We Can Do This
Many people complain about the state of affairs in society and the nation. We hear of shootings, riots, theft, rape, infanticide, licentiousness, pillory, fraudulent activity in high places, a host of other evils, and unnumbered legal contests.
If we compare society to a tree, the branches are becoming rotten. However, the roots are strong and resilient. The founding principles of this nation are correct and, when restored, will return liberty and justice to the people. Many of the tree's natural branches are strong and thriving, enlivened with the sap of goodness, grace and virtue.
The founding principles must be re-enthroned for the Nation. And they must be used as the grounding principles for all governing bodies: for provinces, states, counties, cities and towns.
There must be true democracy in assembly, kept orderly by proper chairpersons. And good, wise and honorable delegates must be chosen to represent the people in higher assemblies.
My Story
I was born with a silver spoon to an immigrant mother, whose loving nurturing and nursing skills saved me several times, and father and grandfather who taught me how to work, how to build and repair, and about being true. I learned light and truth (reading, writing, arithmetic, science and history) from excellent teachers in elementary (Francis Stillman), high school (Tabor Academy), and college (Yale, Brigham Yong and Utah State Universities) in the days when they were taught.
My research for a masters’ degree in family relationships confirmed that men and women are different. (Really? Who knew?) Part of that research entailed defining the variables. I learned later, while pursuing a doctorate in nutrition and food science, that defining research variables in the natural sciences is straight forward and much less burdensome than in the social sciences. Things are what they are.
My life has been eclectic. It includes a year studying abroad at Tonbridge School, thirty months teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Hong Kong and Republic of the Philippines, teaching undergraduate and graduate students at California State University, and working 23 years for the CT State Departments of Health and Social Services in the WIC and Elderly Nutrition programs. Other experiences include helping to construct several buildings, including a mansion in Tooele, UT, the Wobbly Barn at Killington, VT, and renovating our ancient barns for Wethersfield Academy for the Arts.
Of course, the most important things in life are the fine people I have come to meet and know and love: teachers, roommates, missionary companions, priesthood brothers, fellow professors, fellow office workers and managers, tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and, of course, a lovely wife and family. Can anything be more important or rewarding?
Why am I writing about constitutional principles? I read a book, The Making of America, by W. Cleon Skousen (The National Center for Constitutional Studies, Malta, ID, 1986). It discusses each provision of the United States Constitution in detail, giving reasons for each. When first reading it, I shouted within: Why wasn’t I taught this in school or college? It is so basic, so simple, so true! Every citizen should learn these principles. They should underpin the charters and constitutions of all governments, not just for the Unites States federal government.
I have no formal training in political science or theory. However, does one need to have formal training? Can we not apply common sense and an ability to think and reason? This is not to denigrate formal education because it adds breadth and richness to a subject. But a common person should be able to read and understand basic principles.
My hope is that you will read the different provisions explained in this work. You must think about them. Meditate upon them. I believe that if you are willing to consider them, it should become obvious why they are needed. It should become clear why they should be written into all constitutions and charters and understood and upheld by all people, their representative and magistrates.