I Am An American

I am an American.
 
I have proudly worn the uniform of the United States Army in service to my country. I have slogged through jungles and endured scorching desert heat. I have bled for my country.

I have traveled the world and proudly declared my citizenship with my passport which is imprinted with the words “Unites States of America.”

I have looked with pride at the response of my countrymen and my government’s elected leaders at the rapid response to help those in need all over the globe.

I am an American.

I am proud of my country.

I only wish I could continue to say I am proud of my government’s leaders.

The sad truth is we are a government without true leaders.

Our leaders once had vision, compassion, daring and integrity. Our leaders once led us to become the most wealthy, productive nation on the planet. And, the most respected.

Today that respect has all but vanished. Our leaders have alienated our allies, squandered our wealth and reduced productivity to primarily the increasing of wealth for a few at the expense of majority.

Respect that was earned over decades has nearly vanished in less than a thousand days.

I am still an American.

I am still proud.

And, I still harbor hope we will again have men and women who will lead our great republic back to its place in history as a nation “of the people, for the people and by the people”. A nation that leads by example and not by the arrogance of power.

Reflections on the 4th of July

The Declaration of Independence is 236 years old today. A comparatively small group of patriots who believed in freedom and liberty and the right to choose took on the mightiest power in the world at the time, against all odds, and won.

            What followed is a Constitution unlike any other on the planet. The freedoms guaranteed in that document are unrivaled. Tens of thousands of this country’s finest have died defending it and hundreds of thousands have shed their blood for what it stands for.

            Our great nation was founded on principles few had ever dreamed would become reality. The promises our Declaration of Independence and The Constitution hold are considered the very basis of freedom.

            Now more than two centuries later we must continue to be vigilant. To maintain what our founding fathers left as their legacy to the world. Over the past decades it seems our Constitution has been the victim of erosion.

Presidents, Congress and even our Courts have worn away our rights just as the surf washes away the sand from a beach.

On this 4^th of July we must all stand with Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Payne, John Adams, John Hancock and Francis Lightfoot Lee and the rest of the courageous patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence. And James Madison, George Washington and the others who forged our Constitution to insure our country regain its promise to all and continue to be a beacon of true freedom. We must hold our elected and appointed officials accountable and to the same standard set by the men who forged our nation and founded The United States of America.

Let's Start A Movement

No matter what medium one turns to we seem to be inundated with political propaganda. Perhaps, its time to reform the entire system and "We The People" demand constitutional changes to insure a true republic.

We could start by demanding our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., both houses, adhere to Jefferson's original idea that it is a part-time job. They are to represent their constituents not the constituents that provide the most capital for their election. Have all Members of Congress rely on Social Security for their retirement, not a lifetime annuity for serving. On the same track, demand they receive the same health care benefits as the rest of the American population. Not the elitist perks they now enjoy.

As for a Constitutional Amendment, change the terms. Instead of a six year stint for Senators and a two year cycle in office for Representatives both with unlimited terms if re-elected, amend the Constitution to read one 7 year term for Senators and one 4 year term for Representatives. Oh yes, and no re-election bid.

In addition to being a United States citizen, they must also have served in the military. Along with such an amendment, this would be a mandatory requirement for the office of Commander in Chief.

Much has been written and discussed regarding campaign finance reform. We can honestly say America has the best politicians money can buy. Enact legislation setting a cap on the amount of money spent seeking office from any source. Eliminate special interest groups or Political Action Committees (PACs) and return the election to the individual citizens as Thomas Jefferson intended.

Of course, these are idealistic goals. In reality can anyone envision those in office now jeopardizing the status quo? NOT A CHANCE!

An ongoing theme to most election campaigns is "Change." If such a movement took hold and succeeded there would be change. And a change that would insure The United States of America was truly the land of the free in a government "of the people and for the people."

Remembering

In the past I have written about our fallen heroes, the ultimate sacrifice made by so many since our nation was founded. That number, unfortunately, continues to rise. With it brings an even greater reminder of what Memorial Day is all about.

It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words. A friend, a fellow soldier, sent this to me. I have no idea to whom it should be attributed but my appreciation goes to the unknown photographer.

No words can express what is captured here.

                                         Remembering With Honor

Truth in Advertising plus Insurance and Contraception

Two unrelated thoughts have invaded my mind lately. The political process, selection of presidential nominees, and the controversy regarding Sara Fluke, the Georgetown law student, who was vaulted into national headlines for her view that insurance companies should cover contraception.

As millions of dollars are spent on media outlets, primarily television, shouldn't the Political Action Committees (PACs) be held to the same standard as any other advertiser ... that is to say truth in advertising. Advertising laws are aimed at protecting consumers by requiring advertisers to be truthful about their products and to be able to substantiate their claims.

While it would take volumes to list the violations of these laws when it comes to those seeking public office, specifically substantiating various allegations perhaps it would beneficial the electorate to know who is misleading us. We all know politicians are akin to diapers ... both are become full of shit and need to be changed on a regular basis. Maybe adhering to the same laws American businesses must follow just might keep the mudslinging to a minimum and maximize the discussion of why we should vote for them.

The second thought is about Sarah Fluke. Not about the Rush Limbaugh debate but about equality.

I believe in the separation of church and state. I believe in religious freedom. What I don't believe in is when I am being told how to lead my life by any religious organization. I agree, if a religious institution ... whose sole purpose is that of religion and NOT of religion coupled with other services or businesses offered to the general public, then they can dictate policy.

The equality question is simple. These religious institutions haven't said one word, that I'm aware of, about insurance covering and paying for such drugs as Viagra and Cialis for men, to enhance their performance. Why should they not be made to pay for contraception for women who bear the greatest risk of their male counterparts' benefits of this type of drug?

Just a couple of thoughts.