In watching recent events, I’ve come to believe more and more that this country is rapidly sliding towards Socialism, Marxism, and eventually Communism.  Extreme?  No, I truly don’t believe so.  The liberties and freedoms that have been taken from us are growing, and more and more are at risk.  So many people can’t see what is right before their eyes.  How quickly people will willingly give up their freedoms in the name of safety or entitlement or countless other excuses.  But what it really comes down to is the government controlling more and more aspects of our daily lives and our freedoms falling by the wayside.  For those who might say that this is just because I don’t like Barack Obama, think again.  This is not an Obama thing, although I do believe that in the last 9 months we have had our Constitution and freedoms assaulted more than ever.  This is not a Democrat or Republican thing, or a liberal and conservative thing.  This is purely about right and wrong; good and evil.  Yeah, that’s right – evil.  This assault on our Constitution and freedom has been going on for a long time, by both parties, and I believe it is time to stand up and say, “NO MORE!”  We cannot stand idly by while our children’s future plays out in front of us like some bad horror movie.  I want my America for my children!  I want my children to know “The Greatest Generation.”  I want them to know the America that brought freedom all over the world.  I want them to stand up with joy in their hearts and be able to proclaim, “I am an American!!!”  I remember growing up my mom telling me that I could do anything in this country; I could be anything, learn anything, and have freedom to make my own decisions.  She would tell me that there were countries in the world where that wasn’t allowed; where your career was decided for you; where you weren’t allowed to worship freely or speak your mind.  I remember sitting on the couch in the living room with her, watching on television, the Berlin Wall come down and then her explaining to me what that really meant.  I remember being so touched and moved by that and thinking I live in the greatest country in the world!  Will my children have that?  Will my children be able to know that they live in the greatest country in the world?  Will they be able to be anything they want to.  Will they have the opportunity to work hard and achieve their dreams?  Will they know this land was blessed by God and that the Founding Fathers were set apart by God to do a mighty work?  Will they know that our Constitution was inspired by that very same God?  Of course I will teach them all these things, but what evidence will they have in their daily lives for the greatness of the United States of America?  What kind of America will they grow up into?  Will they look at me and their dad and ask, “How could you all let this happen?  Why didn’t you see what was happening to the country?  Why didn’t you stop it?”  I pray that won’t happen!  I pray that the people of this country who have so clearly lost their way will wake up, before it really is too late. 

I’ve included an excerpt from Mormon Doctrine on Communism under my pages tab at the top of the page.  Even if you aren’t Mormon and don’t hold those beliefs, read it.  It’s not about Mormonism, but about Communism.

I love this.  There is a good group of videos that he has done, but this is especially great! 

I wanted to take a moment today to express my appreciation for all those that have served in the armed forces!  Words cannot properly convey my gratitude for you.  I am so grateful to live in this nation and thank my Heavenly Father that there are people like you out there, ready to protect and defend my family and I!  You are brave and courageous, and indeed, heroic.  I admire all of you for all you’ve given in behalf of this great nation!  And, truly some have given the ultimate sacrifice, and I honor them. 

While in the midst of this election year, I think many have lost focus on what is truly important.  And, while many of us have differing view points, we must remember that were it not for those who have fought, and sometimes died, for us, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we have to express our views.  So, for this time, let’s put those differences aside, and honor all those who have given so much, so that we don’t have to. 

Thank you! 

Because I think often times music can convey feelings that I’m not able to, here’s some great songs to honor those in the military: 

American Soldier- by Toby Keith; Some Gave All- by Billy Ray Cyrus; Brothers- by Dean Brody; Letters From Home- by John Michael Montgomery; 50,000 Names- by George Jones; Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly; 8th of November- by Big and Rich; Welcome Home- by Dolly Parton; Arlington- by Trace Atkins; God Bless the USA- by Lee Greenwood

Please remember how blessed we are, because of these amazing men and women.  Let us never forget our veterans.  Honor them.  Love them.  Thank them.

I want to share a fable with you, from Aseop. 

The Dog and The Wolf

    There one was a Wolf so skinny that he was nearly dead with hunger.  He met a Dog who lived in a house in town. 

    The Dog saw the Wolf was near death.  “Dear Wolf,” said the Dog, “your wild life will be the end of you.  Why not work as I do, and get your food given to you each day?”

    “I would be willing to try anything,” said the Wolf, “if I could just get a place to live and something to eat.”

    “I can take care of that for you,” said the Dog.  “Come with me to my master and you can share my work.” 

    As the Wolf and Dog made their way to the town, the Wolf saw that the hair on the Dog’s neck was worn very thin. 

    “Dear Dog,” said the Wolf.  “Why is the hair on your neck worn so thin that your skin shows?” 

    “Oh, it’s nothing.  Don’t worry about that,” said the Dog.  “That is just the place where my master puts the collar on my neck each night.  After supper, I am chained.  You will get used to it.” 

    “Is that what it costs to eat every day?” said the Wolf.  “Then good-bye, Friend Dog.  I would rather starve and be free.” 

Many people in this country are much like the Wolf at the beginning when he says, “I would be willing to try anything if I could just get a place to live and something to eat.”  We are tired of things the way they are and so we are looking for “change.”  But at what cost?  Anything?  Our freedom?  The Wolf learned, before it was too late.  But, sadly, I don’t think I can see the same for many of my fellow Americans.  Most people won’t figure it out until it is too late, and the “hair on their necks are worn so thin that their skin shows.” 

We are watching our freedoms slip slowly away, ever so slightly.  The Constitution is being disregarded at an alarming rate!  I hope people wake up before we are saying, “Oh, it’s nothing.  You will get used to it.”

I found this great article by David Limbaugh today about Obama.  Clearly Obama is a Socialist, as this other astue blogger points out.  Socialism is evil!  I just wish I could trust McCain not to go down the socialism road, too.  But, alas, I cannot.

Love this! 

Check out what Mark Levin has to say!  Very profound.  (Click on the little speaker.)

“Government is not reason; it is not eloqence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”

                     ~George Washington                                                              

I recently had the opportunity to write an article for our ward newsletter about the Fourth of July.  I really wanted to talk about how the Lord established this nation.  My friend Mike recently posted about The Constitution, and I used some of the quotes he had in his because they were so good.  Anyway, here’s what I wrote. 

232 years ago, our forefathers were in a battle that would forever change this world.  Indeed, this battle had been foretold long before by Nephi who in vision saw what would transpire. 

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them. And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.  And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.  And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.” (1 Nephi 13:16-19) 

I am speaking, of course, of the events that occurred allowing the United States of America to be established as a free nation. 

We celebrate on July 4^th the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  But, the founding of our nation began before that.  The Lord caused good men to come forth during this time, for the express purpose of establishing a land of liberty.  We know the names George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and many more.  These men were truly revolutionaries.  The Lord gave to them the courage and conviction necessary to accomplish the great work they had to do.  Of the passing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, “Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men.”

By all logical reasoning, the colonists should not have been able to win the Revolutionary War.  They were inexperienced and outmatched.  The British were better armed.  But, the colonists and their leaders had things the British did not.  Besides knowing the land better, they were filled with passion for their cause.  They were unquestionably fighting for their very lives, and the lives of their posterity.  They could taste freedom and liberty and would do whatever they had to in order to secure it.  Most importantly, however, they had the Lord on their side.  The War was not easy or swift, but in the end, the colonists were victorious. 

Now, they had to set about creating a new government.  Again, the Lord was with them.  While there was much debate about the role the new government should take, the Spirit was with the founding fathers, and they were eventually able to create a divinely inspired Constitution.  The Constitution was established in order to maintain liberty.  Indeed, the Lord tells us, “Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.  And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (Doctrine and Convenants 101:79-80) 

How blessed we are to have a government established by the Lord, and guided by His divine Constitution. 

“Hence we say, that the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. . . . We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 147-48) 

The Constitution is a gift from the Lord, and we have a duty to honor and uphold it.  President Ezra Taft Benson told us,

“To every Latter-day Saint, we have a tremendous obligation to be good citizens, to uphold the Constitution of this land, to adhere to its basic concepts, to do all in our power to protect the freedoms and the liberties and the basic rights which are associated with citizenship. The Lord has said even in our day, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that we have an obligation. He has not only spoken about the Constitution being inspired, he has said that if we are to be good Latter-day Saints, we also have to take an interest in this country in which we live and we are to see to it that good men are upheld and sustained in public office.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson page 615-16; from an address given at Short Hills, NJ, 15 Jan 1961)

We must take an active role in the destiny of our great nation.  Be involved.  President Reagan once said, “I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do.  I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.” 

            In closing, I’d like to bear my testimony of these things.  Anyone who knows me well knows my passion for this wonderful country.  I love this nation!  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who caused this nation to be established in the manner that it was.   The founding of the United States of America is something truly glorious!  I hold in my heart a great love and respect for those who risked their very lives to bring about The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.  These documents were created through the Lord’s inspiration, and by no other means.  When I read them I cry.  They stir up inside of me deep feelings of gratitude, love, and honor.  I echo President Hinckley’s statement, when he said,

“On one occasion a journalist asked me about my belief regarding the Constitution. I replied that I felt it was inspired, that both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were brought forth under the inspiration of God to establish and maintain the freedom of the people of this nation. I said it and I believe it to be true. There is a miracle in its establishment that cannot be explained in any other way.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Keep Faith with America“, commencement address given at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah on 6 May 1999.)

This nation truly is a miracle.  It is wonderful!  I pray that this Independence Day we can remember those who came before us and established this great land!  Let us celebrate and be happy, for we live in a nation like none other!  Brothers and Sisters, I leave you these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I don’t know what happened, but I realized that I have forgotten to post anything about the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert that I went to.  Wow!  Was it awesome!  We first heard from Mark Levin, then Lt. Col. Oliver North.  After that, Sean Hannity spoke to us.  All were wonderful speakers and really got me charged up.  After the speakers, Lee Greenwood took the stage.  He was very good.  I hadn’t heard most of the songs before, but I still really enjoyed the music.  His vocal range is amazing, and the music was great.  And, of course the best song was God Bless the USA! 

All in all, the night was full of patriotism and optimism and enlightenment.  I can’t wait until I can go to another one!

Welcome to my new blog site.  I decided to move because I just wasn’t getting everything I wanted from Blogger.  This site will allow much more freedom, and we all know how important freedom is to me.    Anyway, I hope to have all the links up and running soon. 

February 7, 2008, was a day of mourning for conservatives everywhere.

The campaign of Governor Mitt Romney, 60, was cut short Thursday, February 7, 2008, when he announced to CPAC that he was suspending it. After he served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, he began his campaign. In February of 2007 he announced his candidacy, and was a welcome addition to conservatives. His campaign was strong from the get-go, and weathered many storms. When the focus of this candidacy became his Mormon religion, he didn’t back down, but instead faced those who criticized his faith. His candidacy was for so long the bright ray of sunshine in an otherwise grim Republican field. In a time of immense Reagan nostalgia, Romney gave many conservates/Reganites great reason to rejoice. Indeed, Mitt Romney was, in the end, the only hope for true conservatism to be back in the White House.
His campaign is survived by his wonderful family, who supported him all the way; all the volunteers that spent so many hours working on his behalf; conservatives everywhere, who miss the great Ronald Reagan; his 286 delegates; the Constitution; patriotism; hope for another run; hard work; faith; and love.
Memorial services were held in the hearts of many!

It is clear that Mitt Romney loves his country!

“It is the common task of each generation – and the burden of liberty – to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.
“To this task, accepting this burden, we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the Earth.
“Thank you, and God bless America.”

~Mitt Romney
CPAC, February 7, 2008

“And if you believe that as I do, that our source of strength is our people, then when America faces a new generation of challenges like we do today you don’t look to government. You don’t look to make government bigger. You don’t look to make government stronger. You look to make the people stronger. Because that has always been and will always be the source of our destiny. And when we need to call on the strength of America we look to strengthen the American people …
“We rise to the occasion time and again. Whatever we face, whatever challenges we have, there is no challenge greater than that which can be achieved by drawing upon the spirit of the people of America. This is the hope of the world. We will always be such.”

~Mitt Romney
Final Speech as RGA Chair, November 30, 2006