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Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving's real meaning.
The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.
The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.
In his 'History of Plymouth Plantation,' the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with "corruption," and with "confusion and discontent." The crops were small because "much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable."
In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, "all had their hungry bellies filled," but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first "Thanksgiving" was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.
But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, "instead of famine now God gave them plenty," Bradford wrote, "and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God." Thereafter, he wrote, "any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day." In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?
After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, "they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop." They began to question their form of economic organization.
This had required that "all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means" were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, "all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock." A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.
This "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that "young men that are most able and fit for labor and service" complained about being forced to "spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children." Also, "the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak." So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.
Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, established in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called "The Starving Time," the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.
Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was "plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure." He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, "we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now."
Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for the same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also t hose who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverance's and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
President Abraham Lincoln (R) Illinois
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also t hose who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverance's and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
President Abraham Lincoln (R) Illinois
Message from Charlie Baker
As we all pause to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family - and maybe attend a high school football game or two - I wanted to say, "THANKS!" Your help, enthusiasm, and support make a very big difference, and I really appreciate it.
The campaign itself continues to roll on, gathering momentum and excitement every day. We've done dozens upon dozens of events all across the state - Hyannis, Worcester, Reading, Grafton, Lynnfield, Quincy, Auburn, Topsfield, Salem, Boston, Plymouth, Milton, Lexington, Springfield, Cambridge, and Swampscott(!) - to name just a few. Our base of support continues to grow, as more people sign on every day, coming to events, volunteering their time and making donations - big and small.
We were also pleased by the crowd we managed to turn out a couple of weeks ago at the Plymouth County Republican event in Rockland. The room was packed - overflowing, actually - and many terrific Republican candidates and office holders had a chance to speak to the crowd (including me). I'm also pleased to say that we won the first straw poll of this very young campaign season that night, besting our Republican primary opponent Christy Mihos.
Yesterday, we received another big boost, as State Senator Richard Tisei joined our team as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. I couldn't be more excited to have Richard on board. He has a proven record as a fiscal conservative and a state government reformer. He is a serious, principled public servant who is not afraid to take on the status quo. When other legislators and politicians on Beacon Hill were debating the merits of making the Fluffernutter the state sandwich, Richard was shouting from the rooftops about the need to get wasteful spending under control. With his experience, I know that our team will be ready to govern from Day One.
I've also had a chance to visit with some of this state's job creators - from Chicopee to Burlington to New Bedford - and a bunch of other places in between. We've heard wonderful stories about family run businesses, small manufacturers, and assorted other Massachusetts success stories along the way. Unfortunately, I've also been hearing about the damage the policies of the Patrick Administration have done to our state's economy. I continue to be amazed by the way the Patrick Administration is approaching the fiscal and economic challenges facing the Commonwealth. Many of the small manufacturers I've met with say the state is targeting small manufacturers for tax audits, and several told me they spent days justifying their accounting policies and tax filings, with very small amounts of money under review. One told me that a three day review translated into less than $500 in additional tax payments. These small businesspeople added that they tell their suppliers, customers and colleagues the same thing they told me - that Massachusetts is a lousy state to be in if you run a small business.Maybe the Patrick Administration needs to crack the tax audit whip at small, manufacturing businesses that have been employing people in Massachusetts for dozens of years to pay for the millions of dollars the state is giving to one solar panel manufacturing company that's currently moving most of its manufacturing activity to China.
Along these lines, I hear a lot from the Patrick Administration about their "values." The implication is that they have good values, while others - maybe guys like me and Richard - do not. From what I've seen, their values consist of spending more money than they have and making up the difference by raiding the Rainy Day fund, increasing taxes, cutting local aid, and slashing funding to programs for the most vulnerable, like the homeless.Here are some of our values:
The campaign itself continues to roll on, gathering momentum and excitement every day. We've done dozens upon dozens of events all across the state - Hyannis, Worcester, Reading, Grafton, Lynnfield, Quincy, Auburn, Topsfield, Salem, Boston, Plymouth, Milton, Lexington, Springfield, Cambridge, and Swampscott(!) - to name just a few. Our base of support continues to grow, as more people sign on every day, coming to events, volunteering their time and making donations - big and small.
We were also pleased by the crowd we managed to turn out a couple of weeks ago at the Plymouth County Republican event in Rockland. The room was packed - overflowing, actually - and many terrific Republican candidates and office holders had a chance to speak to the crowd (including me). I'm also pleased to say that we won the first straw poll of this very young campaign season that night, besting our Republican primary opponent Christy Mihos.
Yesterday, we received another big boost, as State Senator Richard Tisei joined our team as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. I couldn't be more excited to have Richard on board. He has a proven record as a fiscal conservative and a state government reformer. He is a serious, principled public servant who is not afraid to take on the status quo. When other legislators and politicians on Beacon Hill were debating the merits of making the Fluffernutter the state sandwich, Richard was shouting from the rooftops about the need to get wasteful spending under control. With his experience, I know that our team will be ready to govern from Day One.
I've also had a chance to visit with some of this state's job creators - from Chicopee to Burlington to New Bedford - and a bunch of other places in between. We've heard wonderful stories about family run businesses, small manufacturers, and assorted other Massachusetts success stories along the way. Unfortunately, I've also been hearing about the damage the policies of the Patrick Administration have done to our state's economy. I continue to be amazed by the way the Patrick Administration is approaching the fiscal and economic challenges facing the Commonwealth. Many of the small manufacturers I've met with say the state is targeting small manufacturers for tax audits, and several told me they spent days justifying their accounting policies and tax filings, with very small amounts of money under review. One told me that a three day review translated into less than $500 in additional tax payments. These small businesspeople added that they tell their suppliers, customers and colleagues the same thing they told me - that Massachusetts is a lousy state to be in if you run a small business.Maybe the Patrick Administration needs to crack the tax audit whip at small, manufacturing businesses that have been employing people in Massachusetts for dozens of years to pay for the millions of dollars the state is giving to one solar panel manufacturing company that's currently moving most of its manufacturing activity to China.
Along these lines, I hear a lot from the Patrick Administration about their "values." The implication is that they have good values, while others - maybe guys like me and Richard - do not. From what I've seen, their values consist of spending more money than they have and making up the difference by raiding the Rainy Day fund, increasing taxes, cutting local aid, and slashing funding to programs for the most vulnerable, like the homeless.Here are some of our values:
- I believe that Beacon Hill's inability to solve the fiscal crisis is driving away employers, jobs and families. We need more of all three.
- I believe the state should share the pain. Cities and towns are cutting wages, furloughing workers, freezing new hires, and renegotiating collective bargaining agreements. This is not the time to be cutting local aid.
- I believe state government should be re-structured before it cuts one more program that supports some of the state's most vulnerable residents.
- believe people who pay their taxes and play by the rules deserve a responsive, affordable, accountable state government. State government works for the people of Massachusetts, and not the other way around.
Over the next eleven months, Richard and I will be offering our values as an alternative to the Democratic "values" of spending money you don't have to pay for programs you don't need. We are confident that the people of Massachusetts share our values, and not theirs.
One last thought - you were probably one of the first to hear that Richard had joined our team yesterday, either by email or on Facebook or Twitter. We spread the word that way - and we're emailing you this way today - because we believe the internet is a vital tool for establishing a real dialogue between us and you. As we continue our journey, we welcome your questions, your concerns and your suggestions.
Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday break. Go Big Blue!
Charlie Baker
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Republican Christmas Party
Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theater
194 Main Street Amesbury
Thursday, December 10th
6:30pm-11:00pm
“Dinner”
“Entertainment”
“Raffle”
“Toys for Tots Drive”
All Area GOP committee members are INVITED!
$30.00 per Person
*Payable to the Newburyport Republican Committee
Menu Choices
Sliced Roast Beef
Sliced Roast Pork
Baked Haddock
Stuffed Chicken Breast
*Please include menu choice with rsvp
Rsvp before December 5th to
Larry Giunta @ 978-265-0597 or newburyportrepublican@gmail.com
194 Main Street Amesbury
Thursday, December 10th
6:30pm-11:00pm
“Dinner”
“Entertainment”
“Raffle”
“Toys for Tots Drive”
All Area GOP committee members are INVITED!
$30.00 per Person
*Payable to the Newburyport Republican Committee
Menu Choices
Sliced Roast Beef
Sliced Roast Pork
Baked Haddock
Stuffed Chicken Breast
*Please include menu choice with rsvp
Rsvp before December 5th to
Larry Giunta @ 978-265-0597 or newburyportrepublican@gmail.com
Monday, November 23, 2009
Newburyport Charter Commission Meeting
Will be holding their next meeting on 11/24 at 7 p.m. at City Hall's Auditorium.
The public is most welcome to attend.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Go Directly to Jail
Nancy Pelosi has strong-armed her health care control bill through the U.S. House. She accomplished this feat by a margin of 3 votes, 220-215 (218 needed for passage). A lone Republican, Rep. Cao of New Orleans, who doesn't seem to understand the concepts of limited government or individual liberty, voted for passage. Considering the narrowness of the vote, President Obama's intervention proved decisive. He rallied wavering Democrats by referring to opponents of nationalized health care as "teabag, anti-government extremists." So much for the promise of a unifying, post-partisan presidency, but I digress.
As for the bill itself. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the true 10-year cost is almost $3 trillion. Remember, to disguise the impact on our national debt, the bill starts taxing right away, but doesn't start spending until 2014. The bill increases taxes by $1.2 trillion and cuts Medicare and Medicaid spending by $628 billion. Seniors can decide for themselves if these cuts will lead to rationed care.
The bill also imposes a federal mandate to purchase insurance. Every American will be required to buy "acceptable health insurance coverage"; the CBO projects the cheapest family plan will cost $15,000 in 2016. The plan does provide subsidies, but those are likely to disappear when the costs explode. So many Americans will be forced to buy insurance they can't afford or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of their income. What happens to those Americans who can't afford to pay the fine because they are trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table? They can be sent to prison. From H.R. 3962: Section 7203 — misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Section 7201 — felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.
The Democrats in Congress have decided they know what's best for America. It's either follow their rules or go to prison. Hardworking Americans deserve a better choice.
Paul Breau
Newburyport
As for the bill itself. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the true 10-year cost is almost $3 trillion. Remember, to disguise the impact on our national debt, the bill starts taxing right away, but doesn't start spending until 2014. The bill increases taxes by $1.2 trillion and cuts Medicare and Medicaid spending by $628 billion. Seniors can decide for themselves if these cuts will lead to rationed care.
The bill also imposes a federal mandate to purchase insurance. Every American will be required to buy "acceptable health insurance coverage"; the CBO projects the cheapest family plan will cost $15,000 in 2016. The plan does provide subsidies, but those are likely to disappear when the costs explode. So many Americans will be forced to buy insurance they can't afford or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of their income. What happens to those Americans who can't afford to pay the fine because they are trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table? They can be sent to prison. From H.R. 3962: Section 7203 — misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Section 7201 — felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.
The Democrats in Congress have decided they know what's best for America. It's either follow their rules or go to prison. Hardworking Americans deserve a better choice.
Paul Breau
Newburyport
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse
At the Byfield Community Arts Center
Friday, November 20
FIRST COFFEEHOUSE PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON – YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!!featuring:Michelle Lewis Ian Fitzgerald
Doors 7:30pm / Show 8:00pm
Tickets $5.00 available at the door
Refreshments, including beer & wine will be served
7 Central St – Byfield, MA
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