Honor Thy Father ~ Forefathers, that is

Ordinary People do Extraordinary Things

I love to read the Declaration of Independence every now and again. It reminds me of our very humble beginnings.

Did you know our forefathers risked everything for our freedom? Yes, our freedom.

The reward was great. A new beginning. The ability to write new rules by which to be governed. A chance to make life better.

The price for failure – poverty, ridicule, death.

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

www.archives.gov, Declaration of Independence

Republican vs. Democrat vs. Independent

I’m a registered republican. It’s true. I don’t have to explain myself, but I will, sort of.

My grandfather [on my mother's side] was a republican. My mother was a republican. As far as I know it, my father was a republican. That is why I registered republican. No different than why I was loyal to AT&T and Allstate at one point in my life.

My parents may or may not be registered republicans anymore. I haven’t bothered to change it. It doesn’t matter. Not to me.

George W. was our president for 8 years. I voted for him. Oh, and I lived in Florida, too! Hanging chads my ass. Those stupid punchcards were in use for years. You were told to check your card before submitting it. Ridiculous! But I digress.

In hindsight I blame Al Gore’s PR people for my not voting for him. He reminded me of a mafia hit man. And John Kerry, well, he was a moron. Really, John Kerry as president? He shouldn’t even be in office. Anywhere!

Weapons of Mass Destruction

We remember this, don’t we? We “supposedly” found these WOMDs and therefore had to go to war.

I am all for supporting our troops. My grandfather served in WWII. My father and father-in-law in Vietnam. My oldest brother was in the Air Force, my other older brother is in the Navy.

Yet I cannot help but wonder why we went to and are at war. I know all about 9/11. I don’t take that incident lightly. That was an excuse not a reason for war.

And the masses turned on the republicans. Bad, bad people.

And we elected Barack Obama. I voted for him, too. What can I say? I like to vote for winners. I liked McCain, kind of. He’s okay. I cannot stand Palin. Why is she still news? Ugh!

And the masses turned on the democrats. Bad, bad people.

It’s not the republicans. It’s not the democrats. It’s US.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

www.archives.gov, Declaration of Independence

We as a society are so quick to pass the blame to someone else.

The President is but one man. You want real change? Start voting out the old politicians. Congressman. Senators. They are outdated and out of touch. Don’t forget about your local politicians. Stop being robots and only voting for the name you know.

There is a campaign in my area to get Virgil Goode back in office. We are a stupid, stupid people. This man was in office for 12 years in the Fifth District of Virginia. He continually campaigned to help those citizens living in his district with promises of jobs and family values and yada yada yada. CRAP!

There are no jobs! This man resides in my county. The people here vote for him because he lives here. They believe he cares about them. He could not be bothered to write a letter to the White House requesting some high school children be allowed to get a tour.

What did he say about his successor? He had New York backers and that is the only reason he won [not verbatim]. That was his big push. That Tom Perriello wasn’t from here. Yet Perriello is. Just not this particular area.

And they want him back in office?! He doesn’t care about the people. He cares about himself.

His only saving grace? Right now he says he will not seek re-election this year. One can hope he keeps his word this one time.

We’re Not Ready to Suffer the Ultimate Risk

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

www.archives.gov, Declaration of Independence

When we are ready, we will break the bonds.

We will fight back.

We will remember – WE ARE IN CHARGE.

… it is their duty, to throw off such Government

www.archives.gov, Declaration of Independence

Learn it. Know it. Repeat it. Never Forget it.

Overthrow does not have to mean war.

We elect or not elect. We can change what we don’t like. We can’t stop complaining and start doing something.

Stop letting someone else dictate your future. Be proactive. Care.

And if you don’t, well, then you have no one to blame but yourself.

Tell me, what do you think?

Keep it clean. I reserve the right to moderate and delete comments I find to be offensive in nature, but would prefer you just play nice.

image courtesy of carly.mauch [edited to show signatures only]

Disclaimer: I don’t believe in parties unless they have good music and good people with which to mingle. Seriously, I have nothing against republicans, democrats, or independents. It’s not political parties that are good or bad; it’s the people running them.