AVERT THE PENDULUM

 It’s said that the proverbial, historical pendulum has been swinging back and forth throughout the past. We’ve seen it here in the United States for sure. Republicans win elections, then Democrats win, then Republicans win again, and on and on. Those who are wise and patient simply wait for the return of the pendulum to their chosen party. 

The unknown and potentially dangerous swinging is as it approached the apex, before the turning back. Everything seems to be going the wrong direction and nobody knows if and when it will be reversed. But it will be – it always is. 

One of the primary uses for a pendulum is for timepieces. Because of gravity, the potential and kinetic energy exchange with each swing is what provides a constant ticking of the seconds. This action was first described by Galileo in 1602. Each complete cycle is called the period, and the length of the pendulum rod, not the weight of the bob on the end of the rod, determines the period. 

But with the proverbial pendulum, the length of the period is unknown. It may be years or even decades before the direction is reversed. And it’s during this uncertainty that panic can occur. But unlike the clock pendulum, which when stopped the clock’s accuracy is distorted; man can affect the direction of the historical pendulum. At least he can in America. 

The simplest step to take is to vote intelligently in every election at every level – local, state, and national. Or one can run for office and have a more direct effect on the pendulum. Using the influence of social media can be productive also. Writing to elected officials and attending public meetings and speaking up when possible is are important actions as well. 

But the most influential practice to effect a change in the pendulum is prayer. God works in the affairs man and directs the leaders of nations. As Billy Graham said, “To get our nation back on its feet, we must first get down on our knees.”

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

US WORLD

 The immigrant crisis has become an enormous problem for the USA, especially for the states on the southern border. Many solutions, both good and bad, have been presented. One of the better suggestions is to improve the conditions in the nations from which the travelers are coming to America.

 This blog goes one step further. Why not invite those countries to become states or territories of the United States? It won’t be coercion to any degree, but an invitation to join us.

 The first one to come on board would be a good test case for the process. They would accept our constitution and establish a representative republic at the state level just as the other fifty have done. Open and fair elections would be overseen by the Federal Election Commission.

 It would be acceptable for those who want to expand the Senate. Plus Puerto Rico would be another state along with other existing territories. In fact it needn’t be limited to the Western Hemisphere – why not African applicants also?

 Historically the USA has rejected the notion of a widened membership. Examples are The Philippines and Cuba, both of which we would have been able to keep as territories. We probably could have also added some of Europe after the World War. But we have always respected the rights of every nation to remain independent.

 But has the time come to change our stance on expansion if it’s a voluntary decision by another country to join US WORLD? If this happens it might also open the door for a CHINA WORLD, A SOVIET WORLD, A EUROPEN WORLD, and on and on. The globe may become a United Nations of just a dozen huge members.

 The logistics will be left up to the politicians and leaders in Washington and the other nations. Plus the benefits of our Constitution will be available to the new members of US WORLD: freedom of the press and of speech; freedom to bear arms; the freedom to worship God at the church of one’s choice; as well as the many other liberties we have.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON