It’s not about politics, it’s about principles

(Don’t miss the video – scroll down to see it)

No matter what your political position may be, there are fundamental principles at the root of it all.  The challenge is in identifying the principle.  But once identified, the correct position (which aligns you with universal law) becomes more clear.

One position believes in the unlimited human potential – that no matter what causes a person to struggle, that person has within him or herself the power to rise above it, and through the struggle, that person can and will become stronger and better.

The other position believes that humanity at large is NOT made up of people smart enough to solve their own problems, and that it’s NOT okay to let people suffer the consequences of natural law when it is within a person’s or a nation’s power to give them an escape.  It’s a position that says it is inhumane to allow anyone to feel the pain that naturally accompanies the violation of principle, and that it is not charitable or Christian to do so.

It’s an honorable concern.

But the principle upon which the whole conflict rests runs deeper than many good-hearted philanthropists realize.

For the fundamental principle that guides all of my political views, read my previous post: “Voting for Broccoli

Now, about the Immigration issue in America… Mexico’s president Calderon addressed Congress and while his comments seemed to be popular among the leftists, this response from Tom McClintock embodies the principles of prosperity and personal freedom, no matter what country you’re from.  My response to his response follows. Watch the video first, and then read on:

People forget that there are fundamental principles that promote freedom and liberty. All the people of the world want freedom, but until they recognize, acknowledge, and abide by the correct principles that lay the foundation for their freedom, it will continue to elude them.

I don’t want to hear from someone who has not proven his political theories. Show me what it is about Mexico that should cause me to adopt Calderon’s philosophies? If Mexico were a thriving economic place where people wanted to live, then I’d listen to what he has to say about how to create a great nation. I think it would do HIM well to read the constitution and find out the principles upon which this nation was founded, and why his people want to run across our borders.

Don’t get me wrong; I welcome ALL who want to adopt the principles that make our country great. Adopt the principles if you physically come to America, or adopt the principles in your own country.  Either way, they hold the key to personal freedom no matter where you live.  If a person is determined to come, let them respect the principles that promote and protect freedom.

I should also add here that not all Americans live up to their claim to freedom. Whether a person lives free or not depends on how aligned that person’s life is with the universal principles of freedom.

No matter what country a person lives in, personal freedom begins with a shift toward adopting true principles. Just because a person makes it across the borders without getting caught does not mean they will live a life of freedom. I’m talking about true freedom.

For example, few people will ever know the true freedom that Victor Frankl discovered when he sat in a German concentration camp. He realized that no matter what anyone did to him, they could never control his thoughts. That was the one last freedom that could never be taken from him.

That’s where it begins. It begins in the mind.

First, become the master of your thoughts and learn to respond to your conditions rather than react, and in time, life as you know it can no longer contain you, and ways open up for you to find better conditions.

Don’t cheat the process. Commit to principle and allow God to lead the way. Either the way opens up that brings you to America, or you discover that what you really want can be created right where you are.

Anything is possible – it’s THAT very belief that defines the American dream. As soon as people of other countries who want to live in America start believing it seriously enough, they’ll find that the principle is true universally, not not just within our borders.

It’s not about politics, it’s about principles.

For help creating more family time and money freedom right where you are, join me in the School of Life Mastery.

Leslie Householder
Latest posts by Leslie Householder (see all)

67 Responses

  1. I’d like to respond to Amy with an excerpt from something that was emailed to me last week (modified a bit to bring in the Universal law point):

    Let’s say I break into your house. Let’s say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, ‘No! I like it here. It’s better than my house. I’ve made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

    According to the protesters:

    You are Required to let me stay in your house
    You are Required to feed me
    You are Required to add me to your family’s insurance plan
    You are Required to Educate my kids
    You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family (my husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).

    If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there.

    It’s only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house and what a deal it is for me!!!

    I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.

    _____

    Now, I recognize that the homeowner may want the intruder out because of a sense of fear and scarcity. After all, Universal law would say that there’s enough for everyone in your house, right?

    But that’s not what the Universal law states. It states that there’s more than enough in the Universe for everyone, and that if the resources ever truly ran out, more would be created from the same original substance from which all things are made.

    So people must create their ideal life in their own space right where they are.

    They should build their own house instead of breaking into your house. If they prefer to join you in your house, they should knock on the door and behave as a guest until they’ve pulled their weight, earned your trust, learned your house rules, and waited patiently and respectfully until you’ve invited them to stay as part of your family.

  2. Well stated..

    I have spent time in Central America and saw first hand that those who found that happiness comes from within and “discovered that what you really want can be created right where you are.” became truly happy and chose to stay and make their countries better.

    Unfortunately I also observed those whose desired a quick fix always thought that if they could just get to the United States all of their problems would go away.

    The most fascinating part to me was how quick the “quick fixers” were to criticize and condemn those who found happiness from within. And how often the “quick fixers” undermined and made very difficult the work of those who had a vision for a better tomorrow by applying correct principles and universal laws.

    If only the “quick fixers” could come to realize that “Freedom” like you stated “Begins in the mind. First, become the master of your thoughts and learn to respond to your conditions rather than react, and in time, life as you know it can no longer contain you, and ways open up for you to find better conditions.”

  3. I wonder, what would have happened to the first Europeans that tried to inhabit this continent of North America, if they had to go through an immigration system set up by the Native Americans that the Europeans could not afford to pay for because the price was too high? With that struggle, do you think they would go back to their oppressed land? They would do exactly what they did and take over the land and kill all thoses that stand in their way (Which happened without an immigration system by the way).

    I am from another country and doubt that I would ever become an American citizen because I LOVE MY COUNTRY TOO MUCH. I believe that America may not be perfect but it is the best country on planet earth ;-). I have recently became a legal permanant residant and I am excited to add to this country. But during the process of becoming legal and watching this immigration issue in AZ, I realize that unlike my home country, I can easily save my money to become a legal citizen if I wanted to, not everyone can do that in every country.

    My real question, as I eluded to in the begining, is that if the Mexicans are doing the same thing as the “original Americans”, in my opinion are they not like the first Americans that so many praise today???

  4. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it is moral or based on true principles.

    Many laws have been on the books and are legal but immoral. What about the extermination order against the Mormons in Missouri. It was legal to kill a Mormon so people should have done it? I guess the Mormons attracted that. Lynching was legal in the south along with a multitude of Jim Crow laws. I guess the blacks should have simply obeyed the law rather than break it by sitting in the front of a bus.

    Before we declare that people must uphold the law we should ask if it is a good law. Our current immigration system is neither good law nor based on correct principles. It is based on scarcity and fear.

  5. Another comment I would like to make is that MANY people are in agreement with the Arizona Law. Mainstream media and the Obama administration would like us to “think” that most of the country is against it. However, that is NOT the case if one does their research. The majority is in favor of it.

    And the big idea that is being touted by the media is that it is just wrong to ask someone for their “papers” and is reticent of Nazi Germany. But consider this: If I get stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation, the first thing he says to me is, “License and registration, please”. That is “asking me for my papers”.

    Also, if one does their research they will find that the Federal Immigration Law is even stricter than the Arizona Law!! If people would take the time to read it, they would find that in the Federal Law a person can be stopped “without cause” and asked to present their papers. The Arizona Law require that there be a “cause” for someone to be stopped, like a traffic violation, or a tail-light out, or brake lights that don’t work, speeding, or drunk driving.

    People should educate themselves rather than be “blown about by every wind of doctrine”.

    Thanks again,

    Lynn

  6. Thank you, Leslie, for speaking out so boldly. I have talked to several people in the last couple of weeks who don’t want to discuss the issue with me until they find out that I actually applaud the Arizona law and encourage other states to do the same. We are speaking up as a nation to take our country back. And I believe the elections in November will show that.

    So thank you for your post.

    Lynn

  7. I’m not sure how I feel about illegal immigration, but I know that I definitely do not agree with racial profiling. If we are going to secure our borders, then we should secure ALL of our borders. It seems that many people are focused on Mexico but have forgotten about our Northern borders. I am located in the Northeast and there are more illegal immigrants here from Asia, Italy, Russia, Poland, and France. They are very open about it and ICE has never bothered to target them.

    I think ALL illegal immigrants should be treated the same. I don’t believe there should be disparate treatment based on skin color or country of origin. Besides, if the Native Americans had closed the borders to everyone, where would we be? When I think about our treatment of Native Americans both in the past and present (and no, I am not a native), I wonder about this country’s origins. It almost seems hypocritical in a way to say we’ll only let some in but not others or we’ll allow some to stay illegally but not others. If everyone is treated the same way, I don’t think people would have as much of a problem with Arizona’s new law. The issue seems to be that not everyone has been or will be treated the same way.

    I just don’t want this to be a situation where there are detention centers within our borders filled with innocent people who look a certain way like in the 1940s. I read recently that even American citizens are being held in these detention centers for no other reason than racial profiling. It takes months to go through the process to verify citizenship. I couldn’t imagine having to be in jail knowing that I did nothing wrong and waiting for a day in court that could take months to come just to prove something that I already know to be true. What would happen to my family during that time if I were the sole provider?

    I don’t believe the Arizona law is in line with universal principles. But, then again, there are many man-made laws that I feel the same way about. I think God created our world without “borders” for all of us to freely enjoy and live to our fullest potential. It seems that when we as humans created these borders for power and financial pursuits and not true freedom, we ruined it for ourselves. As for illegal immigration, I do hope that the situation is resolved peacefully and those who are undocumented will just apply for the documents that they need to become visa holders, permanent residents or US citizens.

  8. Dear Leslie and all,
    Unfortunately I could not watch the video as my bandwith is too narrow but I would like to put a clear understanding of the whole issue.
    1) President of Mexico is telling the Congress something about illigal immigrants and one Senator is responding…
    2) A lot of people are talking about principles… american principles or universal principles?
    3) We need to define where the principles come from… We tend to forget that Texas was a mexican region not so long ago.
    4) We feel to tell everyone in the world how to live (american way) and if they do not agree well they are enemies.
    5) We have not learned anything from Vietnam? or that also is a distant past?
    6) we have learned anything from Iraq? or that is a sore point?
    7) I believe that in every action is a reaction equal and contrary if I allied force to it (see Dr. Hawkins from Arizona in Power vs Force).
    For sure everyone that wish to live in a community need to follow the rules of that community and if they do not UNDERSTAND the rules we have to teach them not with force but with education.
    Best regards.

  9. Every Mexican illegal border invader should be jailed. If he/she is being employed by USA company, it should be heavily fined and ordered to pay for the upkeep of the jailed border invader and eventual repatriation. If that border invader is employed by a US citizen in any capacity – he/she should also be jailed and ordered to pay the costs of repatriation.
    If there was no employment or means of sustenance in the USA – Mexicans would stay in Mexico.
    Maybe an interim measure would be to close the border to both USA citizens and Mexicans. Institute a 24hr curfew – the breaking of which would be to invite a bullet.

  10. Thank you Leslie for your comments and presentation of this topic. I appreciate this because so often we go through our lives thinking that we are alone in our opinions. When we are seperated from other like minded people we think we are weak and that we might be the only one that feels a certain way. By your expressions we are allowed to see the unification of all of us that are normally silent. This is important and vital to this great country we legally live in. Thank you for speaking out and helping us become aware.

  11. While I agree with the principles in the Arizona law and think that anyone who comes here illegal risks being deported back to his native land, I do not agree with our immigration laws. They are laws of man and not based on natural law. I encourage anyone who sees the issue as, come legal or stay out, to read the immigration laws of this country. Most people from Mexico would never qualify to enter this country because they do not have a family member who could petition for them or the amount of education required for a specialized worker visa. That is why they come illegal. There is no other way. How do I know this? While I am a native American I am married to an immigrant. He came to the United States legally 15 years ago and is now an American Citizen. Since marrying him I have lived next to, attended church with, and associated with many illegal aliens. Many of them are law abiding citizens. They pay taxes, work hard, and blend in. They would gladly become legal American citizens and do what Pres. Roosevelt asked if only given the chance.

  12. Tom McClintock is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Arizona should be applauded and copied, not attacked. If the federal government was meeting it’s responsibility regarding protecting our borders, the state would not have to.

    I worked with an illegal from Guatemala who passed through Mexico on his way to the USA. They traveled through Mexico hidden in the back of a truck, literally getting what drinking water they could from puddles in the road whenever the truck would stopped. He informed me that Mexico is much harsher on illegal immigrants than is the US.

    Like Mr. McClintock says, Mexico wants to lecture us, but has a different standard for itself.

    The US – like any other country – has the right to decide who immigrates. Anyone who want to retain allegiance to Mexico or any other country, or comes here to commit crime, need not apply.

  13. Luciano, I wasn’t entirely clear whether you were saying that you, as a law of attraction teacher, do not get involved in this kind of dialogue, or whether you were suggesting that I, as a law of attraction teacher should not get involved…

    One thing I will say is that a long time ago, one of my mentors advised me to stay neutral on such issues so as not to offend a potential customer. I followed that advice for quite a while, mostly because I genuinely wanted to reach the widest audience possible with the true, life-changing principles that changed my life so dramatically in the year 2000.

    There was also a time when I bit my tongue about political issues – and many teachers do, out of concern that they may become unpopular with certain listeners. But personally, I feel it’s more important for me to join the discussion than to worry about whether it will make me unpopular.

    In truth, politics is a perfectly applicable discussion on the theme of principles of prosperity, because there are political principles that promote personal freedom. Citizens in a republic need to voice their opinion, or they have no right to complain about the outcome.

    In this and other great debates, the fundamental principles are often clouded over in the tangle of emotions and personal interests. But regardless of what you or I think, the closer a government comes to adopting a set of laws that support and align with natural universal law, the more prosperous that country will be. The more an individual identifies, lives, and promotes legislation that align with natural universal law, the more they are fulfilling their duty as a citizen of their country. I don’t know if you (Luciano) are a citizen of the United States, but if you are, it is not just your right, but it is your duty to speak your mind – be involved in the voting process – about political issues.

    I believe the Constitution of the United States of America was an inspired document. The founding fathers were in tune with universal principles, and while “people” are not perfect, and governments have their flaws, the Constitution has been the main factor in America’s prosperity over the last 200+ years because of its alignment with natural law. When our leaders have veered from its principles, they’ve steered us toward trouble – leaders on both sides of the party line.

    Anyway, I appreciate everyone’s respectful comments. It’s okay to disagree with each other. But above all, let’s remember this: You can’t break a natural law, you can only break yourself against it.

  14. Greetings, My take is a little different in that I don’t see citizenship as the issue to debate about. To me it’s a no-brainer that people who want to come here should go through the proper channels to do so. The issue is whether or not Arizona should have taken it upon itself to create a new law since it felt that the Government wasn’t doing it’s job to protect Arizona. Again, to me a no-brainer.

    Here in America we don’t get to do what we want whenever we feel the Government isn’t addressing our issues. Just like those people Leslie spoke of earlier, who shouldn’t complain that the process to become a citizen is to expensive or hard. We who already are citizens shouldn’t complain about those things that are not perfect about America either.

    We can go through the necessary channels to get our laws upheld, especially if they are already on the books!!!! We do not have to violate anybody’s rights to make sure this is done. We should never expect more from people outside of our borders than we expect from the people inside. Both sides on the immigration issue can bicker until the cows come home.

    It won’t change the simple fact that we should never consider taking away the freedoms we all enjoy just because there are some who choose to abuse them. We don’t do this for people who commit crimes that are Americans, so why do it for people we suspect are not? This is about us as Americans believing-in and supporting all of the laws as a whole and not just the ones that we agree with.

    Humanity trumps citizenship, especially when you don’t even know that a crime has been committed. To stop people and ask to see their papers is not humane. It resonates of an era long past that I’m sure we all hoped would never appear again. But it’s true that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it Respect to all. ONE-LOVE, Rasta

  15. It’s unfortunate that the country we all live in and enjoy freedom in are having such a strong conflict on this issue. I have recently moved to Arizona. I believe that if you want to live in the greatest country in the world you should do it legally. I have a son in law who came here illegally. I am happy to say that it was important to him to become a US citizen. He is a US citizen, a business owner now and is proud to me in the US. The state of Arizona and the entire country for that matter can’t withstand the crime, the state funds depletion. Something needs to be done. There are 13 other states that are now considering adding the same law to their state.
    I don’t have sympathy for the people that are here illegally that are afraid of being caught and sent back to Mexico. Some of the people have lived here for years. Why haven’t they become citizens? It’s too bad it has come to this but here we are, let’s fix this problem.

  16. The “horse is out of the barn”: our immigration rules have been ignored for years. Immigrants whether citizens or not have “rights”. The press usually forgets to use the word “ILLEGAL” claiming that “thousands came out in support of immigrants”.

    When working in a medical office I once asked a man who presented a MediCal card if I could see his ID. (supposedly a standard procedure although I guess, most medical secretaries IGNORE the rule, thus encouraging FRAUD.) He said he didn’t understand and I asked him if he drove to the doctor’s. He said yes. I asked if he had a driver’s license. He became furious and left the office. So — illegal or not, ID or not, he had a MediCal card in his possession. Another patient (from India) presented his MediCal card and proudly stated that in India he is a MILLIONAIRE but India would not allow him to take his money out of their banking system. So here on visa, that patient uses MediCal. There are other costs to tax payers that rarely get mentioned: Our own laws REQUIRE about 50 LANGUAGES to be provided in any hospital and I assume hospitals or tax payers must absorb those costs. Meanwhile, Americans born and raised here lose their houses, savings, and assets if they can’t afford insurance. It all feels backwards.

    Thanks for the video of McClintock. I sometimes disagree with him but not on this one. Our own government has failed to uphold our laws and protect our values – the issue of language and assimilation is incredibly important. I have IMMIGRANT FRIENDS who are wonderful citizens and came through LEGALLY, learned ENGLISH and work, pay taxes, etc. For them, I hope we straighten out these problems so that an “Immigrant” is revered and appreciated because they contribute much and teach us so much. Until we have a world without borders the U.S. must take care of it’s own and uphold regulations. How many government employees get pensions after years of not doing their jobs? Could you run a business that way? Where does the buck stop????

  17. Amen! It’s refreshing to finally see someone elected to Congress speaking out for the principles that our country and constitution were established to protect.

  18. Leslie, Dear Leslie: Have you ever investigated your gov. principles? Have you ever gone around diferent countries and check what kind of principles your gov. uses? Granted this is your country, your state, your land, your house; your everything, so you have all the right to hate illegals. But do you know who pushes illegals towards U.S.A.? When you talk about principles, [I’m not against principles]; did you go back when this all started and checked the reasons and principles of the people that started illegal immigration here and abroad? Do you know that if tomorrow would arise the need for more [cheap working forces] illegals, very quietly your government will aloud it; will stop enforcing the laws, even if you don’t like it, even if you protest it; with or without PRINCIPLES! This is a very long and complicated theme. GOD bless you.

  19. Marwan,

    Thank you for your comments. I agree, the process may seem insurmountable to do it legally. That’s why I’ve dedicated my life to helping people accomplish their dreams, no matter how insurmountable they are, no matter how expensive they are, no matter how impossible they seem.

    If a person needs money, they can apply the principles of success to obtain that money. I’m not saying it will happen overnight, because it most probably will not. My husband and I struggled desperately for 7 years to even just get a small piece of the “American dream”. We sacrificed, toiled, studied, worked, invested what little time and what little money we had before we figured it out. We’re still figuring it out. Goal by goal we’re accomplishing our ideal life – and our life’s journey won’t end until we’re 6 feet under.

    One thing I know for sure, because I’ve proven it for myself time and time again, is that a way eventually opens up when a person is absolutely 100% committed to discovering that way.

    I make no apology that the process to become a citizen may be expensive. I honestly think it should be difficult to achieve, if for no other reason than to give due respect for the lives of those who died defending our freedoms. It was expensive for those soldiers who spent their blood to preserve our nation. The mothers, fathers, wives and children of those soldiers also paid dearly for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy.

    The person who comes out at the end of the citizenship-gaining process is someone who has put themselves to the test and proven that they can succeed at whatever they put their mind to. That’s the spirit of America – it’s also the spirit that has died within many American citizens who have given up on their dreams and who have relinquished themselves to a life of mediocrity.

    It’s sad to me when people who want to be a citizen complain that the process is “expensive”, “inconvenient”, or too “hard”. Anyone who truly understands our history and appreciates our freedoms would not dare complain that their journey to be a part of this great nation might be difficult.

    I invite everyone to read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE) and then tell me it’s impossible for a person to find the money they need to patiently and persistently go through the process of becoming a citizen, if that is their dream.

    As for profiling, I can appreciate your complaint. I was a redhead at my elementary school in the 1970s. There were no other minorities to speak of where I lived at the time, and since kids seem to have a need to pick on SOMEone, in my world, it was the redheads. Also, I was one of very few Caucasians in a region on the other side of the world for 4 years as a ‘tween. I got the catcalls at the market, the looks, the condescending remarks…

    And yet I still assert that no matter what happens to you, YOU are the only person to decide how it will affect you.

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