There once was a country that began as many have, with the populace revolting against the tyranny of the oppressive and unjust rulers. Nothing really special in that, it had happened many times before and happened many times after.

The results in this case, however, were unprecedented in the world.

The country  through the years grew in size and strength through the hard work of her people and their independent spirit. The economy grew and the people prospered as had no others before in history. These were not a lazy peoples, they valued their freedom and accepted the responsibility that came with it. The country became a magnet for people the world over, many who loved what it offered, others who feared it and wanted to end its' peoples way of life.

Throughout the years outside forces tried many different times, many different ways, to bring about an end to this great country, all without success.

However the enemy from within was quietly at work trying to bring an end to it all. They operated openly in most cases, although hiding their true objective. They worked to ever so slowly take away the freedoms that had made the country great. Private land ownership. Freedom of speech. Fair taxation. Self reliance of her peoples. They worked to make the people look once again to their government for answers to their smallest problems. Where before the individual was responsible for themselves, the government slowly encroached on and took away their freedoms and self reliance. Many of her people lost their love of freedom, it was to much work for them; why do something yourself when you can get by letting the government take care of it for you was their thinking.

This country still exist today, although it looks far different than her founders would have envisioned. How much longer this country exists as a free land is an unanswered question at this time.

The United States of America is a far different country today than it was even 100 years ago. An ever increasing percentage of her people do not want the responsibility that comes with being free. They are afraid to negotiate their own wage, jealous of those better off than themselves. Instead of learning skills to earn more, they want the government to take from those who have learned well, worked hard, and spent wisely. They want to be free to go to any club they choose, but not be free of  the government shackles of wage control, price control, or education. They do not want the responsibility of providing their own healthcare, let the government do it.

While it is not to late to change the dangerous path we find ourselves on, the job of doing it is becoming increasingly difficult. The freedom lovers of this great country must not sit quietly on the sidelines as observers, they must become engaged in the process of change.

I love the United States. I hope my grandchildren, when born, will still have a country we can all be proud of, one that is free.