On my first blog of 2010, I would like to take a chance to talk about the past, present and future of the United States of America. Since our founding some 200 years ago, America has been the land of opportunity, and prosperity, but in recent days a wave of collectivism, and socialism has gained a foothold in America.
It is not surprising that since our founding that we have slowly matriculated into something that no longer resembles what we once were. We were founded in 1787 in a tiny hall in Philadelphia. There in a hot, cramped room many men from across the colonies met to form a government. Mindful of their struggle to this point to gain independence, and freedom from oppressive rule they diligently worked to come up with a government that the colonists could be proud of. After many hours, and days the men emerged with a document that would set the course of the mighty ship that we call America. They gave us a Representative Democracy, a Republic, a system that would allow the people to rule through the representation of their choice. The system was implemented, a reluctant General assumed the role as the President, congress was assembled, wise men adorned robes, and a nation was born.
The Founding fathers were not all of the same political beliefs, they were vastly different, all bringing a different life experience to the table. But as history would show they were united in the belief that men should be free, not because of human mercy, but because of God's will. They all believed that if God made men to be free, then a government of superiority should lay freedom as it's cornerstone. So that idea of freedom like an ever expanding thread wove the fabric of our country. In the years to follow the world would come to notice what was happening in the Americas. A new hope had been born. A nation grew mightier, their destiny seemed sure.
Throughout our history we sought to better our world, and ourselves. From fighting ourselves to free all men, to fighting fascism,and its evil death mark across the sea. America continuously showed it was the place where freedom would always make it's home.
Over time though, a new philosophy has taken hold. One in which that values the collective, over the individual. One that pits brother against brother, and neighbor against neighbor. One that threatens to tear down the walls, and dig up freedoms cornerstone.
A once noble party that believed in human dignity, and the power of freedom to lift so many up, has bought into cynicism, hatred, and greed. The Democratic party that once stood for Championing every American was co-opted by a hateful ideology called Socialism. Today, the major leaders of this country have turned their back on the American Ideal, and the American Individual. Instead they focus on growing the bureaucracy, lining their pockets, and vilifying their opponents.
We have fought wars to end this kind of hate, and ideology. The idea that the government should have more control, make more decisions, and spend more money is an idea that kills freedom, kills ingenuity, and dampens the love, and compassion of the American people.
As we look back to our ancestors who came to this country we are reminded, that they didn' come to receive handouts, bailouts, cradle to grave incentives, and they certainly didn't come to hand over their rights. They came to make a life, and have freedom to live those lives the way they saw fit. What would mine, or your ancestors say if they saw what America was becoming. I could only imagine their surprise when they saw the country they arrived in to start a new life, looking a lot like the country they left.
It really doesn't have to be this way. I still love this country more than words can say. I still believe that our best days still could be ahead of us. But its not going to happen with more apathy, and hand wringing . I often sit back in wonderment of the people who went before me, and thank about the tremendous sacrifice they made so that I could live in freedom. I also wonder that it might be if we stood up and demanded for the country that Jefferson, Washington, Franklin and the like had given us, that one day long from now that another young man who is sitting and reflecting would look back and fill up with joy at the thought that this generation of Americans did not settle for the status quo, that they demanded that our original idea be preserved, and that the future of that young man not be for sale.
