In devising a government for a new nation, our Founding Fathers had studied history in profound depth seeking the best possible model. While they studied, and were influenced to some degree, by the writings and philosophies of John Locke, Montesquieu, Hobbes, Rousseau, and others, they were most greatly influenced by the biblical model, the ancient Hebrew Republic.
Thus, they gave us a republic—not a democracy, a form they loathed! There is a world of difference between the two. Sadly, most media types and many politicians do not know the difference. But some do. Notice the current screeching cries of the loony Leftists, accusing anyone believing in the Constitution as a “threat to our democracy.”
The fact is, they are correct. We are a threat to their democracy. (And they are a threat to our republic!) We favor the middle of the road, i.e., the Constitution—and from this Bible teacher’s perspective—it is the best possible system of government while we are yet on the path to the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of heaven, under the Kingship of Jesus Christ.
In February I resigned from the Fletcher Planning and Zoning Board. A couple weeks ago, I submitted my resignation from the Fletcher Fire Rescue Board of Directors. Stepping down from those responsibilities frees up more time for me to focus directly on my SKM work.
However, I am still active in civic and political affairs. This past weekend, I attended the annual convention of our Henderson County Republican Party (HCGOP). It was a delight and an encouragement.
Despite there being two or more factions in the HCGOP, I am not aware of any RINOs in the group, and most are avidly and openly Trump/MAGA supporters. I would estimate that there were about 150 of us “activists” (let’s not the Leftists own that word) in attendance.
The first order of business was to adopt a new Plan of Organization. Last year, a brouhaha ensued after a new Plan was adopted which resulted in the Precinct Chairs being excluded from the HCGOP Executive Committee. Hard feelings resulted. This year that was corrected with the new Plan. It was adopted unanimously by voice vote.
There are about 35 precincts in our county. This is an excellent (and very biblical) manner to operate a government. Why? Because it is ultimately patterned after the model of the ancient Hebrew republic.
Here in the fifth book of the Bible, Moses, near the end of the 40-year wilderness trial, recounts how this system was established. Early in the wilderness wanderings, Moses realized he could not bear the burden of rulership alone.
Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains [leaders, elders, chiefs] over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.
In some parts of the U.S.A., precinct leaders are still called “Precinct Captains.” The beauty of this system is that it begins at the lowest level, the neighborhood.
We in America now live in a very fast-paced and technological society which detracts from the feeling of neighborhood because of several factors. One, both mom and dad are working outside the home. Two, with modern transportation, we are so mobile that we can choose our circle of friends from across town or across the county.
But believe me, when the Hellish Hurricane Helene hit here and the power, water & sewer, telephones, internet—everything goes out of service for an extended period of time, people wander into the streets and we meet neighbors we never knew before as we seek to help one another. It was one of the blessings amidst the tragedies of the HHH.
The point being that in a neighborhood, people eventually get to know one another to the extent that everyone knows who has good character, who has leadership skills, people skills, more wisdom than others, etc. And it is likely that such a person will be the one chosen by their neighbors to lead as a captain of ten (families).
Note: In a true and biblical republic, it is not a top-down system, but from the bottom up. Therefore, the captains were not chosen by Moses. In an installation of office ceremony, Moses merely ratified the choice of the people in the neighborhood.
As one moves up the ladder, five of those “captains of tens” have meetings from time to time to govern the affairs of the five neighborhoods acting as a single unit. We might call it a village or a township.
Over time, those five captains get to know one another well enough to elect one of their own as the captain of 50. Again, the principle is that they will know from personal experience who is the best person for the job.
Repeat this process to the level of 100s, then 1000s and in our society, to the state level level; i.e., state representatives, who might represent anywhere from many precincts to as much as one or more counties, depending upon population density.
The process continues on up to our 435 Congressional seats in Washington, D.C. At each level, the leaders will get to know one another well enough to hopefully choose the best person for the job at the next higher level.
In our original Constitution, U. S. Senators were chosen by the Legislature of each State. Again, the wisdom of that process is evident because the legislators in each State Capitol will come to know each other quite well, and (hopefully) choose the person best suited for the job of being a Senator in Washington, D.C.
Critically important, their job was to represent the State, thus keeping the balance of power between the States and the Federal government. This has really gone sideways over the past century—at a great cost to our personal liberties.
Because in 1913, the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified.
QUOTE: The Seventeenth Amendment restates the first paragraph of Article I, section 3 of the Constitution and provides for the election of senators by replacing the phrase “chosen by the Legislature thereof” with “elected by the people thereof.” END QUOTE Source.
This was a very grave error! Since then we have had two “captains” (Senators) from each State who have not been vetted through the “neighborhood” system where those selecting the leader will have good personal knowledge of their representative at the next higher level, in this case, a Senator.
Instead, there are millions of people (in many States; in other states, hundreds of thousands) who have no opportunity to really get to know on a personal level the character, wisdom, leadership skills, etc. of the two individuals seeking the high office of U. S. Senator from their State.
Thus, with the help of very wealthy backers (seeking their own special interests), the person with the greatest war chest and the backing of the “presstitutes” has often (usually) been elected. And surprise! He/she turns out to be as corrupt as the previous one. The 17th Amendment needs to be abolished/revoked!
We will have more on our Annual HCGOP Convention soon. It will include something my own Precinct Captain came up with which can be utilized for election integrity by you and in every State in the nation.
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