(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

Why does the United States appear out of control? Answer: Our constitutional government has become an administrative state. The leaders of the over 400 federal agencies are appointed by the political power structure and reflect their political philosophy. To understand the woke worldview, search online the U.N. Agenda 2030. Read in more depth than just the 17 point outline. The secular socialist one-world order is clearly evident to include using race, climate change, open-borders, etc. to instill fear and guilt to achieve the goals. The Aug. 8 raid has brought the unrestrained use of the administrative state into clear focus. The 400 federal agencies are weaponized to enforce a progressive agenda, many of which make their own rules (e.g. OSHA, CDC, etc.).

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 30, 2022, in W.Va. vs. EPA, that government agencies did not have the authority to develop their own criteria for rules they wished to enforce. The rules must have a basis in law established by elected legislators and signed into law by the President. Potentially, this ruling could curtail some abuses of the administrative state, but we the people don’t have money for a court fight.

We the people are being distracted and indoctrinated with fear while the weaponizing escalates. Why are 87,000 armed IRS needed? Look to communism. With today’s technology, all of your personal data from your cellphone, internet, social media, credit cards, bank accounts, IRAs, income sources, telephone conversations and probably voting records, etc. can be collected by the IRS and a personal dossier can be assembled for every American. They will know more about you than you know about yourself and the info will be selectively used against you. Why? Power, control, money. The information will probably be shared among all agencies. Conspiracy theory? Examine the trajectory of the Biden Administration.

This is already being done by the Chinese Communist Party. If implemented, we will no longer be a Constitutional Republic. Instead we will be Marxist. President Ronald Reagan said, “Government isn’t the answer, government is the problem.”

Our Constitutional form of government is based upon a Christian culture in which the people exercise self-control. We are shown that culture based upon “the law” (Old Testament) fails when it is overcome by worldly sinful behavior. Christ died to set us free (New Testament). Our Constitution assumes self-control under the Holy Spirit, which gives individuals the freedom to make their own decisions. “In God We Trust.” Morals cannot be legislated. Bad behavior can only be punished. When bad behavior is not punished, you will get more of it. Our real problem is the loss of our Christian culture. We seek security from government, not Christ.

As Christians, we should not be controlled by fear. The Church (all denominations) must unite and get back to the solid founding foundation, Jesus, the Son of God. Squabbling over doctrinal and ritualistic practices must stop and have a united aggressive assault on evil. Measuring a Church by the number of attendees on Sunday morning is a sham. The condition of the Christian heart needs to be the focus. By faith, we should trust in God Almighty and know He is not only in control, but also omnipotent and can bring back our freedom if we turn back to Him. If our faith is built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, we should look forward to a future without fear and have joy in our hearts.

Lance K. Hickel

Lt. Col., U.S. Army (Retired)

Parkersburg