The American Pendulum

Election day is approaching and it will effect our future.  Political parties aside, we are all going to feel the effects of this election.  One of my history teachers used to say that American politics was like a pendulum.  When it swung to one extreme, it would balance out in time by going the other way.  I really hope this is true.

Our basic freedoms and rights as Americans have never been under such attacks. Our constitution is being criticized as being outdated.  Family values and freedom of religion are also under constant bombardment from those with special agendas to promote.

Separation of powers is a concept which was adopted by our forefathers to prevent tyranny and to control the different government branches so that any one of them could be kept in check by the other entities.  The current president is attempting to govern as a dictator and go around these checks and balances.  Sadly the other branches of our current system are content to sit on the sidelines while this is happening.

It is past time to rid our government of self-promoting, greedy politicians who are only interested in their own wealth.  When the nation is in peril of terrorists and internal destruction by those who would destroy our fiber as a nation, it is time for a coalition of citizens to demand that our representatives listen to us.

The extreme ideas which are so obvious in D.C. are also evident in our state and local government. Colorado has seen attacks on family values, religious freedom, education systems, and constitutional rights.  Many of these attacks are funded by billionaires from Hollywood and the Eastern political establishment.  These individuals have no business in Colorado politics.

Even local government can become influenced by the same ideas that are pervasive in Washington. Redistribution of wealth seems to be one popular theme.  It is considered politically incorrect to earn a living by working.  Just take what someone else has earned and use it.  Taxes are imposed to redistribute income. (Obamacare is a case in point.) .

In Walsenburg, we have a pending ballot issue to increase the sales tax.  This tax is purported to help prevent an increase in utility rates, but the city can raise utilities anytime it wants to.  A sales tax is meant to raise money for the general fund, and the general fund is separate from the utility funds. This sales tax is to help cover the $500,000 plus in spending deficits that the city has created.  More money is not the answer.  Getting rid of the individuals who spent more than the city could afford is the answer,  Handing over more money to those who created a massive deficit won't cure the problem.

As citizens, we have problems to solve at every level of government.  The results of the last election show that not voting has consequences.  Many stayed home to protest a lack of choice.  Let's vote for the best choices to turn our country back to democracy and deal with thinning the herd later.

Common Sense is not Politically Correct

The term "politically correct" is relatively new to me.  In recent years it has become incorrect to disagree with the establishment.  To disagree with authority is considered to be critical and disagreeable in a negative way.  This is inconsistent with what America is about.

To remove a person's right to disagree is to tolerate tyranny. Our forefathers sacrificed themselves by fighting tyrants who would limit their freedoms.  The fight is not over.  Some people think that any disagreement with an elected or appointed politician is treasonous.  They also think that it should be illegal for anyone to speak their opinion if it is different from the status quo.

Today common sense is not mentioned much.  I hope it is not considered a crime.  Examples of common sense include seeking shelter from the rain, avoiding poverty by not spending everything you have, working for money to pay bills, defending your country by guarding the borders, and recognizing a higher power than government.

The democratic process involves disagreement and debate.  Disagreement is part of the process.  The press used to understand their responsibility to report the news whether they agreed with it or not. Citizens need good information to make well informed decisions. Common sense is not a requirement to be a citizen or a politician or news reporter.

Just as we should be tolerant of those with no common sense, the politically correct should reciprocate. Being politically correct is to ignore morality and other factors to remain in the favor of the popular purveyor of a trend or political idea..Anyone who disagrees with the politically correct is considered a terrorist who should be silenced or imprisoned or executed.  These views are expressed by talk show hosts, news hosts, and politicians today.

The MSM or main stream media is considered by many as the propaganda arm of the government. Increasingly, the news is being reported on the internet by people who have a thirst for truth.  Many of these individuals do not receive compensation for their efforts.  I applaud them and hope that more will join the effort.

The reason America is seriously in danger of losing sovereignty and freedom is that many of us have been asleep to the political process for too long. While some folks advocate political correctness and equate that to always being positive and never exposing wrongdoing; the wrongdoing and corruption in government is still there.  Whether we vote and express our opinion or turn our back on the process, we are participating in  decisions that effect our future.