CRAIGforCONGRESS
Missouri's 7th District, U.S. House of Representatives

  
 
 

 

Congressional Issues 2014
DEFENSE POLICY
"Swords Into Plowshares"
Congress should:
Micah 4:1-7

And it will come about in the last days
That the mountain of the House of the LORD
Will be established as the chief of the mountains
And it will be raised above the hills

And the peoples will stream to it.
And many nations will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD
And to the House of the God of Jacob,

That He may teach us about His ways
And that we may walk in His paths."
For from Zion will go forth the Law
Even the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

And He will judge between many peoples
And render decisions for mighty, distant nations.
Then they will hammer their
swords into plowshares
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation will not lift up sword against nation
And never again will they train for war.

And each of them will sit under his
Vine and under his fig tree,
With no one to make them afraid.
For the LORD of hosts has spoken.

Though all the peoples walk
Each in the name of his god,
As for us, we will walk
In the Name of the LORD our God
forever and ever.
In that day, saith the LORD,
will I assemble her that halteth,
and I will gather her that is driven out,
and her that I have afflicted;
And I will make her that halted a remnant,
and her that was cast far off a strong nation:
and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion
from henceforth, even for ever.
[See also Isaiah 2:2-5]

The Original "American Dream" was that of every American dwelling safely under his own "Vine & Fig Tree." That phrase from the prophet Micah, well known to America's Founding Fathers, is preceded by the command to beat our "swords into plowshares."

Most Christians feel that Micah's "swords into plowshares" prophecy is for the distant future. Most non-Christians feel that Jesus was an irrelevant hippie and an impractical pacifist -- and many Christians agree, though they believe Jesus will soon return, and far from being a pacifist, Jesus will beat up all the unbelievers in a global nuclear "Armageddon," and then fulfill Micah's "Vine & Fig Tree" prophecy during "the millennium."

Kevin Craig is not running the kind of campaign needed to win a political office. The purpose of this campaign is primarily to educate voters and encourage them to become better Americans. Part of pursuing the real American Dream includes pressuring government to beat its "swords into plowshares."

America's Founding Fathers would be appalled at today's "Military Industrial Complex." They had a word for what we have today: "standing armies." They viewed a permanent military as the greatest threat to liberty. Most Americans today prefer "security" over liberty, but America's Founders believed that such an attitude was un-American.

• America's Founding Fathers called America "an Experiment in Liberty." Not an "experiment in security."
The "experiment" succeeded. America became the most prosperous and admired nation in history.
• A century later, America tried a different experiment: an experiment in government "central planning" for our "security."
That experiment has failed. Repeated around the world in the 20th century, military Keynesianism has brought poverty, misery, and death.  America is no longer prosperous and admired, but bankrupt and despised.

James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," said:

Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant [impact upon] republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Once a Christian nation, the United States is increasingly perceived around the world as a heavily-armed bully. The Old Testament prophets were very clear that God judges international bullies.
God takes down empires that think they're God.
Washington D.C. thinks it is God.
The USA is going down, unless Americans beat its swords into plowshares.

This campaign is committed to providing voters with the resources needed to be Peacemakers.

The quest for "national security" through vengeance and mass destruction is idolatrous and unChristian. The entire defense budget is evil and should be cut entirely.

Platform Statements:

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Americans must become peacemakers and shut down the warmonger State.

There are doubts that the United States government responds to the democratic voice of "the People" any more, but there can be no doubt that if the government hears "the People," each of us as individuals must first beat our own swords into plowshares, before we can or will speak to the government about government violence.
• Each of us must be willing to work to increase our material standard of living rather than vote for the compulsory plundering of others.
• Each of us must be willing to forgive rather than seek vengeance.
Only if we beat our own swords into plowshares can we effectively demand that the government beat its swords into plowshares.

Of course, one of the most effective ways to purge ourselves of violence is to cut the patriotic ties we have had with government violence and vengeance. Perhaps our own personal disarmament begins with publicly affirming that we disassociate ourselves with U.S. imperialism and genocide.

Here are some resources on this website, linking to many other resources around the Internet, on violence:

America's Original Foreign Policy

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible."
— Washington, Farewell Address (1796) [Washington’s emphasis]

I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one] which ought to shape its administration,…peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.
— Jefferson, First Inaugural Address (1801) 

"Isolationism"

Exposing the True Isolationists by Ron Paul

From Advocates for Self-Government:

       "Isolationism" has many negatives. For decades in America, "isolationism" has been a smear word. In many circles it is associated with hostility towards foreign nations and cultures, nativism, and ignorance.
       And in fact, many U.S. isolationists in the past weren't just for political non-intervention. They wanted to restrict trade and travel. To build a "wall" around America, creating a so-called "Fortress America." Some even felt America should be totally self-sufficient: trading with no one.
       None of that, of course, has anything to do with libertarian foreign policy views. Libertarians favor free trade, the freedom to travel, diplomacy, and lively and ongoing cultural interaction with people worldwide.
       A far better word for this is "non-intervention." Libertarians are "non-interventionists."
       That's still a clumsy word, unfortunately, and it is better understood when coupled with a short description of what it means, such as I gave two paragraphs ago.
       It's also sometimes helpful to describe this as "America's original foreign policy" or "the Founder's foreign policy," and to quote the classic Jefferson line: "peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none."
       Some wit once said that the difference between "isolationists" and "non-interventionists" is that the former are hermits, while the latter are gentlemen.
       Ron Paul has put it very well: "Non-interventionism is not isolationism. Non-intervention simply means America does not interfere militarily, financially, or covertly in the internal affairs of other nations. It does not mean that we isolate ourselves; on the contrary, our founders advocated open trade, travel, communication, and diplomacy with other nations."
       Finally, it is sometimes useful to point out that the current U.S. foreign policy of endless intervention in the affairs of other nations, U.S. troops and military bases in almost every nation, sanctions, trade barriers, travel restrictions, and aid to tyrants and dictators is increasingly isolating America from the rest of the world. In this sense, the true "isolationists" actually are the interventionists.
       When someone labels libertarians as isolationists, they are knowingly or unknowingly smearing us and misrepresenting our views. This should be corrected, in a friendly and persuasive way, so our true ideas can be understood and embraced.

To call Jefferson, Washington, or Ron Paul an "isolationist" is uninformed or deliberately misleading. And there is great irony here. If a candidate believes it's good policy to overthrow foreign governments by bombing thousands of innocent non-combatant civilians and replacing the secular regime with an Islamic theocracy, and then imposing tariffs and protectionist sanctions on nations that oppose U.S. nation-building, cutting off trade, cutting off travel, and in numerous other ways isolating Americans from these nations and their people, their commerce, and their culture, he is not called an "isolationist."

more on "isolationism"

Ozarks Virtual Townhall

Blog posts

A Plowshares Conspiracy

Google Results: "violence"

Persuasion, not Coercion
Congressional Issues 2008 GOVERNMENT Order without Violence ... You Are A Libertarian if you abhor violence and do not resort to it in your daily life. ...
Order without Violence
Archists attempt to convince us that when things don't go the way we would like them to go, we can resort to violence to change matters. ...
What is an "Archist"
Even if nothing will be changed by violence, that's OK, because making them ... When preaching fails to gain a convert, the archist resorts to violence or ...
"The State" as Criminal
Defenders of the State are quick to contend that society would be plunged into crime and violence without the State to hold back the floodtides of depravity ...
Capitalism vs. Socialism
To say “I am not a capitalist” is to say “I support the use of violence to get what ... Find someone who is called a "capitalist" who uses the violence and ...
The War on Drugs
In other words, government should protect us from the violence of others but not initiate violence against us. The government should not be allowed to steal ...
Homosexuality
... my friends on the Religious Right not to initiate force or violence (either as "gay-bashing" or in the form of criminal laws) against homosexuals. ...
KEVIN CRAIG for Congress
You've been trained to think an "extremist" is a hate-mongering bigot, irrational and prone to violence. But why cannot one be extremely loving, sensible, ...
Memorial Day 2008
Shouldn't a Christian nation like America have a day to honor those who withstood the temptation to violence and vengeance and chose peace instead? ...
A Nation "Under God"
The violence and confusion of Brownson's time would diminish somewhat; Marxism would make little headway in the United States. ...
What is the Libertarian Party?
Socialism always involves the initiation of force against the innocent. The consistent Libertarian will never approve the initiation of force or violence. ...
The Nature of Government
and threats of violence. Consider this opinion from the Los Angeles Times .... "The Government" is institutionalized violence, systematic murder and theft. ...
Liberty Under God
Because I oppose the violence, I support "theocracy." Specifically, I believe we should move in the direction of a pure Christian Theocracy. ...
Controlling Pornography
And the few who take steps to stop pornography usually do nothing more than ask the government to inflict violence on pornographers. ...
Why I am Running
Not content with persuasion, they resort to threats of unspeakable violence against those who do not want to give their family's money to Democratic welfare ...
Attack on the Bill of Rights
To fight government and criminal violence, Americans need the means to defend themselves more than ever, yet we are being legally disarmed. ...
Worldview: Your Philosophy of Life
... Stopping Pornography w/o Violence, Prescription Drugs, Prison, Privatization ... Victimless Crimes, Victims' Rights, Violence, Voluntary Associations ...
Fundamental Tax Reform
Real tax reform begins with the recognition that taxation is extortion, the seizing of income or property under threats of force or violence. ...
Welfare and Charity
In other words, government should protect us from the violence of others but not initiate violence against us. The government should not be allowed to steal ...
China
True freedom begins in the heart: the power to resist the temptation to initiate force or violence against others just because they won't do your bidding. ...
Why Leaders Should be Christians
The nation is exposed to foreign violence and domestic convulsion. Vicious rulers, chosen by vicious people, turn back the current of corruption to its ...
The Draft
In other words, government should protect us from the violence of others but not initiate violence against us. The government should not be allowed to steal ...
Abolish the Federal Government
The use of violence against tax collectors -- muskets, cannons, or new weapons -- can never be justified. Our only weapon is persuasion. ...
Crime
"When things don't go the way you want, use violence to solve your problems. ... The government has become a bizarre violence-worshipping cult, ...
Education
But states defined "persistently dangerous" schools to insure that almost no children can escape violence. A Colorado school with a thousand students could ...
Politics as Salvation
Those who worship the State as their Messiah are willing to initiate force or threaten violence against the innocent in order to obtain salvation for ...
Controlling Pornography
And the few who take steps to stop pornography usually do nothing more than ask the government to inflict violence on pornographers. ...
Tobacco and the Rule of Law
and represent the initiation of force and threats of violence against others. http://KevinCraig.US/libertarian/ It doesn't seem like we have much in common, ...
Taiwan
A "Second Amendment" approach is an ethical toxin; even if Taiwan could be armed sufficiently to defeat China, she would be forever poisoned by the violence ...
"Hate Crimes"
... crimes which happen to be "politically incorrect." Violence against a politically-favored group is not more important than violence against you or me. ...
Iraq
... Security • Terrorism • The U.S./Islamic-Oil Connection • National Security • Afghanistan • Defense • Defense Budget • Sanctions • Violence • Peace ...
India-Pakistan
... STRATFOR.com : India • Government policy hurts agriculture in India • India as a World Power: Changing Washington's Myopic Policy • Violence in India ...
The "Endorsement" Test
... being under the direction of reason and conviction only, not of violence or compulsion, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, ...
Promote Christianity
That power will either be used to cultivate the Christian religion, or it will be used to destroy it and harvest the fruits of violence, theft, and misery. ...
Sexuality and Culture
not impose heterosexual monogamous culture on America by threats of force and violence;; oppose legislation which penalizes or undermines heterosexual ...
Evangelism and Social Order
More than a little violence was unleashed against various immigrant groups. These organizations not only did not accomplish their purpose, but also did much ...
Why I am Judgmental and Intolerant
May these verses help us, not to be judgmental for the sake of being judgmental, but to exalt God's Law, and replace the ugliness and violence of the world ...
Reclaiming the War Powers
... Security • Terrorism • The U.S./Islamic-Oil Connection • National Security • Afghanistan • Defense • Defense Budget • Sanctions • Violence • Peace ...
Police
The police whose voices are heard on the tape are using the power of the sword -- coercion and violence -- to make an arrest in the "War on Drugs. ...
Pornography
While there are good arguments for attempting to protect children from pornography using the strong-arm of the State, this only adds violence to the social ...
"National Security"
Although the Zidonians of Laish at the time of the Judges may have been at peace, their worship of idols matured into violence and tyranny. ...
Labor Relations Law
Enmons (1973) that prohibits federal prosecution of unionists for acts of extortion and violence when those acts are undertaken in pursuit of "legitimate ...
Gentleness
Because conversion is the result of God's Spirit, I do not attempt to force others through violence or threats. I am committed to showing personal care and ...
Socialism is Evil
Socialism is institutionalized violence. Walter Williams: Socialism is Evil • Socialism vs. Capitalism: Which is the Moral System by C. Bradley Thompson ...
Gambling
... tax dollars studying the already-documented effects of gambling; not do anything to attempt to eliminate gambling by coercion or threats of violence ...
Persuasive
Committed to changing hearts and minds rather than resorting to violence or threats. Removing another's obstacles to belief by being. Patient. ...
Frankness
In a world of defiant homosexuality, unmasked hatred, and widespread violence, I cannot afford to keep my religion out of the public square. ...
Why Homosexuals Should be Hated
Christianity teaches love for enemies, not hatred (where "hatred" takes the form of making sinners suffer, violence, vengeance, or "vigilante justice"). ...
Victims' Rights
JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIM (lp); Victim's Rights by Gary North; What is Justice - JusticeFellowship • CRIME (lp); Crime & Violence (lp); Crime and Violence (lp ...
Feminism and Pornography
Government is power; government is organized violence. If it exists it is advancing someone's agenda. If it is advancing the agenda of the pornographers, ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - December 15, 2007
... Foreign Intervention • Security • Terrorism • The U.S./Islamic-Oil Connection • National Security • Afghanistan • Defense Budget • Sanctions • Violence ...
Gender Discrimination
There is no greater force for violence in the world than the socialist State, ... FMF promotes non-violence and works to eliminate violence against women. ...
Creationism
Here is how creationism turned me against violence and the "military-industrial complex." That in turn made me an anarcho-creationist, an opponent of the ...
Eminent Domain is Theft
The government will seize the property by force, and use lethal violence to keep the owner away, giving the owner no more than $X in compensation, ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - September 15, 2007
... Security • Terrorism • The U.S./Islamic-Oil Connection • National Security • Afghanistan • Defense • Defense Budget • Sanctions • Violence • Peace ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - November 3, 2007
Cheney's Victory in Iraq • Holocaust Denial in the Service of War • "Do Violence to No Man" • War and Public Relations • Petraeus: America Safer? ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - April 19, 2008
Globalization • Violence • The Abolition of America -- CNN's Lou Dobbs; Abolishing the Government -- America's Founding Fathers vs. the Bush-Clinton Regime ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - December 22, 2007
... Foreign Intervention • Security • Terrorism • The U.S./Islamic-Oil Connection • National Security • Afghanistan • Defense Budget • Sanctions • Violence ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - June 7, 2008
In Iraq, they've helped bring violence down to its lowest point since late March of 2004. Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are down. ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - November 3, 2007
Cheney's Victory in Iraq • Holocaust Denial in the Service of War • "Do Violence to No Man" • War and Public Relations • Petraeus: America Safer? ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - November 17, 2007
Ultimately, it is the worship of violence. Earlier this week, I visited Berkeley Plantation in Virginia. The story of this historic setting goes back nearly ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - April 12, 2008
While there's more to be done, sectarian violence, civilian deaths, and military ... Fifteen months ago, extremists were sowing sectarian violence; today, ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - October 20, 2007
It is sinful and immoral to take money from Jones under threats of violence to give to "the poor children." It is unconstitutional for the federal ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - September 29, 2007
It is sinful and immoral to take money from Jones under threats of violence to give to Graeme Frost. -- even if Graeme Frost is poor. ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - January 12, 2008
The "right" to "exist as a nation" is the "right" to impose one's will on a minority by force and threats of violence. The United States federal government ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - October 6, 2007
It is sinful and immoral to take money from Jones under threats of violence to give to "the poor children." It is unconstitutional for the federal ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - March 8, 2008
... Foreign Intervention • Terrorism • The U.S./Islamic-Oil Connection • National Security • Afghanistan • Defense • Defense Budget • Sanctions • Violence ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - May 17, 2008
No Jewish person, nor the "government" of the "nation" of Israel has the right to use violence or initiate force against non-Jews to take possession of ...
Missouri Farm Bureau Philosophy
Using force or threats of violence is wrong. This is the heart of the "Free Market" philosophy. 2. "Improving commodity prices" is a bad goal. ...
Missouri Farm Bureau - Moral Issues
... displeasure with television shows containing obscenity, sex, violence and obscene language which are being presented to the American viewing public. ...
The National Duty to Not Be "Secular"
... finally, that, turning the hearts of our enemies from the violence and injustice which sway their councils against us, He would hasten a restoration of ...
Exposing Self Deception
Violence is never the answer. But neither are ignorance, apathy, inaction, or wishful thinking. These politicians took a solemn oath not to do this. ...
Congressman Ron Paul on Abortion
The authors of the Constitution intended for criminal matters and acts of violence (except for a few rare exceptions) to be dealt with at the state level. ...
The Real Tax Burden
Violence is wrong, but so is apathy. Take action. Do something. Vote for Kevin Craig in November. He's the only candidate who promises never to raise any ...
W.W.J.D.?
Kevin Craig wants to change the way people think about capitalism, socialism, violence, personal responsibility, and above all, Jesus Christ and the Bible. ...
Iran
The taproot of violence in our society is our intent to use nuclear weapons. Once we have agreed to that, all other evil is minor in comparison. ...
Against the Tide
Congress should. cast votes based on Christian ethics, against the tide of secular corruption and violence. "Against the Tide" is the title of a book by ...
John Lofton Exclusive Interview with Jim Gilchrist
Both the ACLU and communists believe that the use of force or threats of violence are useful tools. Gilchrist's use of the term "anarchists" in this context ...
Jill Lepore: Prior Convictions - The New Yorker -- An Anarcho ...
The State being the institutionalization of vengeance and violence, a truly Christian nation is therefore a State-less nation. ...
Google Results: coercion
Providence, not Coercion
Congress should. rely on the Protection of Divine Providence, as the Signers of the Declaration of Independence did. ...
Persuasion, not Coercion
reject all legislation which relies on the initiation of force, coercion, or violence as a means of achieving political or social goals ...
Controlling Abortion
MORALITY AND CULTURE How to End Abortion Without Government Coercion .... the power of "the sword": the 90% have been coerced into silence and inaction. ...
Tobacco and the Rule of Law
Use of government coercion to fight tobacco encourages government coercion in other areas: .... I do not believe in using government coercion and ...
Capitalism vs. Socialism
Capitalists believe in persuasion, not coercion. .... reject all legislation which relies on the initiation of force, coercion, or violence as a means of ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - January 12, 2008
The United States federal government has no Constitutional, moral, Biblical, political, ethical, or pragmatic justification to use government coercion to ...
Order without Violence
... created in the Garden of Eden, and the construction of institutions based on Humanistic power: coercion and violence. It is the history of Politics vs. ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - July 21, 2007
As there is no more important distinction in all of political economy than that which divides coercion and non-coercion, such combinations tend to blur this ...
Immigration
The Colossus of Rhodes - Symbol of Power and Coercion America's Statue of Liberty is not about power, or collective unity arrived at by government coercion. ...
David Chilton on Immigration and Population
National greatness does not come about through legislation or governmental coercion. Ronald Sider’s call for a “guaranteed national income”[3] is geared ...
Fundamentalism
All three groups retain pagan notions of kingship, political domination, and coercion. All three groups reject laissez-faire capitalism and embrace state ...
Jill Lepore: Prior Convictions - The New Yorker -- An Anarcho ...
Faith answers to truth, not coercion. Reason answers to faith. Reason presupposes in faith that the mind of man was created by a reasonable Creator. ...
The War on Drugs
This is not a problem which can be solved by "getting tough" on drugs, that is, increasing government coercion and decreasing Constitutional liberties. ...
KEVIN CRAIG for Congress
True religion cannot be advanced through the use of government coercion, ..... I am not out to impose any religion on anyone using the coercive power of the ...
"True Religion"
This is why Christians demanded the First Amendment: they wanted these disagreements to be worked out without government coercion. ...
Welfare and Charity
In the days following the terrorism of 9-11, Americans showed themselves to be charitable beyond measure, without government coercion. ...
Education
... and because parents should have authority to choose the education their children will receive, government coercion is inappropriate. ...
Controlling Pornography
MORALITY AND CULTURE How to End Pornography Without Government Coercion ... by pro-porn forces: the 90% have been subtly coerced into silence and inaction. ...
The Supreme Court's War on God
But nobody in this case was coerced. No denomination was favored over any other ..... The "psychological coercion test" gives a lone atheist the right to ...
National Service
Social order is neither created nor maintained by the coercive apparatus of "organized government." Social order is not the result of threats and negative ...
Missouri Farm Bureau Platform and "Liberty Under God" -- Table of ...
Every attempt to achieve a short-term objective by resorting to government coercion, regulation or subsidy is a move toward Socialism and away from the ...
Euthanasia
Family members should be free to deal with the dying without government threats and coercion. But their decisions should be informed by a Christian ...
Police
The police whose voices are heard on the tape are using the power of the sword -- coercion and violence -- to make an arrest in the "War on Drugs. ...
Gambling
... tax dollars studying the already-documented effects of gambling; not do anything to attempt to eliminate gambling by coercion or threats of violence ...
Ozarks Virtual Town Hall - October 20, 2007
It is coercion and compulsion based on threats of violence. One way we are practicing cooperative conservation is through our efforts to preserve our ...
Missouri Farm Bureau - Welfare
It will never be solved by a government that claims to be "secular," short of massive enslavement and coercion. We believe our current system discourages ...
Missouri Farm Bureau - Natural Resources
As long as "incentives" are not funded by federal coercion. We believe that state and local agencies should be allowed to assume the job of assessing the ...
"Founding Presidents Not Christian"??
What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. And to support roguery and error all over the ...
Congressman Ron Paul on Abortion
... contained in the PATRIOT Act. HR 10 characterizes terrorism as acts intended “to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion. ...
Why I am Running
Because the education of children is intensely personal and inescapably value-laden, government coercion is inappropriate. Atheists should not be taxed to ...
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
... confiscating money for war-making from Americans using government force and coercion, government should confiscate money for welfare appropriations. ...
Intellectual Property
... What's Wrong with Forced Disclosure? "Against Intellectual Property" • Against Intellectual Property • Intellectual Property Without Coercion ...