Commentary: What -- or who -- is really to blame for America's growing problems?

In this episode of “Freedom’s Disciple,” Jonathon Dunne explores the truth behind America’s problems, discusses "violent rhetoric" versus free speech, and shares a pledge that every American can learn from today.

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Here are the show’s highlights:

America's Problems

Unless you live under a rock, you will likely have heard someone make an argument that starts this way: The problems in America today are because of _____. Our friends on the left and in the media love to blame Donald Trump for everything. They also love to blame the GOP, white people and the Bible. Our friends on the right love to blame "fake news," the Democrats, Antifa / BLM and even Hillary Clinton. So lets play a game with BOTH sides.

Today we are going to pretend we have found a magic genie and he has come out of his bottle and he is going to make anyone and everyone who is considered responsible for America's problems disappear - maybe they'll join Elon Musk and go to Mars.

Honest and simple question: if this happened, would America's problems be solved? Would the Constitution be followed? Would you be more free? Would your people know more about your history and the founders? Would America finally be a Utopia and everything perfect?

Violent Rhetoric

Last week, America witnessed yet another horrific massacre. The media are desperate to blame Trump on this (and everything in America) and are now linking this crime to "violent rhetoric." This should worry everyone, and if it's not addressed, it will lead to a quick erosion of your civil liberties. My fear is if these links grow, you will see calls for certain words and phrases to be banned for the betterment of society. This will not solve the problem, but will also make it 100 percent worse.

Before people decide to attack me - please allow me to be crystal clear on something. I am a HUGE defender of Israel and the Jewish people. I think antisemitism is wrong and honestly stupid. I really hope to live in a world one day where it no longer exists, however history going all the way back to the Bible suggests this is always unlikely. We do not solve it by silencing those who believe it and pushing them into dark corners of society where the hate festers and grows. We solve it by breaking down their arguments with facts, logic and love.

American Pledge

When confronted will all the issues of the day, it is critical that Americans are reminded of who YOU ARE and your wonderful history. Today, I want to remind you of a pledge that every American can learn from - the pledge from Pvt. Martin Treptow. Treptow fought and died with the Rainbow Division in France and in his diary he wrote the following words:

"America must win this war. Therefore I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone."

Those words still ring true today and if we all followed them, our world would really be a better place.

Special Project:

We recently passed $500 raised for Mercury One and Nazarene Fund selling hoodies and tee-shirts with 100% of the profits going to support their amazing work. Our next goal is $1000. We currently have two designs with powerful messages:  “America: Making the impossible, possible. Est 1776” or “Never Personal, Always Principles.” More designs are coming in November.

Tee-shirts start @ $13.95 and hoodies from $29.95 with 100% of the profits going to Mercury One. Please consider checking them out at www.freedomsdisciple.com/store.

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