Off the Cuff – Wake Up, Americans, It’s Your Country

In the end more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free.
Edward Gibbon

When I was serving in the US Army with the 17^th Mechanized Infantry, South Korea at Camp Casey our unit took its turn to secure the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) that was set up as a neutral area between North and South Korea over 50 years ago part of the truce treaty that stopped the Korean War. It has remained the longest truce, without surrender to date.

In the spring of 1982, it was our unit’s turn to keep secure and guard that border, as has been the custom since the ending days of the Korean War. Our unit assembled the proper logistics and armored personnel carriers, World War II vintage 2-1/2-ton trucks and UH-1 helicopters provided transportation for the battalion unit. We trained for riot control and other important training required if needed in any situation. The North Koreans enjoyed using propaganda and psychological warfare methods, to include loud music that could be heard distinctly at our guard posts, intended to disrupt our sleep and our morale, and just generally irritate us. During the day they would distribute propaganda leaflets of various subjects via balloons stuffed with them and made to burst and drop over the secured area on the DMZ, but one in particular comes to mind. The leaflet had images of wealth and party-making on the edges and in the center the words read:

American soldiers: You have grown soft in your life of luxury and you are weak and cannot win. Go home and back to your soft living and easy way of life.

I remember being outraged at this propaganda making successful Americans living in a free country, with free trade and liberties, enjoying the fruits of those freedoms being pictured as lazy, self-centered people. Have we become what was once propaganda?

Americans are feeling the economic crisis – some more than others, but all fearful of what may come next; yet we retain those ideologies and still listen to the false rhetoric of those in our government who put the blame upon others instead of including themselves. Americans were suffering and fearful during the Great Depression, so it was easy to listen to promises of chickens in every pot and cars in every garage from the politicians. But this is not a right, it is the fruits of our labors and our choice of government.

We HAVE grown soft and weak, and I am not talking about military strength – but the average character and integrity of the American people in general. We choose to compromise with evil instead of face it with the fervor to destroy and send it back into the darkness from whence it came. And while we are thinking that we are winning through negotiations and weak diplomacy, as demonstrated by the policy of the present federal administration, the enemy is getting stronger and moving silently into the very framework of our society, using our own democratic system, our own political correctness and false assumption that multiculturalism is the road to peace and unity in America against us. History shows full well that this is a total misconception. The Balkan States is a prime example of a multicultural people, without unified assimilation, have fought amongst themselves for 600 years and continue to keep the region weak and easy prey to outside forces.

China, whose policy was revealed by many CIA directive papers and reports, is delighted that America is in economic trouble, especially since America owes them money. They act concerned publicly, but privately they have planned our demise for decades – if not economically, militarily, but preferably the former.

Americans know the names of members of their favorite sport teams. Americans know the names of the actors who portray characters on their favorite TV shows – but how many of those Americans know the name or have contacted those that are supposed to represent them in Congress? Are they keeping a watchful eye on them, like Thomas Jefferson advised?

People say – politics is for politicians or politics is boring or I don’t discuss politics because it is argumentative and opinionated, like discussing theology. Let me give you a trade secret – politicians in Washington hope that you remain in that mental state. Leadership in history, specifically those who enjoy or seek power know that an ignorant populace is a loyal one. It is only a matter of coming up with an intricate web of deceitful rhetoric, some based upon a particle of truth and others just plain lies. For after all, who is going to take the time to check it out?

A lie told often enough becomes the truth.
Vladimir Lenin

Other ways tyrants in history have gotten a stronghold upon the people and their nation is through the youth. Control the educational institutions and one will create a generation of blind followers – for youth trust their teachers and professors in providing them with truth and the tools to become good citizens – sheep. In the statistics of educational standards, America once stood tall among the top ten. Today, we are approximately 25^th among nations in educational standards and excellence. Why? Our federal government passes legislation to spend billions each year and our state and local governments tax us to pay for those educational institutions. And yet, with less funding, private schools have surpassed educational standards of public schools. How can this be?

In observing local school systems, I see that sports funding is more important than academics – not the standard academics, but those that stimulate intellectual thought and discussion and create a better citizen. Our school systems have just about done away with the classic arts – music appreciation and history of music, study of ancient cultures and governments like ancient Athens and Rome, the very substance used as a model to create our form of government after the Declaration of Independence and understanding our government/constitution. It doesn’t mean that we must all learn Latin, but it does mean that more be offered than Spanish as a second language – and that it be the choice of the student and parents, not the government as to the requirement of learning a second or even a third language. Today, higher educational institutions, for the most part, require two years of a foreign language – and some force Spanish as the choice. They deny it is forced, but how convenient that only Spanish is offered. It is a way for those presently in government to tailor the youth of America into their ways and ideology. And it is no longer the American way. It is no longer the way of a democratic republic, for which this nation was created to be and remain. Whether admitted to or even accepted by those reading this – the powers to be in Washington and even within the state governments, like Wisconsin, the leadership is preparing for a change, so gradual hardly noticed and if asked, denied. That change is to some form of American socialism, dreamed up in the minds of those who use powers granted and the apathetic attitude of some American citizens to increase that power. No longer is the American people the source of power – it is the government, because if you listen to them, it is the government that can manage everything. And too many Americans today accept this – some among them knowingly giving up freedoms and liberties that too many in the past sacrificed heavily to obtain and then keep. And once it is gone – it is gone forever. This is not the 1700s and the tyrant isn’t the King of England, and the problem is not culminating from across the sea – but right here amongst us. It has taken us over 200 years, but we have exchanged one tyrant for many, as a line by Mel Gibson went in so may words in the film The Patriot.

Americans, as well as others in other nations are suffering from an economic crisis and those we elected to run our government, here in America, point fingers everywhere except where it originated – and this is a bipartisan conundrum. Congressional members in their propaganda rhetoric claim that the oil industry, financial institutions, and the CEOs of the business world have caused this, and as usual in the case of leftist politics, it is based partly on truth. But it is the government and those we elected to run it and represent the American people are the ones who created the atmosphere ripe for the situation. In the case of financial institutions, the rule had been that if someone was a credit risk, based upon credit history and payment history, they would be reluctant to provide mortgages for them to own their own homes, automobiles, et cetera. But the government, specifically the Congress produced legislation to change that in the name of programs like Affirmative Action, et cetera. The laws were enacted to force institutions to consider people that were bad credit risks. Business regulations can be good and we have them in place to prevent monopolies and other factors that are harmful to consumers and the general state of the economy and maintain good business practices and ethics. Just as there is supposed to be an ethics commission in Washington to prevent or punish unethical practices amongst those in the legislature and other branches of government. Unfortunately, and more often that it should happen, too many corrupt elected officials get away with a slap on the hand for their bad deeds. This is because the political entity within Washington put themselves above the law. A general citizen that would commit such unethical actions would certainly be given the appropriate punishment – yet, political corruption is not given the same severity when a congressman/woman is involved. Incredibly they even remain in office, unless they have some conscious and resign. Just as Richard Nixon resigned to prevent an embarrassing impeachment hearing/trial and William Clinton did not because his attitude (and those supporting him) was that the President of the United States is above the law, unethical/immoral behavior is private even though the unethical acts took place in the White House. The White House was built and maintained throughout the decades by the funds from the American people. The President of the United States is granted the use of that great house of business and personal living – it does not belong to him or the government, but the people.

While the Republican Party has deterred from its original platform, the Democratic Party has progressively gone to what they call a New Democracy, based upon a filtered socialism but assuredly a Nanny State nonetheless. They are progressive, and while progression in itself one cannot find any wrong, the direction of that progression is harmful. Linda Bowles wrote:

The massively cruel and ruinous communistic experiment of the Soviet Empire would not have been necessary if philosophers and intellectuals had not ignored a basic truth about human nature: Human beings, as a derivative of the instinct to survive, are innately driven to act in their own self interest. Notwithstanding propaganda, conditioning or brute force, any government or institution which runs head on against the grain of this basic human drive is doomed to fail. We seem not to have learned a basic lesson of history: Capitalism harnesses human self interest; socialism exhausts itself trying to kill it. The bureaucrats, who seize and dole out other people’s assets, initially see themselves as humanitarians. Eventually, they conclude they are indeed superior to others, and treat themselves accordingly. They make laws to which they are not subject; they vote themselves and their wards privileges and benefits. Then, they no longer serve – they rule a nation of the government, by the government and for the government.

The power granted by the People has now been visibly abused and has been for more than 50 years. Before that, power was abused from time to time since Abraham Lincoln – mostly in the name of a national emergency, such as war.

And while we may sit over a coffee or a beer with friends and complain about the people who have been elected in Congress and the White House – the gist of the blame is US – or at least those who voted for them. If the American people wanted real change, why did they vote for the same people or people affiliated with the problem to sit in Congress and the White House to do nothing but further the transgression against the freedoms of the people, all with the false promise of personal security? No change there – just different names.

The Presidential Election of 2008 marked a truly historical point in the history of America. Finally, say many, an African American is president. I say Hooray! The American people finally overcame their racial fears and did it. But did they vote for this president because of his ethnicity or because he was qualified? Did they grasp for straws at anything,  just because of the poor performance of the previous President?

I overhead a woman talking about how handsome the new President is. Is this a parameter for voting for someone? Have we become such a blind and vain nation that this would be a factor? I wonder if she knows just what job a President entails. I wonder if she knows what the Constitution is about and how important her responsibility is having the right to vote. I wonder if she thinks a person’s association counts?

Not voting for someone because of their race or ethnicity is wrong, but equally wrong is voting for someone for those very reasons. Martin Luther King himself stated that is was character and a person’s integrity that was important above all – and no one paid attention, choosing to follow false ideology, promises and a hidden agenda. It was the same who voted for GW Bush in 2000 and because of the choice Americans were stuck with in 2004 and the worry about national security – he was reelected. George W. Bush didn’t use his time properly. He made poor choices for his administration, just as President Obama clearly has – and presently refuses to correct the situation.

During the election campaign of 2008, there were Americans with African ethnicity among us that are capable, knowledgeable, and wise enough to become the President of the United States – one in particular, ran from the same state as President Obama, Illinois. But he was not part of the Cook County Political Machine, still strong as it was in the 1930s, but not as visible.

It was pointed out conclusively, on several occasions and concerning several people about the associates of Barack Obama. [Also see YouTube]It was ignored by the mainstream press or quelled by them and the political entity behind Mr. Obama. In fact, there is something dangerous about silencing questions, those seeking truth or being against bad policy and bad politics – all which the person now living in the White House has clearly crossed the line on with the help of his administration.

We’re directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.
Thomas Jefferson (Autobiography, 1821)

On the 28^th of this month, in two days, Earth Hour takes place. Initiated by the President of the United Nations, who is clearly a follower of the Al Gore Climate Control group, has announced that on that day at 8:30 pm, everyone in America should turn off their lights for one hour – private and business buildings. This would be a perfect time for criminals to make their move, like they did in the New York blackout of past history.

This presidential administration is behind the global warming movement that is based upon junk science and fueled by corporate greed, as in the likes of Al Gore [also click here]. People followed the money, and in doing so, found that there was a plan for a big business operation in global climate control – as if such a thing were humanly possible.

Do we want cleaner air and clean up our valuable, life-giving water systems around the globe? You bet. But this global warming thing is bunk. The political left, in their move to regain any credibility they lost in recent truths about the global warming theory/hoax, have changed the term to climate change. Is warming of some sort happening somewhere on our planet? Yes. But this has happened for a time longer than human history, with some periods being quite violent as far as weather is concerned and geological disturbances.

Is it wrong to conserve energy, and thus save a little money from our budget and work at creating more efficient energy systems from automobiles to electric plants? No. But we don’t need false alarmist cultists around to make it happen. First of all, private business entities flourish upon public spending habits – fact. If people start purchasing more efficient and less pollutant automobiles, the industry will strive to meet public demand, some before others. Government is not required here, except maybe setting a standard for waste material for the protection of the general public. That is the government’s job. But they have abused that right and abused that power to create legislation that not only is self served, but has created problems that helped initiate what is happening today, and all the while increasing the cost of just about everything.

The oil industry, specifically American, has become the scapegoat in this energy “crisis”. Yet the solution is quite clear and simple: reduce the need for foreign oil and become more self-sufficient, totally self-sufficient, if possible. We can do that, and not just by pumping oil out of some tundra reserve in Alaska. There has been found plenty of oil in the American western states, to include shale oil. We use far less of our coastal waters in oil rigs, than say the United Kingdom of the North Sea. So what is stopping us? Government. A government that is more attuned to the power of environmental organizations who have grown so powerful they can buy their way into Congress through powerful lobbying.

There is nothing wrong with conservation – it is important for the quality of life all around the globe. But there is something wrong with an entity that lies, provides half truths and uses scare tactics to convince citizens to comply with their avocation and/or agenda.

Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.
Barry Goldwater

OPEC is the reason why oil went up and stayed up, continuing to climb above the standard highs and lows that come from a commodity that is subject to supply and demand. We have enough oil reserves to drop the price for one barrel of crude to $20 a barrel at the lowest, and $35 per barrel at the highest. I don’t know if you realize it, but foreign oil, specifically in the Middle East, along with drug trafficking, has supplied the evil entities of Islamic fascism. Take away the supply and get rid of the leadership, and the enemy soon surrenders and goes home.

President Obama has kept pretty much the same policy in regards to the Iraq military operation as President GW Bush, and close to the same time schedule to begin a gradual withdraw of American forces. Reading articles concerning the anniversary of this war, now six years running – people are forgetting or are ignorant of a fact – the Iraq War was won when the Saddam Hussein regime fell. The post-war situation was to provide security for a new government to be formed based upon democracy and reconstruction. The war was never against the Iraqi people in general – only those supporting Saddam Hussein and regional terrorists. It is the later that kept the violence going, and they were imported primarily from Iran, a rogue-led nation. And in Iran, there are people who wish they were as free as the Iraqi with hopes for freedoms and liberties never experienced. As with all tyrants, the people are held in check by being kept ignorant of truth and knowledge and fear. Governing with fear is a short-lived effect, but governing with respect is in the long-term.

Despite clear acts and declarations of war against the United States of America and its allies, the Obama administration and President Obama is in the middle of negotiating and what he calls alternate diplomacy. Would any logical person negotiate with a murderer to stop killing? Would it work? You tell me.

One of the major successes of our nation was the idea of what is called the melting pot. Today, particularly the political left preaches multiculturalism and instills this concept in students at public schools. As I already stated, this does not work. Assimilation is the only justification for immigration. When America was expanding across the territories, plains, mountains and deserts to California and even to the islands of Hawaii in the Pacific, which created our nation as it is today and helped make it great because of the bountiful resources such geographical locations provide. We are a nation of many people originating from many places, to include the First Nation people (Native Americans) who were here when Europeans first settled in this hemisphere. America has always welcomed immigrants, until it reached the point when a system had to be established to prevent high unemployment rates, spreading possible disease epidemics, and to prevent criminals from arriving to set up base within our nation. This was evident when a great flux of Irish immigrants came to America during the Potato Famine and created unemployment, which could have been worse if the American Civil War wasn’t going on. Many Irish joined the Federal Union Army so they could get some pay and provided meals, clothing and shelter – and at the same time prove their loyalty to their new adopted nation.

Today, legal immigration allots a certain quota per year – all for a good reason and not one of them about racism or bigotry. Americans welcome legal immigrants and those people are, many times, more patriotic than some who were born here. But illegal immigration causes nothing but problems – wherever they come from. Mexicans get a bad name because it is Mexicans who are primarily illegal, but there are others from other nations crossing that border and arriving on our shores uninvited. Because those we voted in office refuse to comply with the very laws they passed through voted legislation and signed by a President, this problem has spread to the point of being a national emergency and a contributor of the economic problems we face. The recession period before this crisis showed that cost of living was getting far ahead of wages, and the main contributing factor was/is the fact that businesses choose to hire illegal immigrants at less cost per hour and with less benefits – all to favor private organizations in favor of amnesty of those who broke the law of immigration and the desire of politicians (in both political camps) to gain a larger voting base in their favor.

For the sake of those already here – assimilated and natural born citizens – we must put an end to illegal immigration. Create an atmosphere and conditions where they don’t want to take the chance to circumvent the legal system, and if they are that upset by the conditions in their own country, work to fix it like Americans (not enough) does.

What can WE do? We can start being more responsible voters. It is too late now, but don’t get amnesia next election, and elections for congressional members will be coming up between the next presidential election. If President Obama’s performance is so bad or becomes so, or he abuses his powers like the past two administrations did, there is the impeachment process to turn to. Good luck on that. Because of irresponsible voters, Obama’s associates are part of the very Congress who has the power to hold impeachment hearings. In addition, the President chooses Supreme Court justices and judicial judges with congressional approval. Well, I don’t have to paint a picture there.

So, if you write to President Obama and try to persuade him to remove himself with the socialist ideology of his policies, a letter written respectfully, to the point and only one page. Writing an abusive letter does not do anything but end up in the shredder. Be intellectual and positive. Write like you are selling an idea, not forcing it down his throat. At the same time, work on your representatives and senators. Written letters, faxes and phone calls work – email does not. Trust me, I know.

Some things you might want to discuss:

Illegal Immigration – No amnesty, different from the last administration. Adhere to the law and find out why it is taking so long for the security fence and system to be established on our southern border. America only has so much room and we cannot accept everyone or too many at once. Ignore the plea that they are just trying to find a better life. If that were true, wouldn’t they be anxious to assimilate instead of creating more multiculturalism and trying to institute a form of government and atmosphere that they had left? President Obama should change the foreign policy, especially with Mexico and help them only if they change their political ideology and quit teaching their citizens that they need to reclaim stolen geography from the United States. That is not a good reason to cross the border – legally or otherwise. Force Mexico to get a better handle on corruption within their system and help destroy and prevent drug cartel establishment within Mexico and now the United States.

Economy: Governments cannot create a better economy by drowning in debt. Make the bailouts a government loan, not a handout. Congress and President Obama must work together to examine legislation in place and see where it needs revision or to be rescinded. They should start with the 16^th Amendment and work at making the Fair Tax Act an historical improvement regarding tax systems. Former satellite states of the Soviet Union in Europe have done so with excellent results – improving their economy and reducing government debt at the same time. Income tax is unconstitutional – it was declared so in the late 1800s and in 1911. This has not changed, our leadership has just ignored it, and appointed justices in the Supreme Court are not performing their duties. Start removing restrictions that are really not needed concerning businesses and let capitalism do its thing. Free trade is an important factor.

Government Bureaucracy:

Like our tax system, our government is too intrusive and has become too costly because of its bureaucracy and size/scope. There must always be a proper allotment to provide the necessary means to keep the military strong. Since the Cold War ended, downsizing has proven more efficient, with the help of technology. Today, the American armed forces provide more firepower and strength with smaller units, and those smaller units are conducive in the operations required in today’s emergency situations. For those who volunteer to serve in US Armed Forces, we must provide them with the care and wages to keep them in the armed forces as long as possible and live with dignity, not having to request food stamps in order to feed their families, or feel forgotten when they become veterans.

If the flat consumption tax replaces the income tax, the IRS bureaucracy will be reduced to a smaller government entity (less costly and intrusive) that will be nothing but an auditing agency. This is just one example of government cutback. It is time that the government budget like the American people must – especially during an economic downfall. This also means that Congress must pass a bill that states that there will be no more automatic pay raises for them and that such a vote must pass a two-thirds majority, just as it should concerning raising a flat tax once the Fair Tax Act is passed and the 16^th Amendment is repealed.

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
George Bernard Shaw

The Social Security system was set up as a trust fund. Our government on both sides of the political aisle has dipped into this and other set aside funding in order to pay for another. It is true that there are more people at retirement age now than when the system was started – but they fail to tell you that MORE people are working. The American family had one bread winner in the family, while one stayed home to tend to the care of the children and the household. Today, a family where both parents have a career or work for wages is not under the freedom of choice – it is a necessity – and that necessity has been caused by those you have elected every election and who have remained in Congress all that time. It has to do with their legislation, and the atmosphere in Congress, as it has been for too long is quantity counts and not quality legislation. Another change that would be good involves the earmarks or pork entries that the media writes and talks about – blaming everyone but themselves. Congress pretends to want to do something, but the solution is quite simple. Create a law that states that a bill will only contain that subject material and request for funding that pertains to why the bill was drafted. This declaration is under Summary in every bill and it briefly describes what the bill is all about. No more sneaking in earmarks. The President of the United States is responsible in ensuring that no earmark is present – only voted upon wording within a proposed legislation. This means that he/she must read the bill carefully before signing it. Line-item veto would be a good thing for a president to have, but he can still veto a bill with an attached statement as to why he would not sign it. Congress than should make the proper changes and resubmit. This is the process, and it would work if not abused – and legislation and code of ethics must be in place to ensure that happens.

Congress should have a period of time during each year where they review present policies and possibly outdated and useless legislation – and take action to repeal it or revise it accordingly. This is their duty, this is their job, and this is what they are paid the big bucks for. Automatic pay raises is nonsense – too many members in Congress today are not worth that much – just as the CEOs they complain about. Congressional members are not exempt from laws or ethical codes, in fact, they should held to the standards of being above the standard public moral, civic, and ethical codes established. American voters must scrutinize the candidates before entering the voting booth, and after elected, whether you elected them or not, keep your eye on their performance. It is much easier today with the powerful tool of the Internet – take time away from video games and chat groups and make it your personal responsibility to be informed. Of course, you still have to examine your resources and choose which ones are reliable and honorable. And after you have self trained yourself, pass on those qualities and responsibilities to your children. This is what keeps a nation strong – a strong family unit. Without the family unit, a nation is doomed. History has shown this in the past and will demonstrate this in the future. It is a given.

America is still a good place to be. Let’s return to the greatness, not by abuse of our foreign policies, but making it a point to be fair, but hardened to the principles that we set for ourselves. Do not put down another nation because of a different culture – that culture can still remain, but democracy must be encouraged. And what better way to encourage it than by being a role model.

Thomas Jefferson found out that keeping America aloof of other people’s problems and not offering help leads to nothing good. The United States cannot be an island unto itself while the world becomes inflamed around us. Has not history shown this in pre-World War Europe and Asia? The Iraqi people are glad to be rid of Saddam Hussein and his like – is it not our duty to help them do so? Is it not in our best interests to create more allies against those who would use power for evil and self purposes?

In the past we tried diplomacy and restrictive punishment through the entity known as the United Nations, but today, that entity is controlled too much by the very powers of force and anti-democracy our policies are against. It is time to change this and it takes perseverance to do so. It is not easy, in any situation in life and any scope, to stand up for good character, integrity and solid principles of values. It is far easier to compromise with a seemingly more popular conception of deceit and evil intentions. It is that way during the course of our personal lives and so it is in the scope between nations. If you have ever communicated with people of other nations, like I have, in person and via the wonderful world of cyberspace – you would find that, generally, they want the basic things of life and have families and friends they care about, want a decent place to live and an opportunity to live their lives free. Do they expect no calamities? No. But they meet them as they come as they rest of us humans.

The promise that government is the solution to all of our problems is a false promise. No government can ever perform such a task. Besides, do you want a our government with officials of that entity to be in charge of your life from cradle to grave? If you say “Yes” – than I beg you to consider the history of that concept and well it has worked. Not very well. By limiting government, you don’t limit its power to provide national security and the general welfare of its people, but limitations as to how much of our lives they can control. We must be stalwart citizens and take it upon ourselves to achieve freedom of choice and the responsibility and character to accept whatever comes from those choices.

We have made too many mistakes on choosing who runs our government, so it is time to first reform ourselves and then select elected officials that will reform our government. This concerns all Americans – natural-born and those who have chosen to become Americans from somewhere else. Melting Pot is good, multiculturalism is bad. Honesty and integrity is good, political correctness is bad. Individualism for most actions is good, collectivism is not. America must always be reluctant to use force, but when the time comes, enter the conflict with resolve to win and do so as quickly as possible. Multiculturalism does not promote unity – and as the name of our country indicates and the Latin phrase on our paper money indicates – we are the United States of America.

Let’s take care of ourselves and our economic problems, so we can better serve to help them who want to help themselves. Let us once again stand up amongst world nations and become a role model – not because of our culture, but because of our democratic republic government (as it was designed) and as our character as a people. There are good people amongst us from here and elsewhere who must unit against those who would change/tailor America to their planned agenda – an agenda that will only continue the breakdown of our civilization. We must return to the days of freedom of choice, but this time with the modern concept of not being racial or bias because of skin pigmentation and ethnicity. We have good and bad moments in our nation’s history – let’s retain the good. That good begins with Americans being neighborly, instituting good character in our youth and teaching them that knowledge is power and that unity is also a power that can serve to be good.

As far as politics – it is time (overdue) to ignore the two traditional parties whose creation was for a purpose explained in the Federalist Papers and books like America’s Three Regimes: A New Political History by Morton Keller. You don’t have to purchase it – libraries are still free. The only way for the Democrats and Republicans to reform themselves is through competition, and one major obstacle is the mainstream media. They fear a third party and independent candidates. It might disrupt the “system”. Well, the system is bankrupt, like our banks, financial institutions and business entities today. If the solutions tried in the past do not work, don’t keep using the same tactics. Review the situation and act according to it. It might help to also apply this to elected officials. Vote for the individual running, not the political club they belong to. I understand that over the long period of time in history where this practice is usual when it comes to American politics makes it difficult to change; we must be more open-minded and make ourselves knowledgeable of alternatives. It is time that Washington, DC begins to accept that business there is no longer usual and their good-old boy system doesn’t work for the betterment of all – and especially to keep our nation strong and safe from foreign and domestic enemies.

And, Americans need to protect the Second Amendment. That amendment does not require that all Americans own and use firearms, but it gives them the choice to do so for their protection and emergency situations. Only tyrants would disagree:

Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don’t allow our enemies to have guns, why should we allow them to have ideas?
Joseph Stalin

Check out the Constitution Party and any independent candidates, do your research and be prepared to make the real change. We need political scientists, not lawyers in government – the latter is trained to buck the system, not comply with it. Choose leaders that don’t point fingers elsewhere, but truly resolve to find the problem and then the solution. As Harry Truman stated and had a plaque on his Oval Office desk with those words: The Buck Stops Here – so this should be the philosophy of congressional members and the executive branch.