Guest Author:
D1969
As I sit here pondering this bit of words some will most certainly find amusing at best, down right off the rocker at worse (and even then some), I can’t help but think of what our Founding Fathers would make of our country today. Does it represent what they had in mind for future generations? Does it even resemble it? I would wager a “No” on both questions. I constantly hear people talk about them, what they wanted, how they wanted it, and whether or not it matters in todays world. So I decided to take a quick look around and ask myself the following questions. Did they believe they would forever be remembered for thier sacrifices and contributions in establishing this great nation, or did they expect to be forgotten about after awhile? Would they be proud of what this country is today- right now? Does it represent the ideas, ideals, hopes and dreams they held in thier hearts for it? Would they fight, lose everything they had- even thier lives- in order to do it again, especially given the state of our country today? What, if given the chance, would they say to our leaders today about the condition of this nation as a whole. I find the more I think about it the more disturbed I am.
First off, I’m sure that they never intended to be forgotten. These men knew that history was important. When drafting our Constitution they relied on history. The history of laws. They themselves knew the importance of making sure certain things are forever remembered. I remember my time in school, high school in particular. I spent a whole year of school with the course of “American History”. A whole year learning about our country. From the time it was discovered(supposedly- but that is a subject for another time) to the then present era (I’m in my 40’s, so it was awhile ago). Schools now teach courses a semester at a time. I know this from my children. 1 semester compared to the whole school year. Just how do they expect for our children to learn about the history of our country? Why it came about, what started the problems that led to our independence, and who was it that was involved? What did they do and how did they do it? What did they sacrifice? I’m beginning to think that is the idea. To not remember. It has become very evident as of late that our institutions of learning are nowhere near what they used to be. I’ve had many discussions with my children, who are both in high school. When discussing our country, they know- for the most part- what I’m talking about. The problem is, they learned very little of it in school. When I asked where they did learn it, the responce was staggering. “Well dad, you and mom have always wanted us to read as much as we want about any subject we want. So we went to the Public Library. The school books and school library just didn’t have enough”. Now before you respond by saying “Your kids attend some sad schools” (Which I completely agree on), the fact of the matter is they have gone to schools in 4 different states. Not 1 school in one system, but 4 different public school systems in 4 different states. The result is always the same. They don’t get taught what needs to be taught. Now of course this is definetly an issue that should be dealt with, we are talking about the education of our children, but for the purpose of this discussion is the fact that the history of our country is not being properly remembered. That is not only a problem, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is also a plan. Another example is something I heard on the radio the other day. When asked “Who was Adolf Hitler?”, over 90% of the people asked didn’t know. Of the 10% that did know, they couldn’t tell you what he did to be remembered. This man not only started World War II, but he was directly responsible for the horrific torture and deaths of uncounted Jews. Many thousands. What’s worse is that the people that were being asked were students at a university in the United States of America. Colledge students that don’t know who Hitler is. That man performed his most evil acts in the 1940’s. Only a little over 60 years ago. If our children aren’t taught and cannot remember what transpired a little over 60 years ago, do you really believe they are being taught and are remembering how our nation came about? I’m certain that the men who sacrificed everything they had, even thier lives, in order to give us our Liberty and Freedom WOULD NOT appreciate this. If they don’t know how our nation started and why, how are they going to know how it’s supposed to operate? How are they supposed to know what the Constitution really is, what it stands for? How about the way our government is supposed to operate? What presidents are allowed to do and not allowed to do? How Congress is supposed to work in relation to the Senate? Good questions, right? This is supposed to be part of the basic education of every child in this nation, yet it is getting less and less attention as the years go by. Maybe this is why so many people feel that they have no power to change anything. That the Politicians have to do it, and we have to trust them. Which brings me to the next point.
Pride. It can be a downfall or it can be justified. We all know (or at least we all should know) that our Fouding Fathers were not perfect. They were human afterall. But they did accomplish something great. They started a nation. And boy what a nation it has been. We have been through so many different wars it’s not even funny, not to mention the “Conflicts” on the way. We have achieved fantastic accomplishments- spaceflight, under ocean and under ground exploration. Utilization of natural resources. An economical system that until lately has been the envy of the rest of the world. But, would they be proud of us as a country, as a nation, right now? This very day. Does this country represent the beliefs they stood for, does it contain the ideals they died for? When Benjamin Franklin lived in the colonies, before the Revolution, he often wrote under pseudonyms of “Silence Dogood” and “Poor Richard”. Poor Richard was Franklin’s voice for expressing his thoughts on Liberty, freedom, justice, and public spirit. Poor Richards Almanack, which he not only wrote, but published, became the most widely read book in the colonies after the Bible. Uh oh, the “B” word. We can’t mention the Bible when talking about government of our country, much less “God”. Right? Well guess what, that’s NOT what they had in mind. I have 2 Great examples. First is Ben. You see, Franklin was an inventor and a writer. He also played a very large role in the formation of our country. He helped establish the first public library, a police force, a volunteer fire department, a hospital, the first garbage collection service, and an education academy that today is known as the University of Pennsylvania. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1775 and helped negotiate peace with England. In the 1780’s he was asked to help draft the U.S. Constitution. During that part of his service is where his beliefs in and for our country came out. The Constitutional Convention was ready to collapse due to the issue of whether small states should have the same representation as large states. Franklin was 81, and rose with a suggestion for all to hear. He believed the Bible was right in saying “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). His statement? “Gentlemen, I have lived a long time and am convinced that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aide? I move that prayer imploring the assistance of Heaven be held every morning before we proceed to business.” The motion was carried. No room for God in government? How about our first President, George Washington. He too was at the convention with Franklin. He was elected President and served 2 terms. Among his final remarks to our nation in 1796 was this: “Of all the habits that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would men claim the tributes of patriotism who would work to destroy these great pillars of human happiness.” He also stated”It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Washington openly advocated prayer. He was often found working- On his knees, a Bible in front of him. He was the first to declare a national day of thanksgiving, saying “it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for His benefits.” I must say that I much prefer the sounds of that country than the sounds of the one we have now. Based on those 2 examples alone, we see where the majority of the beliefs of our Founding Fathers came from. But wasn’t it just recently stated that the United States is not a Christian Nation? Seems to me it was intended to be. And if you pay close attention to our history, the further away this country has gone from God, the worse we have become. No prayer allowed in schools. Kids, even a “President” (Term used very loosely) that don’t even put thier hand over there heart when the Pledge of Alligence is said. “But isn’t there supposed to be a seperation of Church and State? It’s in the Constitution?” Uh, No. It isn’t in the Constitution. It was in a letter From Thomas Jefferson, another Founding Father, detailing the fact that there should not be a State enforced religion. There is a difference. But you wouldn’t know it by watching our government operate. Politicians(And a “President”) that use lies and bribery as everyday tools. Hidden agendas, self entitlement of our leaders and law makers. Power grabbing and positioning. The list is endless. These people are suppose to operate in the best interests of the citizens of the country, not thier own. They are supposed to listen and act on the demands and concerns of the people they represent. Unfortunately the only representing they do is for themselves. The only ones they listen to is each other. No, our Founding Fathers would NOT be proud of this country right now, this very day. Not at all. They would be ashamed. Quite frankly, I think they would be pissed.
There has been such an abuse of power and authority by our leaders and law makers that it is sickening, disgusting, and embarrasing. Manipulation and twisting of words and phrases to suit individual interests, bypassing established precidents in order to inject individual precepts and agendas, extreme abuse of power and authority in order to enable the placement of preferred individuals(not elected ones), robbing the citizens of taxes-retirement funds-investments so as to ensure the operation of an already overspent, robbed, and defaulted financial system, intimidation of not only citizens, but elected and properly appointed officials in order to ensure operation of laws that would continue rob, steal, degrade, and embezel from the country and citizens. No, this is not anything resembleing the ideals, ideas, hopes and dreams they had for us.
Socialism is not the Answer 