Revised 29 Feb 2008
This blog is not about me. I am just an average citizen interested in promoting informed participation in the political process.
Who the Author of this Production is, is wholly unnecessary to the Public, as the Object for Attention is the DOCTRINE ITSELF, not the MAN. Yet it may not be unnecessary to say, That he is unconnected with any Party, and under no sort of Influence public or private, but the influence of reason and principle. — from the introduction to “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine
Unlike Thomas Paine, I am connected with a party. I am a member of the Prince William County Republican Committee. Nonetheless, while I do discuss my views on my blog, I try to base those views upon a wisdom that is apart from me. If we are considered wise, it is because we make wise choices, not because of who we are. One cannot be wise; one can only get wise. Our experiences merely serve to confirm and strengthen our faith in wisdom God provided us as a gift centuries ago.
I do not claim divine guidance, however our nation’s founders turned to the Bible for guidance, and I see no reason why I should not do the same. In that vein, I urge those public policy options that I believe have a sound moral foundation.
This blog focuses principally on issues of general interest to the inhabitants of Prince William County, Virginia. In particular, I report on meetings of the School Board and the Prince William County Republican Committee.
This blog addresses the principles of government.
- What are the principles that guide us?
- How do these principles work in practice?
- Why are they important?
This blog also addresses religious issues. To provide some perspective on my religious “bias,” here are a series of posts that describe my religious views.
- WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE IN GOD? PART I
- WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE IN GOD? PART II
- WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE IN GOD? PART III
About the Blog’s Name — Citizen Tom is named in honor of a hero of the American Revolution, a pamphleteer named Thomas Paine, the best blogger of his day. If you are unfamiliar with Paine, the reason is that his political opponents succeeded in savaging his reputation. However, during the American Revolutionary Paine played a key role in igniting the revolution. At least 120 thousand copies of his most famous work, “Common Sense” were distributed amongst the colonists. This work inspired many, including George Washington, to take the steps that eventually led to America’s independence from Britain.
Some have observed that Thomas Paine was a deist. That is, Paine believed in God, but he did not believe in Christianity. Paine described his religious views in the “The Age of Reason” (see here) Since I once held a similar position, I have considerable sympathy for Paine’s views on this matter. There is nothing simple about religion, and I suppose God intended it that way.
You may email me directly at citizen_tom@hotmail.com. Thanks for visiting. P.S. I enjoy hiking. If you do as well, consider the following location.
Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
