What's At Stake (Every Election)

A little over two years ago I wrote my first blog post, I have reposted below my opening remarks.

Solutions to our problems will not come from those responsible in Washington D.C. regardless of what party is in charge. The solutions will come from we the people in our individual lives, our families, and communities. Understanding that a large central government constantly expanding and promising to take care of us with your neighbors money and your neighbors grand children's money filtered through Washington D.C. is not the solution.

10/8/08

What’s at stake not only during this election but at this time in history?

This country is almost 233 years old since it started drafting The Declaration of Independence and 389 years since the May Flower arrived. I explained to my two beautiful daughters recently that we are really a young country in relation to other countries around the world. I then asked them “how did we become the greatest country on earth in just that short amount of time?” Casey responded, “We are special” and Carley answered, “Freedom”. Both are true and I am so proud of them. We are special - because of our freedom. The people of the May Flower were some of the first from England to settle and start a new life in this part of the world. It was their values, challenges, sacrifices and experiences that laid the foundation for what followed.

In 1620, when he was fifty years old, Christopher Jones and the Mayflower were hired to carry the Pilgrims and their cargo to Northern Virginia.

Christopher Jones and the Mayflower stayed with the Pilgrims in America through the winter. Half of the Mayflower's crew died the first winter.

The pilgrims are proof that fighting for freedom has no beginning or end.

What followed was a whole lot of history that I took very little interest in during my youth. My knowledge of American History is limited and I hope to change that in the years to come. The true stories of our past are more interesting, inspirational and at the same time more sobering than any fiction story that has ever been written. There have been many battles, struggles and wars fought since the day the Pilgrims settled almost 400 years ago. The 233 years between 1776 and present 2008, have been the most transitional in the history of mankind. Only 100 years ago things were much different.

* Star #46 was added to U.S. flag for Oklahoma

* Failed assassination attempt on Shah Mohammed Ali in Teheran

* Cincinnati Mayor Mark Breith stood before city council and announces that, "women are not physically fit to operate automobiles

* Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Murdock become 1st to travel across U.S. by car, they leave Los Angeles in a Packard and arrive in New York City in 32d-5h-25m

* Wireless Radio Broadcasting is patented by Nathan B. Stubblefield(I still listen to AM radio)

* 1st passenger flight in an airplane

* New York Giants scores shown on electric diamonds known as "Compton's Baseball Bulletin" at MSG

* Orville Wright makes 1st 1-hr airplane flight, Fort Myer, Va.

* Russia takes part of Poland

* Carriage-maker, William Durant, founded General Motors

* Henry Ford introduces Model T car

Only one generation ago their was no TV, air conditioning, computers, nuclear power, microwave ovens, cell phones with tv’s, fm radio, rock and roll, and Starbucks. The list is actually pretty long. The list of medical advancements in the U.S.A. is very long as well, and has improved life for everyone around the world. What this country has accomplished in the last 100 years alone is extraordinary and possible for one reason, freedom. Freedom is what saved the world in world war II, (when good people do nothing, evil wins) put a man on the moon, and gave us our independence to create a country for “We The People”. Brave free hard working men and women built this country. The prosperity created by this freedom has also been spread around the world. We often take all that has been accomplished for granted including our freedom. Nobody ever died trying to get to Cuba from Florida on a homemade raft. A lot of people have sacrificed their health and lives for the freedom of this country and other countries. I’m sure you have heard the saying “freedom is not free” freedom is also very fragile, and takes a lot of hard work and responsibility to maintain. Every day our freedoms are under assault by evil people that mean us harm inside and outside of this country. Others with good intentions can also threaten our freedoms through legislation in our local and federal government. One of John Kennedy’s famous quotes “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country’’. One of Hugh Reynolds’ famous quotes “Take care of your self and your family, that is what you can do for your country.” A country’s freedom can be lost in one war or one day at a time. When the courts start making decisions that “We The People” should be deciding, freedoms are lost. When congress votes against the will of “We The People” to cover up their own mistakes, freedoms are lost. Don’t take freedom for granted. As a United States citizen, stay informed but not too much, it will make you crazy, like me. Be informed before you vote, as it’s not a popularity contest. When the government takes care of more and more of your needs it’s called socialism. If they give it to you, they can take it away. The government did not give you your freedom, God did, weather you believe in God or not. Your freedom can not come from another man.

One of the biggest challenges “We The People” have is to keep this a country worth fighting for. We have an all volunteer armed services with brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day for freedom. The more the culture in this country moves away from strong family values and the more freedom we loose, the weaker we become. Freedom loving people fight for freedom not for their government. Peace through strength. The citizens of these United States are a very blessed people because of good family values, friends and freedom. God bless all freedom loving people, and the men and women of our armed services.

Thanks for your service Dad.

If your children are not learning enough about history in school, there are more and more children’s books available today that could make a difference. I recommend any of Lynne Cheney’s history books for children. Her newest book "We The People" is available at Amazon.com for a great price. New Also try Founders' Fables

I would like to thank my lovely wife Kelly for asking me to write for her blog. It actually felt pretty good and I enjoyed it. She might end up regretting this, I have a lot on my mind. Keep up the great work on your blog Kelly!

How we became the greatest country in history we should never forget. How we keep this the greatest country may be even more of a challenge and it is up to us, We The People…

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