The leaders we elect in a democratic republic are merely the reflections of the corporate character and culture of the people. We can actually “see” the moral core of our nation by the type of people representing us. When the news is filled with stories of greed, corruption and immorality in the lives of our leaders, there’s good reason to believe the same behaviors are rampant in the citizenry.

Perhaps this is why we should be greatly alarmed over the current state of our nation. The Founding Fathers understood the necessary bond between liberty and virtue and feared for the future of our nation if this indissoluble bond was threatened by widespread perversion among the electorate.

James Madison warned of the threat of immorality and its impact upon the strength and vitality of our Constitution and our nation:

“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men; so that we do not depend upon their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.”

Government is not responsible for the character of the people. This responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the Church. Only Christ can transform human nature and only the Word of God can provide the guidelines for living a life of virtue and freedom. Let’s commit ourselves anew to both living the gospel and sharing the good news of Jesus wherever we go. The message is simple. There can be no liberty without virtue and nor virtue apart from Jesus!

Benjamin Franklin, known as the “sage of Philadelphia,” is famous for many things, however most would not label him a prophet. Yet Franklin was able to look through the corridors of time to see what was in store for America if we allowed our leaders to use their positions of public service for personal gain.

In a speech given to the members of the Continental Congress, Franklin made the following prophetic warning:

“Generally…the ruling power carries its point, and we see revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see they are never satisfied, but always in want of more. The more the people are discontented with the oppression of taxes, the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among the partisans, and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure.”

Franklin was worried that America could once again become a monarchy if we allowed our leaders to tax us to death and to redistribute our money to payoff the very ones who voted them into office. While the Left has been using this technique for years, the current administration has taken this tactic to a whole new level. Socialism steals from those who produce via the vehicle of taxation and redistribute the nation’s wealth through  government programs to those who will vote to keep them in power. All the while, the president/prince is able to “plunder at pleasure.”

Franklin added, “There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of Pharoah – get first all the people’s money, then all their lands, and then to make all their children servants forever.”

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not go back to Egypt! The primaries are coming up in a couple of weeks. Let’s make sure we elect men and women who fear God, love truth, and who love their country. It’s time to get Pharaoh and his minions out of government.