Independence Day

It’s July 4th today.

On 2 July I did something I’ve never done before. And something I hope I never have to do again. I laid off one of my guys because of budget cuts at work. In total, I’ve reduced my staff by 7 people this year and the economy appears to be the driver.

I’ve been working to avoid this reduction for the past 6 months, but it was inevitable.

It seems that every time our government announces a “fix” to a “problem” the economic condition of the country drops.

There is a reason the free markets of capitalism work best when they are free, and it is a tribute to the robust nature of free markets that they continue to work as well as they do under as much regulation and handicapping as governments place on them.

And then we have the House of Representatives passing the Climate Change Act.

When the only indicators in favor of a major global climate shift are based on political science fiction and Americans pass laws to regulate the emissions of a LAGGING indicator and place the biggest handicap in human history on their own means of production, I know we’ve passed the Age of Reason and entered the Age of Insensibility.

I have to pause to reflect on what our founding fathers had in mind when they began this adventure called the United States of America.

They were living under a tyrannical government that was geographically distant and essentially out of touch. In a pinch for cash to fund its perpetual wars in Europe and around the globe, the government increased taxes. In fact, it targeted articles of subversion such as paper, ink, and printing supplies. In its quest for revenue the government ignored petition on petition from its North American colonists for relief and consideration. The representatives the colonies had in Parliament were either ineffective or ignored. Many proved to be complicit in the oppression of the colonies they pretended to represent.

The founders envisioned a country free of that oppression. Free of the fear that came with being a British subject. They saw a country where citizens would be free to pursue their dreams. To believe according to their conscience. To work hard and earn the rewards of their labor. Citizens would be free to fail as well as to succeed. To speak their minds as well as express their ignorance.

I look today and see only a shadow of that dream in the direction our country has been going for decades.

Rather than statesmen and representatives of the people, I see career politicians who are interested first in their own well-being and who are beholden to political parties and special interests.

Rather than laws that ensure all an equal opportunity, I see laws that seek to guarantee equal results for all – regardless of their input.

Rather than citizens who have a stake in the future of the country, I see dependents with their hands out willing to take from the “haves” in order to make their life easier.

Rather than workers able to enjoy the fruits of their labor, I see men and women working until May of every year just to pay the taxes imposed by an ever-reaching government that has become an entity unto itself.

Is there a chance left to redeem our nation from its lost and fallen state? I don’t know.

But I do know that I will not be able to live with myself if I do not try. I want to be able to tell my children and my grandchildren that I did EVERYTHING I could to leave them a better country than I inherited.

This Independence Day I will not reach for my rifle. Instead I will join the New Revolution by writing and calling my representatives in government – local, state and federal – on a regular basis to let them know my thoughts and opinions.

I will find the candidates who share my values and will be their constituents’ voice. When I do I WILL NOT think I’m wasting my vote on them.

I will no longer be bullied into voting the party line for fear of throwing away my vote. (What happened to my vote for John McCain, anyway? HE threw away the whole ELECTION in 2008!)

I will work for the rest of my life to bring America back to the place it is intended to be – a land of opportunity, strength, optimism, and hope.

Join us.