is prohibited by Federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition’ and will be compelled to admit the prescribed use of medical marijuana on ATF forms at the point of purchase.”

Nimmo goes on to point out, “More significantly, the ATF’s move to deny cancer and other patients medical marijuana is part of a larger attempt to roll back the Second Amendment by color of law and also attack states’ rights as guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment.”

And it’s not just medical marijuana and cancer patients that the ATF–and its water boys in Congress–wants to deny Second Amendment rights to. As has been previously reported, many of our nation’s veterans are also on the “hit list” as not eligible to keep and bear arms.

See the report at: http://gunowners.org/a091207.htm

Beyond that, any person who has been diagnosed with a “mental disorder” is also in the cross hairs for having their Second Amendment rights expunged. And, of course, “mental disorder” could include anyone from a returning combat veteran who suffers from “post-traumatic stress disorder,” or “combat fatigue,” to someone who was prescribed medication for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) as a child, to someone who was diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder. In other words, the federal government wants the power to classify just about anyone it wants to as having a “mental disorder” and, therefore, be denied their right to keep and bear arms.

But there is even more. Nimmo writes, “In 2009, Democrat and notorious gun-grabber Rep. Carolyn McCarthy introduced The No Fly, No Buy Act (H.R. 2401), a bill that would have merged the TSA’s no-fly list with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), a point-of-sale system for determining eligibility to purchase a firearm.

 “The current mayor of Chicago–the largest anti-Second Amendment city in the country after New York City–and former Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel proposed that anybody on the fed’s no-fly list (numbering in the tens of thousands) should have their Second Amendment stripped.”

Of course, if having one’s name on the no-fly list makes one a terrorist, why wasn’t former senator Ted Kennedy so identified? It is a matter of public record that he was detained several times by TSA agents, because his name kept showing up on the no-fly list.

Nimmo concludes his column by saying, “The feds are determined to whittle away at the Second Amendment and this under-handed effort to make gun dealers responsible for determining if their customers are marijuana ‘addicts’–under penalty of losing their licenses–is part of the long term plan to disarm the American people.”

See Nimmo’s column at: http://tinyurl.com/6ggsabg

This draconian decision by the ATF hits people in my home State of Montana especially hard. Under the laws of the State of Montana, a person is lawfully allowed to receive prescribed amounts of medical marijuana for legitimate health reasons (I know many of these people personally). And contrary to what anyone inside the Beltway says, marijuana in medicinal amounts has been proven to greatly assist people who suffer from a variety of maladies. Furthermore, the misuse of alcohol–which is also known to help treat a variety of illnesses in medicinal amounts, which even the Holy Scripture collaborates in I Timothy 5:23–inflicts far greater havoc upon both the individual user and society in general than marijuana has or could ever inflict.

It is also true that the so-called “war on drugs” by the federal government is not only an abject failure, it has become a tool by which power-hungry despot-wannabes strip hundreds of thousands of harmless, peaceful Americans of their freedoms and liberties. There are tens of thousands of people languishing behind prison walls that have never harmed a single person, have never stolen, have never committed an act of violence, or have never even shown the slightest aggression toward a fellow human being. They languish for decades and even for a lifetime in harsh prison conditions because of this never-ending, always escalating “war on drugs.”

Talk about a financial cost to taxpayers: the cost of incarcerating tens and hundreds of thousands of harmless, nonviolent drug users–not to mention the cost of investigating, arresting, arraigning, and trying them–literally dwarfs whatever the cost would be to let them live peacefully in society, or even to allow churches and special-needs ministries and hospitals to treat them.

But a few things the “war on drugs” does accomplish is it serves as a major reason to increase federal funding for all kinds of Gestapo-like tactics at every level of government; it provides justification for governmental restrictions of civil liberties; and it is a major excuse for the exponential growth of the emerging police state. And dare I even mention the fact that it is now absolutely certain that persons (at the highest levels) and agencies within the federal government have been (and are) reaping gargantuan profits via illegal drug trafficking. As one retired federal agent (that’s right, federal agent) who was personally involved in the feds’ “war on drugs” for decades personally told me, “Chuck, the federal government hates competition.” (I’m not making it up; that’s what he said.) Oh yes! It also allows the ATF to deny Second Amendment rights to more and more people!

America desperately needs State governors to draw a line in the sand against this federal leviathan for the protection of the liberties and freedoms of the citizens within his or her State! Let me say it bluntly: we desperately need a State governors to tell the feds to go to Hades! If State leaders would stop cooperating with and submitting to these would-be tyrants, I am convinced the people of the states would rally behind them in record numbers and speed! I am absolutely convinced that this would be the case in the Mountain States anyway. And when the feds attempt to withhold federal tax dollars from these courageous, albeit recalcitrant states, it needs to be remembered that the states can do likewise. They can withhold tax revenues from the feds: two can play that game! All it would take would be a plucky governor with enough backbone to do it!

In the meantime, combat veterans, people who have taken certain prescription drugs, people who have shown up on no-fly lists, and now people who have been lawfully issued a particular medical card can be denied their right to keep and bear arms by the US government. When will the American people ever have enough?

P.S. I think it fitting at this juncture to remind readers that one of the reasons so many pastors and Christians offer so little resistance to the unconstitutional conduct of our civil magistrates in Washington, D.C., is because of the erroneous and fallacious interpretation of Romans chapter 13. Let me remind everyone that I have a four-part message series on “The True Meaning of Romans 13” available on one DVD. I strongly encourage readers to obtain this DVD and to distribute it as widely as possible. I am convinced that the correct interpretation of Romans 13 could literally change the course and direction of our country! To obtain a copy of this Romans 13 DVD, go to: http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3146

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4050

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

“>http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3859

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
October 6, 2011

Many times I hear the ostriches among us exclaim, “What freedoms have we lost? America is the freest country on earth.” We have all heard that, right? Of course, part of the problem is that, thanks to our education system, media, and churches, many Americans do not even know how to define liberty and freedom. The truth is, America’s Founding Fathers were willing to pledge their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” and fight a bloody revolutionary war for far fewer abridgments of liberty than we Americans endure every day of our lives today. FAR FEWER!

To answer the second part of the ostrich argument first: no, America is not the freest nation on earth. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, which is produced by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal, the United States just barely makes it in the top ten, ranked at number nine in the world.

According to Deroy Murdock, “Among the 179 countries examined in the Index, Hong Kong is ranked first, followed by Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, and Denmark. These nations all outscored the U.S. across ten categories, including taxes, free trade, regulation, monetary policy, and corruption.

“America barely made the top ten. Bahrain was tenth, with 77.7 points, one decimal point behind America’s 77.8 score. Chile reached No. 11 with 77.4, just 0.4 points behind the United States.”

“Even worse, with a score below 80, the U.S. is spending its second year as a ‘mostly free’ economy. As it departed the family of ‘free’ nations in 2010, it led the ‘mostly free’ category. Even within this less-than-illustrious group, America now lags behind Ireland and Denmark.”

See Murdock’s report at: http://tinyurl.com/66caegw

Just ask any small businessman how free the United States is! The regulations, restrictions, prohibitions, assessments, fees, taxes, surcharges, permits, licenses, etc., are worse than almost any industrialized nation in the world. Remember the CEO of Coca Cola recently saying that it was easier doing business in China than in America? Well, he was telling the truth!

Thanks to political correctness, environmental wackoism, and socialistic/fascist ideology running rampant in Washington, D.C., and even many State capitols, “the land of the free” has become “the land of the oppressed.” Being able to drive a car, have a job, shop at a mall, watch sports on television, or even vote, is NOT the mark of a free people. Folks in China and other oppressed nations routinely do all of the above.

Virtually every activity once considered a “right” is now regulated or prohibited by either the federal or State and local government. Few states (thankfully, my home State of Montana is one of them) recognize the right of people to marry without getting a State marriage license. And can anyone imagine Paul Revere riding throughout Boston with a license plate and registration on his horse? And can anyone further imagine Sam Adams or those militiamen at Lexington and Concord registering a gun or being asked to get a concealed carry permit? Yeah, right!

In most urban settings, one cannot build a shed on their own property, add a room on their house, or even pour a driveway without asking a variety of government bureaucrats for permission–and paying them hundreds of dollars in fees, of course. And did you know that the federal government even tells your local plumbing contractor how many gallons of water your toilet can flush? Well, they do! You call this freedom? Our Founding Fathers wouldn’t have!

To answer the first part of the ostrich question, the freedoms we Americans have lost are literally too numerous to count. A recent report at the American Dream web site makes a very salient argument as to just how many freedoms have been lost in the good old U.S. of A.

The report states, “Once upon a time, our founders thought that they were guaranteeing our freedoms by adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. But today there are a lot of freedoms that we simply do not have any longer. In America today, you do not have the right to say whatever you want. If you say the wrong thing on a blog or a website it can have dramatic consequences.  In America today, you do not have the right to do raise your own children as you see fit.  In America today, you do not have the right to grow whatever food you want and you do not have the right to eat whatever food you do grow.  In America today, you do not have the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.  In America today, you do not have a right to privacy. In fact, you should expect that everything that you do is watched, tracked, monitored and recorded.”

The report then goes on to list several real-life examples to prove the assessments listed above.  See the American Dream report at: http://tinyurl.com/6auqza3

And, of course, the ultimate symbol of a free people is the right to keep and bear arms. And while most states theoretically recognize a citizen’s right to own and possess a gun, the vast majority of them only do so–not as a right guaranteed to a free people by their Creator–but as a privilege granted to approved subjects by the limited benevolence of the State. At last count, only four states recognize the right of their citizens to keep and bear arms without any kind of State license: Alaska, Arizona, Vermont, and Wyoming. (For clarification, the State of Montana allows open carry Statewide and concealed carry in unincorporated areas, but people carrying concealed in incorporated cities, must have a CCW permit. We passed legislation this year to expunge the incorporated city CCW requirement, but our Democrat governor vetoed it. But Montana will be the fifth State soon!)

To view a current map of Constitutional Carry states, click here: http://opencarry.org/constcarry.html

So, the next time you hear someone say, “What freedoms have we lost? We are the freest nation on earth,” why not give them a copy of this column? And then tell the ostrich to get his head out of the sand and his rump off the couch before the little remnant of freedom we have left is also completely eviscerated.

P.S. I want to introduce my readers to a very informative web site produced by my friend Jim Babka. It’s called DownsizeDC.org. I recommend you take a look. See it at: http://www.downsizedc.org/

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4040

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

“>http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3859

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
September 29, 2011

A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to attend a private gathering of influential conservative leaders just outside Washington, D.C. While many differences of opinion were expressed on a variety of subjects, there was one subject on which every single attendee was unequivocally united: the US economy is soon going to tank! As one man said, “In a couple of years, these could be the ‘good old days.’” Another thing the august assembly was agreed on was that the only Presidential candidate in the two major parties who would actually have the guts to do what needs to be done is Congressman Ron Paul. And the national press corps (including FOX News) is doing everything in its power to make sure that the American people do not hear much of what Dr. Paul has to say for that very reason.

Neither the Democrat nor Republican parties in Washington, D.C., have any intention of addressing the real reasons why the American economy is on the verge of collapse. The only thing the two major parties–and the elites who dominate them–can see is the next election. The lust for power is the one thing that both the Donkeys and the Elephants share in common. And neither party is willing to disappoint their constituents who are feeding at the teat of that fat hog known as Washington, D.C.

Democrats want to extend Washington’s insatiable appetite for deficit spending in order to promote the Welfare State. And Republicans want to extend Washington’s insatiable appetite for deficit spending in order to promote the Warfare State. Conservative or liberal, hawk or dove, Christian or secularist, Democrat of Republican: they all are lining up at the back door of Uncle Sam’s kitchen begging for a handout!

Except for Ron Paul, no one is giving more than ten-second sound bites of lip service to what is necessary to conquering the real culprits of America’s economic malaise: expunging the fiat money system and returning America to hard money principles, dismantling that cabal of international criminals known as the Federal Reserve, returning America’s foreign policy to its constitutional parameters of non-interventionism, eviscerating those federal programs and entities not prescribed by the US Constitution, getting rid of the income tax, and taking the United States out from under the power and influence of the United Nations. No one else has the guts to even seriously talk about these issues, much less to actually do something about it! And if the “powers that be” successfully defeat Dr. Paul’s candidacy, it won’t matter to a tinker’s dam who gets elected President in 2012 (that is, unless a constitutionalist third-party candidate miraculously wins the Presidency)! Republican or Democrat, it will be business-as-usual. And that means this house of cards that these corrupt politicians and bankers have been playing with all these years is going to come crashing down. In fact, the signs are ubiquitous that the crash has already begun.

Writing for BlacklistedNews.com, Michael Snyder has recently produced two trenchant reports that show the handwriting on the wall for America’s financial future. Snyder begins this first report saying, “Goldman Sachs is doing it again.  Goldman is telling the public that everything is going to be just fine, but meanwhile they are advising their top clients to bet on a huge financial collapse.  On August 16th, a 54 page report authored by Goldman strategist Alan Brazil was distributed to institutional clients.  The general public was not intended to see this report.  Fortunately, some folks over at the Wall Street Journal got their hands on a copy and they have filled us in on some of the details.

 “It turns out that Goldman Sachs secretly believes that an economic collapse is coming.”

Snyder concludes his report saying, “Sadly, the 54 page report mentioned above is right–we really are facing a global debt meltdown and we really are heading for an economic collapse.”

“You aren’t going to hear the truth from the mainstream media or from our politicians because ‘keeping people calm’ is much more of a priority to them than telling the truth is.

“The debt crisis in the United States is unsustainable and the debt crisis in Europe is unsustainable.  Right now we are in the calm before the storm, and nobody knows exactly when the storm is going to strike.

“But let there be no doubt–it is coming.

“The amazing prosperity that we have enjoyed for the last several decades has largely been a debt-fueled illusion. It was a great party while it lasted, but now it is coming to an end and the aftermath of the coming crash is going to be absolutely horrific.

“Keep watch and get prepared.  We don’t know exactly when the collapse is going to happen, but it is definitely on the way and now even Goldman Sachs is admitting that.”

See Snyder’s report at: http://tinyurl.com/3tcg4ro

And in a second report, Michael Snyder writes, “If you think the U.S. economy is bad now, just wait for a few months.  Things are about to become absolutely nightmarish.  None of the long-term economic trends that are hollowing out our economy have been addressed and more bad economic news seems to come out virtually every single day.  Now there is constant talk of the “next recession” in the mainstream media.  But did the last recession ever truly end?  The number of good jobs continues to decline, more stores are closing, incomes continue to go down, credit card debt and student loan debt are soaring, the housing market resembles a corpse, the number of Americans living in poverty continues to rise and government debt is at unprecedented levels.  We are losing blood fast, and almost all of our leaders are either too corrupt or too incompetent to be able to do anything about it.  The U.S. economy really and truly is about to go into the toilet, and if something is not done very quickly we are going to experience a complete and total economic disaster in this nation.”

Snyder then goes on to highlight 30 signs that the US economy is about to go down the drain. Read his report at: http://tinyurl.com/3fxqjua

And for those of you who believe that such talk is just “Chicken Little” déjà vu, you need to know that many economists, politicians, and even federal police agents are personally preparing for a prolonged economic collapse. And if you’re not preparing, you’re either not paying attention or you’re preferring to ignore the warning signs. Neither option is healthy.

I have told readers before of my friend Chuck Coppes’ phenomenal book, “America’s Financial Reckoning Day.” Once again, I urge readers to obtain this book. I further follow Chuck’s recommendation that you seriously consider getting as much as you can of your fiat paper currency converted into hard assets ASAP! The gold and silver markets are being manipulated downward, but these tactics will not last forever. When the crash occurs, hard assets will skyrocket! That’s what virtually every economic forecaster that I have any confidence in is saying. And I believe them!

To obtain Chuck Coppes’ book or to contact him regarding obtaining precious metals, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3dvebvw

So readers will know up front, Chuck has felt led to support my work, and I am equally enthusiastic about supporting his work. I personally know Chuck, as he moved his business from his home State of Arizona, and has joined with us here in the Flathead Valley of Montana. (And we need many more businessmen to consider doing the same!)

As an aside, for those of you who are considering joining us here in the Flathead Valley of Montana, here is the email address of George Hudson, who, himself, “escaped” from California to join us in Montana. George has taken it upon himself to help people with the information and resources they might need to help relocate to the Valley. His email address is:  hudnut1940@gmail.com

An old maxim says, “Forewarned is forearmed.” Ladies and gentlemen, we need to prayerfully and seriously weigh the evidence that is before us and make decisions NOW to prepare ourselves for the days to come. We need to heed the words of Scripture that twice say, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12 KJV)

I further highly recommend that people who are serious about preparation, relocation, and related matters glean heavily from the works of James Wesley, Rawles and Joel Skousen.

Rawles’ web site is: http://www.survivalblog.com/

Skousen’s web site is: http://www.joelskousen.com/

After having attended the above-referenced meeting near Washington, D.C., I am more convinced than ever that we did the right thing in relocating to the beautiful Flathead Valley of Montana. I also came away from that meeting with the firm conviction that my friend was right when he said, “In a couple of years, these could be the ‘good old days.’”

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4019

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

“>http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3859

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
September 22, 2011

A recent major investigative report by the Los Angeles Times sheds light on what all this “war on terror” is actually costing–and actually accomplishing. According to the report, “A decade after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, federal and state governments are spending about $75 billion a year on domestic security, setting up sophisticated radio networks, upgrading emergency medical response equipment, installing surveillance cameras and bombproof walls, and outfitting airport screeners to detect an ever-evolving list of mobile explosives.

“But how effective has that 10-year spending spree been?

“‘The number of people worldwide who are killed by Muslim-type terrorists, Al Qaeda wannabes, is maybe a few hundred outside of war zones. It’s basically the same number of people who die drowning in the bathtub each year,’ said John Mueller, an Ohio State University professor who has written extensively about the balance between threat and expenditures in fighting terrorism.”

The LA Times report goes on to say, “Like the military-industrial complex that became a permanent and powerful part of the American landscape during the Cold War, the vast network of Homeland Security spyware, concrete barricades and high-tech identity screening is here to stay. The Department of Homeland Security, a collection of agencies ranging from border control to airport security sewn quickly together after Sept. 11, is the third-largest Cabinet department and–with almost no lawmaker willing to render the U.S. less prepared for a terrorist attack–one of those least to fall victim to budget cuts.

“The expensive and time-consuming screening now routine for passengers at airport boarding gates has detected plenty of knives, loaded guns and other contraband, but it has never identified a terrorist who was about to board a plane. Only 14 Americans have died in about three dozen instances of Islamic extremist terrorist plots targeted at the U.S. outside war zones since 2001–most of them involving one or two home-grown plotters.”

The report also notes, “Large sums of Homeland Security money, critics complain, have been propelled by pork barrel politics into the backyards of the congressionally connected.”

See the LA Times report at: http://tinyurl.com/3u3olzx

Add to the LA Times report a report by Madison Ruppert. In the report, Ruppert notes that it is clearly the Bill of Rights–especially the First Amendment’s freedom of speech and the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms–that are suffering the most egregious attacks from the federal government’s “war on terror.”

Ruppert concludes his report saying, “In short, despite the fact that all the statistics and data in the world directly contradict the report’s findings and the claims made by clearly biased ‘experts’ on the threat of terrorism, especially of the homegrown variety, the HSPI [Homeland Security Policy Institute] and other bodies continue to fearmonger and lie to the American people to keep us scared while they empty our pockets and continue their imperialistic adventures in the Middle East and now North Africa.”

See Ruppert’s column at:  http://blacklistednews.com/?news_id=15638&print=1

Back to the Times report, not only do we Americans have about an equal chance of dying at the hands of a terrorist as we do dying in our own bathtubs, we have a much greater risk of dying at the hands of prescription drugs–something lawfully encouraged and tightly controlled by the US government. According to a recent report, more people now die each year from prescription drugs than from automobile accidents. That’s some 37,000 deaths via prescription drugs annually! (Come to think of it, how many people do you know who have died from marijuana?) And as hard as it will be for some people to accept, this number is gigantically greater than those who die from hard drugs such as heroin or crack cocaine. In fact, the prescription drug Vicodin, by itself, has killed more people than cocaine and heroin combined.

See the report on prescription drug deaths at: http://tinyurl.com/6eh8bw3

So, what has this trillion-dollar “war on terror” accomplished? If it’s not making us more secure, what is it doing? Well, for one thing, it has created a stupendous surveillance society. Virtually every piece of public communication is now captured and stored by the federal government. Surveillance cameras are now ubiquitous throughout the United States. We have a gargantuan federal police department (which is anathema to the US Constitution): the Department of Homeland Security. We have thousands of Orwellian laws, most of which were spawned by the Patriot Act. And more and more often, law enforcement agencies are demonizing US citizens for their religious and political beliefs and statements–even categorizing them as potential domestic terrorists based simply on those religious and political beliefs.

To refresh reader’s minds regarding how Americans have been labeled, profiled, and denigrated as “terrorists” because of their religious or political beliefs, please peruse the material on this web page:  http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=52

Fortunately, it does appear that the combination of an emerging police state and a declining economy that has resulted from this “war on terror” is finally starting to catch the attention of the American people. According to a Brooking Institution report, “Six in ten Americans believe that that the United States weakened its economy by overspending in its responses to the 9/11 attacks. In particular, respondents felt this was especially true of the U.S. mission in Iraq. Two out of three Americans perceive that over the decade since 9/11, U.S. power and influence in the world has declined.”

A Rasmussen report further revealed, “As with the recent turmoil in Egypt, most Americans (67%) say the United States should leave the situation in the Arab countries alone.”

Beyond that, “A Zogby poll conducted in August 2007 found that 51% of Americans want Congress to probe Bush/Cheney regarding the 9/11 attacks, two-thirds (67%) of Americans say the 9/11 Commission should have investigated the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7.”

See the BlacklistedNews.com report containing the above survey results and more at: http://tinyurl.com/3v2n538

The LA Times is right to question what Americans are getting for their $75 billion a year contribution to the “war on terror.” Some could even argue–with convincing data–that the “war on terror” is in reality a “war on freedom.”

P.S. Understanding the financial difficulties that many people are having due to the current recession, and wanting to help people who desire to download my video and audio messages, we have reduced the price of both of these downloads. Video downloads are now only $10 (down from $15) and audio downloads are only $5 (down from $10). To download these messages, go to: http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?cat=16

P.S.S. Our printer has just cleared his warehouse of all remaining FREEDOM DOCUMENTS. We now have 50 copies of THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS available. And with our move to Montana, it is not certain that we will be able to provide FREEDOM DOCUMENTS this Christmas as usual. So, if readers want to obtain this fabulous collection of America’s great historical documents in one volume, we have a total of only 50 copies that will be shipped while the supply lasts on a first-come, first-served basis. To order FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, go to: http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=279

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=4002

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

“>http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3859

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

By Chuck Baldwin
September 15, 2011

I’ve been an evangelical Christian since I was a child. I’ve been in the Gospel ministry all of my adult life. I attended two evangelical Christian colleges, received honorary degrees from two others, and taught and preached in several others. I’ve attended many of the largest evangelical pastors’ gatherings and have been privileged to speak at Christian gatherings–large and small–all over America. I have been part of the inner workings of evangelical ministry for nearly 40 years. I think I learned a thing or two about evangelical/fundamentalist Christianity in America. And I’m here to tell you: I don’t like what I see happening these days!

Let’s get this straight right out of the gate: nothing touched by man can be perfect, because none of us is perfect. There is no perfect church, perfect school, perfect mission board, perfect Sunday School class, perfect pastor, perfect deacon, or perfect Christian. Until the afterlife, we are all yet encased in Adamic flesh, complete with human weaknesses and imperfections. And only the Pharisaical among us are too proud to admit it.

That said, I do think it is more than fair to say that, historically, Christians have always attempted to be–and have always publicly taught the importance of being–peacemakers. Historically, Christians have preached–and tried to practice–love and brotherhood. The early church was born in a baptism of love and unity. Oh sure, there were always individual misunderstandings and differences, but, on the whole, the church was a loving, caring, compassionate ecclesia.

Mind you, Christians historically were not afraid or ashamed to defend themselves, their families, and their country. The Lord Jesus, Himself (the Prince of Peace), allowed His disciples to carry personal defense weapons (see Luke 22:36,38). Yes, while some Christian sects were conscientious pacifists, these were the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of Christian believers understood the Biblical, Natural Law principle of self-defense. But believing in the right of lawful, God-ordained self-defense was never to be confused with warmongering.

So, what has happened to turn the most peace-loving institution the world has ever known (the New Testament church) into the biggest cheerleaders for war? I’m talking about un-provoked, illegal, unconstitutional, unbiblical–even secret–wars of aggression. The biggest cheerleaders for the unprovoked, unconstitutional, pre-emptive attack and invasion of Iraq were evangelical Christians. Ditto for the war in Afghanistan, the bombing of Libya, the attacks in Yemen, etc. Who is calling for the bombing of Iran? Evangelical Christians. Who cheers for sending more and more troops all over the world to maim and kill more and more people (including innocents)? Evangelical Christians. Shoot (pun intended)! Most evangelical Christians didn’t even bat an eye when the federal government sent military and police personnel to murder American citizens, including old men, women, and children–Christian old men, women, and children, no less–outside Waco, Texas.

And where are today’s evangelical Christians giving a second thought regarding their fellow Christian brothers and sisters in many of these Middle Eastern countries that are being persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and killed by the puppet regimes being put in power by the US government–at US taxpayer (including Christian taxpayer) expense? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but more Christians have been persecuted under the US-imposed regime in Iraq than were ever persecuted when Saddam Hussein was in power. Oh! And don’t forget that it was the US government that was responsible for putting Saddam Hussein in power to begin with. The US government set up Osama bin Laden, too. But I digress.

In addition to the “white” wars (the ones everyone knows about), the US government authorizes some 70 black ops commando raids in some 120 countries EVERY DAY. In fact, the secret, black ops military of the US is so large today it now totals more personnel than the ENTIRE MILITARY OF CANADA!

A recent report noted, “In 120 countries across the globe, troops from Special Operations Command carry out their secret war of high-profile assassinations, low-level targeted killings, capture/kidnap operations, kick-down-the-door night raids, joint operations with foreign forces, and training missions with indigenous partners as part of a shadowy conflict unknown to most Americans. Once ‘special’ for being small, lean, outsider outfits, today they are special for their power, access, influence, and aura.”

To see the complete report of America’s secret wars, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/3q7s335

Yet, how much of this knowledge would even faze the average evangelical Christian today? All we hear from today’s “churches” is “bomb,” “attack,” “wipe them out,” etc. Then, at the same time, they get all emotional about sending missionaries to the same countries that they had just cheered-on the US military in raining down missiles of death and destruction upon (to bring salvation to the lucky ones that weren’t killed, I suppose).

And who are the ones that belittle and impugn Ron Paul? Evangelical Christians. Why? Because he tells the truth about America’s foreign policy being responsible for much of the hatred and bitterness erupting in foreign countries against us. I guarantee you that many of the “conservative” Republicans who booed Dr. Paul’s comments to this regard at the GOP Presidential debate this week would identify themselves as evangelical Christians.

See the report at: http://tinyurl.com/3otfnzr

The disciples of our Lord were called “Christians” first by the Gentiles of Antioch, because of the manner in which the disciples reminded them of Christ’s nature and teachings. I never thought I would hear myself say what I’m about to say, but the truth is, the term “Christian” today means anything but Christ-like. To many people today, “Christian” refers to some warmongering, mean-spirited, throw-anyone-to-the-wolves-who-crosses-them person, who then has the audacity to look down their nose in contempt against anyone who disagrees with them for even the smallest reason. And the word “church” has the stigma of being simply an enclave of warmongers to many people today. And that, my friends, is one reason so many people are so turned off with today’s Christianity. And I can’t say that I blame them. I’m turned off too!

Am I a pacifist? Absolutely not! Do I believe an individual, a family, a community, or a nation has the right to protect and defend itself? I absolutely do! And the fellow who breaks into my home or who attacks my loved ones will personally discover  I believe that! But this blind support for illegal, immoral, unconstitutional war is anything but Christian. Not only is it turning people against our country among people abroad, it is turning our own countrymen against the Christ we Christians claim to love right here at home.

I dare say that the modern Warfare State would grind to a screeching halt tomorrow if evangelical Christians would simply stop supporting it! And the thing that most evangelical Christians fail to realize is that the Warfare State is one of the primary tools that the evil one is using to usher in his devilish New World Order that even babes in Christ know to be of Satan. Hence, Christians are helping to promote the very thing that Satan, himself, is using to enslave them.

Yes, I’ve been an evangelical Christian for most of my life and an evangelical pastor for all of my adult life. And if we Christians do not quickly repent of this bloodlust that seems to dominate evangelical Christianity today (spiritually and militarily), the word that was first used by un-churched Gentiles to describe Christ’s followers will be used as a curse-word to describe those who facilitated the ruination of our country.

P.S. We will be hosting a giveaway soon and you will have the chance to win a copy of my DVD, “Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission”! That’s right, my four-part message series on Romans 13, all four messages on one DVD, and you can have a chance to win a copy! For instructions about how to enter this giveaway (on Facebook only), visit the Chuck Baldwin and Liberty Fellowship pages.

The Chuck Baldwin Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chuck-Baldwin/226997970644468

The Liberty Fellowship page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liberty-Fellowship-Kalispell-MT/190828020944911

I thank you in advance for entering and sharing these pages with your Facebook friends! We regularly update these pages with my editorials and any announcements that you will want to know about. This message of freedom and liberty is a message everyone needs to hear!

This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3971

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p

“>http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=3859

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be 

made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?page_id=19
Copyright © 2011 Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which
America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for 37 years
and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. See Chuck’s complete bio at:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p