There are so many controversial things in the news and in the world right now, when I think about what to write it's hard to know where to start. The underlying theme is a lack of God. Every single thing can be traced down to sin and people wanting to do things their way. There has been a calculated evil effort to systematically take down our country. I can hardly turn on the news without hearing of another killing, attack or disaster of some sort. It seems we are coming apart at the seams.
I said this 4 years ago and it's even more critical now....this election is of the utmost importance to our country. This is not a party choice or who has the best sound bites. This is do we want a chance to bring America back? or change her forever. Will we let them transform her away from what our founders created as the greatest country ever, or strive to regain our freedom.

SCOTUS

All sides are in a tizzy about the new nomination to the Supreme Court. The Democrats are once again being hypocritical (typical). Back when a Republican was in office in an election year and this issue came up they were all about saying the nomination should wait until the new president took office. Now that the tables are turned and a "Democrat" is in office during an election year, they are all about nominating a new judge as soon as possible. The Republicans are rightly saying it should wait.
I got to thinking about the irony, and it dawned on me this may be a good sign. The fact they want a nomination now, tells me they aren't overly confident they will win in November. If they were so sure that the Democrat candidate was going to be elected, why would they be in such a hurry to get the Supreme Court vacancy filled now? They could just lay low and confident that their guy in November would take care of that after they win. They may be worried the American people will see through the smoke and mirrors....and lies and corruption and not vote for the democrat nominee for president. As for me, I sure hope that's the case..that we the true Americans rise up and take our country back. Anyway, something to ponder......

Immigration

We hear so much in the news about immigration. We must stop it, we must let them in, we must take care of those suffering, we must send away those here and on and on. I have definite opinions on this, but as I've been reading about boundaries lately, I have seen a correlation with personal and national. As an individual we all need healthy boundaries. We can't do it all, nor can we allow others to take advantage of us. In order to be useful and helpful members of society we need to take care of ourselves first. Even in the Bible Jesus took time away from others and took time to "feed" Himself. If we give everything away we will get to the point of not having anything to give and collapse. What's the correlation you ask? It is the same with America and immigration. If we let everyone in and try to take care of the whole world it will only lead to our collapse. It is healthy to have limits.  It is healthy for the United States to build walls of protection. We need to control who is able to come into the country and in this case not just the volume, but have the ability to keep out those who seek to harm us as well. The intent is not to harm people by keeping them out, but to maintain the ability to continue helping as we are able. If we drain our resources and are not able to even help those who are here, who are citizens that need help, it will most definitely lead to collapse.
There is no meaning to the laws and rules (boundaries) if we continue to allow, without consequence, people to break those laws. The word illegal means forbidden by law. This means criminal. Changing the name to undocumented or displaced does not change the truth of what is happening. Thousands of people have been waiting years going through the process to come to America legally, and allowing thousands more to just run across the border as criminals, disrespects and hurts those doing it the right way. Allowing them to break the law and drain the system hurts all Americans and those coming to America legally. We cannot keep showing favoritism and better treatment to criminals than we do our own citizens of America.
We in essence are not protecting ourselves and keeping our "boundaries" as a country. Just as an individual cannot fully function without healthy boundaries, neither can a nation. America has always been about helping others, about giving opportunities, about a better life, but we will loose that ability if we don't close ranks and fix the problems now.  You take care of your family and yourself first and this gives you the ability to help others more effectively. America needs to take care of America so we can effectively help others.

We Need American Patriots

This is by far the most controversial and important election in America's history, in my opinion. Even more so than the last two, we are at a turning point. America can go either way. Fight to keep our freedoms or let a minority take over and vanish our freedoms inch by inch. The divide may have never been greater. I don't think it's an overstatement to say the status of our liberty as a free country is on the line. The options for president are few. Most notably two socialists, one a life long criminal and one a bum, both who want to give America away. On the other side of the isle there are a few good options but I think one stands out far above the rest.
I'm going out on a limb and say that my "dream team" to run and Win the presidency and vice presidency is Cruz and Carson. Ted Cruz and Ben Carson are men of deep integrity. Having character is not something new for these men. They have a solid history of strong values and morals. Ted Cruz stands for his principles and does not back down from doing the right thing, even if he stands alone. He knows the Constitution and fully supports and defends it, something that has been lacking in the last 7 years. Ben Carson is a man of great intelligence as well as more wisdom in his pinkie that most now in leadership. Both worked extremely hard to get to where they are, and know the value of hard work and stamina. Not of the least importance, both of these men have a strong faith in God. Contrary to what the media the left and the radical want us all to believe, America was founded as, and still is a Christian nation. No amount of rewriting history (aka lying) or preventing the proper education of our children in American values, citizenship or how a republic nation works, can change what the truth actually is. We need to stop accommodating values and culture that go against the fabric of America, to the detriment of our own freedoms. Too many divisions in a country make a country no more.
I have to believe the majority core of Americans do still love America, and cherish the freedoms unique only to us. The problem lies with those minority beliefs that have taken over those who are in leadership. People need to help educate those who have no understanding of what we could loose. They look only at the free things promised without the consequences that will surly come with that.
Socialism leads to communism which leads to a destroyed and depraved nation.
Guaranteed.
Everytime.
As much of the world slowly escapes and distances from these lies and corruption, America appears to be running toward them. Punishing those who work hard and earn money, to give to those who don't, only destroys a country. America is a land of equal OPPORTUNITY not equal OUTCOME. Everyone has the opportunity to succeed at some level if they work hard and persevere. It's why so many risked their lives over the last two centuries to come to America. People also forget that those who succeed big, and run companies, provide opportunity for more people to work and achieve their dreams as well. Don't punish success and innovation, it IS what built America. We need to purge out the attitude of entitlement and bring back the attitude of good work ethics and morals.
Stand firm. Educate. Don't let the American Dream and American exceptionalism die with our generation.

Weary

Race, racism, racist. These words are used so much they no longer have meaning. If someone disagrees with you call them racist. If someone does better than you call them a racist. Racism is thrown around to cast blame and make victims. Racist is defined as someone who believes or a belief one race is superior to another. The fact that someone gets paid more, has a better job, house does not mean they are or think they are superior to anyone.
It appears the only ones calling out racism are actually the ones discriminating.
I've said before the world has turned upside down. We daily see evidence of this.
It matters not what color anyone is, it only matters what their character is.
America is better than what appears to be happening. We cannot let the small amount of agitators change who we are as a country.

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood

Letter to our Vets

Thank you beyond words to the Veterans of this great country. The sacrifices you have made and are making takes a love of America and the courage to stand up for the rights and  beliefs espoused by our founders. I know too many people take our freedoms for granted and don't even seem to notice us slowly loosing them. I for one and thankful and appreciate all you do.
Around the world America has been a beacon of freedom and sacrifice for the benefit of others. We are an exceptional country with an exceptional and unique beginning; we owe that in large part to our military and each person individually that takes that oath of service. We all built this country together and you represent us well.
So we set aside this day to honor you, but we need to remember to always thank you. I love to stop and shake the hand of our servicemen and, beyond that, our law enforcement and firefighters as well. They all give greatly to keep us safe.
Every day.
I'm proud to be an American and proud of what this country stands for. Thank you vets, you are greatly appreciated!

In just over a year we will be electing a new president. I don't know that I will stay sane as we go through the process. With the amount of people running it seems more like a circus at this point. This election is crucial to our countries' survival and I hope it's not too late to fix things.
It seems that so many Americans don't really know history and what makes America great. There is all this talk of socialism now. It's been tried. It fails. Everytime.
There is talk about equality and tolerance and heaven forbid someone gets offended by something, we wouldn't want anyone's feelings to be hurt. The liberal elite try to tell us we have to accommodate the one to the detriment of the rest. Behaviors that are commonly known as deviant are now pushed on us as normal and traditional values are now considered deviant or radical.
I think some of this is due to the extremely poor leadership in the country for the last 7 years. Granted things were degrading before that but they have accelerated lately.
We need to bring morality back and common sense.

In God We Trust

I wrote this awhile back for an online class I was taking...thought today a good day to share it.

IN GOD WE TRUST

Our country is founded on religious values. Not many people know that the basis for our constitution and founding documents come from the Bible and religious motivations.  Many school textbooks gloss right over any mention of the roots from which our country grew. Look around and you will see many examples of religion. As close as the dollar bill in your pocket you will see “In God We Trust” on the bill. The Ten Commandments are posted in courthouses. The Commandments are also the basis of many of our laws. The founding fathers wrote documents based on their beliefs and relied on guidance from God as they worked diligently to form our country.

President Woodrow Wilson said:

A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do.  We are trying to do a futile thing if we don’t know where we have come from or what we have been about.

Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence signed because they were pursuing religious liberty. The King would not allow them to have a Bible society, a missionary society, or church. Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were deeply religious. By looking at what they wrote in correspondence or official business one can see the threads of religion and faith woven in. Many of their activities promoted Christianity. Several signers of the Declaration of Independence started the Sunday School movement, along with Bible and missionary societies.

Ben Franklin, one of the least religious of the founding fathers still recommended teaching Christianity in the public schools in Pennsylvania, and worked to increase church attendance across the country.  In 1800 when the leaders moved into the capital, one of the first things they did was to approve the capital to be used as a church.  Jefferson even had the US Marine core band play at a church service at the capital. It does not appear that the founders had any intention of keeping religion out of public life. John Hancock called for prayer for those to come know Jesus Christ. The founding fathers displayed numerous religious writings and activities promoting Christianity. Ninety-five percent of the signers of the Declaration were strong Christians and have writings to prove it.

American history was taught including this information until about 1900. School children would learn about each of the signers of the Declaration. Children would know who each signer was and what they stood for. In the early days of our country, the Bible was the text school children used to learn to read.  Since the early 1900’s we have been slowly moving away from teaching the religious roots of our country. In the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s we started looking at history in a way that left God out of the picture. By the 1960’s all that was taught was an economic, or money related, history. The reasons our current history books give for the birth of our country are purely economic. If we pay attention to history we know that there were economic reasons for coming to America, but they were not as important as religious freedom. Colonists came to promote the gospel, not to search for gold.

George Bancroft was called the father of American history. He taught that God’s providence in history is as important as the events that happened. Thirty-four quotes the Founders made were taken directly from the Bible. Congress oversaw and approved the first printing of the Bible in America. The Liberty Bell has its name because of the verse inscribed on it; Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.” The New England Primer from 1777 uses Bible stories and examples from the Bible to teach children. Do these sound like examples of a country founded on non-religious beliefs? Or one that seeks to separate itself from any influence of religion?

It’s important to understand where we came from and the intentions that the founders had for our country. Our country is unique to others around the world. We started with a ragtag band of patriots, an army of farmers and merchants, and birthed a country that became a super power.  The founders had good reasons for designing our country the way they did. They knew we needed balance in government as well as a moral compass to guide them. Now, it’s up to the citizens today to honor what they created.

John Adams, second president of the U.S. and co-author of the Declaration, said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other”.

Bibliography

Kaufman, Matt. "Founding Documents: Shaped In and By Faith." Citizen Nov.     2011: 4-5.

The American Heritage Series. Perf. David Barton. Wallbuilders, 2007. DVD.

Independence Day

In spite of the fact our America looks very different than the one our founders built, we still are a free and quite exceptional nation. I know our freedoms are slowly slipping away, but if you look at the core of America and Americans, most of us still believe in the ideals of the founders and hold true to the constitution. The media portrays conservative ideals as a minority when it's more of a majority.  It's sad to see how the minority has become so anti-American, how uninformed people are of basic American history.
When people are offended by things like the flying of the American Flag there is something deeply wrong with the world. Avoiding offending someone seems to take precedence over freedom of speech and expression. We are in America, there's no reason not to fly the flag and be proud of our country. We shouldn't have to accommodate to other cultures to the point of squelching our own American ideals and freedoms.
People think saying America is exceptional means we are cocky or think we are better than the rest of the world. This is far from the case. We are exceptional because of of the type of government we have is unique in the world. The method we were founded is unique in the world. Our past is far from perfect but overall we have sought to make the world a better place.
Despite what many progressives would like to believe, America was founded as a Christian nation. Those leaders put God first and I think that is a main reason that this country works...or worked. Truly what's happening now is a spiritual battle for the hearts of Americans more than any political agenda or politician.  I am seeing a glimmer of hope with more and more people getting fed up with the state of our nation and fighting back. The Bible says in the end times what's good is considered bad and what's bad is considered good. I don't know if it's the end times or not but I do know that's what's happening now. But we need not give up hope because nothing is impossible with God. We can turn this country back to it's roots but it won't be an easy task. It has been a long slow infiltration and it will take diligent persistence to change course.

So today I do celebrate America...what America stands for....her rich history...freedom. At the same time I feel a hint of somber from the struggle we are in now. Our forefathers built America once..we can bring it back again.  We owe it to all those who fought and sacrificed to make America great.

Freedom is not Free

Freedom is not free is a phrase most of us have heard many times, but as we honor those who fought for us this Memorial Day we need to remember the sacrifices they gave. We enjoy our many freedoms but many of us take these for granted. We can go where we want, be who we want, say what we want, worship how we choose.  If we were born in America, freedom is all we have ever known. We have no idea what it's like to live without freedom. At the same time we need to be careful not to abuse our freedoms and be responsible citizens of this great nation.
There was a time when America wasn't free and a world around us that still does not enjoy that freedom. It was a risky and terrifying concept for those Revolutionary warriors to attempt the journey that brought US that very freedom. Countless soldiers through the centuries risked life and limb and a future so that we could live as we do. I would imagine that if given the choice they would do it all over again. These brave men thought not of themselves but of their love of our country and the honor and privilege to serve.
Each generation has had to fight to keep that freedom. Let us not drop that ball and loose all they have gained. We thank them by being grateful for what we have and working hard to keep it. There is a untold cost to what we have. Freedom is not free, let's remember that in how we live.

Voter ID

This is one topic I can seem to wrap my head around how blatently full of hypocracy the liberal view is on this. They claim that we shouldn't have voter ID because minorities or poor people might not have one or know how to get one. Yet one can hardly check out at the grocery store without one. Just about anything else people do an ID is required. Obviously poor people or minorities go to the store or even to get food stamps or help they need an ID. Are they saying that minorities aren't smart enough to get an ID? That's hardly encouraging equality as they trumpet or giving others credit for being able to do things for themselves. The ONLY reason to block voter ID is so dishonest voting can go on..in the form of dead people voting, multiple votes by the same person and more. I fail to see how they can continue with this arguement and stay sane. I have complete confidence in any citizen being able to get an ID to vote, and that's the key word citizen. You need to be a citizen to vote and only vote once. That's about all I have to say about that.

Thank you

Thank you to our veterans. Those words seem small for all that they have done to preserve American values and way of life. Starting back with the Revolutionary War, all the way to today, countless people have sacrificed their lives for America and Americans. We are all connected. America is an exceptional country, built in ways no other nation in history was built. The founding fathers got together and hammered out our governing documents. Out of the early American's desire to be independent of tyranny and have freedom to worship came a great nation. Without those willing to sacrifice for what they believe in America would be no more. Right now we face a reality of loosing what we have worked so hard to keep. As true patriots we need to dig deep and fight for our country, stand together and bring America back to its founding principles, lest all the past sacrifice be in vain.
So thank you to those who fight bravely for America, let's join together and remember what makes America great.

I'm back

It's been way too long, so hopefully I'll get back in the groove. There has been almost too much to write about that it's overwhelming to know where to begin. Everytime I turn on the tv or radio it seems there is yet another scandal in the news about this corrupt government we have leading us (if you can call what they do leading). I guess it's somewhat encouraging that some in the media are finally taking their blinders off and seeing the lies and corruption for what they are, but they have a long way to go. Americans need to wake up and take our country back, I just hope we can elect true leaders before too much damage is done. Personally Obamacare had raised our health insurance to almost $900 a month, which is frustrating considering it's just a high deductible plan so only helpful for major stuff. We actually have a plan that was grandfathered, but what good is that when the price skyrockets. I hate how the government thinks they know what's best for us. Forcing Americans to buy a product or pay a fine is glaringly unconstitutional. This administration has trampled the constitution and spit on the founding fathers sacrifices more times than I can count. America is an exceptional nation and I want it back.

A Good Read

I'm reading a book right now that I highly recommend. Actually I wish it could be a standard supplement text for all high school history classes. It's called "Under God" by Toby Mac and Michael Tait. I actually purchased it years ago, but just getting to it now. (wish I wouldn't have waited so long) It's a collection of true stories of America's rich heritage. These are stories you rarely read about in you history classes. There was a fascinating one about George Washington from the French Indian War. Basically he was shot at multiple times by the Indians who were specifically aiming at him and never miss, till now, and he later discovered holes in his uniform but he was unhurt. The chief realized that it was divine protection and that this man would go on to do great things, which we know he did.

The story that I read today prompted me to write about that book. It was about a man named John Prentiss "Print" Matthews. He was a known Union sympathizer and worked for the cause of equality during the reformation. He lived in Mississippi, so this was a dangerous position to take. They had formed a Fusion Independent Party comprised of blacks and whites. They had been successful in other elections but in 1883 things changed. Militant white Democrats basically waged war on them, intimidating blacks, doing night riding to black homes, whipping and threatening, and even killing one man who fought back. These militants where respected and successful business men in the community. Matthews party had successfully proved that whites and blacks could work together. They went against the all white power philosophy of many in the south, but had a large following of both white and black families. In 1881 Matthews lost the vote for sheriff by only 84 votes, most likely due to the fact that the Democrats "claimed" a horse ate the ballots in a mostly black precinct. Back to 1883, voters of the Independent Party were terrified to vote. Matthews had been given written warnings not to vote, which he ignored. He went to the polls, was verbally warned, and when he handed in his ballot was shot to death. An all white jury declared the shooter Ras Wheeler, innocent. He went on to a successful Democratic political career. The Democrats passed a resolution that no one could organize blacks against the whites in their county without personal harm. Many Southern states followed suit and Mississippi Constitution in 1890 prevented blacks from voting.

We know through history that Democrats are known to stand in the way of racial equality at every turn, yet today tout that they are the ones looking out for black families or any minority. In essence they still are doing all they can to keep black families poor and dependent. If they truly wanted to help, they would step out of the way and let black families become strong and prosperous. We know that's not what they want. They want power and control of blacks and anyone who disagrees with them. One of their biggest problems is that they still see blacks as "different" when they are not. We are all human, we all descended from Adam and Eve, thus all sharing basic genetics. There really is only one race..human. It just contains a wide variety of traits, none being better than the other, just different. I'm beyond sick of "race" games. We are all just people of one big family...move on.

I'm not even a quarter of the way through the book and each story is eye opening...find it and read it :)

Independence Day

I can't have a blog titled America IS Beautiful without writing something for the 4th of July. Many people will celebrate for lots of reasons and it lots of ways. To some it's just another day for a party or barbecue, or maybe some time off work. Those who truly understand the magnitude of what happened over 230 years ago may take time to reflect, especially in our present culture, what July 4th stands for.

America is an exceptional country unlike any other. It was a radical concept at the time and a miracle that our founders accomplished what they did. Many people do not know the extreme risks the signers of the Declaration took, their lives, their families, their occupations were sometimes lost. Stepping out against the King was not a popular...politically correct...thing to do. They had to be secretive, working behind closed doors. Actually writing and signing the Declaration was only just the beginning. Putting your name on that document made you an instant treasonous enemy to King George. Yet, these humble men had such depth of conviction that what they were doing was right, that they were willing to risk it all. The freedoms we gained and the style of government they built was unlike any other. They won against all odds and birthed a nation.

True and knowledgeable patriots today are heartbroken at what is happening to this unique and exceptional nation, a Christian centered nation. We are a nation where "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Take some time to remember what it took to establish and build this great nation. If you've never sat down and actually read the entire Declaration of Independence, I didn't until a few years ago, I would encourage you to do it this year.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

I don't know

Today was just another arrow into the heart of the founders of America. It doesn't matter how people try to rewrite history, the fact remains that we are and have always been a Christian nation. Our ancestors came here for religious freedom, a freedom we have been slowly loosing. Even other countries around the world can see the hypocrisy and treason rampant in our government. It's hard to even keep up with the constant barrage of scandal upon scandal. Now even the Supreme Court is getting in the game of fundamentally changing America. Not enough Americans truly know our history and the extensiveness of Christianity woven through the fabric of our country. The attacks on our constitution and values are disheartening.

English Please

I'm tired of America catering to everyone and everything. At some point the melting pot is so diluted it is no longer what it was meant to be. I saw a commercial for a nationwide store the other day in Spanish. Last I checked English was the language of the land. What other country caters to every culture and language like America does. It's great that people come to America (legally) and that they keep their traditions and language alive in their families and communities. What I don't like is people trying to change our culture and core values. In the previous centuries immigrants came to America, assimilated into American culture and ideals, learned English and became Americans. If someone doesn't like our culture our language our values our way of life then why come? I would not expect to go to a foreign country and have them cater their society to me and my values. If I don't like their culture or society then I don't have to go there. I've seen kids here learn the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish..really..if I'm going to pledge my Allegiance to America I would think I should at least have the decency to say it in English. There are certain things that make America great, things that built our nation, and many are trying erase that from existence. Those who seek to divide us and pit Americans against each other on the basis of skin or ethnic background or other divisions should be ashamed. There is a reason people flock here. We are free, or least we were. Someone we all know stated that he was going to fundamentally change America, well sadly, he is well on his way. When it's practically a crime to be a true patriotic American we need to stand up and defend America, the one that was meant to be.

Regs Regs and more Regs

So much scandal has been uncovered since I last wrote. The magnitude of it all I guess has left me speechless...for a time. So much needed to be said but unable to formulate it onto a page. But no better time than the present to get back at it.
For the moment though, I have something more general on my mind. Regulations. I've had enough. Don't get me wrong, there needs to be regulations, but in our society we've gone beyond overboard. Those in charge, be it government local or federal, employers, leaders, activists or you name it are trying to control every aspect of our daily lives.

Regulating how much pop we can buy--sure it may be bad for you and people make bad choices, but they should have that choice
Regulating where you can build a house so as not to kill off a bug--where is the value of the human being and their need
Regulating what you can and can't say--heaven forbid we offend anyone (except of course Christians they are apparently fair game)
Regulating guns--ever hear of the 2nd amendment

Licences permits rules and bans for multitudes of things

Stories daily of peoples rights being taken away

Starting or maintaining a small business is made extremely difficult

What happened to America the Land of the Free? We are being squelched, controlled and regulated to death. When a little kid can't sell lemonade on the street without fear of getting in trouble or you can't sell milk from YOUR cow to YOUR neighbor and on and on...something is desperately wrong.