“What are we doing to our children?”

“One of the most serious problems in government today is the lack of accountability.”

(Back to Main Page)

The REAL State of the Union

Every year, the President of the United States gives a report to the Congress and the people which is called the “State of the Union.” This report is usually more about what the government is planning to do for every possible identifiable group than about the condition of the country.

This report is a review of material which has been reported by various responsible journalists in recent times and, if anyone chooses to give serious thought to these comments, will find little if anything to take issue with.

Probably the most basic reason we are where we are today is that far too many of our legislators are in a constant “campaign mode.” When “getting re-elected” is the foremost thought in a person's mind, can they give due consideration to what is best for the “long term health of our country?”

Being in a constant campaign mode is probably why so much time has been spent passing laws that are nothing less than thought control and the granting of special privileges to one group or another. Laws attempting to control discrimination, harassment, hate crimes and racism can only be described as thought control. Nothing so described can ever take place unless the thought has entered the mind of the person so accused. Words or deeds that are thus described are just normal human reactions between individuals and no law can ever prevent such words or deeds. What is either often or always labeled as a violation of one or the others of such laws is a restriction on a basic freedom set forth in our Bill of Rights.

Just a few examples of lost freedoms:

1. Business owners can be ruined for promoting one person if another one objects.

2. Honorable men can be ruined for attempting to get acquainted with a woman.

3. Children are admonished or even punished for using fingers as pistols when playing.

4. People can be punished for just saying words that might offend another.

5. Children can be taught ANYTHING EXCEPT being moral and honest.

6. Cars, homes and money can be taken from a person merely accused of dealing in drugs.

7. Children can be taken from homes if the parents are merely accused of abusing children.

The list could go on forever. Is this freedom? What happened to the concept that our country was founded to offer equal treatment and opportunity for ALL?

Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights were intended to establish a country governed by the rule of law. Voters have just retired an administration that has been accused of violating an untold number of laws ranging from simple theft to treason. The opposition party whose basic responsibility is to hold the opposing party accountable for misdeeds seems to be totally indifferent to investigating these accusations. Who is it, then, who is held accountable to the laws of the land? Obviously, it is not those in power. If anything, those in power should be held to a HIGHER standard than the masses.

Leaders in ANY organization are expected to work to protect and promote the ideas and principles which reflect the reason for the existence of the organization. At least in the Republican Party, the last two presidential candidates specifically stated that they were not interested in promoting the party platform. Prior to the 1996 presidential election, thousands of party leaders met to determine what platform would be one that would maximize the possibility of electing their candidate. After agreeing to a worthy document, the one who was to promote that platform stated that he had not read the platform, had no intention to read it or pay any heed to it. What an arrogant repudiation of the days of work spent to plan how to win an election. And then we Republicans were urged to “rally behind our candidate” to put in office one who had no interest whatever in even knowing what was expected of him should he be elected.

A very similar scenario took place in Texas in 1998. It has been reported that 7500 Texas GOP leaders met to work out a platform for that campaign. This platform called for the abolition of the EPA, BATF, HUD, DOE and the IRS. Also withdrawal from NAFTA and GATT, cease funding of the IMF and conduct a thorough investigation of the CFR and Trilateral Commission. When asked about this platform, Texas Gov. Bush said he runs on his “own agenda.” I have found no record of any similar expressions during the most recent campaign, but, there is little reason to believe there has been any change of heart since he became president.

What are we doing to our children? Our education system was planned to be under local control and steady progress was being made in educating our children. Since the federal DOE was established, the level of academic achievement has decreased steadily and very little effort has been expended to determine why. We just promote one alternative after another rather than make a sincere effort to determine what needs corrected in the established system.

Our school system has little interest in basic education. In many places, high school children can't read, write or even do simple math. The priority in these places is in feminizing the boys, teaching sex education, teaching diversity, dropping competitive sports and many other efforts having little to do with a basic education. A priority is teaching children to accept as normal conduct that which was criminal just a few short years ago.

In years past, schools encouraged students to adhere to the principles set forth in the Holy Scriptures. Now, our children are fed almost anything and everything but that.

What has happened to truth, honesty and accountability in government?

The term “free trade” is used by the vast majority of people in “the establishment” as the solution to economic problems facing our country. The fact is that the way our government has promoted “free trade” has been largely responsible for devastating the manufacturing base in our country and lowering the standard of living of millions of middle class Americans. How could this possibly be the solution to our economic problems when it is actually the root cause?

Until just a few years ago, we were being told that there were federal deficits “for the foreseeable future.” Then, suddenly, we were informed that there was a budget surplus. For several years, now, we are continually being told that there is a surplus, when, in fact, the GROSS FEDERAL DEBT keeps increasing. How can there be a surplus when we keep getting deeper in debt?

There are few in the media today who have much interest in determining whether information fed to them by politicians or public relations people is actually truth. Hence, they too contribute greatly to MISinforming the public.

There was a time when people in government would point out when others were distorting the facts. That time is long gone, and few seem to be concerned.

Our so called two party system has colluded to exclude any other parties from participating in the presidential debates. In the last election, probably the three most critical issues facing our country weren't even part of the debate because both parties (and big business) were happy with current trends in these areas. These issues are immigration, loss of sovereignty, and a totally out-of-control balance of payments. Who could think that our country can survive as our Founding Fathers envisioned unless these trends are reversed?

One of the most serious problems in government today is the lack of accountability. We are told repeatedly that the EPA did this, OSHA did that, IRS did something else and on and on. Organizations do not do things, it is people who do them and in spite of grossly irresponsible conduct, almost everywhere in government, seldom does ANYONE pay a personal price. In fact, the people who do pay a price are the ones who get so sick of misconduct that they expose it and then THEY pay a price. Life is made so miserable for them that others in government see what happens and few are willing to pay that price. Consequently, we get more of the same.

Any government official who claims to be interested in HONEST government and fails to give protection to those who would expose wrongdoing in government can hardly be considered a credible person.

The group that has suffered most from government in recent years are the people of faith. Our families, our women, our children and our freedoms are the victims and even the WHITE Caucasian male. When someone does dare to speak out, the world seems to cave in on them and then they apologize for exercising their right of free speech. Far too many of our national leaders, both in and out of government, have been so intimidated that they rarely speak out in defense of our FUNDAMENTAL rights.

Events in recent weeks have shaken our country to the core. We need to stand behind our president in his handling of the present crisis. However, we MUST insist that these OBVIOUS problems be addressed if our children are to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities envisioned by our Founding Fathers and many of which no longer exist.

It was reported recently that 6 million people of faith did not vote in the last election and these are the ones that would have given our president the margin he needed for a “decent win.” There is also good reason to believe that the 50% of eligible voters who failed to vote in the last election stayed home because they were not motivated by either candidate.

We are where we are today because the leadership in both major parties has permitted it to happen. They have effectively silenced those who speak out in opposition. In addition to this, most leaders of think tanks and the religious community have offered little, if any, resistance. The vast majority of these leaders are far more concerned about the success of their organizations and the power of the political party that they represent than they are about the long term health of our country. While there are some others, three men have made great sacrifices for our country, but the establishment will rarely let them be heard. These men are Howard Phillips, Patrick Buchanan and Paul Weyrich.

Each of these men have dedicated their lives to fighting for what is RIGHT as opposed to the popular justification for a position on the basis of “if this better than that?” If our country is to survive, either these men or people of like mind MUST be given positions of leadership in our country.

Even before 9-11, and especially since, we have heard repeated speeches and messages where our leaders close their talks with the expression, “God bless America.” In a land founded by men who almost totally agreed that our foundation is the Holy Scriptures and which has evolved to the point where ANYTHING BUT the Holy Scriptures is acceptable in public discourse, how can we have the AUDACITY to ask God to bless our country? (Fortunately, we do have a few leaders who, I think, do have that right.) There are many who would ask the legitimate question: Is God trying to get our attention by permitting recent events?

Scripture tells us that (paraphrasing) if we are lukewarm, God will spew us out of his mouth; but, if we as a nation will repent and call upon his name, he will heal our land. This is an invitation we just cannot ignore.

EVERY ONE OF US has had a part in where we are today, either through indifference, ignorance, or just playing along. Recent events have demonstrated that people in our country are ready for a major change of course. Who is there to lead this effort?

This is an appeal for leaders in the religious community to come together and demand that our government leaders get serious about doing what is right for our country. IF the leaders of religious organizations and pastors in the pulpits would at least monthly encourage their supporters and followers to make a phone call, write a letter and use every means available to them to DEMAND a return to the principles of our Founding Fathers, we will survive as a nation.

If there is anything I can do to promote this effort, please let me know.

(Back to Main Page)