To: Chairman, RNC
Dear Mr. Steele,
Thank you for contacting me. I did not send a contribution and I am going to take a few minutes here to tell you why.
I am not a Republican, I am not a Democrat, and I consider myself an Independent thinker. In the most strict sense of the term, I am an American. I believe in American values, not socialism, communism, or any of the other "isms" that so many of the radical special interests groups espouse. I want what is good for America. It just happens to be that I am a 66 year old white male who has been retired on a fixed income now for about 4 years. The savings that my wife and I thought would provide the cushion that we could fall back on in the event that hard times happened along, has dwindled to about half of what it was when I retired... just 4 short years ago... and now those "hard times" have arrived. Not a pretty picture.
8 years ago I supported George W. Bush and the Republican Party with both my votes and my money, primarily because I could not stand the thought of having an environmentalist nutcase, nit-wit like Al Gore as our President. We came dangerously close to seeing that reality then, and so again, 4 years ago I supported George W. Bush and the Repubilcan Party with both my votes and my money (though it was much less than before), and "right thinking Americans" were able to stave off yet another attempt of the "left wing" of the Democrat party's attempt to take over our government. I should tell you at this point that the support that I gave to the Republicans and George W. Bush was done with my eyes wide open. I heard him when he promised "free trade"... not fair trade. And again when he emphatically exclaimed that Mexico, our neighbor to the South, "is our friend"....I heard him, and I knew that translated into a "sell out of American jobs" to the ineffective border controls that would allow illegals to flood our nation and suck the life out of our social systems. That is now a reality as untold millions have come here for the "perks" that we "give" them. Yes, they do work, and they are generally good people. But our system was not designed to care for all the indigent of the world, Mexico and otherwise. It was designed for Americans. Americans like you and others who were born here or became Americans through legal immigration and legal means.
Here's the bottom line Mr. Steele. During those 8 years, during which about 12 years of Republican control of the house and the Senate ended, I lost ground. I am less secure financially today and find myself seeking a continuing means of support as there is little hope that the "system" that so freely supports the illegal immigrants and other "slackers" who should not be getting money from the government, will not be the level of support that my wife and I envisioned when I retired. At the current rate, and I think the rate will escalate under the Democrat dominated government that we are now saddled with, I expect that within 5 years I will be forced to divest myself of all that I currently own (regardless of whether the markets are favorable or not) and have spent literally a working lifetime to acquire, in an attempt to stave off absolute poverty. Much of this is due to the policies and inept leadership that we were provided by Republicans and a Republican controlled Congress. I could enumerate a long list of greivances for which I hold Republicans responsible. Not because they were the only game in town, but because when they had the power to make a difference, they didn't. The Republican Party, in my humble opinion, squandered away a golden opportunity to put this country back on a successful track, but instead, decided to become "bi-partisan" and let the Democrats "share" power in all the congressional committees and other institutions as well. (As I recall the first really major accomplishment of the Bush Administration was to get a Democrat back education bill passed. Isn't that a little bit sick? I don't think that is why Americans elected Republicans into power. Do you?)
I believe in simple economics and business practices and I think politics and politicians should be held to the same ethical standards as is any business that is worth its salt. It's simple. If I come to your store and you are selling peanut butter (maybe not the best example right now), I take the jar from your shelf and bring it to the counter. There we do an exchange, my money for your peanut butter. You then have payment for what you have already provided to me, (the peanut butter), and I have the jar of peanut butter. I take the product home with me, open it up and begin to consume it. If I find that the product is not as represented, then I am coming back to your store... not to buy another jar of peanut butter, but to make you take back the "bad" peanut butter, and then I will go to someone else's store to see if they have a good product that I can use. Most likely I will not even shop at your store again, and if enough people have the same experience with your products you will go out of business.
Mr. Steele, I think that is where the Republican Party is today. They are on their way "out of business" because the products that they promised to the people who "shopped at their store" turned out to be less than the advertising lead everyone to expect. Now, if you were in business, as in the last example above, would you appeal to the people, whom you have alienated by providing them with bad products, to "give" you enough money so that you could go out and try to develop a better product that you can sell somewhere down the road, say maybe 2 or 3, but more likely 4 or 6 years? I doubt that you would be so naive.
If you want my money, of which there is precious little left, then you are going to have to prove to me that you are already offering a product that I know will work. When your Republican politicians can learn to stand together to hold off the insane policies that the Democrats are very busy "cramming" down the gullet of every American, those who are stupid enough to believe the stimulus that is offered will work and those who are wise enough to see that we will never be able to "borrow" our way out of debt, then I will consider doing more than just try to enlighten everyone that I know about the consequences we are about to suffer. In the meantime, we will all go down the tube together, good or bad, wise or not, just because a hand full of so called Republicans chose to go over to the other side and "aid the enemies of American Independence.
This is a sad day for America, and if the tide of stupid, self destructive policies, both Republican and Democrat supported idiocy, is not curbed soon, this country will be America in name only, just a gutted shell of what was, and could have continued to be, the most productive and benevolent society ever to occupy this earth. A very sad day indeed.
Bill Reid
Phone:469-595-0661
http://billreid.info
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Bubble Is Bursting
The current economic crisis is the result of irresponsible spending that dates all the way back into the 1950's and 1960's, with a marked upturn during the Johnson administration. We have faced similar but lesser circumstances 7 or 8 times since then, and each time we have sought to resolve the issue by pushing the "bubble" further into the future by printing additional money and/or devaluing our currency.
The problem that we are now facing is that we cannot print money fast enough to keep the "bubble" from bursting. To continue this same type of failed remedy (spending our way out of debt) as has been done in the past, is pure folly. Borrowing money to pay off debt will not work. It does not work with individuals and it does not work with governments. Eventually the currency that is being devalued to create this "illusion of plenty" will become worthless and having it will be senseless.
There is only one solution to this economic crisis, which is just a bigger version of all those that came before, since the end of WW II, and that is, to once again become a nation of producers instead of encouraging our status as "consumers".
Eventually, the "buck will stop somewhere", either voluntarily or involuntarily in the form of a total financial collapse. If it happens involuntarily then chaos will reign and blame will be assigned, but the end result will be the same. The United States will devolve into a fractured, confused collection of regional economies based on their ability to produce something necessary for the survival of the masses, but overall will settle into a world role something like the Europe of today and will be vulnerable to the whims of totalitarian governments that will survive simple due to their heavy handed population control tactics.
God Save America, because those who are currently in power, the same as the last two eight year administrations of Clinton and Bush, do not have either the vision or the leadership ability to avoid the inevitable.
The problem that we are now facing is that we cannot print money fast enough to keep the "bubble" from bursting. To continue this same type of failed remedy (spending our way out of debt) as has been done in the past, is pure folly. Borrowing money to pay off debt will not work. It does not work with individuals and it does not work with governments. Eventually the currency that is being devalued to create this "illusion of plenty" will become worthless and having it will be senseless.
There is only one solution to this economic crisis, which is just a bigger version of all those that came before, since the end of WW II, and that is, to once again become a nation of producers instead of encouraging our status as "consumers".
Eventually, the "buck will stop somewhere", either voluntarily or involuntarily in the form of a total financial collapse. If it happens involuntarily then chaos will reign and blame will be assigned, but the end result will be the same. The United States will devolve into a fractured, confused collection of regional economies based on their ability to produce something necessary for the survival of the masses, but overall will settle into a world role something like the Europe of today and will be vulnerable to the whims of totalitarian governments that will survive simple due to their heavy handed population control tactics.
God Save America, because those who are currently in power, the same as the last two eight year administrations of Clinton and Bush, do not have either the vision or the leadership ability to avoid the inevitable.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
When Will The Insanity End?
Illegal immigration. Border security. Healthcare. Social Security. Terrorism. The Constitution. Hot topics all, with some, seemingly, demanding a higher priority among our elected representatives than others, depending on the decibel level of the cries of outrage from the lower classes. An interesting word...."representative"....I am beginning to wonder exactly what it does mean.
A little while back, as I was making a short trip to run some errands, I heard a news broadcast from one of the more prominent Dallas radio stations. I had to do a mental double take to be sure I had heard what I thought I had heard. The news broadcaster was saying that the Dallas Independent School District had just "negotiated" an agreement with Mexico's Secretary of Education, to help provide more bi-lingual teachers for the Dallas Independent School District. About 40 such teachers would be brought to Dallas from Mexico under the H1B Visa program to help alleviate the shortage of "bi-lingual" teachers here. Then later I learned that the DISD is not the only school system to reach such a deal with Mexico. Several other States, in fact, around the USA have made similar deals.
Now isn't this an interesting turn of events. On the one hand we have an "out of control" illegal immigration" issue that our House of Representatives and Senate of the Federal Government are working feverishly, and I use the word "work" loosely, to pass legislation that would spend billions of U. S. Taxpayer dollars to build a massive 700 mile fence along our common border with Mexico in an attempt to stem the flow of illegal immigration across the Mexican border. On the other, we have administrators of our school systems, who are hired by the elected representatives of our local governments, making deals to import even more foreigners legally, to help teach the children of those who are already here, many of whom are here illegally. Am I missing something here? Does this picture look right to everyone except me? Am I the only one who doesn't get it? Or, perhaps I am one of the few who really does get it!
Why don't we take a step back here? Take a deep breath and see if we can relax our "boggled" minds for just a few minutes? I would like to make a point here that is extremely clear to me, whether anyone else can see it or not. Through our laws and regulations, we have created the incentives (carrots) that become the "magnets" for the world's (read, primarily Mexico's,) tired, poor, downtrodden, who come here seeking our economic bounty. Our Congressional, Executive, and Judicial Branches of government, over many years and many laws (some which include the perversion of our Constitution's 14th Amendment), have provided a very strong magnet that works a lot like the "energizer bunny" in reverse. Instead of just keeping on "going and going", it just keeps on "taking and taking", and the "taking" is self-perpetuating.
I should make very clear, that I have no problem with the Mexican people, or some of the other Latin American People, who are coming across the border. With the exception of the criminal element they are generally hard working family oriented and responsible. The bottom line is, however, that if they are here illegally, they are law breakers and we have to deal with them or suffer the consequences. Here's my case for radical change, and it has to come soon! Forget about the fence, the solution is to remove the carrots so that those who are coming will stop, and then stop the welfare for those who are here, and they will self-deport gradually over a period of time!
Carrot number one. We have convinced ourselves that as a generous, giving people, we must confer citizenship upon anyone whose mother can manage to get inside our boundaries before the birth occurs. Unconstitutional by just about any measure one can apply, but we allow it.
Carrot number two. We have promulgated regulations relating to "family reunification" that will eventually allow this new "citizen" the ability to bring every member of his immediate and extended family here too. In fact, taken to the extreme, the current "chain migration" policy would eventually extend to every person on the planet. How foolish is a policy that does that? But we do it anyway.
Carrot number three. We have chosen, generally, not to enforce our immigration laws to the extent that we allow local governments to decide whether or if they will even try to determine the legality of any immigrant that is exposed to their law enforcement and justice system. What good is it to be a "nation of laws", if we choose not to enforce them? But selective enforcement is allowed.
Carrot number four. We have structured our tax regulations so that the "poor" or "near poor" do not pay income tax, and, in fact, will qualify, through means testing, for the Earned Income Tax Credit. (This means that the rest of us pay them for working at low paying jobs, and having large families.) Statistics show that the hoards of Mexican's streaming across our borders fit into this category, and the percentage of those qualifying for the EITC by head of household, is almost 50%. We pay them for doing the low paying jobs, supposedly those that Americans won't do, so that we can have cheaper "everything" that we consume, or their employers will have a blacker bottom line.
Carrot number five. We also allow these same people in the previous category to access our "welfare" system through the same methods. Means testing, for which they generally qualify by default. They come here with little education or means to earn higher incomes, so they put a heavy burden on a wide variety of public programs. (Programs included in this list would be TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SSI, general assistance, Food stamps, public/rent subsidized housing, WIC, and Medicaid.) Nationally, almost 29% of immigrant households use a welfare program, compared to a little over 18% of natives.
There are a number of other "carrots" that I will only mention here in passing because I think by now anyone who has read this far is on mental overload. But there is the "Visa Lottery" (Luck of the draw, no special qualifications), and H1B (work) Visa's, which are grossly abused, just to name a couple. There are others as well, and when taken in the aggregate the opportunities that all these "carrots" present are simply an overwhelming enticement that cannot be ignored, not just by individuals in foreign nations, but the poor nations of the world themselves, who see this as a golden opportunity to lighten their load.
Finally, the dramatic increases in enrollment in many school districts around the country are being proved not to be just the "baby boomer echo" as has been suggested, but the additional 10.3 million school age children of immigrants between the ages of 5 and 17 who account for over 19% of the total school age population with the promise of increasing to 21% in the coming years. Unfortunately, the numbers of children of immigrant parents is disproportionately larger than the corresponding tax revenue collected from immigrants to pay for the additional burdens due to lower incomes generally for immigrant families. This "shortfall" has to come from somewhere, and guess where "somewhere" is? And now we are spending some of the "extra money" that is required to educate children who shouldn't even be a part of the education system in our country on teachers from their "home" country who will teach them in their native language. (Anyone want to venture a guess as to where these "foreign" teachers will send their newfound wealth?)
I guess if I could ask any question that I was absolutely sure I already knew the answer to, it would be, "Are we crazy?" And the question that I am absolutely sure that I don't have the answer to is, "When will the insanity end?" We have an immigration/healthcare/education crisis of epic proportions cutting deep into the fabric of the America that has tried to "save the world", and which threatens our very existence. Our "representatives" in the Congress, Executive, and Judicial Branches of our government don't seem to have the backbone to do anything about it. Is the power of "political correctness", and "special interests", so strong that our ruling elite will shirk their duties to uphold our Constitution for the tax paying American Citizens who voted them into office?
I certainly am not suggesting that it should happen, but if our "representatives" continue to ignore the political will of the People on these grave matters at hand they could look up one day and see an angry mob coming up the street with torches, clubs, ropes, and lots of tar and feathers, a very unpleasant thought, but a possibility none the less, and any potential "trial" would be very brief, something like, "The Republic has failed on your watch. Did you cast your vote for the American People?"
If the America that we have today (what's left of it) is to survive beyond the next 20 to 30 years, hard choices and changes must be made. Laws must be passed and enforced to take away the "carrots". Employers, including individual homeowners, who offer jobs for cheap illegal immigrant labor must be disciplined to the extent that is necessary to create a void where those jobs now flourish. Something other than a minor fine should be in order. Perhaps loss of liberty and treasure, just like a dope dealer? When illegal immigrants come here and low paying jobs are NOT plentiful, they will go home on their own. The creation of such a climate would be cheaper, by far, than any other method. The message has to be communicated to the world that America does not have the ability to be, nor should it be, the teat that nurses the world's problems. We must take a stand now, or we will eventually become a non-factor in world affairs, unable to support our citizens, and on an economic par with those developing nations who are electing to dump their poor on our shores today.
God save America.
Bill Reid is a life long resident of Texas. Born during World War II, and raised in West Texas on a dryland cotton farm during the 40's, and 50's. As the first of five boys, born to parents who were children of the depression, and raised during tough times on the farm, work became a way of life at an early age, and valuable lessons learned continue to serve him and his family well. Now retired from a succession of careers, including the military, equipment operator, truck driver, and business man, Bill is using his many talents and skills for the benefit of anyone who is seeks to better themselves. As a very active student of computer technologies, the Internet, and social and political issues Bill has become a very strong resource and willing mentor for young and old alike. You can learn more about Bill Reid and view his recorded presentation of "A Virtual Business Overview" here.
A little while back, as I was making a short trip to run some errands, I heard a news broadcast from one of the more prominent Dallas radio stations. I had to do a mental double take to be sure I had heard what I thought I had heard. The news broadcaster was saying that the Dallas Independent School District had just "negotiated" an agreement with Mexico's Secretary of Education, to help provide more bi-lingual teachers for the Dallas Independent School District. About 40 such teachers would be brought to Dallas from Mexico under the H1B Visa program to help alleviate the shortage of "bi-lingual" teachers here. Then later I learned that the DISD is not the only school system to reach such a deal with Mexico. Several other States, in fact, around the USA have made similar deals.
Now isn't this an interesting turn of events. On the one hand we have an "out of control" illegal immigration" issue that our House of Representatives and Senate of the Federal Government are working feverishly, and I use the word "work" loosely, to pass legislation that would spend billions of U. S. Taxpayer dollars to build a massive 700 mile fence along our common border with Mexico in an attempt to stem the flow of illegal immigration across the Mexican border. On the other, we have administrators of our school systems, who are hired by the elected representatives of our local governments, making deals to import even more foreigners legally, to help teach the children of those who are already here, many of whom are here illegally. Am I missing something here? Does this picture look right to everyone except me? Am I the only one who doesn't get it? Or, perhaps I am one of the few who really does get it!
Why don't we take a step back here? Take a deep breath and see if we can relax our "boggled" minds for just a few minutes? I would like to make a point here that is extremely clear to me, whether anyone else can see it or not. Through our laws and regulations, we have created the incentives (carrots) that become the "magnets" for the world's (read, primarily Mexico's,) tired, poor, downtrodden, who come here seeking our economic bounty. Our Congressional, Executive, and Judicial Branches of government, over many years and many laws (some which include the perversion of our Constitution's 14th Amendment), have provided a very strong magnet that works a lot like the "energizer bunny" in reverse. Instead of just keeping on "going and going", it just keeps on "taking and taking", and the "taking" is self-perpetuating.
I should make very clear, that I have no problem with the Mexican people, or some of the other Latin American People, who are coming across the border. With the exception of the criminal element they are generally hard working family oriented and responsible. The bottom line is, however, that if they are here illegally, they are law breakers and we have to deal with them or suffer the consequences. Here's my case for radical change, and it has to come soon! Forget about the fence, the solution is to remove the carrots so that those who are coming will stop, and then stop the welfare for those who are here, and they will self-deport gradually over a period of time!
Carrot number one. We have convinced ourselves that as a generous, giving people, we must confer citizenship upon anyone whose mother can manage to get inside our boundaries before the birth occurs. Unconstitutional by just about any measure one can apply, but we allow it.
Carrot number two. We have promulgated regulations relating to "family reunification" that will eventually allow this new "citizen" the ability to bring every member of his immediate and extended family here too. In fact, taken to the extreme, the current "chain migration" policy would eventually extend to every person on the planet. How foolish is a policy that does that? But we do it anyway.
Carrot number three. We have chosen, generally, not to enforce our immigration laws to the extent that we allow local governments to decide whether or if they will even try to determine the legality of any immigrant that is exposed to their law enforcement and justice system. What good is it to be a "nation of laws", if we choose not to enforce them? But selective enforcement is allowed.
Carrot number four. We have structured our tax regulations so that the "poor" or "near poor" do not pay income tax, and, in fact, will qualify, through means testing, for the Earned Income Tax Credit. (This means that the rest of us pay them for working at low paying jobs, and having large families.) Statistics show that the hoards of Mexican's streaming across our borders fit into this category, and the percentage of those qualifying for the EITC by head of household, is almost 50%. We pay them for doing the low paying jobs, supposedly those that Americans won't do, so that we can have cheaper "everything" that we consume, or their employers will have a blacker bottom line.
Carrot number five. We also allow these same people in the previous category to access our "welfare" system through the same methods. Means testing, for which they generally qualify by default. They come here with little education or means to earn higher incomes, so they put a heavy burden on a wide variety of public programs. (Programs included in this list would be TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SSI, general assistance, Food stamps, public/rent subsidized housing, WIC, and Medicaid.) Nationally, almost 29% of immigrant households use a welfare program, compared to a little over 18% of natives.
There are a number of other "carrots" that I will only mention here in passing because I think by now anyone who has read this far is on mental overload. But there is the "Visa Lottery" (Luck of the draw, no special qualifications), and H1B (work) Visa's, which are grossly abused, just to name a couple. There are others as well, and when taken in the aggregate the opportunities that all these "carrots" present are simply an overwhelming enticement that cannot be ignored, not just by individuals in foreign nations, but the poor nations of the world themselves, who see this as a golden opportunity to lighten their load.
Finally, the dramatic increases in enrollment in many school districts around the country are being proved not to be just the "baby boomer echo" as has been suggested, but the additional 10.3 million school age children of immigrants between the ages of 5 and 17 who account for over 19% of the total school age population with the promise of increasing to 21% in the coming years. Unfortunately, the numbers of children of immigrant parents is disproportionately larger than the corresponding tax revenue collected from immigrants to pay for the additional burdens due to lower incomes generally for immigrant families. This "shortfall" has to come from somewhere, and guess where "somewhere" is? And now we are spending some of the "extra money" that is required to educate children who shouldn't even be a part of the education system in our country on teachers from their "home" country who will teach them in their native language. (Anyone want to venture a guess as to where these "foreign" teachers will send their newfound wealth?)
I guess if I could ask any question that I was absolutely sure I already knew the answer to, it would be, "Are we crazy?" And the question that I am absolutely sure that I don't have the answer to is, "When will the insanity end?" We have an immigration/healthcare/education crisis of epic proportions cutting deep into the fabric of the America that has tried to "save the world", and which threatens our very existence. Our "representatives" in the Congress, Executive, and Judicial Branches of our government don't seem to have the backbone to do anything about it. Is the power of "political correctness", and "special interests", so strong that our ruling elite will shirk their duties to uphold our Constitution for the tax paying American Citizens who voted them into office?
I certainly am not suggesting that it should happen, but if our "representatives" continue to ignore the political will of the People on these grave matters at hand they could look up one day and see an angry mob coming up the street with torches, clubs, ropes, and lots of tar and feathers, a very unpleasant thought, but a possibility none the less, and any potential "trial" would be very brief, something like, "The Republic has failed on your watch. Did you cast your vote for the American People?"
If the America that we have today (what's left of it) is to survive beyond the next 20 to 30 years, hard choices and changes must be made. Laws must be passed and enforced to take away the "carrots". Employers, including individual homeowners, who offer jobs for cheap illegal immigrant labor must be disciplined to the extent that is necessary to create a void where those jobs now flourish. Something other than a minor fine should be in order. Perhaps loss of liberty and treasure, just like a dope dealer? When illegal immigrants come here and low paying jobs are NOT plentiful, they will go home on their own. The creation of such a climate would be cheaper, by far, than any other method. The message has to be communicated to the world that America does not have the ability to be, nor should it be, the teat that nurses the world's problems. We must take a stand now, or we will eventually become a non-factor in world affairs, unable to support our citizens, and on an economic par with those developing nations who are electing to dump their poor on our shores today.
God save America.
Bill Reid is a life long resident of Texas. Born during World War II, and raised in West Texas on a dryland cotton farm during the 40's, and 50's. As the first of five boys, born to parents who were children of the depression, and raised during tough times on the farm, work became a way of life at an early age, and valuable lessons learned continue to serve him and his family well. Now retired from a succession of careers, including the military, equipment operator, truck driver, and business man, Bill is using his many talents and skills for the benefit of anyone who is seeks to better themselves. As a very active student of computer technologies, the Internet, and social and political issues Bill has become a very strong resource and willing mentor for young and old alike. You can learn more about Bill Reid and view his recorded presentation of "A Virtual Business Overview" here.
A Movement Worth Joining
The time has finally come. A time when it appears that the established governing authority must be "retrained". Will you be a part of the "movement" or will you remain in the "silent majority" and allow our country to wilt and die this self inflicted death?
As we move near to the election in November of 2008, there are many whose "idealistic ferver" has blinded their common sense. A confluence of events and circumstances have created a fertile field of discontents who are willing to accept ANY "change" in the hope that the change will be something positive for them. Such has been the case in a number of "overwhelmed" nations in the past, like the German Nation of the 1920's and 30's, post WW I. And there are others. The theme is "change", and, even though the promises are empty, the desperate are willing to accept anything other than what they are currently saddled with.
Unfortunately, too many of the desperate are looking for a "gift", or an "easy" way out of the circumstance that all too often is the result of an overburdened bureaucracy that has come to be more intent on serving itself, than the people to which it is obligated.
There is no "easy way out". It is time that those who have some semblence of common sense left to take control of the run away madness that is the Federal Government. It won't be easy, but it must be done and the only way to effect "good" change is to demand "good" change from those who cast the votes in our "Representative Republic".
This message of change is the right one. Not the empty rhetoric that we are hearing from the candidates who seek the highest offices in our Nation.
This is a movement worth joining. But we must begin now. If we wait until the situation is completely hopeless, then drastic measures will be necessary, as the speaker says, just like in the first American Revelution. Let's not allow our country to degenerate to that level. We can take back our government, no matter who the President is, if we will assume control of our elected representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States. Follow the advice of the Speaker in the video behind the link here. Call the number. Demand "good change".
As we move near to the election in November of 2008, there are many whose "idealistic ferver" has blinded their common sense. A confluence of events and circumstances have created a fertile field of discontents who are willing to accept ANY "change" in the hope that the change will be something positive for them. Such has been the case in a number of "overwhelmed" nations in the past, like the German Nation of the 1920's and 30's, post WW I. And there are others. The theme is "change", and, even though the promises are empty, the desperate are willing to accept anything other than what they are currently saddled with.
Unfortunately, too many of the desperate are looking for a "gift", or an "easy" way out of the circumstance that all too often is the result of an overburdened bureaucracy that has come to be more intent on serving itself, than the people to which it is obligated.
There is no "easy way out". It is time that those who have some semblence of common sense left to take control of the run away madness that is the Federal Government. It won't be easy, but it must be done and the only way to effect "good" change is to demand "good" change from those who cast the votes in our "Representative Republic".
This message of change is the right one. Not the empty rhetoric that we are hearing from the candidates who seek the highest offices in our Nation.
This is a movement worth joining. But we must begin now. If we wait until the situation is completely hopeless, then drastic measures will be necessary, as the speaker says, just like in the first American Revelution. Let's not allow our country to degenerate to that level. We can take back our government, no matter who the President is, if we will assume control of our elected representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States. Follow the advice of the Speaker in the video behind the link here. Call the number. Demand "good change".
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Role of A Citizen
The following is an updated version of a previously published article (Star-Telegram.com of Fort Worth, Texas, January of 1999.) It seems to be especially appropriate that I post it here as the "inaugural" post for the Common Sense Punditry Blog. A bit of a flashback to the past, to be sure, but still as correct as ever, in my view.
A Call To Duty
When we are born in this country we are automatically granted certain rights and freedoms that exist nowhere else in this world. These rights and freedoms are guaranteed to us by our Bill of Rights, the Constitution of the United States, and it's Amendments. Before these, however, there was a document called The Declaration of Independence. It was signed by 56 brave souls, who, after considering the consequences, risked their fortunes, happiness, and, indeed, their lives, when they announced their defiance of a tyrannical king. Apparently they felt a strong call to duty.
The famous Declaration started a process, eventually a revolution, in which, only 3 to 4 percent of the Colonists participated, and the tyrannical king was forced to recognize their independence. Apparently these participants felt a strong call to duty. Some of them gave their lives and fortunes for the effort.
After the War for Independence was won, many of these same Americans participated in the conventions which resulted in the creation of the afore mentioned documents. It was a long and arduous process that took many years, but eventually, a document was created that satisfied the Governments of the 13 States that comprised America at the time, that there was no possible way that the freedoms that had been hard fought for, would be lost to another tyrant or a tyrannical Federal government. It was called the Constitution of the United States of America, and it included the Bill of Rights. The efforts of these Framers, citizens of the Original Thirteen States, represent a strong call to duty.
From the very beginning of our history in this nation there have been many assaults against our constitution, and our American ideals, some subtle, some not so subtle. There have been wars, and lesser conflicts that have required the need for good men and women to sacrifice of themselves for the good of the nation, and to preserve our constitutional way of life, and the freedoms that are its birthright. Some of these men and women made the ultimate sacrifice, they gave their lives. Some were rendered helpless by the wounds of war and it's inherent horrors, both physically and mentally. I venture to say that even those who were not called upon to enter the actual field of combat, but served, would tell you, if they could, that the times and events surrounding their service changed the course of their lives forever. They all paid a price, but, as citizens they answered the call to duty when it came.
During World War II, during the invasion of Normandy, and the ensuing battle for the liberation of Europe, from June 6, 1944, D-Day, to May 7, 1945, and the surrender of Germany, there were 743,375 total casualties of American Troops. Of these, 435,249 were battle casualties, who either were killed or wounded on the battlefields of Europe.(Ref. Citizen Soldiers, by Stephen E. Ambrose) Many millions of others also served in other theatres and battles around the world, and the foregoing example does not intend in anyway to trivialize the sacrifices they made as well.
Question: Do you think any of these brave souls, upon entering the military, were jumping up and down with joy, shouting, "How wonderful, I am going to be allowed an opportunity to be killed or wounded, or crippled for life in the defense of freedom!!"? I doubt it, but they, as patriotic citizens, did answer the call to duty.
Since that time, those who have chosen to serve have had to suffer through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, as well as countless other lesser (but no less deadly, or debilitating for some) conflicts, skirmishes, and so called "police" actions, that are continuing even as I write this letter. These citizens also chose to answer the call to duty.
Today, in my humble opinion, we are faced with a threat greater than all that have come before. In the past, the assaults on our American ideals, freedoms, democracy, and the Republic itself, have all come from outside our borders. Our citizens have responded to the call, as is their duty, and rebuffed all attempts to destroy our way of life. For the last 80 or so years however, there has been a steady chipping away of the freedoms that we are guaranteed under The Constitution.
The forces who would steal, and the forces who have the power to either keep or give away the birthright for which many brave Americans who have fought and died are within our own borders. They are called Globalists and Congressmen. The Globalists seek to subject the entire world to some sort corporate socialism with all workers under the thumb of the ruling elite. (The United Nations?) Your elected representatives, both Congressmen and Senators are the only entities that stand between success or failure of the Globalist's agenda. Which way will they go on this very crucial issue? Will it be for the Constitution and the American People, or will it be the Executive Branch and its cronies? Who will they represent? This brings me to the point of this message; the role of the Citizens of the United States of America.
As Citizens, we are expected to vote for our representation, and a few of us do just that. However, many don't. They simply discard their franchise, thinking that "just one" vote won't matter. After the elections, those elected represent all of us, whether we voted or not. Whether we choose to vote or not, we are still subject to serve in the military, pay taxes, and otherwise live by the rules set by those elected representatives. So, if we want a voice in our government (of the people, by the people and for the people), we need to fulfill our responsibility as citizens, and communicate with those who are elected, and let them know how we feel, and what we think about the critical questions that they are called upon to decide everyday.
To underscore the previous statement, I quote a member of the Judiciary Committee (during the Clinton impeachment hearings of 1999), who happened to be leaning against recommending impeachment to the full House of Representatives, and whose name I do not recall. He said, "It (my decision) will depend on how the people focus on this". I believe with this statement, he is actually asking for a directive from his constituents. He was calling on them to do their duty, and govern.
Will you do your duty? Will you write, call, fax, email, or otherwise contact your congressperson and speak your mind? Will you become proactive, and help our country by urging everyone you know to read this letter, and pass it on to everyone they know? If your answer is yes to the previous question, then you must know that time is critical. Will you do it today? Right now? It will only take a few minutes of your valuable time, and seems such a small price to pay considering all those who have died to maintain your freedoms, and your ability to speak out. They did their duty, now it is time for you to do yours, and by doing so, save the American way of life for generations of our children to come.
You can reach your congressional representative at the Capitol switchboard number then just ask for them by name. The number is (202) 224-3121. If you prefer, it will be just as effective to call the local office for your congressman. They will get the message just the same. When you reach your congressman's office, ask them to do their duty, and uphold our Constitution!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
