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If you had to think of one document other than the Bible that people can most easily quote almost without thinking about it, that one document would be the Declaration of Independence. The comparison of this document to the Bible is appropriate. Not that the Declaration of Independence is holy in a religious sense, but it has a place of reverence in the hearts of the American people and in the history of the founding of this great nation.

 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 

This one statement so beautifully illustrates some core principles that show why this document has such a deep impact on the American mind, heart and spirit. The statement that the truths in this document were indeed truths is a profound statement in its own right. The Declaration of Independence does suggest that what is being declared in those pages are theories, possibilities, or even political ideology. These are truths which put them on the same value as statements of values as often taught in a religious setting. Truths are eternal values that are not changed by circumstances, by whomever or whatever is handling the government of the land, or by the whim of politicians. These truths exist above those temporal earthly ideas and live on the plain of the eternal.

 

“Self evident” is a powerful phrase and it the document reflects the founder’s belief in what was called “natural law.” Natural law is the belief system that there are laws that are part of our natural state of existence and that they cannot be taken away (inalienable). These laws are our rights as creations of Almighty God and any government system must recognize these laws because they are above government. It is a basic belief system of the American system that ALL people are entitled to these rights and that they cannot be taken away.

 

The mention of a creator in this powerful document is very important because there are those who would maintain that the separation of church and state tells us that the government is at heart a secular institution. Clearly the founders did not lay the foundation of our country on that premise. They saw the inheritance we as Americans have in our rights and freedoms to be part of our legacy from God and as such, the government has a duty to defend.

 

The Declaration of Independence is truly an amazing document especially when you consider the “primitive” state of the nation when it was written by Thomas Jefferson and signed on July 2, 1776, to become the backbone of our American system of government. It became an often referenced and quoted document, even becoming a part of President Lincoln’s famous inaugural speech when he said with such deep conviction:

 

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

 

Because the words in this amazing document are such a deep part of our American heritage, American history and the American spirit, they are often a crucial part of any study of history in the schools in this country. That is why most school children in every state are so familiar with these words.

 

Perhaps it would do us all well to take some time once a year or so to read the Declaration of Independence either as a private moment of reflection or with our families. What a wonderful fourth of July tradition that would make! Then as we watch the fireworks and other festivities celebrating the birth of our country and its independence, we will have those words of this truly American document fresh in our heart to remind us that it was our creator that gave us our freedoms and independence and nobody has the right to ever take them away, but that’s just my take.

 

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The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.  The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.  Identity theft is serious.

 

While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

 

How do thieves steal an identity?

 

Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information. For identity thieves, this information is as good as gold.

 

Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:

 

1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
5. Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
6. Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.

 

What do thieves do with a stolen identity?
Once they have your personal information, identity thieves use it in a variety of ways.

 

Credit card fraud:
• They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the cards and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report.
• They may change the billing address on your credit card so that you no longer receive bills, and then run up charges on your account. Because your bills are now sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there’s a problem.

 

Phone or utilities fraud:
• They may open a new phone or wireless account in your name, or run up charges on your existing account.
• They may use your name to get utility services like electricity, heating, or cable TV.

 

Bank/finance fraud:
• They may create counterfeit checks using your name or account number.
• They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks.
• They may clone your ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals your name, draining your accounts.
• They may take out a loan in your name.

 

Government documents fraud:
• They may get a driver’s license or official ID card issued in your name but with their picture.
• They may use your name and Social Security number to get government benefits.
• They may file a fraudulent tax return using your information.

 

Other fraud:
• They may get a job using your Social Security number.
• They may rent a house or get medical services using your name.
• They may give your personal information to police during an arrest. If they don’t show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.

 

How can you find out if your identity was stolen?

 

The best way to find out is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month, and check your credit report on a regular basis. If you check your credit report regularly, you may be able to limit the damage caused by identity theft.

 

Unfortunately, many consumers learn that their identity has been stolen after some damage has been done.
• You may find out when bill collection agencies contact you for overdue debts you never incurred.
• You may find out when you apply for a mortgage or car loan and learn that problems with your credit history are holding up the loan.
• You may find out when you get something in the mail about an apartment you never rented, a house you never bought, or a job you never held.

 

If you don’t have ID fraud protection, you could be a victim.  Comprehensive fraud protection is available for less than $15 per month and my niece Tammy can hook you up if interested.  CLICK HERE for more information.

 

When asked, “If you could wish for one thing only, what would that wish be?” almost everyone, from beauty pageant contestants, to politicians, to religious leaders, to children, to the average person on the street states, “Peace On Earth” or “An end to all wars”. Those wishes, while exemplary, are meaningless. As long as humans exist there will never be peace on earth.  Throughout the history of humankind there has never been peace on earth. Cavemen fought other cavemen over territory, food and even women. Cain killed Abel over God’s respect. Gabriel blew down the walls of Jericho. America fought the Revolutionary War for freedom and brother fought against brother in our Civil War for more freedom. There have always been wars and there will always be wars.

 

As long as humans can think, there will be wars. Wars over such concepts as freedom, honor, dignity, etc. Wars over territory, greed, power, prejudice, etc.. War is a part of human nature. For example, every human being is prejudiced. If they don’t like some race, nationality or religion, they don’t like short or tall or fat or skinny or smart or not smart or loud or quiet people. Some people don’t like children, some people don’t like old people, some people don’t like people with pets, or people that play their music too loud, or bad drivers, or people that believe in God or people that don’t believe in God. What is right and proper to some people can be wrong or even enraging to other people.Religion cannot stop wars; in fact many wars are fought over religion (Note: I believe that religion is used as an excuse for war not the real reason for war.).

 

Christians fought against Muslims during the Crusades, Many Muslims want death for all non-believers. The Catholic Church killed heretics during the Inquisition. The Nazis killed millions of Jews and then started killing Catholics. The Russians under Stalin killed anyone even remotely religious. Protestants killed other Protestants for being the wrong type of Protestant. Muslims killed Muslims for being the wrong type of Muslim. Don’t forget about Atheists (I believe that Atheism is also a religion, it is a religion of non belief.). Stalin was an Atheist and wanted to get rid of all religion. Most of China’s leaders are Atheists and have jailed and killed huge numbers of religious people. History is rife with various types of religious battles.

 

I believe that the main reason for war, however, is the lust for power. The power to make others do and believe as you do and believe, the power to make other people render unto you what you believe is rightfully yours, the power to make other people treat you as you believe you should be treated, the power to gain what you want, for example, money, love, respect, etc.; the power to punish others for doing things that you don’t believe they should do; the power to keep others from having things or thoughts that you don’t have. In other words, the power to be, in some ways God, to make everyone else in your image with you as their ruler.

 

As long as people have the ability to think, there will be greed, envy, prejudice and anger. As long as those things exist, there will be wars. Most people believe, either religiously or secularly, in the rules set down in the Ten Commandments, but very few people can follow those rules all of the time because our ability to think causes us to want. Wanting causes us to break some or all of the rules. Humans are not perfect. If they were they would not be human.

 

Christians believe that everything is in God’s hands, and when He returns, there will be Peace on Earth, but that’s just my take.

 

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