Washington Cruisers Flag
Preamble – Trenton Act of 2008
Author: Michael D. Writer
October 30th, 2008
December 19, 1776 the first American War Correspondent wrote:
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us that, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph…. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to tax) but “to bind us in all cases whatsoever,” and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.”
In order to get his words in print, returned from the Field of Battle in New Jersey to Philadelphia; only to witness the Continental Congress fleeing in anticipation of the defeat to come.
If I am to be judged an alarmist, so be it – I would rather be considered a fool than a coward. In October of 2008 Americans witnessed something that they didn’t even believe was possible. For those who understood; events so mind numbing that these events have managed to accomplish what no enemy of the United States has ever accomplished. They have put America’s Soul on Trial. Called into question the “Free Market System”, and put the World’s oldest and freest Democratic Republic in peril. The Congress is in full scale retreat at a time when we must face down the greatest threat and challenge that America will have to endure since the Great Depression. Illogical finger pointing, election demagogy, prepackaged intellectualism, and obvious observations are not going to prevent a single American causality. The truth is not a point of view it is wrapped in the indifference of nature. Truth is not what you want it to be – it just is. We must wake up! America has been in retreat for some time now and its leadership is all but missing. Economic difficulties are not new to America or to the world. But these are not economic difficulties. This is not a rescission. The Dow has lost 33.6% of its value in 10 months; 16.9% in the last twenty-eight days. The Dow has become a fear indicator rather than a measurement of financial health and stability. America has built a financial tower of Babel and lost the maps to staircase. Anyone saying that the bottom is near, by reading charts, doesn’t understand that the bottom will come when Americans stand up and say “not another inch”. America must find her voice – that will take leadership. A true mark of leadership is not always to agree with one’s benefactors but to garner their respect even when actions are required that is counter to their wishes. We have created a congress of professional leaders and reduced the press to ideological sound bites (press should report and be unbiased – not support a position). Our technology compresses time and populates reasoned thought with noise. We do not make decisions based on facts or pragmatic supposition but on unsustainable assumptions.
America is at war. This is conflict of unseen forces and self fulfilling prophesies. It has attacked us in our own neighborhoods, divided America between Wall Street and Main Street; and when defeated will be America’s finest hour. Do not buy fear. Fear is a commodity that is easily attainable and should be managed, not purchased. This is the moment to apply 234 years of evolved American principals in such a way that it defeats our enemies without firing a shot; liberates the nation from broken government, and ratifies to the world that freedoms torch still resides in America – “That no darkness will stand before the light”. A Nation Reborn.
America is deciding as to the merits of its continued existence whether we realize it or not. Freedom is not a riskless proposition nor is it free of costs. America’s heart cannot conquer what her soul will not endure. Only foreigners find America on a map – Americans know that our country cannot be seen or possessed anymore than you can abridge humankind’s mortality or govern by involuntary consent. America is a solitary journey made only by Americans and seen rarely even by those who are born wrapped in her blanket of Freedom. It is not Nationalism, but a heritage of purpose. America is the repository of man’s inalienable rights granted by his creator and held in trust as an ultimate protection for the good of all people, regardless of their location or their beliefs. It is not a Government but the history, ideals, culture, religions, and citizens of the entire world. It is this distinction that separates America as a Nation and America as people. The Border between our state’s Main Street and Wall Street exist only in the American Mind. America’s history is not only a story of the common good but also of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. America is a Journey not a destination. Americans have a duty to convey a sense of our past to generations yet to come, not distorted by history books or newspaper reports, but in the tears, laughter, sacrifice, blood and realization of what America is — those moments in which we witness Americans doing that which is not understandable, but uniquely American.
Why did Thomas Paine return to New Jersey to an army which had no government, no country, and which was not welcome in the countryside in which it had retreated? This Army had little food and depleted munitions. It was sick with desertions and frozen in the Ice and snow. It was an Army in retreat since declaring their nature less than six months before and hadn’t prevailed in a battle in over two years. Most notably, in order to go home, its men only needed to last 11 more days in the freezing cold — their enlistments being up the end of December when they could go home honorably. There was no evidence that they could win even one more battle much less a war. This army opposed the greatest Military Power in world. Didn’t Paine understand by writing these words he would perish with the army? Why did they cross the river? Is this a moment in which we witness Americans doing that which is not understandable, but uniquely American?
It is in this spirit I will tell you a story. It is not about war, crisis or dying; but it is uniquely American and will give you a sense of what I believe the future holds.
Once, when I was younger and a member in good standing of the Boy Scouts of America, I was instructed by the older and much wiser scouts that there lived in the surrounding mountains of my home a most elusive creature known as a snipe. These scouts informed me that it was a tradition among scouts to endeavor to capture one these creatures, an undertaking which required unparalleled courage and imagination, and if one succeeded, he would hold a position of utmost respect within the scouting organization. This seemed a desirable goal at the time. There were certain rules of conduct which were disclosed to me by the older scouts which I must confess I didn’t begin to comprehend at the time and violation of these rules would result in something akin to being cast into hell without chance of parole. The most important rule and I quote “No matter what happens you cannot tell anyone who has arranged for the snipe hunt or that it is to take place at all; especially you cannot tell the Scoutmaster!” This seemed strange to me but I concluded that, like all mysteries in life, its ultimate meaning would be revealed in some unforeseen miraculous way upon successful completion of my mission. So with enthusiastic resolve we set out after the camp fires had burned out and everyone not involved had gone to sleep. We went into the blackness of my native mountains in search of the mysterious bird (for those of you who may be uninformed in the art of snipe hunting, snipes only come out after midnight; and can only be captured with a brown paper bag and an official Boy Scouts of America flashlight). When we were a sufficient distance from the encampment of our compatriots so as not to accidentally reveal our mission, we began our hunt. According to our instructors we were in the finest snipe hunting terrain they had ever seen in spite of the fact that even our flashlights were struggling against the all consuming blackness. Once we had arrived at our destination the older scouts gave us our last minutes instructions and showed us the time tested techniques of generations of snipe hunters. As a matter of record, I should point out that there were only three rookie scouts out of seventeen in our troop who had the moral courage to take on this ominous task. The technique to which I refer is done by squatting down as low as you can, shining the flashlight into the brown paper bag while repeating in high screams a secret chant which propriety requires I not record here. Just as important is to keep moving. This will inevitably induce the snipe to run head long into the bag thereby achieving the respective hunter’s goal. There is one more requirement, it must be done alone! True to the custom, our mentors disappeared in to the darkness in a giggling retreat and my fellow snipe hunters and I separated to pursue our quest. So, I stumbled through the darkness most of the night tripping over bushes, rocks and running into trees, generally accruing an assortment of cuts and bruises which is always a requirement of achieving something worthwhile in The Boy Scouts; at least in the eyes of your peers. Around 3:00 a.m., I began to lose my resolve when I could not find any of my fellow snipe hunters and became quite suspicious of my fellow scouts; a feeling I regret and apologize for to this day. Perhaps to understand where we are going we have to know where we’ve been?
At 3:00 p.m., on December 25, 1776, Christmas Day — 4,000 American troops began crossing the Delaware River. Those that made it arrived December 26, 1776 at 3:00 a.m. armed only with these words:
” 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. “
The cold was so bitter only 2400 arrived and two thirds of them had no shoes. Their muskets were frozen and would not fire. They marched all night with no regard for their feet and had little to eat. The General in charge made no speech only gave them the password “Victory or Death”. Did they not know that those who die in the battle would never experience the fruits of their cause? Why did they cross?
Here’s what they couldn’t have known:
- Seven hours later they would lose 4 of their brothers and capture 1800 of the enemy and give birth to the American Soul.
- In this band of brothers was three future Presidents, one Vice President, (the father of the nation and the father of the constitution), the first Secretary of the Treasury and a Supreme Court justice.
- Seven years later, an America would take its place as an independent nation. Brittan or the world could no longer bind us in all things.
- America’s Independence would begin a downward spiral of Monarchy Governments worldwide; completely transforming the 19th Century.
- Eleven years later, America would voluntarily declare it bankrupt and draft the Constitution; the longest enduring document of freedom in governmental history and in the history of the world without bloodshed.
- Thirty six years later, their sons would fight the same enemy again for America’s right to exist.
- They would never see America as the leader of the free world or as a light of hope for free people everywhere.
- They couldn’t have heard a single American voice except that of their own, because there was no America – just cold, darkness and doubt. Why did they cross?
I don’t know why they crossed the river, but maybe some insight may be found in a uniquely American story not about war, crisis or dying. To which we will briefly return.
Image my fellow scouts surprise when I came running back into camp screaming like banshee at the top of my lungs “I GOT IT, I GOT IT “. The camp erupted into total chaos as everyone rolled out of their sleeping bags to see what all the screaming was about. I was engulfed in a circle of my fellow scouts all pressing me for information. Just then the Scoutmaster arrived, a huge man, half dressed and looking thoroughly annoyed at being so rudely awakened by what I am sure he thought was just some boyhood shenanigans which Boy Scouts are by their nature compelled to commit. “What’s going on here?” he barked. Before I could answer my mentor who had so generously instructed me in the art of snipe hunting piped up, “Michael, here, has caught a snipe!” he said. The entire camp roared with laughter, even the Scoutmaster’s mood became lighter. “That true, Mike, did ya catch a snipe?” he asked. Everybody laughed again. I did not answer. I just handed him the bag which by this time was emitting high pitched screams and the movement of something inside the bag was visibly apparent to all observers. The Scoutmaster folded back the bag just enough to peer inside, but could not see anything as it was too dark. So, he reached into the bag to try and retrieve its contents, then withdrew his hand in a blazing retreat yelling “What in the hell is that?” What had been only a second before a mood of light hearted mockery was now somehow transformed into a blanket of deadly seriousness, as these observers were confronted with the absolute possibility that the bag did indeed contain a snipe, something that up till now had been in the realm of impossibility.
I am sure that those of you possessing an analytical mind and who have made it this far have jumped to the conclusion, that I am about to represent to you that the bag did contain a snipe, that this story is about reward and perseverance and is in all probability a work of fiction. Jump! But you’ll have to wait to find out what’s in the bag until I finish explaining what the Trenton Act 2008 is.
So what is the Trenton Act 2008?
The Trenton Act 2008 is an economic proposal by Common Sense aka “We the People” that requires being executed as if we are at war – the economic equivalent of D-Day. The only people this will make sense to be will be Americans; as there are no Ideologies in foxholes. If you come to this proposal as a Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Socialist, Communist, etc. you find it is an equal opportunity offender. The Goal is to win the war and reestablish the Free Market System and Government for the People. The Ideas within the plan were appropriated from the finest American Minds I had access to. For those who believe the aforementioned Free Market System and Government for the People are intact, that we have no problems; then you are wasting your time reading this. If you can perceive a glass half full or half empty this may be the proposal for you.
For those of you who perceive the glass half empty, The Trenton Act 2008 can be perceived as managed risk. For those who believe the glass is half full, The Trenton Act 2008 can be perceived as unrealized upside.
The Trenton Act is based on the Principals of the Powell Doctrine:
When a nation is engaging in war, every resource and tool should be used to achieve decisive force against the enemy, minimizing US casualties and ending the conflict quickly by forcing the weaker force to capitulate.
The Plan Calls for total investment in Mortgage Market of $2.5 Trillion and a Six Month Moratorium on all Mortgage Payments and foreclosures which could result in up to a 800 Billion dollar stimulus without Printing Money. Six Month Moratorium on withholding resulting in an additional 1 Trillion dollar stimulus and a Six Month freeze on government spending. This is clearly overwhelming force.
Is a vital national security interest threatened?
All concentrations of evil are born from bad economic times. Translation Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and some lesser know fellows came to power during the great depression. Differences between now and then – America was not fighting two wars and our enemies didn’t have the bomb. Failure here could be a bit more extreme. (For the record, Chamberlin did try to negotiate with Hitler). If America pursues its vital goal of energy independence, won’t the side effect be to devalue the worlds current median of exchange i.e. Oil. Will our enemies do nothing? Particularly if we begin competing with alternatives.
Do we have a clear attainable objective?
Stabilize the Housing Market; Stop Price Decline; Stem Job losses and further damage to economy within 30 days; pay down National debt to $6.5 Trillion within 6 years; recapture value of the dollar; and stabilize world markets by taking the lead in restructuring financial system.
Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
See explanation of recommendations
Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted?
The entire plan is predicated on trying to avoid violence both domestically and in foreign countries.
Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement?
Constitutional Convention of 2010 with objective orientated plan.
Have the consequences of our action been fully considered?
See explanation of recommendations
Is the action supported by the American people?
Without overwhelming support it will never be implemented.
Do we have genuine broad international support?
See explanations of recommendations
There is no guarantee that the plan will be implemented, would succeed if implemented, or that government can’t fail – even the US Government. That is the judgment error we have made for well over 100 years. Because our government is “We the People” aren’t you just guaranteeing yourself? How do you judge the financial merits and future prospects of America? It is still and always will be in the resolve of the American People to reach their goals. Only you can make that judgment.
There are Americans who are worried that somehow we have lost our resolve and the magic that Is America. It is to this group and all who believe that profitable commerce is achieved by making what was impossible yesterday into to today’s possibilities, and tomorrow’s realities that I have recorded my story and will dedicate its ending. I would like to remind all you still listening that you only forfeit the future when you cease to dream.
What was in the bag? No it didn’t contain a snipe! What history recorded was that a ten year old boy, while snipe hunting in earnest, brought home something much more stupendous than a snipe. Something that was just as elusive, and just as mysterious as the fictitious snipe. You see the bag contained a red tail hawk, the kind you hear about but rarely see. The physical embodiment of all traits for which Boy Scouts aspire. The little boy didn’t mind the 18 stitches he received when putting the injured hawk into his bag, because in the cold and black of that night he had come face to face with one of natures best kept secrets and been blessed with an experience, that at least in scouting circles is the stuff that legends are made of and to this day inspires other scouts to go snipe hunting in earnest.
It is my sincerest prayer for America, that we have the courage to return to Trenton and find out why they crossed the river. I know you will find no crack of doubt or the slightest hint of retreat in the Americans headed to Trenton. They have not lost a single ounce of defiance for those who feel the need to remind them “It Can’t Be Done” or compassion for those who get up every day thinking today is the day.
We have been blessed with a lot of talents and can make certain things happen; but it is not within our providence to grant a mandate for what we together might achieve. For this we must have your consent. We hope when considering the issues put before you that you choose the future and not the past. This one pledge I will make to you, if your decision is in the affirmative and you decided to ratify the future; I will deliver our message with all the power and passion that I possess and this will be our message:
In the matter of believing in things unrealized,
In the matter of compromising our principles,
In the matter of mediocre results,
In the matter bowing to foreign competition,
In the matter of justice in commerce,
In the matter of fair representation,
In the matter of equity for all people,
I have consulted with my benefactors and they have instructed me to tell you on these and other matters of consequence “We Will Not Yield Sir!”
Common Sense
