Amen, Mr. Paine

I don't really know how to start this blog, but I thought I should write something. This morning on my way to work, I was listening to the news on the radio, and I heard some of the government's plans to "take back" (read: steal) the AIG bonuses. I am in the minority who thinks that the bonuses should be given to those employees whose contracts require them. It's not a popular opinion, but after hearing both sides, I believe it is the right one. When I heard what the government wants to do to take that money, I felt like throwing up. This morning it finally sunk in that ours is no longer (to paraphrase President Lincoln) a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

That's why I'm writing this tonight; I simply cannot think of another way to express my concern - nay, my horror - over what is happening to my country. I know that some of you may disagree with my politics, and that's okay. Whether or not you think like I do, I urge you to watch this video. Sure, I do not agree with all of his ideas, but if I know most of you, this will stir something inside of you which demands that we take action to save ourselves and our nation. Please watch this. Then, pick up a copy of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" The actual book from 1776, not the YouTube video. Our nation is now over 230 years old, but the ideas that lead to its founding and prosperity are not the mouldy, dated, and useless novelties that they are held up as by our career politicians and the media that supports them.

Now that I've written a blog about this, lame as it is, I have something else I've wanted to do for several months now. We fly an American flag on our front porch, and we fly it proudly, because it stands for freedom, bravery, and liberty such as has been enjoyed by no other nation in history. Well, we used to fly it proudly. It is still up there, but the principles it once embodied are quickly being smothered. This weekend I am going to furl the flag on its pole and wrap it in black ribbon as a display of my - disgust is too weak a word - over the path our nation now treads. No, I do not expect it to accomplish anything, but until I think of something that can, this is the best I can come up with.

Take the words of the above video to heart and do not sit idly by while our country is stolen from us. I have no intention of someday having to explain to my children how our nation used to be the greatest.