Today most Americans still regard George Washington as the father of our country. Why? What did Washington do? Would he still recognize and be proud of the nation he once led?
When we parent children, what do we do? We often speak of parenting as teaching our children how to fend for themselves, but we know there is far more to it than that. As parents we show our children who and what and how to love. Because we love and care for our children, we at first become their idols. If we are wise and truly love our children, we transfer that worship to the real God. We help our children learn about God’s love for us, and we teach them that God wants us to love Him and each other. We teach our children to depend upon God, not men. And by learning to depend upon God and his teachings, we help our children learn to be free.
Washington might have been a king. He refused. Washington might have been president until the end of his days. He retired. Washington might have made a new nation dependent upon his leadership, but he chose to work himself out of a job. Like a good father, he reminded his people of divine providence and their obligation to thank Him for their blessings (see here). And so Washington helped our People learned to elect citizen leaders and to not be ruled by would-be demigods. With his example, Washington helped us to become a People who neither need nor want a king.
Today we are fighting to remain free. Too many have forgotten (or not been taught) the faith of their parents and grand parents. Too many are tempted to make government their idol. Instead of preserving our heritage of liberty, too many are tempted to accept dependence upon government. Too many would give themselves over to government. Too many would make those we elect demigods.
Consider McCain’s words at his rally in Prince William today. He knows who won his final and last debate with Barack Obama, “the real winner this week was Joe the Plumber” (see here). McCain is depending upon ordinary Americans to understand the truth and to show up at the polls and vote.
“We have 17 days to go,” McCain said. “We’re down six points.”
“We learned that Senator Obama’s economic goal, as he told Joe, is to ‘spread the wealth around,’ ” McCain said to a chorus of boos. “He believes in redistributing wealth, not in policies that grow our economy and create jobs and opportunities for all Americans.
“Since you can’t reduce taxes on those who pay zero, the government will write them all checks called a tax credit and the Treasury will have to cover those checks by taxing other people — you!” said McCain, again to boos. “In other words, Barack Obama’s plan to raise taxes on some, in order to give checks to others, isn’t a tax cut, it’s just another government giveaway.” (from here)
McCain understands his victory depends upon the average American and our dreams. He expect us to understand how what Obama proposes will diminish those dreams both for us and our children. Hopefully, McCain is right. When McCain reminded the crowd of Obama’s plan to “spread the wealth around,” they booed at Obama’s plan.
Nonetheless, we have work to do. We are fighting a partisan news media, and we are fighting a smooth-talking conman. Obama speaks of unity, but he seeks to pit the fabulously rich and the “poor” against the middle and upper-middle class. Obama openly offers tax credits to the poor, and he offers hidden tax breaks to the rich. We know the scam. The rich, those who can afford tax lawyers and accountants, will avoid Obama’s higher taxes by taking advantage of a bewildering array of tax loopholes. So the rest of us will pay.
Word of mouth advertising is still the most of effective. Talk to your neighbors. Get them involved (See pwcgop.org.), and encourage them to vote. Love of country is not about the land, the Constitution, or our leaders. Love of country is not about what your government does for you. Love of country is about caring for your neighbors and their welfare. Love of country is about the concern we share for each other. If you love your country, then take the time to become informed and vote. Your neighbors are depending upon you.
