Brexit

This whole issue of the UK leaving the EU presents some interesting ideas that may be more viable than they otherwise would have appeared.  The United Kingdom might no longer be very "united" if Scotland and Northern Ireland vote to separate from them.  Other countries might leave the EU as well.  But the more interesting application is in the US.  Although many state constitutions reserve that right, there are no written rules at the federal level for how a state withdraws from the union.  There was a proposed constitutional amendment in 1860 to ban withdrawing, implying that it would otherwise be allowed.  But the Civil War laid the issue to rest at the time, establishing very strong precedent against it.  So how would it have to happen now?

I have long thought that it would be wise for each state legislature to ratify a constitutional amendment to allow states to withdraw after a percentage (50/60/66/75 take your choice) vote of the population and/or legislature.  Even if the states involved had no plan to actually withdraw, it would give them leverage when negotiating with the federal government, and curb the unhindered expansion of federal power.  Once 75% percent of the legislatures had ratified it, it would be law without involving Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court.  It would bypass all of the DC gridlock, and return power to the states.  The first step in that process is a Convention of States, which is currently being actively pursued by certain political groups.  The only reason state legislatures might hesitate to ratify that amendment (which gives them more power and leverage against the Federal government) is that they might fear other states actually leaving, and weakening the remaining union.  But I see no other way of reversing the exponential increase of federal government expansion and intrusion, short of revolution or civil war, which I believe is best to avoid.

The Illusion of Security

I am not overly security conscious.  I don't lock my house unless I am going to be gone for a while, and only recently got used to my wife locking the doors at night.  My shop is even more rarely locked, although I used to secure it more, a habit I developed while the property was unoccupied.  But after a recent theft of my tools, I am re-evaluating those procedures, and will obviously lockup more.  But I am very conscious of the possibility of over reacting to that unfortunate turn of events.  I have heard suggestions for cameras, alarm systems, stronger doors and gates, and a guard dog.  I might even go the dog route, but security wouldn't be the primary reason.

The opposite end of the spectrum from me not locking the doors are people who feel naked without a gun on their person, and sleep with it next to them.  This is clearly a manifestation of fear.  Now for some people, that fear may be justified.  A long career spent locking up criminals is bound to make enemies who are real threats to your safety.  But other people without those risks who are at the same level of alert and security are suffering from an unhealthy level of fear, and I want to be conscious about not heading down that road.  Physical security is not too different from financial security, in that it is mostly an illusion, and you will never feel like you have enough unless you define that threshold ahead of time.  Look at people stockpiling guns and ammunition.  I fully support their right to do that, but past a certain point, it is unhealthy.

From a spiritual perspective, it is putting your faith in the wrong things, whether that is money, guns, or steel doors.  We should take basic precautions and avoid squandering our resources, as part of valuing life and the opportunities God has given to us.  But there has to be a point where you trust God to take care of you, and that point will be different for various situations.  If someone lives in Africa, maybe a body guard is called for, while the same person wouldn't need one in Nebraska.  No amount of money is more than you could lose and no amount of security is actually going to make you "safe," in that there is always risk of something happening to you, but clearly God designed life to be that way.  We need to accept that, and trust Him, once we have taken appropriate measures to take care of ourselves and our family.