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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by 'And to the Republic...' As a child I stood in the public school rooms of southern Colorado and recited, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands…” In concurrence with that idea, the men who marched off to World War I were given a handbook which reminded them that they were going to fight to preserve a republic. Twenty-seven years later similar literature was distributed to the “Greatest Generation” only republic was replaced with democracy. Since that time the American public has been plummeted with this concept. By definition a democracy is “rule by majority.” Every time it was tried in the Bible it failed miserably. Conversely, a republic is “rule by law.” When Israel left 400 years of Egyptian slavery and needed a form of government, God gave them a set of laws and promised them prosperity and success. (Joshua 1:7-9) The formula proved to be flawless---when observed it worked; when disregarded, disaster ensued! Over the next 400 years they continued to tinker with God’s set-up, imposing their will over the perfect system. After a number of utter failures, a generation came along that screamed for a monarchy. God allowed it, but warned that incredible taxation and servitude would follow. (I Samuel 1:10-18) Israel had embraced the false notion that a king would provide universal health care, economic freedom and a general utopia of well being. Almost 50 years ago America clamored for a king, and his administration was called Camelot. A hippie generation followed that was anxious to toss aside laws of morality and decency. The Supreme Court aided the process by mandating God’s laws should not be repeated in our schools and courts. It appears that once again a great many of our fellow citizens are enamored with the possibility of a monarchy. High sounding platitudes that lack any substance are greeted with an enthusiasm fit for a potentate. This euphoria is wrapped with the idea that the government (king) will take care of us and meet all our needs. The suggestion of a democracy is that the masses will ultimately assume the responsibility of caring for each other. Self-interest always sends this idea into a train wreck. Our forefathers revolted from a monarchy, rejected a democracy, and followed a Biblical remedy. The Word’s eye view still works, but alas, the only thing that men learn from history is that men don’t learn from history.
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