A Truly Unique American Day

Today, July 4, 2009, a day that shall live in all (well, some of our hearts)! Yes, this is almost an exclusively American day of Independence. I say almost because there is only one other country in this entire world which celebrates this day as a day of freedom from tyranny and injustice. However, let us not lose sight of our reason for celebration. Of course, I am speaking of a modern reason for celebration...not having to go to a job we hate; not having to struggle with traffic jams on the way to and from the office; not having to face a boss for whom you have little to no respect; and finally, not having to compete with your fellow man for the most recent status symbol. Perhaps, the genuine reason for celebration and remembering our "roots" has been lost to so many Americans during this most recent economic crisis.

Today, I continued my tradition of sitting down to enjoy a movie printed in black and white and starring James Cagney. The title of the film, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is an American Classic film in which all the elements of patriotism are brought to the fore in this remarkable film. The true story of George Michael Cohan, composer; producer; lyricist; and American Extraordinaire espouses the virtue of strength of character and hard work and never giving in to despair regardless of obstacles. This film never fails to remind me of the reasons this country was so exceptional for so many years. Americans, the ilk of Mr. George M. Cohan, made this country and its people proud to be Americans more so than any fad or following. This film also re-creates that feeling of pride for one's country, but more than that...pride for being a citizen of that country. So this is truly the one day in which we, as Americans, can become jingoistic with respect to those enumerable freedoms and opportunities we, of late, have come to take for granted. I know, it is the faith in those freedoms which create individuals as George M. Cohan, American, and permit them to rise above others in order to shine as one of the fifty white stars on a field of blue. Today, I am proud to be an American, but more importantly, I am proud to be an American on every other day. God Bless America! The saga continues....

Are We There Yet?

Will this "long journey" (endless spending and government bailouts) on which we have embarked ever reach its destination? For all the frenetic activity in and around Washington DC, one would think as "Chicken Little" was wont to do, that "the sky is falling". Personally, I believe the "sky" is merely that sound made by this country's pride, honor and common sense crashing on the ground. Have we forgotten our principles and lost our indomitable spirit that made this country the greatest in the history of man? Have we lost all perspective in dealing with this self-imposed crisis? Yes, we created this monster by abdicating our wishes to those in Washington DC dispatched with the task of "representing" our desires. Have we gotten far too fat and lazy or myopic to perform the simplest acts of citizenship? Have we become the Nero of ancient Rome, fiddling as that once mighty city burns? Perhaps faith in my fellow Americans has been displaced and is in need of severe chiropractic re-adjustment. I say however, this too shall pass, but not without tears from our children or sweat from our brow. For ours appears to be a long perilous journey of Lemmings led by the "Pied Piper" in Washington DC toward the cliff and cold sea below. A part from the mixed metaphors, we each understand how clear this message is. Much like children in the back of the family station wagon on summer vacation, we are asking, "Are we there yet? "We are NOT there yet, but the family station wagon is precariously close to the light at the end of the tunnel...an oncoming train!



Can we do nothing save scream at the television as it brings each succeeding piece of economic news? Nay, I say we "fight them on the beaches" in order to save our homeland! So you ask, What can I do?" I implore each self-respecting American, be it conservative or moderate, to get in the game and write, call or in some other creative fashion, contact his or her "representative" in Washington DC to inform him or her just how angry each of you has become! And further, that you are no longer sitting on the sidelines of this game! Closely examine your voter registration card! The names of your "representatives" will be linked to the Voting District in which you reside. Write, telephone or Email those persons claiming to "represent" you. Have a voice loud and clear to shout the words, " You are mad as hell and you are not going to take it anymore!" This cavalier spending spree must cease immediately.

Compare this nation's financial predicament to your own family's finances. If you find your income decreasing, do you go out and purchase meaningless "trinkets" with your child's credit card? Of course not! The sensible reaction would be to decrease spending and find a way to pay fewer taxes--sales, income, property, etc. Obama, the High Lama, has seen fit to throw logic out with the bathwater and open our wallets and purses to steal our money for his aggrandizement. If this thought doesn't make you angry, nothing will. The saga continues....(for three plus more years)