A long, long time ago every classroom in our country had an American flag displayed prominently and each morning school kids everywhere recited the Pledge of Allegiance. It was something we all did -- no questions and no discussion.
Sadly, now, it’s been deemed an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
Signs and stickers with the words “God Bless America” can not be displayed in schools and workplaces, because it may be considered offensive to some. Frankly I’m offended that someone would be offended.
Tomorrow is America’s Independence Day and it should mean more to us than cook outs and fireworks.
For some, patriotism means steadfast devotion and support to our flag, our elected officials, and our men and women in uniform. For others, patriotism might mean criticizing politicians when they take America in the wrong direction.
I remember something Armand Hillier told us in high school economics/government class -- (he wasn’t just a coach of some extremely talented) basketball teams.) It was the early 70’s, a time of social unrest with many young people rebelling against a war and the policies of Richard Nixon.
Obviously after all these years, I don’t remember exactly what Coach said, but he wanted us to know that a true patriot is one who defends and upholds the Constitution and if you wanted to be a true patriot, then you’d better know what the Constitution says and what it stands for.
We all should know what our Founding Fathers envisioned for us.
To help you along, try reading David Alan Black’s book “Why I Stopped Listening to Rush: Confessions of a Recovering Neocon,” which addresses the dramatic changes taking place in our society and the signs of a visible shift of thinking away from our nation's biblical and constitutional foundations.
It’s really a book on common sense and not an actual attack on Rush Limbaugh, but it does question Limbaugh’s brand of conservatism -- something a number of us have been doing for some time.
I don’t agree with everything in his book, but the author lists some great characteristics of a true American patriot. Some of those characteristics include:
• one who is devoted, not to government per se, but to good government, which by definition is limited constitutional government, and to the freedoms of individuals as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and secured to them by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.
• recognizes that occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it and that our Founders desired, above all else, to secure to the people in a written Constitution their right of self-rule and freedom.
• recognizes that all rights come from God and are therefore unalienable (that means they cannot be taken away) and that violation of these rights by government is nothing less than tyranny.
• understands that the supreme duty of government is to defend the Constitution and to oppose all enactments that violate the supreme law of the land.
The author basically calls for Americans to return to the personal values and beliefs that have sustained our great nation throughout its history.
Separation of church and state is necessary, but it’s time to quit trying to erase every reference to God and faith from our public view.
Take a moment tomorrow and reflect on who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going. It’s a day we can enjoy because so many people have worked hard to make sure we remain a great nation.
