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We should heed words of our nations founders
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Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
The following was seen on a T-shirt in Manteca today (July 4): “If you can’t stand behind our troops then stand in front of them, please.”

On the birthday of our nation we too often reflect on fireworks, parades, picnics and a day off from work. What needs to be remembered is the cost for our freedom and the responsibility it puts on each of us who enjoy that freedom. We have become a lazy and comfortable nation without concern of losing our unalienable rights to the point they are close to being taken from us without our knowledge or interest. John Adams said “liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.”

Recent polls have shown how lacking in knowledge we are as a people. The polls show our president with a 60% approval rating yet there is only slightly over 40% who approve of the takeover of the auto industry, the bail outs and the control over the financial markets. Who do people think is to blame for the actions of this out of control government? No, President Obama is not completely to blame but he is the leader of the party that is taking us in the wrong direction.

 Further Thomas Jefferson said “my reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”  We currently have the largest federal government in our history despite the warning of John Adams who said,” the way to have a safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to everyone exactly the functions in which he is competent... To let the national government be entrusted with the defense of the nation and its foreign and federal relations... The state governments with civil rights, laws, police and administration of what concerns the state generally. The counties with local concerns and each ward direct the interests within itself...”

“By placing under everyone what his own eye may superintend that will be done for the best.”  

This society has become so lazy it wants the government to provide for us and protect us while we play our silly games and pursue immoral interests. This attitude is the same that the Roman, Greek and Babylonian empires had just before their end. This nation needs to be intelligent beyond a form of public education. We need to use logic and reason with the education to have the wisdom we need to be free. To quote John Adams once again “those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have nor do they deserve either one”.

From the words of our founding fathers rides the future of this once great nation.  George Washington said,” in proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion it is essential that public opinion be enlightened”. For those who wish to become a great nation once again we need to cram these words down the throats of the mainstream media who have abandoned their role of informing us and become a propaganda machine for the government.

A little known fact from history is that there was much discussion about whether the people could be trusted to govern themselves. This election sure gives rise to that argument. This is a choice about government big enough to take care of us or we the people being the heart of those we elect to govern us. Do we chose to sacrifice our freedom in order to be taken care of or do we hold those we elected to office accountable for their actions? This is not a time to abandon the constitution to suit the agenda of a few in Congress but it is a time to hold their feet to the fire and require them to look out for the best interest of this nation.

Happy birthday America.
Jerry Johnson
Manteca
July 4, 2009