Our forefathers risked everything to establish this land of freedom. People have worked, prayed and died so that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.
“In 1775, as the colonists assembled at the Virginia Convention debated whether to mobilize forces against the British, Patrick Henry gave an impassioned speech in support of the resolution from his pew in a Richmond church. “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! – I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”1
The enemies are far and wide who would rob us of our freedoms. Nations, terrorist groups and evil dictators would love to put a stranglehold on America and bring us down to their level. We must utilize every means to keep our nation safe from those who might become our tyrants. Whether it is military force or financial oppression by another nation, we must rally as a nation before we lose our liberty as a people.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”2
There are three imperatives pertaining to our liberty.
1. We Must Keep Our Liberty
Liberty is much more than believing we are safe from another country’s invasion and domination. This is very crucial but it is not Liberty in a nutshell.
We must not lose our freedom to dream and have hope for a brighter future. America has been a place of dreams. America has been a place where you could work for 25 or 30 years and then retire to fish or play golf or travel our beautiful country.
This country has been a place where we believed if we worked hard, lived right, saved our money that we would eventually be on top or at least have our head above water.
The American dream is slipping away from the average American. When I was in high school, everyone believed they could work hard and someday own a house, a car and feed themselves. Things were tough all over Martin County in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson came to our county to begin his campaign on poverty. We were poor, but we really did not know we were poor. I had one television station to watch which was WSAZ in Huntington, W.VA. We had a car and we had food to eat. We were blessed. My dad worked in a coal mine. For many years he drove four hours a day going to and returning from work. He was a worker and provider. Mom and dad worked hard.
A lot of our acquaintances and family moved to Columbus, Ohio or Detroit to work in the automobile industry. We always believed we could move four hours north and there would be jobs.
These days most people in that region of the state do not think about going north for work. There are not as many jobs in Columbus or Detroit as there used to be.
A feeling of despair has settled in the hearts of many Americans. The high school drop out rate is greater than ever. People going to college can’t find a job when they graduate. After college the debt is so great that they are beginning their vocational careers financially crippled. In many cases they are working minimum wage jobs, if they can find one. Our poorest in the country live in desperation because they feel like they are so down that it’s impossible to get up. The middle class sees so much of their paychecks going out the window in taxes that there is a feeling of “Why try? Why work so hard when everything goes to the government for taxes?”
In America some of the very wealthy have become sick of the financial conditions and are moving their corporations to Mexico or China and their bank accounts to Switzerland. We must stop the bleeding! We need a 911 call made immediately to a paramedic rescue unit for America. Somebody call 911. We are in cardiac arrest and need emergency relief! The problem is, who is going to give the relief? I’m afraid that if our current leaders called 911, China or Japan would answer the phone!
We must not die on the inside. I want to challenge you as an American to be rallied. I want you to breathe, walk, live, dream and even fly. Yes, we can fly and soar like eagles. But we cannot fly until we feel like dragging ourselves off the couch and walking.
Here is a thought for you, but those who hope in the Lordwill renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Do not surrender your personal liberty. Call upon God almighty to strengthen you. Reach out to others and offer to serve, volunteer, work but be active. Do not become sedentary hiding under your blanket. You are a person. Maintain the liberty of your soul to live this life until you breathe your last breath. Do not let outside forces, other countries, big government, evil influences, addiction or bad habits enslave you. Be free!
Abraham Lincoln said, “We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name – liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names – liberty and tyranny”. 3
“And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8.32
2. We Must Keep Our Liberty As A Nation
Just as we need free individual American hearts moving this country with enthusiasm, so we need this nation as a whole feeling good about itself.
Other nationalities are coming here and singing “O beautiful for spacious skies…” while the average American who has been living here for 40 years is wondering, “What happened to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”
We must climb out of the doldrums and live again in this nation. We must quit working against each other. We must work with each other! A nation of people who turn against each other is a divided nation and a divided house cannot stand. We must work with all people of all colors, backgrounds and nationalities. This is no longer my grandfather’s America.
As individuals regain hope for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness the quicker our nation as a whole will begin to feel hopeful and take on new energy to live the American dream.
A nation that does not feel good about its country will not work for her country nor protect her nation in times of trouble. When we are strong for our country we definitely feel more like carrying the flag and marching to whatever battle our country might be called upon to fight.
Thomas Jefferson said, “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”4
3. We Must Keep Our Liberty In The World
No one in America wants another nation to invade and dominate our country. We love our interstates, our mountains, cities and oceans. This is a beautiful land and the most wonderful place on the planet.
This is not the time for our nation to bow down to the Middle East, Russia, China or any other part of the world. We have what we need in our country to be independent. We have all the energy we need. Let’s use our own energy. We have agriculture. The world is headed to a severe famine. We must take care of our food and water resources.
Other parts of the world will look to us for food in the years to come. We must take care of our farmers and land. The United Nations predicts a worldwide food crisis.5
Can you imagine America having to look to another nation for food? Groceries are expensive now. Americans will need a sack of money to buy a loaf of bread if we have to start depending on other nations to feed us.
We must get out of debt with China. This does not mean that we cannot trade with China. We level the playing field by paying them off and bringing manufacturing back to the United States.
We must cut out economic ties to the Middle East by utilizing our own energy. We must defend our borders by utilizing a strong military. This is not the time for our nation to downsize our military. Iran, Pakistan, Russia and Al-Qaeda are waiting for a weak America to attack.
Illegal immigrants already walk into our country and disappear into our landscape. What would prevent thousands of armed, foreign soldiers from pouring into our country at one of our weak unprotected spots on the border? Protecting our borders in our nation is vital.
Liberty is a beautiful thing if we can keep it. The story goes that as Benjamin Franklin emerged from Independence Hall at the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, a woman asked him, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Mr. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam – if you can keep it.”
Glenn Mollette is the author of ‘American Issues: Every American Has An Opinion’
He can be heard each Sunday night at 8 EST on XM radio 131
Write to him at gmollette@aol.com or find him on facebook.
