Memorial Day 2012

It is another glorious day in America.  A day we as a nation can enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  But most importantly, today is a day we must honor and remember those who have given their lives in order for us to live ours…Memorial Day.

Unfortunately, many in America have forgotten the true meaning of this day.  Yes, a three day weekend; sales and special discounts by retailers; the beginning of summer; it is now fashionably correct to wear white.  But that is not the purpose of this day.

The united States of America, that is how we began.  A people seeking liberty; a people seeking to create a nation of freedom and opportunity. But this dream has a price.  What we seek requires more than determination.  It requires sacrifice.  In some cases that sacrifice is giving of our lives for the greater good.  And for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, then we today, Memorial Day, give honor to their lives.

Although many today would have us believe that Memorial Day is all inclusive, meaning that we should honor anyone who has contributed to the shaping of our country, it is not so.  This day is meant for remembering and honoring the many men and women who have dedicated and given their lives in military action in defense of our freedom.  Those are the ones who have earned the right to have a special day set aside for them.

How do we honor these great Americans?  Here are some thoughts:

1.  Visit cemeteries and memorials and place flags or flowers for these great men and women.

2.  Fly the U.S. Flag and the POW/MIA Flag

3.  Keep these great men and women in your prayers.

Let us not allow this day to be trivialized by those who do not understand what service and honor truly mean.  Let us stand up and push forward the ideals for which these great men and women gave their lives.

I proudly salute our fallen heroes and will endeavor to keep the dream alive…one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let Us Never Forget

September 11^th, 2001 – a day that should be engraved in the minds of every red blooded American.  It has been 10 years since our country was attacked by terrorists.  Nineteen fanatical Muslims, under the vision and direction of the leader of Al Qaeda – Osama Bin Laden – brazenly attacked the people who represent freedom and justice in the world.

Their plan was to hijack 4 jets and fly them into what they believed to be symbols of our nation.  Three of the four hit their targets:  American Airlines 11 and United Airlines 175 smash into the Twin Towers in NYC and American Airlines 77 crashes into the Pentagon in Washington D.C.  The fourth, United Airlines 93 never made its target due to the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women onboard.

President Bush demonstrates true leadership by addressing the American people.

“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed.  Our country is strong.  A great people have been moved to defend a great nation.  Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings.  But they can not touch the foundation of America.  These acts shattered steel but they can not dent the steel of American resolve.”

The heinous actions of these evil men and our President’s resolute words unified all Americans.

Ten years have passed.  Much has happened to remove these threats, and yet they are still present.  We must continue to be ever vigilant!

As is always the case, I believe that the pendulum has swung way too far in the wrong direction.  Let us remember what Thomas Jefferson said, ”A society that will trade a little order for a little freedom will lose both, and deserve neither.”

While many actions were necessary in the short term, it is time to re-evaluate the measures we have in affect.  For example, the TSA should be discontinued.  It has become a bloated, federal government entity.  It should be the responsibility of each airline company and each airport board to establish private security measures.  This would be more efficient and more cost effective.

Another action to be re-evaluated is the deployment of our troops.  War should always be the last resort.  The men and women who proudly serve our country should never be put in harms way unless we are committed to victory.  Victory created by fast, powerful, and overwhelming action.  It should not be expected that we will police the world or maintain the peace. 

Let us honor the lives that were lost on 09/11 and those that have been lost in protecting us since this tragic occurrence.  Let us honor them by not living in fear but rather by holding our heads up and displaying the courage that has made America the greatest nation in the world.  Let us honor them by continuing to demonstrate to the rest of the world that America does represent the greatest ideals of liberty and justice.

To quote the great President Ronald Reagan…”Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.  It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have.”

Laboring to Understand

Today we are supposed to be celebrating an important national holiday:  Labor Day.  But somehow, it seems more like a day of mourning rather than a day of celebration.

According to the Department of Labor…

"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.  It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

In other words, it is by our hard work that this wonderful nation is healthy and vital.  However, this requires an economy that inspires businesses to grow, thereby creating great employment opportunities.  It requires an economy where investors are eager to put their assets to work allowing for the expansion of businesses and the creation of new ones with even more opportunities for employment.  But sadly, that is not our current reality.

The latest reported unemployment figures from the federal government indicate that we have a 9.1% unemployment rate.  In reality, it is closer to 21% with no sign of change coming any time soon.  The only expansion that is currently occurring is in the federal government.  In particular, in the enforcement of the ever growing laws which are strangling every business entity in this country.

Apparently, our current administration believes that it is not through the hard working citizens of our country but rather through a behemoth federal government that we will achieve “prosperity and well-being.”  Forget about the tradition built on our Judeo-Christian beliefs of the significance of work:  the idea that hard work brings respect and contributes to the social order and well being of the community. Instead, it would seem that this administration would like to continue to create the largest nanny state in history.

This year there should be no celebration.  Why celebrate unemployment and a lack of leadership from the current administration?  Have we forgotten the sacrifices of our forefathers for us in the 21^st century to have a country with the highest standard of living?  Have we also forgotten that it has been through our incredible labor force that our nation has come to realize economic and political freedom?  I know that we the people  have not forgotten!

I say it is time for all of us to join in a new labor movement – the removal of all these entrenched politicians and their lackeys.  It is time for new leadership reflective of the citizens and workers of America.  It is time for a revitalization of our economy.  It is time to put a stop to more regulations.  It is time for an expansion of commerce not a recession.

So let us not celebrate, but rather pay tribute on this Labor Day to those who have shaped our great nation – the American workers.  Let us take on this new job with vigor and enthusiasm.  Let us not forget that the greatness of America lies not in its government but rather in its people.

Strategic Republican Victory…NOT!

“The sky is falling, the sky is falling!”  That is all we have heard for the last several weeks from the parties that be.

“Oh whoa is me!”  If the Congress does not act, what horrors would befall us?  The President spoke on several occasions to remind us that without action there would be serious ramifications, i.e. no social security checks, no VA benefits, no free school meals.  And with all of this, the Democrats would not put a plan to paper.

 So a group of Republicans, the new bloods, presented a solution…”Cut, Cap, and Balance.”  A bill that would address the issues head on.  Real cuts on every program, entitlement, and subsidy.  Limits on actual federal government spending.  No increase of the debt ceiling.  And the best news of all, a balanced budget.  Finally!

What!?  How dare they!  These “Tea Party People” were so wrong according to Madame Pelosi and Sir Reid.  The President is upset and storms out of a meeting.  We can do better, so say the media lapdogs.

So another group of “old line” Republicans presents a plan.  Increase the debt ceiling but include some spending cuts, at the discretion of the President – no matter that this action is unconstitutional.

What!?  You Republicans still don’t get it.  We must have an increase in both the debt ceiling and revenues, i.e. taxes.  We must continue to push through “social” programs.  You people just don’t understand basic economics.  The way to solve the problem is through more stimulus packages and greater spending.

So now it is time for consensus building; a time for compromise.  Why even the President tells the people that, through a prime time message.  The President quotes Thomas Jefferson to reinforce the idea of working together towards a solution.  But wait…exactly what is consensus.  Oh, that’s right.  Consensus is achieved when you lack the conviction of your beliefs.  We all win if we all lose.

Except, there are losers and winners.  The citizens of our great country lose.  Indeed Madame Pelosi, Sir Reid, and all you “Democans and Republicrats”, it is fundamental economics:  you can not spend more than you earn, or in the government’s case, take in.

 Devaluation of the dollar means WE lose.  Inflation means WE lose.  Weakening of our military means WE lose.  Over taxing working men and women means WE lose.  Restricting and over regulating businesses causing greater unemployment means WE lose.  Continuing to expand the dependency of the “entitlement class” means WE lose.

Do you get it?!  Increasing the debt ceiling, increasing taxes, increasing spending, expanding “entitlement” programs IS a plan.  It is the plan which will destroy the Republic and its great people.

Here is my thought on addressing the issue:

1.     Ratify the “Cut, Cap, and Balance” bill

2.     Reform EVERY entitlement program

3.     Reform “Taxes” and create REAL stimulus

4.     Let the people vote for a Federal Balanced Budget Amendment

5.     Let the people vote for a Term Limit Amendment

Now that would be a REAL victory for ALL of America!

Celebrating the Nature of Our Independence

It begins:  “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.”  This is the reason for our 4^th of July celebration.  It is by this document that we clearly understand the actions needed in order to obtain liberty.   Therefore, our celebration should be to recognize what the founders understood independence to be – the building block of a great nation.

Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, Adams, et al, sought to bring about an end to despotism;  to break away from the rule of George III and establish individual sovereign colonies.

Americans sought independence not only from Great Britain, after all, but also from military occupation, royal overseers, arbitrary laws, taxation without representation, and—as it says in the Declaration of Independence—everything that “evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism.” But in doing so they also were declaring their unity—or interdependence—as a people, a compact of states, and a new nation. Independence implied at the same time separation as well as the creation of a new and independent country, living and governing by its own means and according to its own ways. [“America’s Founders and the Principles of Foreign Policy: Sovereign Independence, National Interests, and the Cause of Liberty in the World.” Published on October 15, 2010 by Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.]

These men who were willing to sacrifice their lives in the pursuit of the principles of liberty and freedom sought to form an association of individual men who understood that these ideals required belief in one self and in God.  That to form a great nation required sacrifice and perseverance.  Therefore, let us celebrate the ideals of liberty and freedom.  Let us remember and live by the words of the Declaration of Independence:  that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/print_friendly.html?page=declaration_transcript_content.html&title=NARA%20%7C%20The%20Declaration%20of%20Independence%3A%20A%20Transcription

Same old song and dance

The primaries are at hand; many names but a true lack of ideas.

We have a gas price crisis.

We have a real estate crisis.

We have an unemployment crisis.

We have a health care crisis.

We have an immigration crisis.

Apparently, our country has fallen into the abyss. And what do these prospective candidates present as possible solutions or alternatives?  Same old song and dance.

Democrats:  higher taxes for “the rich” and corporations so as to redistribute wealth; more entitlements for “the poor” and disenfranchised; budget cuts for the military; more empowerment of unions; foreign policy of appeasement; subsidies for alternative energy sources which are incapable of supplying the nation’s needs; support of education based on a false sense of self-esteem; enforcement of only selected portions of the constitution; the nationalization of America.

Republicans:  government reform but through consensus; status quo on tax structure; expansion of government; “drill baby drill” energy policy; “leave all the children behind” education plan because we too need the unions vote; moderate stand for the constitution; compromise on all legislative bills so that if we all loose, then we all win!

Let me present the first new idea:  we need a leader!

Someone willing to step up and be the President of the United States.  Someone who has faith in God and in themself.  Someone who does not care about the Republican Platform, the Democrat Platform, or the Libertarian Platform.  Rather, someone who cares about America and her people.  It is time for “We the People” to exercise our vote.  Let us start from the top and work our way down.  Let us elect someone who has a vision of what our country should be and can be.

Memorial Day

It is wonderful to live in a country where we, the citizens, enjoy so many freedoms.  But let us not forget the sacrifices made by the men and women who we call veterans.

Our founding fathers were astute men who created a document which has directed our country since its founding:  the Constitution.  The first ten amendments know as “The Bill of Rights,” does not exist because they are written on paper.  Rather, it is through the sacrifices made by the American veteran.

Let us not forget the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.  Raise the flag, salute the flag, and honor the lives given so that our flag may continue to fly.

May God continue to guide us and watch over us.