Freedom Isn't Free...You Have To Work At It

As I observe the events occurring in our nation and around the world, I cannot help but to worry that something is very much amiss. I’ve lived long enough to have seen times when doors were seldom locked, church bells rang on Sunday morning, people watched out for each other’s children, children were taught to respect their elders, teachers read scripture and had morning prayer in classrooms, and the pledge of allegiance was recited by students with hand over heart, including the words Under God. I was witness to a nation, whose citizens sacrificed their time, money, sons and daughters to a world war on foreign soil for the freedom that united we stand, stands for. Again I saw men and women go, not to war but a “police action”, to save the small country of South Korea from the threat of communist North Korea. Thousands gave the last full measure of their life to this cause. President Kennedy gave us reason to be proud when he faced down Castro and Kruschev during the Cuban missile crisis. 

Then came, possibly our histories most unpopular conflict, Vietnam. France had already been there and was soundly defeated, so the USA decided to take up the task. At first, we were only going in as advisors to the South Vietnam military. Nevertheless, things kept escalating. For some unknown reason, our political leaders were afraid to win this “conflict” because it might offend our other enemies, namely the USSR. If memory serves me correctly, they were afraid that it might escalate into a nuclear conflict. Our returning soldiers, who had endured the “don’t fire unless fired upon” rule and clawed their way through mud and jungle and survived, were jeered and spat upon as they disembarked their ships. They were exhausted and demoralized from having lost, and yet they were treated like the “bad guy” when they finally made it safely back to the land of the free and the home of the brave. It was a sad thing to see.

The Jane Fonda type “peaceniks” bravely mistreated our returning soldiers with impunity. Only in America could they have gotten away with such atrocious behavior, protected by the same men who were offering their lives for freedom around the world. Only in America are people free to be obnoxious and belligerent as they please.There have been terrorists, both foreign and domestic all the while thinking a bomb placed here or there every now and then to kill a few innocents would make all the difference in the world. What kind of difference do they really want? America is the one nation where every citizen has the freedom to speak his peace, practice his religion, make his life pretty much of what he wants it to be without any interference from anyone. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is guaranteed in the Constitution.

America’s war against terrorism is far from over and yet our citizens tire of it. It is beginning to look like another Vietnam. No real ambition to be winners again. Pogo author, Walt Kelly said it best in 1970 when he wrote: “I have seen the enemy and he is us.” We have no leadership in Washington; congress, the senate, the president, all seem to have their heads in the sand thinking things will eventually get better. Of course, it is not really too bad for them; they all have a job with a good salary and benefits. From the top looking down, it does’t look too bad. While I am not at the bottom, I can see it from where I sit and it looks really bad down there. Moreover, from my point of view looking up, it is beginning to look really bad up there; no one up there seems to be paying attention. Yet it is really the fault of the citizens, us, we the people. We are too busy to pay attention and vote as though our very freedom and liberty depend on it. Yet it really does. Freedom loving Americans should start paying attention to the matters at hand. I hope it is not too late, some people think it is. As one who believes in the Judeo-Christian principles the founding fathers built this nation on, I say that if we citizens cannot rescue America from its perceived destiny, then look to the last verse in the Bible, Revelation 22:20 -- He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.