Published Feb. 19, Winter Haven News Chief

Back to Europe

They took off in fragile sailing ships across an uncharted ocean looking for a new life in the “New World”…. AMERICA!  They forsook the comfort, the security of a sure but stifling life under kings and dictators.  For what?   FREEDOM!  This quest for freedom overcame the fears of the unknown.   They knew what they had, but wanted more.  

 It would be to simple to say that they came for freedom of religion, there were many reasons for this utter shedding of security.  They wanted opportunity; the opportunity to worship in their own way, the opportunity to say what they felt without somebody silencing them,  the opportunity for entrepreneurial freedom.  And yes, some came because the New World was better than their current residences, a prison.

 All were looking for something better.  But things didn’t quite work out the way they planned.  The King still wanted his due.  Did they acquiesce?  Not this hardy bunch.  That excitement of freedom still was hot in the hearts of the likes of Washington, Jefferson, and Patrick Henry.  They risked all (hanging for treason) for “go for it”.  Again the good guys won, they overcame the fear and won the freedom we now have.

 Are we building on these sacrifices and risks taken by these brave men?  Nope.  We are looking at Europe and things look very inviting. Job security; “free” government health care, long vacations.  Never mind the principles of the founding fathers build a nation that is the envy of every country in Europe.  An economy that delivers, a military that is called on by all nations to make things right.  Instead we are building security and comfort through another entity rather than self.  That entity is government.  Would we now take the risks of our founding fathers for freedom?  On the contrary, we gladly give up freedom for the smothering comfort of government.   

Is the government delivering?  They have screwed up the health care business so that costs are out of line for all, except the Medicare and Medicaid patients. Now those on the government dole want their prescriptions, and they will get them.  With a “fix”? No, with more money and the further degradation of our health care system.  

They are going to “fix” Social Security by throwing more money at it.  Every presidential candidate is proposing more money to “fix” social security.  More money does not “fix” social security.  You don’t fix a leaky water bucket with more water.

 No wonder the candidates that are proposing a miniscule tax cut are flying high.  It is now more important that the government have our money to protect and care for us.  More water to take care of the “fix”

 Freedom of speech?  Ha!  We know have Major League Baseball fining that giant of cultural thought, John Rocker for something he said that “offended” everyone.  Nobody is truly offended by 25 year old fool.  Freedom of speech means just that.  We have the freedom to be dumb and stupid.  The Major League Baseball rules committee will not discuss the designated hitter… they will have to come up with a list of acceptable speech.  Oh, yes, they will have to monitor those discussions between hitter and umpire on a called strike three! 

Many are perfectly willing to violate our Constitution by new campaign finance laws.  We can talk all we want about campaign finance reform, but nothing will happen until we repeal the first amendment to the constitution.   Let me refresh your memory:  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, of prohibiting the free exercise thereof; of abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 Now, on to religion, a bedrock principle of our founding fathers.  Reread the first amendment.  You can freely exercise your faith… but in certain places.  How dare you state your views in government, in schools and other forbidden places!

 We want our school systems to teach the niceties of life.  A system that has a problem teaching many students to read is now expected to teach our children about sex and drugs.  Hummmmmmm.

 So after all these years we now know that those brave souls who sailed out of the sight of land to go to America, and those courageous men who said “No” to the King got it all wrong.  We want to be cared for; we want someone to guide us in our speech or more likely to control others speech.  We want someone to confiscate the assets of others to satisfy our needs.  Freedom?  Who needs that?  God Save the King!

 My only question is; “Which country will we call on when we are no longer the super power able to defend out nation?  Where will we find the men and women with the courage to stand firm for the great ideas of freedom?”