It was in the eighth grade when I moved from Santa to Christ as my main focus of Christmas. I remember well the star saturated night when the heavens overwhelmingly testified to me of God’s awesomeness. I could feel the words of my favorite Christmas carol “Silent Night” go deep into my soul as never before as I both sang and pondered its words. Perhaps it was the scenic nativity-like setting where I found myself hand-milking my neighbors cow while he was away for a week. The three-sided shed allowed my gaze into the dark but star-lit, cold, cloudless night enabling my peek into the heavens. It was Christmas Eve and I was alone with Christ. It could not have been more impressive and it was the same every night and dark morning for the week of Christmas.
The original Christmas was ALL, and only, about Christ.
I never had that experience again in the same way but I always had an intense love for the carols that spoke of His birth: “Oh Holy Night,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” and “The First Noel.” They were just different somehow—far more powerful than regular jingles. They testified of Christ as our Savior. My background was not particularly unique for the time period. Santa was there for the children but he never competed with Christ for the spotlight. The transition to Christ just increased with maturity. Years followed years, I had children and now they have children and, because of home and church the songs have passed on as they had for hundreds of years before. But, unfortunately, this does not happen for everyone.
Today the earth is still bathed with happy songs but radio stations ever more infrequently play the ageless Christ-birth songs: “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains,” “With Wondering Awe,” “Away in the Manger,” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Outdoor nativity decorations are virtually non-existent unless you make your own. Yes, we outline our homes with lights in commemoration of the season but stores have almost nothing to purchase that speaks to this Holiest Night. We have almost removed Christ—the source of all light, truth and salvation—from Christmas as we became a nation of mostly the unchurched.
There are few television shows or movies that address Nativity themes but Hollywood never really did much in this direction anyway, the “Waltons” or “Little House on the Prairie” were the exceptions, but then again that was in a past generation. There is virtually no Nativity symbolism on television programs today. Everything is “feel good,” programs like, I found my new love on Christmas, or Santa related. The Grinch or Elf may be played ten times each but still little or no attention to Christ. Yet Hallmark does give us a second Christmas season, the July reruns of forty-year-olds, mostly without kids, finding love, still, without any focus on Christ the reason for the season. It’s often pathetic in July.
Almost all references to Christ have been removed from our schools and teachers dare not encourage the singing of traditional Christmas carols, although any tune without the mention of Jesus Christ is encouraged. A culture that did not know the words of “Silent Night,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “Joy to the World,” or, “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” would have been unheard of in my day, but is the norm today. Only the churches and homes give any real exposure to Christ in Christmas, as was so for me and generations before me. Sadly some churches may give more emphasis to Santa than Christ. Neither churches nor communities have live outdoor drive-by Nativities as they once did. Christ does not mind sharing His Christmas, only the focus of it being removed from Him.
The reason for the season is Jesus Christ, that is why the event is called Christ-mas but few homes show any evidence that He is center placed. Someone once said that we are all “Inn Keepers” to the extent we allow Christ in our lives. Unfortunately “there is no room in the Inn” for too many. Most Americans consider themselves unchurched (a term for those without religious affiliation) so the incentive to read, tell, or act out the “Old Story” is mostly gone. Seemingly each generation transfers to the next, less of Christ in Christmas.
Today some few want to turn Christmas into Winter Break and Easter into Spring Break, undermining both. It is not the break they object to but the name. No one seems to object to the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, or any other holiday—only the holidays with Christ’s name associated with it. We were founded as a Christian nation; so what if some object, everyone gets the same break!! The undermining of Christ’s special day is endless and seemingly intentional for some. The consequence is an increasingly darkened world ethically and moraly.
Why not change to a traditional Christmas this Christmas season, like generations before. In your home play mostly the traditional Christ centered songs. Instead of a Santa or reindeer in your front yard, make and display a nativity scene. Take yourself or family to a church service. Find a service that will speak of that special night and rehearse the events of that most sacred event. Go caroling to shut-ins or to a nursing home. Read to your friends and loved ones on Christmas Eve the story of the birth of Jesus Christ—the one believed by all Christians to be the Savior of the world. If you have children let them act it out. Give Christ a few hours of your month. Greet everyone with Merry Christmas. You will never be sorry that you took this challenge. Then you will not be an accomplice in removing Christ from Christmas and will join those who wonder why anyone would want to.
Most will never have a special moment in a shed milking a cow on a cold, starry, night as I did as a 14 year-old boy but this same special feeling will find a way of filling every soul that will allow “room in the Inn” for Christ, just as intensely in its own way. Those with a relationship with Jesus Christ recognize it more easily than those without. The days before Christmas are the most special days in the year as though the planet had been dusted by angels. It was, and is again every year. There is noticeably more giving, sharing, kindness and sacrifice for others. Thoughts of others and gratitude fill the air. Non-Christians too benefit from this annual angel dusting.
Merry Christmas to my many appreciative readers around the world.
Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He taught history and political science from this perspective for over 30 years at Taft College. Newspapers have permission to publish this column. Read his weekly columns at, www.LibertyUnderFire.org Column # 851.
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The term "Deep State” describes the network of unelected U.S. government officials, intelligence agencies (e.g., CIA), and entrenched bureaucrats who operate behind the scenes to influence or undermine policy, particularly today under Donald Trump, but many decades old under other names. In relation to Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro's regime is portrayed as a Deep State proxy or "asset" enabling threats to U.S. interests. U.S. conservatives (e.g., MAGA) frame Venezuela as a hub for narco-terrorism, cartels, and foreign adversaries like Iran and China. Human sex trafficking long known but with children horrifyingly becoming common. Knowledge of it is largely blocked by what has been dubbed the "Worldwide Pedophile Pervert Mafia.”
The rightful winner of the July 28, 2025 Venezuelan presidential election with estimated 67% of the vote was Maria Corina Machdo. Long-termed dictator, Nicolas Maduro, with 30% refused to relinquish power. She was briefly arrested by him then released. The Free World stands with her. She “thanked the citizens who took to the streets to claim our victory on July 28th and to OWN IT!" She also was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize but feared being present to receive it. She has mostly been in hiding for her life since her victory.
Venezuela under Maduro is a "Deep State asset" from the Obama era, allegedly offshoring U.S. secrets, enabling election fraud technology via Smartmatic, created in Venezuela, to be used in several countries and in 2020 in U.S. elections installing Joe Biden. Ex-CIA Gary Berntsen and defector Hugo Carvajal (narco-trafficking guilty plea, June 2025) pushed election fraud by Smartmatic from Venezuela to Trump. Then Gen. Michael Flynn warned of Deep State false flags to drag the U.S. into ‘Vietnam 2.0’ thus urged regime change to curb China's hemispheric influence (e.g., via Cuban/Mexican proxies)” (Infowars, Dec.2025). Regime change through an honest and verifiable election (not that of 2024 lost by Maduro who reinstalled himself anyway), is seen as essential to dismantle this network, aligning with "America First" goals like border security and countering foreign influence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Maduro's regime an "illegitimate transshipment organization" for cocaine (9% of U.S. supply) and a base for the Cartel de los Soles (designated as a foreign terrorist organization, FTO, on November 24, 2025). Strikes target Tren de Aragua gang drug vessels in international waters, heading for the United States, linked to Maduro, amid a refugee crisis (8 million plus people displaced). Critics like ex-intel asset Patrick Byrne claim Venezuela's attack on the U.S. includes narco-trafficking and election meddling (Fox News Marco Rubio interview, December 3, 2025).
Rubio stated Venezuela is the "anchor" for Iran's IRGC and Hezbollah now operating from inside Venezuela, and serves as a foothold for our adversaries (Iran, China, Russia) enabling their terrorism, drone manufacturing, and financial networks to add to the Venezuela arsenal.. This ties to broader Deep State fears of Obama-era deals "offshoring" threats.
As of December 9, 2025, tensions peak with U.S. naval buildup (e.g., USS Gerald R. Ford in Caribbean) and "Southern Spear" targeting narco-infrastructure. Rubio, a board member of the International Republican Institute leads this as a "Monroe Doctrine" blow against global threats. Trump allies like General Flynn advocate forcing Maduro's flight for free elections. MAGA voices view Venezuela as a Deep State "cancer" requiring excision by its own people, not by the CIA as per pre Trump. American ships in the harbor are to encourage Maduro, who lost his recent election, to leave, the Venezuelans to insist he does, and the U.S. to demonstrate that we have the strength to eliminate his cartels at will. Trump wants the cartels afraid of us.
One other point needs emphasized. Narco boats lack any evidence of fishing. They also routinely lack a flag. “A vessel in international waters is required, under UNCOLS, to sail under the flag of a specific nation. If it doesn't, it is legally considered a stateless vessel. A stateless vessel has no right of protection, normally afforded to ships under a national flag…including immunity from interference by others states (UNCLOS Articles 92, 94, 110 and customary Maritime law). A state may stop, board, search, seize or disable a stateless vessel under UNCLOS Article 110…. War crimes require an armed conflict.” There is none. You cannot commit a war crime outside an armed conflict.
This boat and it's drug contents was vaporized in international waters off the coast of Venezuela on its way to America. Now its cocaine contents will not kill any of our youth. Blowing up theses vessels and poison contents make its street value much higher thus fewer persons will be able to purchase reducing the number poisoned by it. Narco boats routinely lack a flag which is required. “War crimes require an armed conflict between nations.” There is none. Lethal force is lawful “when a vessel …attempts to flee, poses a threat, or engages in an illicit activity such as piracy, or narcotic trafficking. Trump has not violated international law or maritime practice.
Also, “Even lethal force is lawful when a vessel refuses lawful boarding, attempts to flee, poses a threat or engages in an illicit activity such as piracy, or narcotic trafficking…. Sinking a stateless vessel is not prohibited by UNCLUS…. Many states routinely do this to drug smuggling vessels without it ever being treated as a war crime….” (X22 Reports, hereafter not cited, Ep. 3791b, Dec. 8, 2025, 36:19). Flagless boats sunk in international waters outside Venezuela, by order of Trump, are not Venezuelan boats, they are stateless boats. Trump has not violated international law or maritime practice.
Ex-Maduro Intelligence Chief, turned whistleblower, says Maduro exported gangs into the United States during the Biden's border collapse, “and has run two decades of espionage against America.” Hugo ‘Elpollo’ Carvajal “warns that Maduro's regime is not a government, but a transnational criminal cartel. He reveals Trend de Agua operatives were sent into the US during Biden's border breakdown. He says the regime treats narcotics as a strategic weapon against Americans and insists Trump was correct to confront Maduro.” (AMUSE, Ep. 3789b, Dec. 4, 2025, 24:36). Moreover, he “exposed that the CIA allegedly out sources it's election, rigging software and voting machines [Smartmatic] to multiple countries, including the US, from Venezuela” (The SCIF, Ep. 3789b, Dec. 4, 2025, 25:33).
Intel tells us Venezuela is run by the drug cartels, not really Maduro. Rumor has it that Maduro may yet turn states evidence by“releasing PROOF that Biden asked the Venezuelan government to ship Trend de Aragua drug gangs into the United States” (Tik Tok, Ep. 3787b, Dec. 2, 2025, 24:36). If that comes forth, Biden may have to stand trial for treason. It’s conceivable, but a very long shot, that Maduro may authorize Trump to bomb Venezuelan cartel's. And certainly, if asked, we will oblige and, with permission, it would not be attacking Venezuela—still not likely!
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution and a syndicated columnist on current events. Read his weekly columns at www.LibertyUnderFire.org Column #850
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I’m tired of getting half-truth stories from Deep State press outlets. Sometimes out of country sources feel more credible. The accused National Guard’s assassin Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was not just “linked” to the CIA, he worked for them full-time for at least eight years, joining them at age 15, and may be influenced still at 29. Sources agree that he was with the US military and CIA-backed units as a Afghanistan national against the Taliban which returned to power with America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan August 2021, but it was more and needs emphasis.
Two National Guardsmen Beckstrom and Wolfe lay wounded on the sidewalk surrounded by police—Beckstrom fatally. The accused National Guard’s assassin Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was not just “linked” to the CIA, he worked for them full-time for at least eight years, joining them at age 15, and may be influenced by them still at 29.
The suspect was with “the Kandahar Strike Force or ’03’ unit, one of several ‘Zero Units’ that operated alongside U.S. and other foreign forces” during our 20 year war in Afghanistan. Those who helped America became the enemy of that state, the Taliban. “These units operated as Afghan intelligence and paramilitary forces, supporting US troops throughout the long campaign against the Taliban. Trained by American special operations personnel, they conducted high risk missions, including frequent night raids.” These killed other Afghans. The CIA was waist deep in all of it. These were seldom ethical. Nothing about the CIA is particularly ethical.
“Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the units of carrying out extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate airstrikes, and multiple violations of international humanitarian law during the 2010s. Known for their covert operations, the units were described by diplomats as ‘death squads,’ according to HRW. Both the CIA and the US government have rejected these allegations.” (“‘Death Squad’ : DC Shooter Rahmanullah Lakanwal is linked to Afghanistan’s elite ‘Zero Unit’- What is it,” TimesofIndia.com, Nov. 30, 2025). Of course they would, but such clandestine “missions” were common during and since the 1961 Cuban Bay of Pigs invasion fiasco and CIA 1962 involvement in the assassinations of the ruling Diem brothers in Vietnam.
On March 26, 2025, LibertyUnderFire published “Unbelievably Most Presses Missed the Most Important JFK Assassination File Finding,” President Trump had just released 2,800 CIA secret documents known to exist but kept from the people for 62 years by previous administrations and through several JFK investigations, until all involved were unpunished and safely dead. The documents showed the Deep State CIA heavily involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Have we forgotten Trump’s released documents just last Spring? We also published “John F. Kennedy Assassination Files Revealed, A State Within a State.” That being the CIA which is at the very heart of the Deep State that Trump is presently fighting to have revealed and removed.
Continuing with Rahmanullah Lakanwal the D.C. National Guard Shooter, “Lieutenant General Sami Sadat, former commanding general of the Afghan national special operations Corps, said that Lakanwal served in the ’03’ unit for eight years. A former senior Afghan general under the US-backed government added that the ’03’ unit, also known as the Kandahar Strike Force (KSF), ‘was under the special forces director of NDS. They were the most active and professional forces, trained and equipped by the CIA. All their operations were conducted under the CIA command.” Sadat said Lakanwal was part of the units operations team. “He was known for being responsible and professional within his team and had strong anti-Taliban views, Sadat was quoted as saying by CBS news.” Consequently, “Lakanwal’s family faced serious threats from the Taliban, prompting him to move them from their native Khost province to Kabul, Sadat said. In the US, Sadat noted, Lakanwal "was generally calm and maintained a clean record, though he suffered from PTSD.
“As a member of a Zero Unit, Lakanwal would have been virtually guaranteed asylum in the US, as members of these elite forces were prime targets for Taliban retaliation after the group regained control. Many of these unit members also played crucial roles in the August 2021 evacuation from Kabul, securing guaranteed spots on flights out of Afghanistan for themselves and their families” (“‘Death Squad’ : DC Shooter Rahmanullah Lakanwal is linked to Afghanistan’s elite ‘Zero Unit’- What is it.,” TimesofIndia.com, Nov. 30, 2025).
Beckstrom and Wolfe are encircled in blue as they collapse and CIA trained Lakanwal, in red taking their lives while shouting ‘Allah Akbar’. Was this the “bloody incident” forecast by formerly CIA, now video producer and US Senator, Slotkin “that was supposed to spiral out of control starting civil war” with the National Guard already in D.C.? Perhaps!
As the Deep State has been revealed as the major threat to our Republic throughout the Biden administration and now, it has sought to accomplish two events that would erase their crimes, civil war and World War III. We have documented their intent to do this for the last four years. Trump and Putin have come together on a peace plan for Ukraine, a country that was overthrown in 2014 by the CIA and became a deep state country then. Even this is now known. There will be no world war III as they hoped. The only thing they have left to do is civil war. What if killing the guardsmen could escalate to civil war? What if this is a CIA opt for that purpose?
Consider the following, Lakanwal is a trained CIA killer. A few days before he executed National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, with reportedly two shots, one to her upper body another to her head, and shot Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, Senator Elissa Slotkin put out her video calling for insurrection. Coincidence!?! Slotkin, formerly employed by the CIA and lead instigator with her five fellow Democrat members of Congress of the "Refuse Illegal Orders" insurrection video calling upon all members of the military and intelligence community to refuse to obey what she called unlawful orders from the president.
She posted, “It’s only a matter of time before things get worse. By my estimation, we are about two weeks away from a bloody incident that spirals out of control.” (X22 Reports, Ep. 3784b, Nov. 28, 2025,30:49). Did she know this? Was this the bloody incident that was supposed to spiral out of control starting civil war with the National Guard already there? Was she letting us know they were taking this to the next level? That they would start firing on the National Guard? They want civil war! They want a shootout! Now suddenly Democrats like guns? This will fail because the rest of America have no intention of firing on the National Guard. They are us.
If unsuccessful the Deep State press will treat Lakanwal as a lone crazy gunman, and looser, like CIA trained Lee Harvey Oswald. Any other narrative, they will argue, is just conspiracy talk.
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution and a syndicated columnist on current events. Read his weekly columns at www.LibertyUnderFire.org Column #849
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The following video is a montage featuring two U.S.Senators, out of 100, Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and four House Representatives out of 435: Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA). One was a former captain in the navy, another a former CIA officer, others former veterans. Imbedded on the 90 second video they created and throughout its play was inscribed. “WE WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY signed by Sen. Elissa Slotkin former CIA officer.” All six took turns reading the script.
“Refuse Illegal Orders” video’s lead proponent Senator Elissa Slokin, a former CIA officer, says, “You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution,” but who decides what is Constitutional? The Supreme Court does or what is lawful? Congress does by the rule of law established by legislation, tested by time, known to the people, and demonstrated to be just law. There exists no place for the military or the intel community or even the individual by himself. The Democrat video is a recipe for chaos, rebellion, and treason.
The video transcript follows with this phrase repeated, “We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community who take risks each day to keep Americans safe. We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniform military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution.
Continuing, “Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. [Repeated twice by other voices of the group.] You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it's a difficult time to be a public servant, but whether you're serving in the CIA, the Army or Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical, and know that we have your back because now, more than ever, the American people need you, need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution and who we are as Americans. Don't give up. (Repeated twice by different voices). Don't give up the ship. (“Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection.” Posted by Elizabeth Staufer, Legal Insurrection, November 19, 2025). Democrats have never been strict constructionist of the Constitution or as written.
Observe that the video is a call to action by six members of Congress (out of 535, House and Senate combined) targeting two groups of people for action, 1) the military and 2) the intelligence community—the CIA, in particular, which has no internal function. Also note the present intelligence community under President Trump is revealing the crimes of the past intel community led by John Brennon, James Clapper and James Comey—the same intel leaders presently indicted for the Russia Russia Hoax—their Constitutional loyalty already in question.
And the military presently does not operate on American soil via Posse Comitatus. ICE is not a military organization. Nor is it a threat to any AMERICAN CITIZEN as claimed by Deep State media. Yes, they are deporting non-citizens illegally invading. Notice also that they identify no law that is presently violated by President Trump or that is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Nor can they! None exist! Conversely, the Supreme Court is ruling virtually every injunction made by Democrat district activist judges to be unconstitutional. These lack standing.
Still, their message had one big truth supported by MAGA. “Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear.” Yes our laws are very clear, put in place long before Trump, and they are finally now more enforced than in decades before, and yes, the enemy is within. Trump shared this truth with the generals and admirals of the military two months ago. His two principle messages given Sept 30, 2025 were1) that the enemy is within this country and 2) the military must remember its oath to protect and defend the Constitution (“Trump Discloses to the U.S. Generals, “The Enemy is From Within.” LibertyUnderFire.org). Indeed WE ARE threatened by the Deep State far left including these Congresspersons.
It is hard to dispute White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, Stephen Miller’s assessment of this video as "Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection…. It's a general call for rebellion from the CIA and the Armed Services of the United States by Democrat lawmakers, saying that you have not only the right, but the duty and the obligation to defy orders of the commander in chief.” It could lead to their defying “their chain of command and engage[ing] in open acts of insurrection.
But this is not unexpected from the “enemy within.” Miller adds, “When you see this continuous campaign of violence against ICE officers and Border Patrol agents, when you see Democrat sanctuary politicians and Democrat sanctuary governors side with the rioters, side with the assaulters over federal law enforcement, and that spills even into juries and grand juries, when you see Democrat jurors engage in nullification to let off violent attackers who are engaging in physical violence, physical assault against federal officers, this is a dangerous moment."
“Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home.” Both the anarchists and the patriots understand this. Trump shared this truth with the generals and admirals of the military two months ago. His two principle messages given Sept. 30, 2025 were: 1) that the enemy is within this country and 2) the military must remember its oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Meaning the Constitution as written, not as fabricated by the Deep State, 6 Democrats and their video advocating treason.
Miller concludes, and LibertyUnderFire.org echos, “Look, there is nothing graver that you could possibly say as a United States senator than encouraging, urging, directing members of the armed forces of the United States or the clandestine services of the United States to defy their president, defy their chain of command, defy their superiors” (Stephen Miller: Democrats Urging The CIA and Armed Forces To Defy President Trump's Orders Is Insurrection,” Real Clear Politics, November 20, 2025).
In most of our history defiance or insurrection of this magnitude would not have been permitted but promptly punished, and should be today as well. Our Republic is on life support if it isn’t. The fact remains these Democrats and their video is a call for insubordination, insurrection with the military order of the United States in defiance of the president. It fosters lack of confidence in out present leadership. If fellow Democrats choose to let this be their voice also and not counter the video and the six who made it, this call for defiance may be their last stand. I have said for over a decade the day will come when no-one will admit having once been a Democrat.
Trump calls their activity “seditious behavior.” In the very least it is certainly that. They are flirting with the possibility of destroying America as we know it as is all that do not resist them.
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution and a syndicated columnist on current events. Read his weekly columns at www.LibertyUnderFire.org Column #848.
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We think of the Pilgrims enjoying abundant food on the first Thanksgiving Fall 1621, but this was not their real reality. Few mention the starving times the first year in 1620 when half died of starvation that winter. Harvests were not bountiful in that year and the next two. Plymouth was beset by laziness due to lack of incentive and thievery due to hunger.
Thanksgiving did fill their bellies briefly, and they were grateful, but abundance was anything but common and thievery due to hunger existed. They endured the starving times the first year in 1620 when half died of starvation that winter. Harvests were not bountiful in that year and the next two.
William Bradford, the governor of the colony, in his History of Plymouth Plantation reported that “much was stolen both by night and day” to alleviate the prevailing condition of hunger. The “feast” of the first Thanksgiving did fill their bellies briefly, he reported, and they were grateful, but abundance was anything but common. Why did this happen? Because they had fallen victim to the socialistic philosophy of “share the wealth.” This dis-incentivized the productive base of society.
Then suddenly, as though night changed to day, the crop of 1623 was bounteous, and those thereafter as well, and it had nothing to do with the weather or soil. Bradford wrote, “Instead of famine now God gave them plenty and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.” He concluded later, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.”
One variable alone made the difference and ended the three-year famine. They abandoned the notion of government (or corporation) owning the means of production and distribution in favor of the individual having property and being responsible to take care of himself. Before, no one benefited by working because he received the same compensation as those who did not. After the change everyone kept the benefits of his labor. The basic natural law, “you reap what you sow,” was violated. You can’t eat what is not sown. In a just society those who chose not to work basically chose also to be poor and the government (corporation) does not confiscated from those who produced to give to those who will not. People may share their wealth as in giving charity but government may not morally confiscate your money and give it to another.
Ironically all this could have been avoided had Plymouth consulted history and communicated with their neighboring colony, some distance south of them, who had been down the same trail 13 years before. Jamestown too was first a socialist society where “each produced according to his ability and received according to his need,” (revitalized by Karl Marx centuries later), which, of course, affected supply. One cannot divide what does not exist. Our textbooks tell us that only one of twelve survived the first two years for precisely the same reason, starvation. The problem, as noted by Tom Bethel in his work The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity through the Ages, was identified by an unnamed participant as “want of providence, industrie and government, and not the barenness and defect of the Countrie.”
Captain John Smith is credited with having saved the floundering Virginia colony by his “no workie, no eatie” government program (the Virginia Company was the government) and was hated. Addicted to the promise of getting something for nothing, even if it is always less than promised, the receiving part of the population will always oppose their not getting their “fair share.” Sound familiar? Captain Smith was eventually carted off to England in chains as fast as the parasitic population could do so. Once again, why? Philip A. Bruce in his Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, p. 121, called it agricultural socialism. “The settlers did not have even a modified interest in the soil…. Everything produced by them went into the store, in which they had no proprietorship.” When settlers finally were allowed to own their own property, and keep what they produced, things changed over night.
Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote of incoming prosperity, beginning in 1614, after ownership of land was allowed. “When our people were fed out of the common store, and labored jointly together, glad was he [who] could slip from his labor, or slumber over his tasks he cared not how, nay, the most honest among them would hardly take so much true pains in a week, as now for themselves they will do in a day, neither cared they for the increase, presuming that however the harvest prospered, the general store must maintain them, so that we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty as now three or four do provide for themselves.”
Let us be grateful for the prosperity that we have—even the poorest among us. Jamestown and Plymouth set us upon a course that recognized that prosperity requires incentive to flourish and that the profit motive stimulates industry. We are so grateful that, having recognized the poison of “the share the wealth” philosophy, they purged it from their midst and proceeded to make America the most prosperous country on earth.
In Plymouth half died the first year. In Jamestown it was much worse, only 60 of the first 400 survived by the Spring of 1610. They ate mice, rats, cats, dogs, snakes, horses, and some, desperate from starvation, resorted to cannibalism. Starvation was common in both societies as was socialism. No one benefited by working because he received the same compensation from the storehouse as those who did not work. Prosperity for both came when the individual had his own property and was made responsible to take care of himself.
Since Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected in 1932, however, America has eased, even more so in the 1960’s and 1970’s, progressively into a incentive destroying socialist economy. The recent government shutdown demonstrated how much money is forcibly taken from hard working citizen taxpayers and redistributed to the half of Americans that pay no federal income taxes; this through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program —formerly Food Stamps, renamed to reduce stigma), and like programs (X22 Report, Ep. 3761b, Oct.27, 2025, 1:02:18). There are 42 million people in this country currently receiving food stamps, 12.3% of the U.S. population, 59% of all illegal aliens are collecting food stamps says Rob Finnerty of Newsmax (Ibid., Ep. 3762b, Oct, 28, 2025, 1:03:00). Supposedly it is against the law for illegals to be on the program but like everything else it is not enforced and they are.
Teachers generally are no longer sharing the early harsh lessons of our socialist beginnings in our first Thanksgiving. Chances are likely they never had it themselves. It is up to parents and grandparents to share the above. Perhaps you will be able to do so for those you love at the dinner table this Thanksgiving. Their failures taught them how to incentivize productivity resulting in giving our posterity the wealthiest, and 150 years plus after, the freest society in the history of the world. This forever, lest we forget what our first colonists learned in both societies! Socialism has never given prosperity to any society.
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution and a syndicated columnist on current events. Read his weekly columns at www.LibertyUnderFire.org Column #847
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When Congresswoman Maxine Waters was recently asked by a reporter whether “Democrats are willing to shut down the U.S. government to prioritize healthcare for illegal immigrants,” she partially avoided the question by saying “Democrats are demanding healthcare for everybody.” Which, of course, would include illegals. (“Maxine Waters Gets TESTY When Asked if Democrats Are Shutting Down Government Over Healthcare for Illegals, by Mike LaChance, Gateway Pundit, Sep. 30, 2025). Democrats are demanding that American taxpayers foot the bill for healthcare for illegal immigrants.
Respecting the shutdown as a weapon to prioritize healthcare, “Democrats are demanding healthcare for everybody” says Congresswoman Maxine Waters. This, of course, would include illegals.
In the Democrat presidential primary debate (June 27, 2019) the moderator asked the candidates to raise their hands if their health-care plans would cover undocumented immigrants—the illegals. Of the 20 Democrat candidates seeking the presidency 19 raised their hand. At this moment Democrat Party leadership acknowledged that they would use their influence and taxpayer monies for healthcare for illegals. Non-U.S. citizens suddenly became their primary constituents and have remained so since.
Theoretically everyone in the world that invades America can expect free or subsidized everything at the American taxpayer’s expense—and they came in the millions with Biden’s encouragement, not primarily escaping tyranny, as heretofore, but for free things. Newsmax host Rob Finnerty reported that the government shutdown revealed “59% of all aliens are collecting food stamps.” The Affordable Care Act (ACA) “explicitly prohibits undocumented immigrants from buying coverage on the federal exchanges, even at full price” and in other places it seems to invite their participation (X22 Report, hence fourth not cited, Ep. 3762b, Oct. 28, 2025, 1:03:00). If food stamps are available to them it’s only a matter of time before healthcare would be as well.
The Heritage Foundation told us in 2009 that the bill in the House, then called, H.R 3962 was written to that end. They provided the following major talking points from it. 1) “H.R. 3962 does not seek to deter or prevent illegal immigration, but rather to support and subsidize it. It would deliberately permit illegal aliens to participate in the government health insurance exchange and in the public option insurance program. Illegal immigrants are nominally barred from receiving health care ‘affordability credits’ and most regular Medicaid benefits, but verification procedures are weak and subject to fraud.”•2) “Nearly 400,000 illegal immigrant women give birth inside the U.S. each year; under H.R. 3962, many of these births would be fully covered by U.S. taxpayers through the Medicaid program.” 3) “All limitations on benefits provided to illegal immigrants under health care reform legislation are deceptive. The President [then Barack Obama] and the congressional [Democrat] leadership clearly intend these limits to be only temporary, to be overturned by amnesty or ‘comprehensive immigration reform’ legislation to be introduced next spring.” Virtually everything they predicted happened.
Though subject to fraud and intended to include healthcare for illegals from the beginning, despite assurances from President Obama otherwise, new documents attest that Obamacare goes to illegals in at least six blue states. This most stunning and authoritative report was issued October 31, 2025, by Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Dr. Oz reported, “Based on our initial set of audits, more than $1B of federal taxpayer dollars were being spent on funding Medicaid for illegal immigrants…The truth is that the federal law is supposed to prohibit federal Medicaid dollars from being used to cover illegal immigrants. It does permit states to use Medicaid dollars for emergency treatment, regardless of patient citizenship or immigration status. States can also legally build Medicaid programs for illegal immigrants using their own state tax dollars, so long as no federal tax dollars are used but that did not stop Democrats from going even further by breaking federal law to give illegal immigrants federal Medicaid dollars meant for American citizens.”
Proof, it has to be subsidized by the government to exist.
Dr. Oz continues, “Earlier this year, the CMS team began auditing state Medicaid programs to ensure that they were following the law and not spending any federal tax dollars on illegal immigrants outside of emergency Medicaid. What we found was shocking. In a preliminary review of six states are found these states improperly using federal dollars for their allegedly state funded programs and provided coverage to individuals including some with criminal records of murder and assault… California $1.3 billion, DC $2 million, Illinois $29 million, Washington $2 million, Colorado $1.5 million, Oregon $5.4 million. The states were notified and many have begun refunding the money. But what if we had never ask? Whether willful or not the states’ conduct highlight a terrifying reality. American taxpayers have been footing the bill for illegal immigrants’ Medicaid coverage despite many Democrats and the media insisting otherwise” (Ep. 3765b, Nov. 2, 2025, 48:31).
Using federal funds may be universal among Democrat states. Secretary Brooke Rollins said, "On my first day at USDA, we told every state to send their SNAP data so we could make sure illegal immigrants aren't getting benefits meant for American families. Twenty-nine states stepped up, twenty-one blue states refused – and two sued us for asking!” The 21 states that refused to send their SNAP data to the USDA were named. They were the Democrat lead states” (Ep. 3766b, Nov.3, 2025, 1:10:21). These too are likely unlawfully giving healthcare to illegals.
No matter how it is calculated Democrats giving healthcare to their illegal constituents played a big role in the longest government shut down in U.S. history. What did the Democrats give up regarding the shutdown. They were forced to give up the guaranteed ACA (Obamacare) subsidy extension making it possible to end this disastrous and failed program for illegals and likely as well for actual citizens of this country (Ep. 3771b, Nov. 10, 2025, 57:00). Still, the shutdown was primarily to get healthcare for illegals as admitted to above by Democrat Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution and a syndicated columnist on current events. Read his weekly columns at www.LibertyUnderFire.org Column #846.
Help preserve our Republic while we still can by sharing this column.
