For most of our history, the Courts foiled congressional attempts to use the "Commerce Clause" to sabotage the clear meaning of the Constitution, particularly the Ninth and 10th Amendments. The courts began caving in to congressional tyranny during the 1930s. That tyranny was sealed in 1942, by a little known U.S. Supreme ruling in Wickard vs. Filburn.
Filburn was a small farmer in Ohio. The Department of Agriculture had set production quotas. Filburn harvested nearly 12 acres of wheat above his government allotment. He argued that the excess wheat was unrelated to commerce since he grew it for his own use. He was fined anyway. The court reasoned that had he not grown the extra wheat he would have had to purchase wheat -- therefore, he was indirectly affecting interstate commerce.
"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail. I have faith in America ; you and I must have faith in America , if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.
I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."
"We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times."
--George Washington, letter to Philip Schuyler, 1777
This is a neutral class. Non-partisan, non-political.
What is Liberty?
Liber: free, independent
Liber or Libri: book
Libere: freely
Libero: deliver, liberate
Libero: to raise up, to lift, grow
Libertas: freedom, liberty, independence
Liber: child, offspring, as opposed to slave
What is Liberty to you?
Quote by Thomas Jefferson:
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
The Liber Cycle (also referred to as the Cycle of Greatness)
Truth
Application
Challenges the Character
Transformation
Real Change
Does our current education make us free?
Our Greek Educational background
Grammar School
Grammar: the study of rules for language structure
Rhetoric: the study of rules for using language effectively
Logic: reasoning skill
Advanced School
Arithmetic: the study of numbers
Geometry: the study of points, lines, angles and figures
Astronomy: science that deals with the universe
Music: the art of sound
Does the study of this make us free?
Our Hebrew Background
Elementary School
Right/Wrong
Good/Bad
True/False
Love of Learning
Advanced School
Vision: the power of anticipating that which may come to pass
Mission: a self-imposed task or calling
Abilities: talents, special skills or aptitudes
Skills: proficiency through knowledge and training
Since we have all acquired our Greek Education from some form of schooling, and we all should know the Elementary school basics, right/wrong, we are going to focus on what we can learn in the advanced school.
We cannot learn using Vision and Mission alone, we must use our Abilities and Skills, and the converse is true.
Climb the Scholarship Ladders
Vision Mission Abilities Skills
Mentored
Self directed
Apprentice -Liberty Project is a Practice Scholar class
Practice
Based on what you have told me you want to get out of the class, what is a “Vision” “Mission”? What abilities can we walk away from class with?
What types of skills will you have?
Vision: Man is a being that craves freedom more than anything. I see the connection between education and greatness.
Mission: I can be an advocate for freedom. I have a personal call to greatness and I can take a stand for freedom.
Abilities: Understand self-governance
I am able to organize like-minded people to affect positive outcomes in my community.
I am able to participate in local government meetings and political campaigns.
I can see through the hype of hidden agendas.
Skills: Finding my voice to share through writing, speaking, oral persuasion, analytical thinking and memorization.
Making mistakes is part of success, be vulnerable.
People who stay home want to be in their Comfort Zone
By coming here, you have shown that you are willing to be in the Learning Zone, where you are a little uncomfortable.
Push yourself until you know your boundaries of your Shutdown Zone.
Elect Class Officers
President: Devotional (prayer, Pledge of Allegiance)
Secretary: Collect papers, distribute materials, make note of things to send to class
Review Syllabus
Key of Liberty is the foundation for studying and will help you focus your allegiance to God, self and country. We will study the Colonial and Revolutionary periods of our country and gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers.
Each week you will have a writing and reading assignment. The class will participate in simulations, book discussions and debates. We will study and work to memorize the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington’s First War: The Battle for Fort Duquesne
The Real George Washington
Read these books and discuss them in class:
Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang
5,000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen
Apostle of Liberty by Stephen McDowell
4.Discuss, memorize and recite The Declaration of Independence (excluding the 27 injuries of the king). 5. Fulfill the requirements for the United States Heritage Award. 7. Complete 6 of the writing assignments
8. Memorize the Ten Commandments
Memorize and be able to place Thirteen Colonies on a map.
