As the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence nears, I can’t help but wonder what the “Fathers” would think if they could witness the current state of affairs. I visualize them shaking their heads and weeping. These individuals literally placed their lives on the line to divorce this country from an oppressive regime which controlled every facet of existence. Does that sound familiar?
Their ultimate achievement, the Constitution, particularly the first Ten Amendments, guaranteed personal rights which every citizen possessed. Today, those rights are abused by those in power or ignored completely. A classic example is the right to “keep and bear arms”. That’s pretty specific, don’t you think? Yet that “right” has virtually disappeared. The purpose of the Second Amendment is clear: an unarmed populace cannot defend itself from oppression.
What do you suppose George Washington would think of a president who, as soon as he was sworn in, opened the southern border allowing millions of illegals to flood the nation, many of whom were convicted criminals in their own countries and who then continued their criminal activity with Americans as victims? I think George would agree with me that it was an act of high treason.
Most presidents are unsung heroes. One was a favorite of mine: Harry S. Truman, a Democrat believe it or not. A native Missourian, Truman got into politics after his haberdashery business failed during the Depression. He was not a popular president during his administration, being referred to as Harry Ass Truman by his opponents. In 1945, he was a U.S. Senator from Missouri when Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose him to run as vice president that year.
Within weeks from the election, FDR died rather suddenly and Truman found himself President of the United States. World War II had been raging for several years and while the European war was slowly winding down, the war in the Pacific conflict with Japan was becoming more intense. Finally, he was compelled to make the most devastating decision of any president in history; ending the war by employing the newly developed atomic bomb . . . not once, but twice on Hiroshima and Nagasaki before the Japanese finally surrendered.
He went on to serve another term before returning to Missouri. There was no Air Force One or Secret Service sendoff. That didn’t start until JFK was assassinated a decade later. He and Bess climbed into their secondhand vehicle and drove back to Missouri to the only asset they had; a house left to them by Bess’s mother. One of my favorite stories about Truman goes like this: He and Bess were travelling and got lost.
Harry finally got out of the car and knocked on the door of a residence to get directions. After getting them, he thanked the owner and turned away. Suddenly, the owner exclaimed, “I hate to tell you this, but you look like Harry Truman.” Truman turned around and smiled, saying, “I hate to tell you this, but I am Harry Truman.” He died the day after Christmas in 1972.
Those were the sane days. The Democrats and Republicans had different agendas; however they worked together to solve serious national issues. Today they fight amongst themselves, particularly the GOP, the Save America Act being a classic example. I wasn’t particularly surprised to see several Republican members lose their primaries due to Trump’s endorsement of opponents. Massie and Cassidy are among those who will no longer be serving.
This is Memorial Day weekend. Folks who plan on driving to their destination are upset and concerned over the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel. Like others, I’m getting impatient with the progress of the Iran conflict and wish Trump would bite the bullet (bad analogy) and take what we all know is the only action which will bring the war to an end.
I’d love to get back to Arlington Cemetery and see the resting places of those who devoted their lives to this great country: my Uncle Jim, Audie Murphy, JFK and so many others.
Paco
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