INDEPENDENCE

As we celebrate the 4th of July our thoughts should focus on independence. It is a day to say thank you to the Founding Fathers for their courage and wisdom to create the foundation for the greatest country on earth, America. In 1776 the world was much like it is today. We had rulers, empires and dictators. People were controlled and told what they could and couldn’t do. Fortunately, men like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and Adams didn’t like being controlled, they believed in liberty and freedom. They were individuals who were willing to lead and fight for freedom. They set the foundation that has guided us for the past 234 years. The foundation we call the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It was these documents that established our heritage, culture, traditions and beliefs. These were the pillars that have made us strong and free. These documents defined who we are and who we are to be.

Unfortunately, today, we have people who find these pillars and documents outdated. People with ideologies that apologize for who we are and what we have done. They disagree with Jefferson that good government is less government. They want more control and power. They want to revert to where we came from or adopt the failing political concepts of allies and even enemies.

To retain our freedoms, we must fight to keep our Constitution and to live by the principles established by the Founding Fathers. We cannot allow the proponents of change to win. Freedom is our birthright and we must preserve it. Government has its place, but it must not stray from the guiding principles of the Constitution and the examples set forth by the Founding Fathers.

From the beginning, people have come from all parts of the world, to America, to enjoy our freedoms, opportunities and liberties. They came, embraced our laws, Constitution, flag and proudly called themselves Americans. This is what has made America strong and great. We have been the beacon of light and hope to the world that freedom reigns.

It is on the Fourth of July that we pay homage to the Founding Fathers, it is the day we honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have fought and died to maintain these freedoms. It is the day we praise the legacy that was bequeathed to us. We cannot and must not falter in following the path established by these brave men and women. The path is clear; the tools were put in place. We must not waver. We must continue to live by these principles. On this Fourth of July let us continue this work and pray to God for everlasting Freedom and Independence.

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

Everyday we are inundated with information. It comes from TV, the internet, newspapers, friends, radio, phone, mail and on and on. How do you process this information? How do you react? Do you believe the information? Is it important enough to store in your memory? As you collect and process the information is it from a reliable source that you believe and trust?

It’s becoming harder and harder to trust the sources of information. Most of the information we gather is opinion. Much of the information is manufactured and tailored to suit ones opinion or position. Place a conservative and a liberal side by side and you get different views and opinions. Who do you believe? Whose side do you take? Can you tell the truth from fiction? Words are powerful, they influence and motivate. Change and Hope were powerful and motivating words in the election of 2008... Some sources prey on your best instincts. Remember how Bernie Madoff conned influential and wealthy people into trusting and believing his ponzi scheme. How can we protect ourselves from being conned?

The time has come to ask more questions. We need to remember the words: WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, HOW when evaluating information... In November we will be called upon to elect leaders to represent us in Washington D.C. And our individual states. Based on past experience we’ve done a poor job. This time we need to do better in evaluating individuals in regards to their abilities to make decisions, and solve problems. We need people who will represent their constituency not a party, union, or special interest group. We must cast aside the political rhetoric and judge the character, honesty and capabilities of the individual to do the job. We don’t need more politicians; we need statesman who will stand up for our country and its Constitution. We need people we can believe in.

BEING THROWN UNDER THE BUS

Why is it that everyday I wake up to bad news? The oil spill, declining market, growing debt, crime, corruption, giveaways and no common sense. Few read or understand legislation. While this is happening the main stream media reacts with indifference to the opinions of the man on the street. The spin is to justify the Administration and the players in Washington.

Maybe it’s time to start dealing with the issues. How much paper can Washington print and pretend is real? Does Washington have a budget? Apparently not, or it’s worthless. I always thought the budget was the plan or guide to administer receipts against expenditures. If you run out of receipts you stop spending or start cutting. There is no magic money tree, this is reality. If you’ve noticed, there always seems to be money to bail out or help unions, education and large corporations. Is there some coincidence between political contributions and the money doled out to these entities? How can these organizations have millions for candidates, but fail to have sufficient funds to support pension programs?

How much taxation can the public endure? Washington doesn’t create anything, its private enterprise that stimulates the economy. If that’s the case why are we creating more government jobs than private jobs? You can’t create money or improve the economy through bigger government. The Washington premise is wrong and needs to change. Nine percent unemployment is unacceptable. People need to become more responsible for their own destiny and not dependent on government. Government’s philosophy of entitlements is destroying the human spirit. Government has a role but not to destroy my independence and free spirit. Where’s the common sense? We’re on a track to destruction.

Tomorrow I hope I’ll wake up to better news. Being a skeptic, I doubt it, especially when I feel that Government is throwing me under the bus.

AMERICA AT ITS BEST

The Tea Party People have struck the nerves of the main stream media and politicians. The Tea Party Movement is becoming the biggest movement since the American Revolution to challenge government. The difference between the American Revolution and the Tea Party Movement is that this is a peaceful revolution. Like the American Revolution people are speaking out against spending, representation, freedom of speech, failure to abide by the constitution, and our precious liberties. What’s wrong with that? It’s about policies and the course that the Obama Administration is leading the nation. It’s about time that the people have stood up and voiced their concerns and opinions. The people have been silent too long. For too long government has been telling and not listening. The politicians have gotten so bold they practically tell the PEOPLE to shut up and keep quiet. This is not a joke or a game; the people are angry and upset with Washington and the Administration’s Policies.

The Main Stream Media and the Administration paint the Tea Party People as troublemakers. They try to make them look like bullies and irrational. The Parties have been peaceful and orderly. Because they are peaceful, the Left is attempting to infiltrate disrupt and discredit these PEOPLE... The MSM continually blast Sarah Palin and Glen Beck for their conservative voices as if they are out to instigate mob action. Believe what you want, but Palin and Beck speak and act like true Americans, not radicals who want to destroy the country. The voices are growing to criticize the Administration and Big Government... God Bless talk radio and the Voice of the People. If you see something wrong are you supposed to lie down and play dead? The sleeping giant has awaken. Its time that the MSM and Washington take heed. It’s time for them to change, its time for them to listen. The Tea Party Movement is a People’s Movement that is grass roots driven that gives the people the opportunity to oppose big government and its policies. This is America at its best. God Bless the Tea Party People, God Bless America.

GET THE BROOMS

Recently I received a form letter from my Congresswoman Judy Biggert R. IL. The letter stated her position on Term Limits. Congresswoman Biggert believes that we do not need term limits since every time we vote it’s an approval or disapproval of the candidate’s job performance. I disagree with the Congresswoman. I threw the letter in the garbage and said forget it. Than I read an article about the State Department spending $300,000, of taxpayer monies, for booze. This struck a nerve and I wrote the Congresswoman the following:

“Who in Washington authorizes agencies, State Department, to spend $300,000 for booze? Liquor should not be allowed in Federal Buildings. Is this the way you look over and spend our money? Received your letter re Term Limits, sorry but you're wrong you are a career politician and you, like the rest of the people serving us need term limits. The longer you stay, the more you get ingrained in the system and corruption. It's like being tempted by the devil. You may be honest but you have to pay for the people who come to Washington, not to serve the people but to fill their pockets. Sorry but we need to clean house. We need term limits. Will you sacrifice yourself for the common good? I doubt it. That's why, above it all, you're still a politician. You're still in office because no one worthy runs against you. That's going to change and we will see new faces in Washington. The day of the free ride is over. People are waking up and paying attention. No Democrat or Republican is safe. We need patriots, not politicians.”

The problem is that anyone who has served us for ten years or over is responsible for the current problems. They were there when the Republicans were in control, they were there when the Democrats were in control, and they were there when the House was split. They all failed to live up to their oath to defend and protect the Constitution and laws of the land. Every incumbent is responsible for the deficit, corruption, failure to stand up and defend our laws, they neglected to maintain our system of checks and balances and the ability to be honest and trustworthy. They have failed us and we need to clean house. In 2010 we’ll need the brooms; in 2012 we’ll need to fumigate the White House. The country is waking up and regaining its patriotism. Keep it up. There is a lot of work to do, get the brooms and let’s clean house.

WHO ARE WE?

I’m getting confused. When I was growing up I always felt a love and dedication to country. I admired George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Douglas McArthur, and Dwight Eisenhower. I looked to them as role models, people who fought and believed in America. As I grew older I voted for John Kennedy and supported the Democratic Party. As time went on things started to change and I started to look at politics from a different perspective. My values had been molded from early years with a strong duty to country, family and God. I always thought that you had to work for what you had. If you wanted an education you did it on your own, once you got married you had the responsibility to feed, house and protect your family. I never thought that I needed government to help me. It was my responsibility, not government’s to take care of me and my family.

Things have apparently changed; the old American values must be dying. As government adds more entitlement people become more dependent on government. Fortunately not all people feel this way. Most people still believe in the American Way of hard work, not handouts. They believe in charity when it is justified, not the idea you wait for the government to take care of you. If you are capable and healthy there is no reason that you can’t work and make it on your own. You are failing in your responsibility to society. You cannot feel sorry for yourself. The human soul is driven by challenges, needs, wants, desires that the individual must fulfill. These things cannot be fulfilled by government. Once you depend on government for your existence you become crippled and become a burden upon society.

TUNING IN

Tuning into the morning news, in two short minutes, I found out what was happening in the media. First, I heard that Valerie Jarret felt that there was too much anger and we needed debate. I didn’t take kindly to that because I felt the debate was to have taken place in Washington. Ms. Jarret has a short memory remembering the close doors, bribes, the promised transparency and legislation that was to be posted and read. What really angers people is that Washington didn’t listen. There has been an outcry against Obama Care and they ignored it. Ms. Jarret there is a lot of reasons to be angry. Second, David Axelrod defended the Presidents move to make recess appointments. He blamed the Republicans for the delays in passing Obama’s appointments. Doesn’t he know that the Democrats control Congress? Maybe the Congress has a problem with the radical people already working in the Administration. Mr. Axelrod doesn’t like being called a Socialist, but he should look around and see who he’s hiring... That is more than enough to make people angry. Third, was Chuck Schummer professing that once people find out what’s in Health Care they’ll like it. Beyond the few up front positive changes, there isn’t much to praise. Senior Care will be decimated; taxes will destroy businesses and jobs, look at the changes. Maybe the Senator should read the bill. The only good thing that came out of that two or three minute report was Sarah Palin’s proclamation: “FIRE THEM”