"Hologram of Liberty: The Constitution's Shocking Alliance with Big Government" by Kenneth W. Royce (aka Boston T. Party) is a book that makes you think, or at least it should. I personally found it to be quite eye opening, and respect the amount of research that went into this analysis of the United States Constitution. I believe this is an important book, and many more people should read it. And you don't have to take it on face value if you don't want, just go do some research on your own, because Royce provides a great road map with the research he's done, and that's the thing about this book, it contains so many quotes and passages from other sources that support Royce's conclusions.

In this analysis of the Constitution, Royce illustrates the weaknesses of the Constitution, and how the large government we now have has grown because of the way the document was drafted, not in spite of it. Royce definitely believes the Federal Government has become too powerful and intrusive, and I share this belief, although maybe not to the extent of the author. This book shows how the Constitution was not meant to enshrine State autonomy or hold individual rights over federal interests, nor was it meant to stunt federal growth. Big claims? Well, read the book.

Many in our country want to hold the Constitution as almost something sacred, but once you read this book, you will recognize the difficulties and disagreements the drafters had when forming the document, and where compromises and inaccuracies crept in, making it seem much less sacred , and more of typical political wranglings that continue to exist with the formation and drafting of just about anything that comes from our government.

Royce believes changes are coming, and in fact encourages concerned citizens to be part of these changes. He also provides some solutions to some of the problems he points out, and I thought some of his ideas were right on, while I don't foresee some of them ever being realized. I actually blogged about one of the ideas Royce suggested that I really liked. And while I respect freedom, liberty, gun rights, and such, I'm not as anti-government as Royce is, but then maybe I have not been bitten hard enough yet.

I will say this, I enjoyed reading "Hologram of Liberty" and firmly believe that Royce is 100% correct when he says people should "Think. Decide. Act. Now." It is all of our responsibilities to educate ourselves and act on those things important to us. With this book, Royce has provided a well researched analysis of the Constitution that should at the very least make you think a little bit more about our government and why things are as they are. It should also stimulate thought on what can be done to make changes to improve our country. So read this book and become educated on our government and the document it's based on.

The need for using alternate sources for energy has been steadily rising as the environment is getting worse due to human consumption. For those people who wish to make a difference in their lifestyles, or want to help find better energy sources for everyone, there are government grants that will provide the funding to do so.

There are many different ways a person can put an alternate energy grant to good use. In the home and at a place of business, energy efficiency has become easier to do, although it can be costly. Improving on the insulation in older homes and replacing windows with newer models can reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat the home. There are even new ways to heat a home that cut back on the amount and sometimes the type of energy used for warming a house. People can also provide energy for their own home and to their community by installing solar panels if they live in a location that gets a lot of sun. Any of these home improvements could qualify for a government grant.

Hybrid cars can be a way to receive government assistance. While it may not be a grant per say, people who purchase hybrid cars may qualify for a tax break. Some local forms of the government do give these grants to people investing in a hybrid car, it just depends on the state.

Research is also a means of receiving government grants. Alternate energy grants may be used for finding a new source of energy and can fund studies for various power sources. These grants can apply to research or current energy sources and searching for ways to improve upon them or how to use less of them. This type of grant is the key to changing the future.

Indebtedness or financial obligations are at the root of all troubles of many individuals across America, leading to crises in their life and depriving them of exercising the most of the significant necessities. Most of the individuals cannot access to the higher education, cannot pay medical bills, cannot pay mortgage bills, suffer credit card debt loans and conversely, elderly persons find themselves at risk for not being able to pay their bills. The single mothers are not too far from experiencing the same situations due to insufficient cash at hand. And as a result, life seems tough for them and they are at the risk of losing their important assets and even their homes, owing to a series of debt crises. However, amidst the crises, there is a silver lining for these needy individuals who badly need the financial assistance. And this assistance comes in the form of Obama Debt Relief Grants to offer them relief from adversities. The program referred to as Obama Debt Relief Grants come as a great financial assistance to the individuals to reinstate their disturbed lives and reshape the misaligned matters of their lives all in a new way and a better way. It is a great and useful weapon that can help stay away from filing bankruptcy.

In an attempt to relieve American citizens from the worst financial crisis, help them pay off debts and improve their situations, President Barack Obama has offered one of the most stable government debt relief packages based on The American Recovery Act or Stimulus Act of 2009.

Hence, there is no better idea rather than applying for debt relief grants for personal utilization and improving personal financial objectives. The whole matter may appear unbelievable, but the US government itself has made $787 billion worth of grants available for the individuals to help them financially. The grants are distributed through various organizations to qualified low-income and no-income households with children and elderly people.

Different Utilization of Debt Relief Grants

Myriads of purposes can be accomplished by using the debt relief grants. Well, that is definitely executed based on the individual’s specific needs. Be it a credit card or mortgage debt – a government grant program is aimed at catering to every financial necessity.

Different Necessities That Are Deemed For Grants

The communities and individuals can receive the grants that have confronted sudden job loss and experienced financial disturbance, owing to the corporate restructuring.

Small Businesses or Minority Business Enterprise Center can receive grants to support their struggling businesses. On the other hand, an individual receiving his or her grants can use the money to minimize his/ her business loans.

Elderly citizens and minorities who are struggling to pay off their debts for having a fixed income can apply to the grant facilities.

Apart from these, grants can be provided for meeting several necessities like energy, medical, and expenses for child care.

Hence, with an easy access to these grants, life can be better and happier.

A co-operative society is defined as a voluntary business organization in which a group of individuals with common interest pool their resources together to promote the economic and welfare of their members in production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. The producers and consumers’ cooperative societies engage in the distribution of products either directly from the manufacturer or wholesalers and sell to their members (consumers0 at reduced prices.

The government on the other hand-whether federal, state or local level has a mjor role to play in the distribution of goods or commodities. Government is able to participate in the distribution of commodities through the establishment of distributive agencies. The role of the government is the distribution of commodities are the basic responsibilities a government should carry out such as: Provision of transport system, provision of storage facilities, control of prices, price stabilization, prevention of artificial scarcity, importation of essential commodities and establishment of communication system.

The role of co-operative societies are as follows:

1. Stock variety of goods: The consumers co-operative societies buy variety of goods from the manufacturer or wholesaler hence they are exposed to a wide range of goods.

2. Sell in small quantity to members: The co-operative societies buy in reasonable quantity from wholesaler and sell in bits to the members.

3. grant credit facilities to members: The co-operative society can grant facilities to members so as to enable them enjoy goods without payment immediately.

4. Give advice: The co-operative society also gives advice tot heir members (consumers) as well as the manufacturers/wholesalers.

5. Bring products closer to members: They also ensure that products are brought to the door step of the consumers (members).

6. Fight hoarding: They fight against hoarding by wholesalers and retainers by ensuring that they stock lots of the products for use by members (consumers).

7. Stabilize prices: They also help in stabilizing the prices of goods by selling them at affordable prices to members.

8. Elimination of middlemen: They can eliminate the activities of middlemen by buying their goods directly from manufacturers and selling them directly to the consumers (members).

9. Marketing of members’ products: They also assist their members in marketing their products (i.e producers’ cooperative society) by ensuring fair prices for their products.

African countries and other developing nations face the challenges of benefiting from the government’s role. Especially in countries where the government is corrupt. They enact policies and form agencies but do not function properly to achieve their goals. Take for instance, in Nigeria. The Nigerian National Supply Company Limited (N.N.S.C) was set up in 1972 to supplement private efforts in product distributions. It is now moribund and as good as not been created. Several marketing boards for various products were set up to enhance the marketing of products in the country and the River Basin Authorities were also set up to encourage large production and distribution of agricultural products. Are these agencies functioning now? If yes, Nigeria would have been lots better than its present state.

I have not lost resolve or commitment to our wonderful nation and home, The United States of America, but I want to stress the concept of “United.” If you, the reader, find yourself relating to the concepts that I present, then I know that I have selected well. I can see with one eye that this is not the America that my Dad grew up in and helped to make strong and free. Time for some honest-to-goodness spring cleaning in our government!

I believe that our Motherland is in danger, but not as much danger as it would appear to the untrained eye. As the “silent majority,” or more accurately, “the straight-thinking majority,” we have been observing and analyzing all of the seemingly insane antics of a Government run amuck. I feel confident in stating that all of the profound failures and constitutional violations of Big Government will only serve to make us all more responsible in the future; and we will never stray down these Socialist and Marxist paths again. (Say that last part quickly) One needs only to see the aftermath of these twisted schemes in Europe and elsewhere to appreciate how “dead-end” these paths truly are.

Be vigilant my friends. Know the issues and know the candidates. Get out and vote responsibly. It seems the least that we can do, considering the rewards that come with living in the greatest nation under God’s heaven.

I believe that each of us needs to protect our personal rights and freedoms, but realize that when our actions violate the rights of others. They are no longer our “rights.” Likewise, when the government encroaches upon our rights as American Citizens, then it becomes our duty and privilege to stand firm and say “NO!” “You, Mr. Government, are of, by and for us, The American Citizens, and don’t you forget it for even a moment.” Actually, I think the politicians have forgotten it.

I say the government does not decide what is best for us, but rather it’s sworn duty is to look to us for guidance. Listen to us, Mr. Government! Dissolve your delusions and visions of grandeur and get back to reality. Operating smoothly and efficiently is your people’s will.

We have had more than enough. We have given you way too many chances. We are a united people; much more so than current government realizes. We are not a bunch of mindless sheep walking quietly to the slaughter.

Look boldly at recent history where charismatic “leaders” have swiftly and heartlessly led their “followers” down the road of ultimate destruction. Not to the American People you won’t, No Sir! Be ye warned, we will not tolerate.

Travis Perkins, Author

Over the last couple years there have been a lot of talk about the fiscal cliff, the debt ceiling, bank bailouts and how the economy continues to recover and now has turned the corner. If you were a bank, there is no need to File Bankruptcy. The government will bail you out and you will come back bigger and stronger than ever before. The problem is, middle America is nowhere close to being their own financial institution and are not on the receiving end of any government bailouts. Recently, the number of Americans filing for bankruptcy has declined and the media uses this for a platform to prove the economy has turned the corner. There is only one mistake with that theory, the US GDP for the last quarter was negative.1%. To me, this sounds like things are getting worse and not getting better. In 2012 alone, the United States trade deficit is expected to come in between $500 billion and $600 billion. Businesses are leaving the country by droves and if they don’t leave they’re filing bankruptcy and shutting the doors.

We have now entered the twilight zone as close to one in every six Americans is now receiving food stamps. Consumer confidence is now at all time lows and recently hit the lowest it’s been in over a year. The government keeps talking about all the jobs created, but the last week of January first-time unemployment claims rose to 368,000. Some economists are predicting this number will surpass 400,000 in the near future showing stress fractures in the economy. While people are still trying to avoid a bankruptcy filing at all costs, the federal government slapped a payroll tax hike on every working American costing the average worker $100 a month. Since the last election, companies are continuously announcing future layoffs making the American worker more pessimistic than ever. Recently, a Gallup poll showed 65% of all Americans believe 2013 will be a year of economic difficulty and 50% think that the best days of the United States are now in the past. Just because the media says it over and over again doesn’t make it true.

The debt ratios of American are continuing to rise as banks are continuing to lend to people but can’t really afford it. In essence, they are creating a payday loan affect where people borrow on future income to pay bills in the past. At some point in time with all the interest in fees, the loan sharks will get everything and the people will have nothing left to survive on. The only option for these folks is to file bankruptcy to stop these creditors. When the big banks failed a few years ago, the government stepped in to help their friends out at our expense. Many of them are in trouble again and the government once again is allowing the Fed to fire up the printing presses to help their friends through quantitative easing. While most people don’t understand the impact this monetary policy will have on Main Street. Just as the Weimar Republic and Zimbabwe, in a matter of time the US will start feeling the effects of quantitative easing from hyperinflation. The money gets so watered down, prices nationwide will go through the roof and the only option for struggling Americans will be to file bankruptcy. If wages don’t follow suit, many people will lose their homes to foreclosure just so they can put food on their table. One thing is for sure is that people should not count on the government for anything.

Training standards for new CDL drivers have reached a higher concern for the FMCSA in recent years. Social media has played a major role in highlighting the further needs for safer commercial vehicle driver training.

Union or Non-Union, the two major attacks on all truck drivers is the DAC report and the government policies that deliberately oversupply drivers into the industry. Government subsidies and grants provided to training motor carriers are actually driving good drivers out of the industry as fast as they come in.

Training companies can receive tens of thousands of government dollars to provide on-the-job training per student. Once trained, these new drivers are paid as low as .23 to .27 cents per mile: a non-living wage. Furthermore, CDL schools should have a new curriculum regarding who can be taught.

Many schools continue to accept any student that walks through the door; even those with felonies, DUI’s and other such violations that absolutely ensures that no motor carrier will hire them.

Training is both prolific and expensive, however it is not realistic or comprehensive enough in light of real driving demands and the unrealistic measures. DAC, which stands for “Drive-A-Check,” has become nothing more than a retaliation tool that carriers use against drivers.

As one driver states: “DAC is being used to beat to death greenhorns.” It is noted as such a serious problem within the industry that the Workers’ Counsel even formed the DAC Report Class Action Registry.

Two of the best solutions to entry-level driver training is to close down the DAC Services and to take away the government policies regarding grant money and subsidies to motor carriers. These subsidies should be dismissed completely for all motor carriers and CDL schools.

As an example, one trucking company that trains students has five training facilities. Each month they run about 80 students through each facility for a total of 400 per month and 4,800 per year. Yet, they only have 3,125 available trucks. The reason companies give for this is to compensate for the high turnover rate within the industry; those new drivers that statistics show will quit the job within the first six months.

However, when you multiply 4,800 students by an average of $3,400 per student, you reach a figure of $16,320,000 per year; add the additional 18% to 25% interest placed on the loan and another few million of dollars come into play.

In the beginning, both began with good intentions, but have resulted in bad consequences by interfering with the industry’s driver supply and demand. These subsidies, along with the DAC report, have actually created an oversupply of drivers, non-living low wages and continue to fuel a revolving door of drivers.

The Sabbath-keeping Church of God (that remains faithful to the plain truth of the Bible that Herbert W. Armstrong taught) has heard a lot about government, but many seem to have forgotten that God’s ONE government has TWO branches: Church (Priest) and State (King). That’s why many have difficulty reconciling apparent differences or contradictions between “the Law of Moses,” with its statutes and judgments that we’re commanded to REMEMBER (Malachi 4), and Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.”

The Law of Moses (actually, the revealed Law of God) consists of community or NATIONAL laws. That’s why the State can execute hardened criminals or wage war and be guiltless in God’s sight (Romans 13). The State is actually sanctioned by Scripture to take vengeance for God! They have authority to deputize, whether to uphold the law or protect the country. They’re to protect, serve, and defend the community and country, and to encourage obedience to God’s laws. The State isn’t only to make an example of those who fail to love God, king and country, but commend those who do!

However, Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” applies to INDIVIDUALS. It reveals an attitude of going the extra mile, of not being trigger-happy or always demanding our rights (there’s a time and a place and a way). But some have taken Jesus’ hyperbole to a pacifist and self-righteous extreme that Jesus never intended! Jesus didn’t say, “If someone rapes your wife, give them your daughter as well,” or “if someone steals your car, offer them your house too.” Christ commands that we love our neighbor as ourselves, not more than ourselves! And when He was speaking of enemies, He was referring to those with whom we PERSONALLY disagree; He was talking about INDIVIDUALS that we have conflict with. Christ was preaching about interpersonal relationships, NOT international affairs!

If someone carefully and prayerfully studies the Scriptures, they will see that these things are so. They will see that it is not wrong to call upon Joseph and Judah to OBEY GOD and not fear men; to cherish and not despise our birthright and inheritance; to never surrender our God-given Temple Mount, prophesied land possessions and strategic sea-gates and prominent place in the world (that enables us to do much good), ordained by God. And as a God-fearing nation, we’ll understand that sacrifice means sacrifice, that battles are battles, and that we must offer, if and when necessary to OBEY GOD, our blood, toil, sweat and tears!

It’s indicative of the curse we’re under when we’re afraid to battle national enemies and risk losing some lives in the process. The ghost of Vietnam haunts us. The pride of our power has been broken. Thank God for those who sacrificed their lives and their fortunes to found this great country of Manasseh! And we should be thankful for those who truly sacrificed that we might remain free from tyranny and practice our biblical religion as a free people in a free land.

Judah was also founded by such men and women who sacrificed all for future generations, and has been preserved by others of the same selfless attitude and actions.

May God bless Joseph and Judah, and the Church of God, to recognize and respect the one government of God with its two branches!

A government is an organization in a community or political entity that has the power to enact and enforce laws and maintain the peace and order. A government is necessary since is it considered the leadership of an organization, community or political entity.

Laws are important since it defines the behavior of citizens. It defines which are legal or illegal. Without laws, an activity can not be known if it a crime or not. The law-making role of the government creates a code of conduct for individuals to follow.

Another role of the government is the maintenance of peace and order. The police and fire department ensures that crimes like murder, theft, arson, etc. are prevented or minimized. If a crime does happen, it is their role to look into how the crime happened and apprehend the perpetrators.

Government also promotes harmony though justice and equality. Once a crime is solved by the police, it is the duty of the judicial branch of the government to bring the perpetrator to court for fair trial and punishment. It makes sure that the right person gets into jail for the right reason.

It is also the role of the government to build roads, bridges, rail systems and other infrastructure. These are important since it makes moving about easier and more convenient. It also makes doing business a lot easier since goods and services can be moved faster from the source of production to the marketplace.

Another role of the government is to provide children with public access to basic education. It is essential that children learn how to read, write and count.

Another role of the government is to collect taxes and ensure that these taxes fund the right projects that are beneficial to society. Money is needed to build public schools, roads and bridges and provide services like welfare assistance, health care, unemployment benefits, etc. This is where taxes come in. The government collects taxes from individuals and business so that schools, roads and other infrastructure are built.

It is also important that the government protect its security from threats. It is the role of the government to have a military force to defend its territory from external threats like terrorism, war and invasion. The government’s police force protects the citizens against internal threats like civil disobedience, organized crime, lawlessness, insurrection.

Another role of the government is to have foster relations with other governments. In an era of globalization, it is important that governments work with each other to maintain world peace and prosperity.

Front and center in every form of media is the rising cost of oil and gas. It affects the lifestyles of every American and the costs of all goods and services we use. Many of us are shaking our fists and looking for somebody to blame. Before we start pointing the finger elsewhere maybe we should point it at ourselves.

To our Governments credit, they realized the problem and have done something about it. They passed federal tax incentives that pay each and every American to make their home and business more energy efficient. Our government passes laws that benefit us financially when they want or need us to take action. Have you made your home more energy efficient and done your part to reduce our dependence on foreign countries?

I’ll wager you that the percentage of Americans who have made their property more energy efficient and taken advantage of this tax break is very small. If most Americans took this simple inexpensive step (Almost paid in full by our government) we could dramatically reduce our oil consumption.

There are inexpensive revolutionary new products now available to the public that can slash your prices of both gasoline and your electric bill. Almost all new homes being built now have these energy saving products. Doing their part, our Government continues to raise the energy efficiency requirements for appliances and other items via building codes.

One of the best ways to slash your electric bill by 20% or more is to install radiant barrier in your attic. It reflects 95% of the heat before it enters your house. It can reduce the temperature in your home by almost 20 degrees. The average cost for a 1200 square foot home would be under $1,000.00. The government tax break allows a $500.00 tax credit. You could see a $400.00 monthly electric bill drop to around $300.00. It could pay for itself within a year and the government pays most of the bill. If every American took advantage of this, it would reduce our consumption and dependence of other nations by millions of barrels of oil. In turn, you would also save energy on fist wagging and the price of gas.

In America almost 400 Senior Citizens die a year because of heat trauma. If every elder had radiant barrier installed in his or her home and it reduced the temperature by almost 20 degrees inside – I wonder how many lives it would save? I recommend you use the radiant barrier provided by Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions. The only incentive I receive by endorsing this product is the satisfaction of knowing that I provided you with a safe product that works.

There is a new product called Enviro-Max Plus that is a fuel additive that actually works. When added to your gas tank it will increase your gas mileage by 30%. They claim that for every dollar you spend on their product you will save three dollars in gas. A friend used the additive on his way to Florida and he used two-½ tanks of fuel. On his way home he did not use it and it took 4 tanks of diesel to return home. It almost cut his diesel fuel consumption by half. A simple web search will inform you where to buy it and how to be a reseller to make extra money while helping our nation. I have noticed other copycat companies providing similar products and I would use caution.

We now have a paint additive available that will reflect 95% of the heat away from your home. It is the same technology used on the space shuttle and jet engines on our airplanes. This ceramic technology has been around since the 1950’s but only recently available to the public thanks to the testing by NASA and Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions. It is the cheapest non-traditional insulation you can buy for your home with the average extra cost of only $120.00.

By visiting the Department of Energy online you can learn many inexpensive ways to save energy in your home and cut your electric bill by 25%. They also provide testing results of Radiant Barrier from 1991. They should update these test results because radiant barrier products have improved.

Other ways we can all do our part to protect our nation and environment is by recycling everything, install a solar backup energy supply, only buy from or invest in companies who are environmentally friendly and invest in innovative alternative energy, only install white reflective shingles on our roofs, buy energy star products and appliances, or by giving unwanted items away versus throwing them in the dump.

We can also blame our media for our lack of knowledge of this new technology. Americans are suspicious of new untraditional products and it takes time for us to accept them. Several salesmen could tell us about them but we won’t adopt them until the mass media informs us. The media should be more problem-solution oriented. They will print information about the new tax laws, but don’t offer information about the new products it covers. When they talk about the high price of gas they should offer us ways to battle this problem with these new products. The media seems more interested in propaganda and the latest new widget versus their responsibility to inform and lead our nation in the right direction.

We live in the greatest nation on earth. It is a free country that we had the luxury of being born in. For that reason we have the right to remain inactive, wave our fists at and blame our government or corporations all we want. I maintain that the status of our nation and the world requires action from each and every American to do our part to conserve our natural resources. If we don’t – it could very well lead to our demise. America can be defeated by its own citizens, as the Romans.