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.