For Abigail

I wish that I did not know the governmental processes as well as I do. Confronted with unexpected opposition to health care reform, our wonderful Congress and President will now produce a “compromise” bill. All will herald how wonderful is the kingdom.

How selfish we are to be so willing to put at risk the freedom and liberty of future generations in return for one more entitlement program. I must say it again, our freedom and liberty can be lost because we cannot pay the cost of health care reform. That reality is why no health care bill should be passed. There should be no compromise.

But Congress and the President are deaf to the rumblings of America. Revolution is in the air. The America that I know has had enough. For myself, I was born a free man and I will die a free man either from natural causes, or the cause of protecting that freedom.

Some Americans have really gone “loopy.” Some Americans are saying that health care is a “right,” like our freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, and freedom of religion. I can only surmise that they would add an eleventh Bill of Rights’ amendment to include, “the right to health care.”

Health care for all is a worthy goal, but not only is it foolish to declare it a “right,” such thought is downright dangerous. What then would be the next “right?” Perhaps, the “right” of everyone to own their home? Or the “right” to have the government cook one nutritious dinner for everyone each week because nutrition is important to health and learning?

I can see General Washington rallying his troops with a corrected version of Jefferson’s immortal words, “Men, you are fighting for freedom because you know that you are “endowed by your Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these rights are Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness, and the right to nationalized health care!” Hearing the last of these rights, the men threw down their muskets and went home.

Throughout our history Americans have died to provide and maintain those unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Near as I can tell, it has never, ever been about providing nationalized health care.

America will never be the same with nationalized health care. The program, if passed, will become just another expensive, unaffordable government program. It is socialism through and through.

I vote for keeping the federal government out of our lives. I vote for individual liberty and freedom. And, personally, I will not stand by and watch as the Democrats destroy our nation.

There is tremendous need in America, no doubt about it. Is it government’s role to satisfy that need? I say no, because the need is infinite and the resources are finite. Solve a human need problem today and tomorrow’s headlines will herald a new campaign for the next need on the list.

Cradle to grave care is the opiate of our time. In the stupor of our existence we are happy to be taken care of and indifferent to the inner voice that speaks to us of personal freedom. That is, until we wake up. But will we wake up before it is too late?

I have this sense that our democracy is slipping away. Socialism seems to have the upper hand. Silent no more. It is time to take back our country.

It is so amazing that we are a nation at all. The pressure on patriots not to participate in the cause of freedom had to have been immense. Community pressure to maintain the status quo and individual pressures of life’s responsibilities were true then and, in fact, are true today. I am in awe of the men and women who in the face of such great personal sacrifice, delivered to me a free country.

We are faced with a similar choice today. We shall seek comfort in the promises of government or make clear that our comfort is of our own making. Where do you stand?