Made In America

Most of us reading this blog have been made in America. We were born here and our parents had the freedom to raise us with their values, showed us how to handle responsibility through work, and taught us the importance of being a citizen with character. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it. The tree is the real thing." 

 

Now we are the adults. Many of us have raised, are raising, or may raise our families in this wonderful country. There have been a few obstacles, ruts, and mud holes on our road through life however for the most part we have been blessed to the point of being a privileged generation.

I realize our country is struggling economically. As a society we have promised everyone, everything. That is why we now have more people riding the government wagon and fewer people pushing it. The folks riding feel society owes them a living.

The folks that are pushing the wagon are getting tired. They are the ones with the strength and the resources however the government keeps asking for more while making rules about how they can and cannot push. 

The economics of America are our privileges. The values of America are our principles. When we as a country load our privileges ahead of our principles we become a self centered society. George Washington said, "Few people have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder." 

Next year we as Americans have the responsibility of electing someone to lead the most powerful country in the world. It will not be an easy job. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." 

In just three weeks we as Iowans have the responsibility to start the presidential election process. Will we look at our privileges and economics and what is in it for us or will we think about the principles and values we were blessed to be raised in?

Last evening my daughter Becky and I accepted an invitation to the presidential candidate debate in a small auditorium on the Drake College Campus. As Iowans being first in the nation in this process we get to choose candidates. We don't have to follow polls. Will we choose economics and privileges or values and principles?

Ronald Reagan said "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children and grandchildren in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed over for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our grand kids what it was once like in America when men were free."