All Legislative Powers Herein Granted Shall Be Vested In A Congress Of The United States

This is a photo posted by Senator Mike Lee (one of the good guys) of a shelf containing all the regulations passed this year by unelected federal bureaucrats working for agencies under the Executive Branch.  You see folks, this is something that few understand, forgive me if you already know this but permit me to explain to those that might not understand.  Article I, Section I of the United States Constitution vests ALL lawmaking power in THE Congress (Article I Branch).  NO lawmaking power is vested in ANY OTHER BRANCH.  Congress over the years has created federal agencies (IRS, HHS, DOJ, EPA, etc...and on and on).  You or I could debate the merits of any of these agencies, most in my opinion are absolutely unnecessary at the federal level and maybe unnecessary altogether. However, honest people can debate that and disagree on the merits of each.  What we CANNOT debate, is the fact that our Constitution was set up to permit only ONE branch to make laws so that you and I could have a say in the lawmaking process through the ballot box every two years.

When Congress set up these agencies over the years and handed them over to the Executive Branch (Article II), they DIRECTLY handed over the power to legislate to these agencies and in effect handed legislative power directly to the President.  These agencies pass regulations to the tune of THOUSANDS of pages every year, the photo below that Mike Lee sent out shows just the pages of regulations (laws) that were put into place in these agencies to TORMENT you (think IRS, EPA, HHS/Obamacare....) and they are written by faceless people behind closed doors with ZERO accountability.

Look at the stack of regulations, 80,000 pages alone in 2013. Then look at the small stack of paper on top the shelf, that is the paper from laws actually passed by Congress in comparison.  Do you see what has been done here? Most of the regulations (Laws) passed by these agencies destroy business and torment citizens with oppressive confiscatory taxes and our Congress can turn around and tell us that they didn't do it...the executive agencies did it....therefore, the end result is no one is accountable.

 

Understand this important principle so that you can let these folks know that you are on to them whenever you get the chance.  These kinds things show how broken our federal government really is. I is high time for the states to get together and demand some changes.  The folks we send to Washington, by and large are not going to address this.  Know this, they can address this...but they have no intention whatsoever of doing anything about it. They wring their hands and point the finger at the Executive as if they don't know anything about Article I, Section I and the Constitutional mandate that only CONGRESS enact laws. They established these agencies, they can de establish them...they can cut off funding using the power vested in them in Article I, Section 7, but they refuse to do that too. We recently got to see this dereliction of duty in the House of Representatives when they had the opportunity in a continuing resolution for funding to defund the so called Affordable Care Act and they refused to do it.

Join us at the Convention of States Project.  The COS is the lawful, orderly, Constitutional route to driving a stake in the heart of the runaway federal government.

The Congress "shall call a convention."

Hamilton made it clear in Federalist 85 that Congress must call a Convention when 2/3rds of the states apply.

"By the fifth article of the plan, the Congres will be obliged "on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the States [which at present amount to nine], to call a convention for proposing amendments, which shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of the Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the States, or by conventions in three fourths thereof." The words of this article are peremptory. The Congress "shall call a convention." Nothing in this particular is left to the discretion of that body. And of consequence, all the declamation about the disinclination to a change vanishes in air". - Alexander Hamilton Federalist 85

Nothing is perfect. What we do know and can take to the bank is that the "National Legislature" to use George Mason's term, is going to do nothing to change its present trajectory. They will not do anything to curtail the leviathan federal government that is for all intents and purposes, out of control. It is out of control due to decades of perversion of the Rule of Law (Constitution). The 2nd mode of Article V grants the states the vehicle to end run Washington and "reset" the language or clarify the language of areas that are most abused, i.e. the Commerce clause and the General Welfare clause etc... The founders made this very clear, they told us, it's right there in Madison's notes of the Federal Convention of 1787. June 11 and Sep 15 of 1787 in particular, carry the events that surround the adoption of the 2nd mode of Article V. George Mason specifically advocated for this end run when he said "no amendments of the proper kind would ever be obtained by the people, if the Government should become oppressive".

At the end of the day so to speak, you can disagree with the COS strategy and those of us that are advocating for this... good people can disagree. It will come down to whether you think our present course of action of electing more people to Washington that tell us they will do something....and we wait, and wait, and wait...and but save a few...they stab us in the back once they begin to taste the intoxicating power of Washington...It will come down to whether you think that strategy is working.
At the Convention of States Project....we've had enough. That strategy is clearly not working and we're ready to use what the founders/framers gave us in Article V.  They are screaming at us from 1787 to use what they gave us. It's not perfect and it wont be easy, but it is the lawful and orderly process written into the Constitution for the people of the states to deal with an out of control federal government.

Term Limits

Would you like to see term limits enacted on members of the United States Congress, perhaps even on members of the Supreme Court, the federal judiciary? 75% of the American people answer "Yes" when polled with the straight up question: "Do you support Term Limits for members of the United States Congress?"

  

I can almost guarantee that if we get an Article V Convention, this alone will cause most of those 535 members of Congress to wet their pants.

 

In theory, there is nothing wrong with keeping a good public servant in office for as long as the official and we the voters want him or her there. But through gerrymandering of House districts, congressional perks, a ton of free media, incumbents are simply ridiculously hard to remove from office.  Our framers NEVER envisioned elected officials to make a career of serving in Congress and this practice has led to a power drunk United States Congress that in many ways appears to be in intentional collusion with the other branches in order to maintain power, whether it be in minority party of the majority party.

  

Do you think the United States Congress will EVER propose such an amendment via the U.S. Congress? The vast majority of our current 535 members of both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate are staggering, falling down drunk on the intoxicating effects of Congressional perks and power.

 

Article V of The United States Constitution provides a second mode for proposing amendments that has never been used. Today, there are many who have never studied or even read Article V that are fearful of using the mode because like most things that are feared, they simply do not understand it. I don't say this disparagingly other than that it is very frustrating that many that oppose this...when I talk to them and explain it...they never knew that it was actually IN the Constitution.  They say that we need to use the process whereby Congress proposes amendments and sends them to the states...they talk about "opening up the Constitution" when we use this process. That kind of talk betrays their misunderstanding or lack of understanding altogether on Article V.  The second mode that involves the states is no different than the first mode whereby the U.S. Congress proposes amendments, the ONLY difference being that the amendments would come from the states without ANY participation by the United States Congress.  That thought almost makes me want to do cartwheels.  But here is the thing that most don't seem to understand.  An Article V COS cannot change one word of the Constitution on its own.  Just like all 27 of our current amendments that came from the U.S. Congress, any amendment coming from a COS MUST be sent back to all 50 states for ratification and a minimum of 3/4ths (38) would have to ratify them for any of them to take effect.

 

An Article V Convention of States could more than likely move such an amendment to the states in the first few days of a Convention...I suspect it would be the kind of "low hanging fruit" that could be proposed as an amendment and pumped out to the states for ratification almost immediately. Then 38 states would have to ratify such an amendment for term limits to be part of the United States Constitution.

  

I am the State Director in South Carolina for the Convention of States Project. Many other states right now have someone just like me doing the same thing. You can volunteer as a District Captain here in South Carolina or in any state that now has a growing grassroots COS movement. Help us do this by signing up at www.conventionofstates.com

Thanksgiving History and The Glory of God - Part II

Part II: The Man Named Squanto

Another fascinating thing that we see from the historical account provided by William Bradford, about the people we refer to today as the "Pilgrims", is God's hand of provision for their dwindling numbers in the early part of year following their arrival at what they called "New Plymouth".  Their first encounters with native American Indians are interesting and nothing short of miraculous. Keep in mind that the "frontier" of North America would have been literally at the beach line on the east coast. This group of Pilgrims was desperately in need of help in how to survive this new land with its unknown wildlife and other unforeseen dangers and hardships. With that in mind, let’s look at this account from Bradford's journal in the first months after landing at the northern tip of Cape Cod in November of 1620:

"All this while the Indians carne skulking [sneaking] about them, and would sometimes show themselves aloof [remote, unapproachable] off, but when any approached near them, they would run away. And once they stole away their [the Pilgrims’] tools where they had been at work, and were gone to dinner. But about the sixteenth of March a certain Indian came boldly amongst them, and spoke to them in broken English, which they could well understand, but marveled at it. At length they understood by discourse with him, that he was not of these parts, but belonged to the eastern parts, where some English-ships came to fish, with whom he was acquainted, and could name sundry of them by their names, amongst whom he had got his language. He became profitable to them in acquainting them with many things concerning the state of the country in the east-parts where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of their names, number, and strength; of their situation and distance from this place, and who was chief amongst them."

"His name was Samoset; he told them also of another Indian whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than himself. Being, after some time of entertainment and gifts, dismissed, a while after he carne again, and five more with him, and they brought again all the tools that were stolen away before, and made way for the coming of their great Sachem [chief, tribal leader], called Massasoit; who, about four or five days after, carne with the chief of his friends and other attendance, with the aforesaid Squanto."

Interestingly enough, what followed is not talked about much today, the next part of Bradford's journal records an agreement that was reached between these two groups. The journal records that "they made a peace with him [Massasoit]" (which continued for 24 years). This is important to note due to revisionist historians today that try to paint a distorted picture of the relationship between these early settlers and Native American Indians.  Just like depravity resides in all men today, it resided in all men at that time too. Just like there are "peaceful" people today, there were "peaceful" Indians back then.  Just as there are "wicked" people today, there were "wicked" people back then (both European and Native American Indian).  One cannot lump all of history into one sock so to speak. When we look at history from a Biblical Worldview, we ought to look at all of it; the good, the bad, and the ugly!  However, what we see in Bradford's account is God's hand at work bringing a group [tribe] of peaceful native Indians to the rescue of this group of English Separatists looking for the early vestiges of religious freedom in a new land. Take note of the items agreed to in Bradford's journal:

"1. That neither he nor any of his, should injure or do hurt to any of their people.

2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him.

3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs [the Pilgrims’], he [Massasoit] should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his.

4. If any did unjustly war against him [Massasoit], they [the Pilgrims] would aide him; if any did war against them, he [Massasoit] should aid them [the Pilgrims].

5. He should send to his neighbor’s confederates, to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of peace. [That is, different tribes should share members to prevent warfare or serve as hostages in case of war.]

6. That when their [the Indians’] men came to them [the Pilgrims], they [the Indians] should leave their bows and arrows behind them."

"After these things he [Massasoit] returned to his place called Sowams, some 40 miles from this place, but Squanto continued with them, and was their interpreter, and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died. He was a native of this place, and scarce any left alive beside himself."

Don't miss the significance of this, nothing short of miraculous is the fact that this group of English Separatists were originally bound and chartered for a settlement in Virginia but were blown off course and landed in a desolate location unknown to them.  A harsh winter is awaiting them, and they desperately need help from someone knowledgeable of the local area. Into this God sends an Indian that speaks broken English [Samoset], but who knows another Indian that speaks fluent English [Squanto].  Ask yourself what the chances are that this group of Pilgrims accidentally landing in a location with one of the few if not only friendly English speaking Indians in North America? Coincidence or the providential hand of God?  Today we have all kinds of revisionists historians that have tried to rewrite our nation’s history and rewrite the hand of God out of it...look closely at this and decide for yourself.  Recall Bradford's words that I quoted above, Bradford referred to Squanto as "a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation".

Bradford records that in late September of 1621, a group from New Plymouth set out to help another group that had settled in a nearby area, that in Bradford's terms had "made havoc of their provisions" and realized that "want [or need] would press them" in the coming winter months. In other word's this group had made unwise choices for their provisions and needed help. So they set out with this group to help them. Bradford records the following:
 

"All things being provided, Captain Standish was appointed to go with them, and Squanto for a guide and interpreter, about the latter end of September; but the winds put them in again, and putting out the second time, he [Captain Standish] fell sick of a fever, so the Governor went himself. But they could not get about the shoals of Cape Cod for flats and breakers, neither could Squanto direct them better, nor the master durst venture any further, so they put into Manamoyick Bay and got what they could there. In this place Squanto fell sick of an Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose (which the Indians take for a symptom of death), and within a few days died there; desiring the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen’s God in heaven, and bequeathed sundry of his things to sundry of his English friends, as remembrances of his love; of whom they had a great loss."
 

God had used this incredible man, Squanto. God through His marvelous works had ordained for Squanto to be taken to England years before by an earlier north Atlantic fishing expedition. This Indian had learned fluent English, and miraculously had been returned to his native land a few years later. Think about that...think about the time we are talking about...do you realize how utterly incredible those events are?  Then this group of Separatists from the Church of England set out to cross the Atlantic bound for a colony in Virginia...the end up in a place far from their intended destination.  They end up in a place where maybe the only fluent English speaking Native American Indian resides! God uses this man to train and help these early settlers and seekers of religious liberty.

The words of the Mayflower Compact tell us why these Pilgrims crossed the foreboding and dangerous north Atlantic ocean: "Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith".  These words tell us that they came to engage God's creation in a new world, they came to take God principles to the rest of His creation.  Let me be sure about one thing as I bring this to a close; these men were not perfect men, they were flawed men. But God was using them to take baby steps towards the liberty that we see written into the Bible. Lastly, don't miss what happened to Squanto! By all indications God used these Pilgrims to draw Squanto unto Himself, Bradford tells us that Squanto's last dying wish was to know this great God of these Englishmen and I am sure they were more than happy to share the good news of salvation with their Indian friend!

 My hope is that you will read this story to your families as you observe our great national tradition and gather for a Thanksgiving meal. Pass on these great historical events that point to the great guiding hand of Almighty God. Give thanks for all our Great God has done for us in this incredible nation, founded for HIS PURPOSES and for HIS GLORY!

Thanksgiving History And The Glory of God

The Man Named Squanto

As we prepare for our traditional holiday dedicated to the giving of thanks in our nation, permit me to share a fascinating thing that we see from the historical account provided by William Bradford, about the people we refer to today as the "Pilgrims". God's hand of provision for this small groups dwindling numbers in the early part of year following their arrival at what they called "New Plymouth".  Their first encounters with native American Indians are interesting and nothing short of miraculous. Keep in mind that the "frontier" of North America would have been literally at the beach line on the east coast. This group of Pilgrims was desperately in need of help in how to survive this new land with its unknown wildlife and other unforeseen dangers and hardships. With that in mind, let’s look at this account from Bradford's journal in the first months after landing at the northern tip of Cape Cod in November of 1620:

"All this while the Indians carne skulking [sneaking] about them, and would sometimes show themselves aloof [remote, unapproachable] off, but when any approached near them, they would run away. And once, they stole away their [the Pilgrims’] tools where they had been at work, and were gone to dinner. But about the sixteenth of March a certain Indian came boldly amongst them, and spoke to them in broken English, which they could well understand, but marveled at it. At length they understood by discourse with him, that he was not of these parts, but belonged to the eastern parts, where some English-ships came to fish, with whom he was acquainted, and could name sundry of them by their names, amongst whom he had got his language. He became profitable to them in acquainting them with many things concerning the state of the country in the east-parts where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of their names, number, and strength; of their situation and distance from this place, and who was chief amongst them."

"His name was Samoset; he told them also of another Indian whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than himself. Being, after some time of entertainment and gifts, dismissed, a while after he carne again, and five more with him, and they brought again all the tools that were stolen away before, and made way for the coming of their great Sachem [chief, tribal leader], called Massasoit; who, about four or five days after, carne with the chief of his friends and other attendance, with the aforesaid Squanto."

Interestingly enough, what followed is not talked about much today, the next part of Bradford's journal records an agreement that was reached between these two groups. The journal records that "they made a peace with him [Massasoit]" (which continued for 24 years). This is important to note due to revisionist historians today that try to paint a distorted picture of the relationship between these early settlers and Native American Indians.  Just like depravity resides in all men today, it resided in all men at that time too. Just like there are "peaceful" people today, there were "peaceful" Indians back then.  Just as there are "wicked" people today, there were "wicked" people back then (both European and Native American Indian).  One cannot lump all of history into one sock so to speak. When we look at history from a Biblical Worldview, we ought to look at all of it; the good, the bad, and the ugly!  However, what we see in Bradford's account is God's hand at work bringing a group [tribe] of peaceful native Indians to the rescue of this group of English Separatists looking for the early vestiges of religious freedom in a new land. Take note of the items agreed to in Bradford's journal:

"1. That neither he nor any of his, should injure or do hurt to any of their people.

2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him.

3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs [the Pilgrims’], he [Massasoit] should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his.

4. If any did unjustly war against him [Massasoit], they [the Pilgrims] would aide him; if any did war against them, he [Massasoit] should aid them [the Pilgrims].

5. He should send to his neighbor’s confederates, to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of peace. [That is, different tribes should share members to prevent warfare or serve as hostages in case of war.]

6. That when their [the Indians’] men came to them [the Pilgrims], they [the Indians] should leave their bows and arrows behind them."

"After these things he [Massasoit] returned to his place called Sowams, some 40 miles from this place, but Squanto continued with them, and was their interpreter, and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died. He was a native of this place, and scarce any left alive beside himself."

Don't miss the significance of this, nothing short of miraculous is the fact that this group of English Separatists were originally bound and chartered for a settlement in Virginia but were blown off course and landed in a desolate location unknown to them.  A harsh winter is awaiting them, and they desperately need help from someone knowledgeable of the local area. Into this God sends an Indian that speaks broken English [Samoset], but who knows another Indian that speaks fluent English [Squanto].  Ask yourself what the chances are that this group of Pilgrims accidentally landing in a location with one of the few if not only friendly English speaking Indians in North America? Coincidence or the providential hand of God?  Today we have all kinds of revisionists historians that have tried to rewrite our nation’s history and rewrite the hand of God out of it...look closely at this and decide for yourself.  Recall Bradford's words that I quoted above, Bradford referred to Squanto as "a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation".Bradford records that in late September of 1621, a group from New Plymouth set out to help another group that had settled in a nearby area, that in Bradford's terms had "made havoc of their provisions" and realized that "want [or need] would press them" in the coming winter months. In other word's this group had made unwise choices for their provisions and needed help. So they set out with this group to help them. Bradford records the following:
 

"All things being provided, Captain Standish was appointed to go with them, and Squanto for a guide and interpreter, about the latter end of September; but the winds put them in again, and putting out the second time, he [Captain Standish] fell sick of a fever, so the Governor went himself. But they could not get about the shoals of Cape Cod for flats and breakers, neither could Squanto direct them better, nor the master durst venture any further, so they put into Manamoyick Bay and got what they could there. In this place Squanto fell sick of an Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose (which the Indians take for a symptom of death), and within a few days died there; desiring the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen’s God in heaven, and bequeathed sundry of his things to sundry of his English friends, as remembrances of his love; of whom they had a great loss."

God had used this incredible man, Squanto. God through His marvelous works had ordained for Squanto to be taken to England years before by an earlier north Atlantic fishing expedition. This Indian had learned fluent English, and miraculously had been returned to his native land a few years later. Think about that...think about the time we are talking about...do you realize how utterly incredible those events are?  Then this group of Separatists from the Church of England set out to cross the Atlantic bound for a colony in Virginia...the end up in a place far from their intended destination.  They end up in a place where maybe the only fluent English speaking Native American Indian resides! God uses this man to train and help these early settlers and seekers of religious liberty.

The words of the Mayflower Compact tell us why these Pilgrims crossed the foreboding and dangerous north Atlantic ocean: "Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith".  These words tell us that they came to engage God's creation in a new world, they came to take God principles to the rest of His creation.  Let me be sure about one thing as I bring this to a close; these men were not perfect men, they were flawed men. But God was using them to take baby steps towards the liberty that we see written into the Bible. Lastly, don't miss what happened to Squanto! By all indications God used these Pilgrims to draw Squanto unto Himself, Bradford tells us that Squanto's last dying wish was to know this great God of these Englishmen and I am sure they were more than happy to share the good news of salvation with their Indian friend!

My hope is that you will read this incredible story of God's goodness to your families as you observe our great national tradition and gather for a Thanksgiving meal. Pass on these great historical events that point to the great guiding hand of Almighty God. Give thanks for all our Great God has done for us in this incredible nation, founded for HIS PURPOSES and for HIS GLORY!

Clarity on the "Shutdown"

Recently Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin made the statement on a Sunday news program that it was a “bad thing for the Republicans to shut down the government”. This is amazing coming from a guy like Scott Walker who stood his ground in Wisconsin against the unions and survived a recall effort by the left in that state. But it does reveal the deep lack of understanding of Constitutional Conservatism by many in the Republican Party. We know the left are clueless to the Constitution and limited government, but it’s really disheartening when we hear a conservative regurgitating the liberal talking points.

Here’s where the Constitutional lesson comes in. Under Article I, Section 7 of the United States Constitution, the House of Representatives has SOLE power of funding ANYTHING in the federal government, that authority is complete…meaning the authority to authorize spending, whether in a budget or off budget (since we have no budget), whether that funding is for already passed statutory law or for something that any branch has need of…that authority rests solely in the hands of the 435 member House of Representatives. The framers specifically designed this on purpose so as to require authorization for spending to come from the legislative body closest to the people and therefore the most responsive to the people’s wishes. This past October, as I have stated before, the system worked just as it was designed. The House responded to the pressure of the people to defund the Affordable Care Act. The House did not shut down the government. They did exactly what they were supposed to do with the responsibility they have over the “check book”.

Now, obviously…anything the House does with spending legislation must also be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President. But those latter requirements have nothing to do with who has sole responsibility to decide whether to fund something or not fund it. When the spending bill came over from the House to the Senate, the responsibility to pass the bill that would have funded the rest of the government at that point rested squarely on the shoulders of the 100 member Senate body. The events that followed are not in dispute…the President and the Majority Democrat Senate made it their mission to not pass the funding bill. By not passing the funding bill for 16 days, the responsibility for “shutting down” the government (or at least 13 % of it) fell squarely on the shoulders of the Democrats and the President.

Which brings us back to Scott Walker…why would this man and many, many other Republicans continue to regurgitate the liberal talking points that Republicans “shut the government” down?

The answer is a bitter, bitter pill for us to swallow. We continue to elect people…some of them very good conservatives, but nevertheless we continue to elect people that do not understand the Constitution and / or cannot articulate the principles we believe in. We must demand more of those we elect than simply they cast the right vote. We need Constitutional Statesmen that can determine Constitutional courses of action and then turn around to the American people and explain those actions.

"God Is In Control"

Have you ever heard or had another Christian (or even a non Christian) say to you "God is in control"?  Those words of truth can be reassuring and comforting words of reminder to us when we are overcome by the heaviness of our circumstances. Make no mistake about...the scriptures are replete with the testimony that those words are indeed the absolute Truth. Indeed the God of the universe is in complete control.

I bring this up because of the amount of times I hear those words stated to me in relation to my passion to encourage Christians to be, at a minimum...cognizant of what is going on in their nation, if not much more engaged in pursuing a minimum understanding of how our government is designed to work under the Constitution. The statement "God is in control" is not used so much to relate its truth, as it is as some sort of message to silence those that are engaged. I am convinced that it also is used many times to relieve oneself of his/her responsibility to be engaged.

Let's try this on for size...how many people that use that phrase are apt to let go of the steering wheel on their vehicle as they are driving around town? After all, "God IS in control"...right?  Are you not trusting of God enough to "let go and let God" when it comes to the steering wheel of your vehicle as you hurtle down the road navigating turns, lanes of traffic, and intersections?? After all God is in control....why "worry", He will take care of everything for you!

You say, "come on Bob, that's way different, and your being silly and making a ridiculous comparison....you can't just let go of your steering wheel on your car, it's a machine...and after all Bob, you got into the car of your own mind, God would expect you to keep your hands on the wheel".  All true.  I couldn't agree more.

But let me show you why you're telling me the EXACT same thing when you tell me not to "worry" about what is going on in our country, because God is in control.  I would be the first to agree with you again, that as Christians, we never have to "worry".  We serve a God that we know IS in control.  However, just as you would not let go of the steering wheel of your vehicle as you drive down the road, why would you let go of the "steering wheel" of your government? Both the vehicle and our government are designed to operate with people at the controls. Just as you would never quit steering your car as you go down the road, why would you think you could quit "steering" our government which was actually designed for much more input from you than the few corrections you make on your steering wheel as you navigate the streets and highways.

Permit me to take this illustration a few steps further. Any sensible driver will pay at least minimum attention to the gauges on the dashboard to see if everything is running ok.  Why would you not pay attention to the "gauges" on the dashboard of our government to make sure that everything is operating within the parameters of the design manual?

God is indeed in control. He left us here on earth specifically to "operate" and make a difference in His Kingdom until he returns, so let's keep our eyes on the gauges and our hands on the wheel.