As "fundamental change" sweeps our nation, it is imperative that every American decide what they are willing to do to preserve the freedoms we hold dear.
Thomas Paine said, in 1776:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
What does history tell us of the colonists who didn't fight? Of those who stood on the side of England? Very little. Who is it that we hold in such high regard 200 years later? It's the men who stood for and gave their lives for freedom. It's the patriots who dared to rebel against the Crown.
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."
This is true in all circumstances. From the hard-won wages spent on groceries to the freedoms our forefathers died for. We protect what was hard to come by.
"Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it."
What will our children and grandchildren think of those of us who stood by and did nothing? At our most recent local TEA Party gathering, a lady in her 70's stood up to the microphone to speak. She said that she had never done anything like this before, and that the only reason she was here today was because she had to answer to her grandchildren.
Glenn Beck, in his book Common Sense (Inspired by Thomas Paine) has this to say: "One day we will face our children and grandchildren as they ask us what we found more important and valuable than freedom. They will ask if our big, unaffordable homes, "free" universal health care, and "buy it now" lifestyle were worth enslaving them for. . . As they toil under oppressive taxes and tyrannical rule, they will continually question what we were so busy doing that we did not notice the stripping away of our freedoms and liberties. . . Did you not see it coming? they'll wonder."Remember the great stories of patriotism, virtue, honor, and sacrifice that came out of World War 2? What soldier wouldn't be proud to say that he helped defeat Hitler and the spread of communism? Don't we honor those Americans to this day?
It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the while, and made them happy.
Preserving freedom is every one's responsibility; the consequences are every one's, too.
"Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?
Will you suffer harm to come to your family in the form of ever-growing legislation? Will you stand by while an out-of-control government takes your hard-earned money and distributes it as they see fit?
There are persons, too, who see not the full extent of the evil which threatens them; they solace themselves with hopes that the enemy, if he succeed, will be merciful. It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf, and we ought to guard equally against both."
James Madison said, "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation."
"By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them." Hebrews 11:33
Do we have the faith to stand for what's right? Do we have the courage to do the hard things?
Speak your voice, and tell your friends and neighbors that what our government is camouflaging as "free health care" and "saving the planet" are just nice words for enslavement by higher taxes and more restrictions. Don't let it happen. Because if it does, it will be very hard to reverse.