The choice

  Today being the fourth my thoughts naturally turn to history. A day to celebrate our independence from oppressive British rule. Over the years the history has been modified in keeping with current sentiments. The "truth" of the matter is often cited for these modifications. Much of history is being labeled as "fake news" in this modern informational world. A world of data, surveys and opinion polls. The majority of patriotic speeches are more of an apology than a retelling of great deeds or ideals. That is the world of today. Our constitution is under constant attack, the words and their meanings called into question at every turn. Many times, we hear how the 'founding fathers" those that composed those documents could not have known anything about the world today. They couldn't imagine anything like what we have today. And that somehow is supposed to change the nature of man? I disagree. They were writing about the very nature of man and that is what those documents address, not the physical things we have today. Not new inventions or technological advances in science or medicine. They were talking about the very nature of man which I submit has not changed one bit. 

 The ancient philosophers spoke of the same things as we speak of today. Morals and ethics. All the wars, all the treaties, all the compromising, conceding and surrenders, have revolved around one of those two actions. History, no matter who tells the tale is filled with all of that. It is always man's quest for freedom or for power. And that pretty much depends upon which side you stood. Its why men die for their country, die for their Gods, and die for their beliefs. The nature of man has not changed. Governments have formed, empires forged and fallen based on those motives. The greatest of them have fallen, relegated to history as lost causes. From the ashes of those great empires new nations formed building on the past. And throughout history the nature of man has not changed. 

 Where are the great orators today? I haven't heard any grand speeches to inspire men in quite some time. I heard a lot of name calling, see a lot of fingers pointing and blame. Today a patriotic speech will be met with jeers and derision. Those sorts of orations are not in style. Consider these words: "You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left or right. Well I'd like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There's only an up or down - [up] man's old-aged dream, the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. And regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would trade our freedom for security have embarked on this downward course." Who spoke those words? Ronald Reagan He also went on to say,  "The profit motive has become outmoded. It must be replaced by the incentives of the welfare state." Or, "Our traditional system of individual freedom is incapable of solving the complex problems of the 20th century." Senator Fullbright has said at Stanford University that the Constitution is outmoded. He referred to the President as "our moral teacher and our leader," and he says he is "hobbled in his task by the restrictions of power imposed on him by this antiquated document." He must "be freed," so that he "can do for us" what he knows "is best." And Senator Clark of Pennsylvania, another articulate spokesman, defines liberalism as "meeting the material needs of the masses through the full power of centralized government."

 This speech was called a Time for Choosing. It was given Oct 27, 1964. It was a tremendous success and inspired millions. Does any of that sound familiar to you? Much of the same is being said even today, by the same parties that were saying that in 1964. Human nature and motives have not changed since then either. We are faced once again with a time for choosing. Choose wisely is my best advice. Are you willing to trade liberty for security? I for one will not. God Bless America.  Happy Independence Day. I would add the words of Benjamin Franklin when asked "what do we have, a republic or a monarchy?" A REPUBLIC, if you can keep it. That's the choice you have to make.