Monday, March 16, 2009

An Essay--This I Believe

I believe in limited government. Government is at best a necessary evil, which tends to drift toward tyranny if not checked, as Thomas Jefferson, founder of the Democratic Party, noted. Every power that the government has is at the expense of liberty. Government is necessary to defend the nation, to provide infrastructure, and to protect us from each other. But as the repository of most force, it is also always a threat to freedom.

I believe in the separation of powers, between the branches of the federal government, and between the federal government, the states and the people. They were created by the founding fathers because they knew that no person or party could be trusted with unlimited power. The concentration of power in the hands of the federal government, especially the bureaucracy, is a great threat to freedom. I believe most people won't realize this until it is too late.

I quaintly believe that all powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states or to the people, as the constitution says. That this is no longer the case is eroding freedom.

I believe that government cannot give you anything, unless it takes it from someone else. And government takes things by the threat of force—police, courts, jail.

I believe that government does not create wealth. Printing money, as President Mugabe has done in Zimbabwe, only produces inflation, where it costs a $100M to buy a loaf of bread. Private citizens, seeking to advance their own private interests, create all wealth and advancement, which give all of us good lives—and the wealth for government to do both the necessary, and the unnecessary.

I believe it is bad for America when government is totally controlled by one party, Republicans or Democrats.

I believe that the blame for the current economic situation goes beyond any one party, one country, or one class of persons. There is plenty of blame to share around. And I believe the President of the United States should have better things to do right now than get into a feud with a radio talk show entertainer.

But conceding both those points, I believe my retirement fund, and the economy in general, looked a lot better in 2006, when Republicans controlled the congress, than they have looked since, with Democrats in charge of the Congress since January of 2007. And they look a lot worse a month after President Obama and the much-stronger Democratic Congress have taken office.

I believe Congress is broken, the courts are broken and the election process is broken. I believe I could come up with solutions to fix those things, but that both parties are so wrapped up in their own short term self interests, that one or the other will defeat or emasculate any reforms in service to tomorrow's agenda or next year's election. I believe most "reforms" proposed by either party are changes they believe will help them in the next election.

I believe nothing can be fixed as long as so few citizens are paying attention, and even fewer have a grasp of basic economics. Polls before the last election gave Congress a 12% approval rating—so the public voted to strengthen the leadership of that Congress. Probably because polls also showed that 67% of the public couldn't say which party controlled Congress.

I believe in individual responsibility. The idea that someone else is responsible for all your troubles, and to take care of all your problems, is the source of much of our misery.

I believe there is no difference between a thug with a gun at the local 7-11 taking the money I earned for his own use, and a bunch of people who want to take that money getting together to elect officials who will send police and tax collectors to take the money I earned and give it to them, under the slogan of "Spreading the Wealth Around."

I believe in fiscal responsibility (and have lived it—at 63, I'm debt free). I believe that politicians are buying our votes in the next election by spending our money on programs that various voting blocks want, with dollars they will take from us or our children in the future. I believe that we already have "public financing of campaigns," because politicians get reelected by spending the public's money on projects that interest groups want.

I believe that, no matter how "socially conservative" they may be, Republican legislators lining up at the earmarks feeding pen to get money to buy votes back home are the real RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), not those Republicans who are moderate on social issues, but are for fiscal responsibility and limited government.

I believe that political decisions should be made by people the public can replace if we don't like the decisions—legislators and executives—and not by those who are isolated from feedback because they can't be removed from their jobs, like judges and bureaucrats.

I believe that the bureaucracy and the courts have carried many laws, such as affirmative action and the Americans with Disabilities Act, far beyond what the Congress intended or the people would support if asked to vote in our "democracy." Once the bureaucrats put it in place, of course, it develops a vocal constituency, so legislators are afraid to enforce the original intent of the law.

I believe in Freedom of Speech, and believe it is under threat from both Islamists and liberals who want to outlaw anything they find offensive as "hate speech." Freedom of Speech is already gone on most collage campuses, where you now have the freedom to speak the prevailing orthodoxy or shut up. It is the left who shouts down speakers they don't agree with, or threatens them with violence. It is Islamists who want to criminalize any unfavorable mention of Islam, including quoting from the Qur'an and the Hadith, as "Islamophobic" or "hate speech."

I believe in Freedom of Religion, and will tolerate anyone's faith and defend their right to worship as they please, as long as they don't want to use the government or violence to force others to adopt the tenants of their faith. But I also believe that a religion that preaches it should be the government of the world, and the only faith, and makes it a religious duty to force others to convert, must be fought. That's not a religion—it's a fascist political party.

I believe there are tens of millions of Muslims who want to live in peace with each other and with people of other faiths, but I also believe, based on news reports, that one can hardly ever know who is a moderate, peaceful Muslim, and who may suddenly kill you for Allah, because violence is preached in so many of their places of worship. I believe that it is the hate and domination preached by many standard schools of Islam that is responsible for violence and terrorism, not poverty and grievances. Bin Laden and some of his lieutenants were far wealthier than you and I. In Britain, it was doctors who carried out some attacks—hardly the underprivileged.

I believe that not to speak out against thousand of honor killings of young women (many in western democracies), the genital mutilation of young girls, and the brutal subjugation of women in Islamic societies out of a concern for "multiculturalism" or fear of being labeled "Islamophobic," is cowardice.

I believe in tolerance and respect for people who are black, white, red, brown, yellow, old, young, male, female, gays, straights, Democrats, Republicans, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans and Global Warming Devotes, and don't think they should be discriminated against, either by Jim Crow laws or Affirmative Action laws. I believe the law should judge us, and we should judge each other, as individuals.

I believe that gay people don’t choose to be gay, anymore than short people choose to be short. Never was I mad enough at a woman to think, “Well, maybe I should date guys.” You are entitled to believe they are sinful, but not to discriminate against them, in my book. As to gay marriage, I don’t believe in special treatment for gays. I think they should have to marry and suffer like the rest of us. (That was a JOKE, dear!) Seriously, if your marriage is so weak that a gay couple down the block being married is going to hurt it, you have a problem and need help. And I believe that gay couples often provide better homes for kids than a lot of the single moms are able to do, where the dad has abandoned the children, which is now the common practice in some sub-cultures. And certainly they are better parents than straight couples where domestic violence is a factor. (Fire up the computer for the hate mail!)

On the other hand, I believe we can not only discriminate against, but must fight, those who would impose their values and views on us by force, including Nazis, Communists, Islamists, and Bill Ayer's Weather Underground.

I believe that America is far from perfect, but that to equate her flaws with the grinding tyranny of other regimes, past or present, is the worst kind of sophistry and moral blindness. With all her faults, we need to guard our borders not to keep people in, but to prevent the tens of millions around the world who would like to come here from swamping our institutions, destroying the culture that made us great, and further ruining our economy.

I believe that free markets and decentralized decision making have given people in the western world the best standard of living, the most leisure and the more freedom than any place or time in human history. I believe that centralized control of the economy is so inefficient that it destroys prosperity and freedom, and creates poverty. I believe that is being demonstrated now, and is going to get worse.

I believe that business leaders who talk about free markets, but run to the government for taxpayer bailouts when their decisions prove bad, are hypocrites. They are CINOs—Capitalists In Name Only. And while I understand contracts, and the need to attract good talent, I am sickened by huge bonuses for the executives of failing businesses that receive government bailouts. Running a company or bank into failure is “good talent?”

I believe that millions of people have died so that liberals could feel good about themselves. Liberals fought to force America out of the Vietnam War, and cut off military support to South Vietnam, so that when the North broke the peace treaty and invaded the South, it had no chance. The Cambodian Communists murdered a quarter of their population. In South Vietnam, tens of thousands died in “re-education camps.” Millions fled the country, with many thousands of “boat people” drowning, or being raped and murdered. No matter, they still congratulate themselves for supporting the Communist victory.

Liberals fought to end evil white rule in then-Rhodesia until in 1978 a black-majority government, headed by Robert Mugabe, was installed. Farms were taken from the evil white farmers and given to black supporters of Mugabe—unfortunately, farming skills were not included in the transfer. Today, Zimbabwe, which once exported food, is starving. Life expectancy has declined from 60 to 37 for males, and to 34 for females. Infant mortality has gone from 53 to 81 deaths per 1,000. South Africa is on the same path. Liberals fought apartheid until black rule was establish there as well. Since then soaring crime has driven out those who can afford to flee. According to the South African Institute of Race Relations, 800,000 whites out of four million have emigrated since apartheid ended. Skilled blacks who have the financial resources are bolting as well. They take with them the knowledge to run an economy and government. But the disintegration of South Africa isn’t a suitable topic for the Brie and white wine set in wealthy liberal neighborhoods like Chicago’s Hyde Park.

Liberals helped bring down the evil, pro-American Shah of Iran. Since then, Iran under the Mullahs has hanged Gays, stoned women for adultery, engaged in a war with Iraq that slaughtered millions, and started work on an Atomic Bomb to create a new holocaust in Israel. No matter to liberals as long as they can feel self-satisfied about opposing the Shah.

Liberals all read Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and fought to ban DDT, to save the birds. That banning DDT resulted in the deaths of millions of third world children from Malaria doesn’t intrude on their self-congratulations. Tough for the kids, but what's a dead black baby in Africa compared to liberal ego satisfaction?

I believe that liberals want Hispanic and black Americans to remain in poverty, so they must continue to vote for liberals who will provide them government programs. Liberals oppose requiring Hispanic citizens to learn English, even though those who speak English have higher incomes and standards of living. And don't mention that black ghetto culture is keeping so many blacks in poverty and killing thousands of other blacks ever year through gang violence. Don't mention that single parenthood is the leading cause of poverty, and that the vast majority of black children are born to single mothers. Let's keep it that way so blacks have no choice but to vote Democrat to get their handouts. If they suffer and die because of it, so what?

I believe our universities have become Madrassas of left-wing propaganda. Conservatives and Republicans don't get promoted or tenure, if they get hired in the first place. So our students are exposed only to what the left wants them to believe. I believe the purpose of education is to teach kids how to think, not what to think.

I believe that having the government run entirely by lawyers puts the entire system at the service of the self-interests of the legal profession. Currently Lawyers are in complete charge at the White House, the Senate, the House of Representatives and of course, the Courts. I believe that the endless delays and appeals created in our legal system by the legal profession have been good only for lawyers, but have made a mockery of justice, due process and any deterrence for crime. I believe that this costs all of us a large percentage of our incomes, and many of us our lives. And I believe the Democrat lawyers running the government will make it worse, to increase lawyers' fees.

I believe that any American who denigrates America should have to spend a year in a third world country, preferably one under Shari'a law, living as the natives live. The survivors would be allowed back in to kiss the earth they used to spit on.

I believe that anyone born in America—or who becomes a citizen—has won the lottery, because they thus have a standard of living and freedoms unknown to 99% of the humans who have ever lived.

I believe that if you define someone as “poor” who owns a car, color TV and air conditioning, you don’t have a clue as to what poor means. I lived in the village of Khe Sanh for a few weeks. Poor is a one-room thatched hut, children with only a cast-off tee shirt for clothing, and rice—when they were lucky.

I believe that law-abiding citizens have the right to own firearms to defend themselves and their families. Thanks to lawyers who have clogged the courts, citizens get very little protection from the legal system.

I believe that if you don’t care about something more than yourself (e.g., your country, your place of worship, your community, your family, a great cause, the organization you give your work time to, art, poetry, literature, nature) you will never be happy. The more of these things that subsume you, the happier you will be.

I believe the person who has nothing for which he or she would die has no reason to live.

I believe the person without faith is without a future.

I believe that “class” isn’t what clothes you wear, what wine you drink or what house you live in. Class is how you treat people. There are waitresses and plumbers with more class in their little finger than wealthy elites who hold them in contempt.

I believe acquiring wealth should be only a bi-product of doing what you love. Otherwise, you’ve wasted your life.

I believe the person who loves things more than people is always unhappy.

I believe if you can’t trust the people who work for you to manage their own time and work, with only a little direction, you should replace them. (I know that’s hard if they are government employees or in unions designed to protect the jobs of the least productive.) If you can trust them, do so. You and they will be happier and more productive.

I believe that when you want the government to take over something you think is important, imagine it being run by the Post Office, the Pentagon or the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

I believe that hard work may not get you ahead, but thinking the world owes you a living makes you an unhappy slave to those giving the handouts. I believe people voluntarily dependant on the handouts of others are slaves. There are exceptions for children, the elderly, and the disabled, but not for capable adults. People addicted to drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, food, or anything else are also slaves.

I believe that if you work hard and are a success, those who don’t will call it luck.

I believe you can know only a very small fraction of all there is to know about your own field, never mind other folk’s area of specialty. There is no person you cannot learn something valuable from. And if you think you know everything, you probably don’t know that you are a boring jerk.

I believe school is always in session. Learning is life—learn every day. If I knew that I was to die tomorrow, I’d still want to read a book, or talk to an expert, and learn something new today. It’s as vital as breathing.

I believe the person with a strong vocabulary has an advantage. The person who loves reading has a huge advantage. Being a good writer is an even larger advantage, but to be a good writer, you must both write a lot and read a lot.

I believe that moral courage is as important as physical courage—just very rare.

I believe that hope is not a strategy. A goal without a plan is just a dream. “Then a miracle happens” is not a plan. I believe that “change” is a process, not a goal.

I believe that humor, like water, is essential to life, but can be equally destructive.

I believe that our culture, our political freedom and our economic freedom are inseparably entwined, and that we are on the road to losing them for future generations.

I believe in God, and ask Her every day to protect my granddaughter and my wife, but I don’t believe in telling other people what or how to believe. I believe certitude about the Almighty is the ultimate arrogance of the ego. I believe if everyone would worship as he or she wished—or not—and shut up about it, the world would be a better place.

I believe that there are four key elements of leadership: Leaders set the example. Leaders look out for the welfare of their subordinates and followers. Leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Leaders have integrity and moral courage. And I believe true leadership is in damned short supply in today’s world.

I believe that every American owes service to our country in some way. I believe those who are willing to risk their lives in that service—our police, firefighters, EMTs, soldiers, sailors, airmen, coastguardsmen, and Marines, are owed honor and respect by their fellow citizens.

I believe the failure of our wealthy elites to serve as leaders in our military today, as they did in WWII and before, heralds the downfall of our republic. Then they will ask, “Why didn’t someone do something?” I believe the "me first" generation will get what it deserves. Unfortunately, so will those who don't deserve it.

I believe that all the success I have had in life is due to the discipline and values instilled in my by my Marine Drill Instructors, Sgt. William Harris, Sgt. Michael Martin and Sgt. Ezekiel Owens. Wherever they are, I salute and thank them.

I believe that if the necessity arises where you must send men and women into battle to defend our freedoms—and it will—then the toughest possible training is what will help them survive and triumph. Therefore, I believe, contrary to the bedwetters in the media, that Marine Boot Camp is the most humane military training in the world, because it facilitates survival in combat. I believe if you’ve never been under fire, your opinion is uninformed—and probably ignorant.

I believe that most critics of our military in the media, Hollywood and politics would curl up in a quivering ball of tears if they were asked to endure for a week what our military men and women endure in peacetime, never mind when deployed to a war zone. I believe most of those critics are moral and physical cowards, and they know it—it eats their souls and makes them venomous.

I believe that if the chips are on the table, and lives are at stake, you’d be better to have one half-dead old Marine at your side, than all the politicians and Hollywood entertainers you could cram into hell.

I believe that it was the highest privilege of my life to wear the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. I don’t believe the country owes me anything for doing so, but that my serving was partial payment on what I owe our country—a debt that can be never fully paid, but with my life.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts state senate. He blogs at www.tartanmarine.blogspot.com

36 comments:

  1. Beautiful. Thank you - for having the courage to express what so many Americans feel and for your service to this great country. Can't wait for my kids to read this.

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  2. Thank you so much for this post! And for your service to this country!! You are a very talented writer and have said what many of us feel but dont have the eloquence to put into words!

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  3. I work in the Motion Picture Industry...I too am tired, tired of the same Hollywood left wing crap being produced. Yet, I believe Americans want good films made. Problem is where are the Americans willing to fund such? We need to stand together, work together, produce together...they want change...lets show them change!

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  4. That was truely beautiful. A true patriot talking about more than politics and more than parties. Thank you.

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  5. As a contemporary (age 65) I find that our thinking follows along the same lines. What is distressing is that it seems to me that those of us who hold these views are all of the same general age.
    Many years ago, when I traveled for a living, I met an older gentleman (probably about my age now) and we engaged in a discussion about the problems of our government and tax system and the influence lobbyists had in Washington. His conclusion, which I thought was outrageous at the time , was that the only hope for America to get out of its downward spiral, and out of the "I belong to the ____ party and we are right" syndrome, was to have a coup d'etat. He explained quickly that we did not have to shoot anybody, we just needed to get them all out at one time and start over.
    As the years have gone by and all of the things you reference have come to pass I have finally realized that he was correct. Unless we can turn the political discussion back to helping the country (read:the people) rather than being primarily concerned with getting reelected we are doomed to continue down the same path.
    So I would add to your beliefs that I believe in term limits. It is inconceivable to me that the founding fathers could envision Congressmen who have served for 40 or 50 years. While they consider it noble the framers of the Constitution thought 2 years was plenty. I believe we need a constitutional amendment to limit terms just as the Presidency is limited. No one should be able to serve more than two consecutive terms.
    I also believe that we will never advance on the political front until we have three or four parties which would force coalitions to govern. When you need someone's help to pass a law the laws tend to be fairer and more reasonable.
    One other side note, I am one of those who married and had children before Vietnam escalated and I was deferred because I was also in college at the time. However our family was well represented (I am one of 10 children) especially by one of my brothers who was awarded the Silver Star in Vietnam. I have always felt that I missed an important part of my growing up by not being in the military. Perhaps it would have prevented some of the poor choices I have made in my life.
    Keep writing Bob, and just remember "nil carborundum illegitimi'

    Mickey G
    Texas

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  6. If it wern't for the 12 year difference in our ages, I would swear we are twins. Loved it.

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  7. Sir,

    Amen to everything you said. I've devoted over twenty years to serving my country and it citizens throught working in Law Enforcement and Securty to include 15 years in the Army National Guard as a medic. You have summed up my feelings exactly on every point.

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  8. Thanks. I agree with most of what you said, and if we hashed out our differences we'd probably find that we agree on the rest.

    As for a political party with moral courage, I think you need to look somewhere besides the two who have been in power and are therefore most interested in remaining there.

    Check out the Constitutional party. I think you'll be impressed. http://www.constitutionparty.com/

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  9. All I can say is... Wow. Dead on right down the line. I wish more people would read and understand so much of this! I fear for the world we're going to leave our grandchildren...

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  10. It's one thing to think this stuff through but quite another to manage your thoughts and put pen to paper. Bravo. I have worn the uniform of the Republic as well and now spend my days farming. I believe too many people in America have lost the capacity for self reliance and thus the nourishment of the soul that such an honest days work can provide. To me success is defined by making a living by helping people. If you help people you help the world. For me that means providing as many people as possible good wholesome food for themselves and their children as efficiently and as cost effectively as I possibly can.

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  11. From Kate in LA - Spot on, Bob. I am a 62-year-old student here at Los Angeles City College, and every day I realize more and more that the loony liberal stuff is coming from out-of-date teachers and administrators. The kids don't believe it. The kids want a future. We have to put up with disrupted classrooms--the small percentage of "students" who talk all through the class (most of them from a former communist country). If we say anything, we are branded as bigots! Not by our classmates, but by the paid employees. One of my teachers admits this place is a gravy train for the higher-ups. I don't want to see this place close, I need it, but the biggest challenge for students here is dealing with the irrationality of those around us who also happen to be in charge. They are stuck in 60s and 70s ideology. The coursework is a piece of cake compared to the gobbledy-gook we are expected to swallow. And another thought along the "charity" line: I do not want to see the Food Pantries close, but I have been on the inside of these places and I know for a fact that all the best food and clothing goes to the people on the inside. The Trader Joe's gourment granola, the Don Francisco Cranberry Creme coffee, that Japanese tuna, that really nice marinara sauce? Nobody waiting in the line sees any of that. They see white rice, dried pinto beans, tinned veggies, and if they are lucky, a can of peach slices. I quit because I did not want to be a part of it. They say it is "for the poor" but what the poor get is what's left after the insiders have had not some, but ALL, of the goodies for themselves and their friends. The poor do not need handouts. They need jobs.

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  12. Senator Hall: Good Essay; From an older Marine; ('59 25th OCC and flt sch; '61 USS Boxer, Dominican Republic, Vieques, USS Valley Forge, then Gitmo,Cuba; 62 MCAF New River,UDN, Thailand, Philippines, Okinawa; 63 Udorn,SVN and MCAF Santa Ana; then 64-66 Air America, Inc.(Laos) then 40+ years as an entrepreneur, (GA & TX). I have similiar opinions about government. In my opinion government should make reasonable laws and enforce them equally for everyone (primarily provide public security and law enforcement) and infrastructure that an individual cannot afford or will not install such as road, bridges, water and sewer systems. All else should be left up to individuals as employers or employees with a profit goal. Each person should have the opportunity to advance without political pressure or guidance.
    I have had the unpleasant fortune to deal with a political system (neo-nazi group) after me for 28 years. If I wasn't a hardheaded West Texan and a former Marine they would have run me off, for which I would have been much better off by starting new again and writing off the amount of money and effort I had put into a small business. I alway thought after each election things would get better. They didn't...
    Our Constitutions (US & Tx) are only guides and the quality of government depends upon those in charge of the government. We are going downhill fast!! Governments don't make money, they print & spend money.... They don't sell products for a profit, only collect and spend.....
    WesTexan

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  13. I believe in you Mr. Hall... Keep the good fight!

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  14. From a former Active* (Special Forces) Marine, not as old. I know, the point of view is just one of honor, integrity and reason, that some people(like you) have and the types of things we are going through now in the USA cause people like us to shake our heads in disbelief, saying this cant happen here. The Politian's and media hogs have turned the greatest country in the world to borderline 3rd worldism for their own political and financial aspirations. It's a damn shame that not one of them would even consider forgoing any of their fat salaries to help this country, the virtues of government and honest journalism have been lost for many years and most of them need some financial reconing for them to see what normal people go through and fight for every day. just a wish, they dont play by the rules, because they allowed to change them as they go along, thanks for the breath of fresh air.

    Charles

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  15. DEAR MR. HALL,
    THANK YOU FOR SAYING WHAT SO MANY OF US LIVE AND BELIEVE, YET CANNOT PUT IN WORDS, AS YOU HAVE.

    IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU SHOULD STILL BE IN GOVERNMENT-----AND IT'S OBVIOUS TOO, THAT YOU ARE FAR TOO INTELLIGENT TO DO SO.

    GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR WIFE, DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER.

    SHERRI EL PASO,TEXAS

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  16. Honor - integrity - reason. That sums up "I Believe" beautifully.

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  17. FINALLY!!!! My GOD, I thought that I was the only person out here who thought like this. Amen brother and thank you for stating our point so elquently, expressively and with such undeniable truth.

    You have found a new follower in me. I am slightly your junior at 47 years of age. I am retired from the U.S. Navy where I spent a lot of time in countries that did not like me very much.

    I will be adding you to my blog links at my own blog. http://flyingpig.realsportsbloggers.com/

    Don't let the name fool you. There is much more than sports blogging going on over there.

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  18. Senator, Staff Seargent Hall,

    Nice essay, very nice. From the comments I read it is obvious it represents the thoughts and beliefs of many, if not most of Americans. I read it all the time on some of the news and other blogs.
    We have had some private/introductory email of late so I will not go into our Marine Corps brotherhood. What I do want to bring to light is:
    1) Why do I not hear of support of the Constitution Party?
    2) Why don't we stop bitching about the crap that has taken place in the last 20+ years and start doing something about it?
    Otherwise, it is time for a bona fide leadership to rear it's head, start being elected to offices, take over school admins, overruling city/county meeting debates and of course march with pitch forks (tea parties) to all the capitols and Washington.
    Now that i have printed this, I will mysteriously disappear and....there was once a time when law prevailed. Now most don't know that it is all but gone with the powers that be.

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  19. You obviously have a hard-on for all Dems and Hollywood and the Left. Your agenda is mostly Right Wing and they are the ones who have ruined this country. Trillions for a war on innocents that never should have been fought in the first place--and who went to NORTH VIETNAM to make a treaty? As I recall it was idiot Bush just like his former Republican buddy Nixon who sold us out to China who along with Japan and the Saudis owns most of America and her debt and who printed most of our worthless money so the uber rich could get richer? NOT Hollywood it was the REAL rich--the Johnson and Johnsons and old lady Kettering of BanK ONE. 51% single stock holder of GM. I agree with you about your stance on faith and work but not blaming "Thief Agnew's" favorite whipping boys the Liberal Left hollywood. I don't think Madoff is a Liberal, Obama supporter. As for saving our country from Fascism--and warmongers your attack should be on assholes like Ollie North (skinning rebels alive to export drugs to America) not John Kerry who was like the rest of his Democratic collegues in the Senate a hero, while your Republican War hawk cowards, with the one exception of McCain-- who had bag of hammers Palin for a running mate (I can see Russia from my backyard huh!) Never served a day in any service--talk about your prevledged silver spoon crowd. As for Unions remember your beloved Ronny Ray Gun was head of the Actors Guild and an FDR Democrat You remember him the former greatest Socialist outdone only by GWBush. Had the Republicans remembered what you said about freedom and morality and seperation of church and state and consideration like bonuses for wreaking havoc and or stealing from your clients or company?

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  20. Robert, You said it like it is and that is commendable.
    Perhaps, America should go and learn from Singapore to get out of the shit it is deep in. Singapore? A tiny dot on the world map!- Chris Xross

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  21. Oh Dandy Lioness...what a sorry state of affairs the bio-matter between your ears has become. Please save the CNN Propoganda for the next generation of bleeding hearts currently in high school.

    I just LOVE IT when left leaning bleeders go into their mantra. Go ahead and talk about Palin's Alaska comment and forget that Obama has no clue how many states there are. Go ahead and complain about the rich getting richer and remain oblivious that it's always been that way and always will. Yet, while doing so, keep in mind that we have the richest poor people in the world.

    Keep complaining about the war in the Middle East while overlooking the 40+ years of unprovoked attacks on American Tourists, Israeli athletes, U.S. Marine Barracks, U.S. Navy Ships, UN Interfearance, Invasions of allied countries, Continual calls to pick up arms against the Western Infidels, Attacks on our citizens on American soil, Promises to continue such attacts, etc...etc...

    Just sweep that stuff under the rug and shake yoru fist at the big bad Bush agenda. As if George W. Bush wanted terrorist attacks on our people. Go on believing that people who relate more with conservatism and Republican policies are kin to the anti-Christ.

    The problems that I have with the liberal left media and the Hollywood left is that they spew favoritism and partisanship. They look for dirt on Palin by going after her pregnant daughter and dumpster diving for shopping receipts while glossing over Obama relationships with racists and domestic terrorists. The Hollyweird ELITE misues their celebrity to scream their lifestyles of abuse, tolerance and excess. "Hey, factory worker...give money to a battered wife shelter while I drive my $300,000 sports car to my home in Malibu, right after my therapy appointment."

    I for one, do not need Rosie O'Donnell telling me that I should vote for a specific candidate as if she is the voice of reason. I don't feel the need to atone for the racial sins of those who walked our land 7-8 generations ago. Especially when my family is third generation American/Canadian.

    Finally Dandy...you bring up the separation between church and state. While most people are confused about this, I understand the TRUE meaning of this phrase. Read the farewell address of George Washington and you will get a clearer vision of that separation. That which simply stated that the Government could not become head of any Church or Religion. Ala...King George taking control of the Church of England and retaining all tithes. Washington pounded home the point that the Church should ALWAYS be part of the government.

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  22. I believe I have found another blog to visit regularly. Your essay will be soon quoted and linked back here on my blog, http://www.randomactsofpatriotism.blogspot.com/


    This was a winner.
    Semper Fi,
    ASM826 (Sgt., USMC 1977-1983)

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  23. I blogrolled you and wrote a post about your essay. Here's what I said:

    http://randomactsofpatriotism.blogspot.com/

    This is stellar. The rest of your blog is also right on the money. I'll be a regular reader.

    Semper Fidelis,
    ASM826

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  24. Mr. Hall,

    I am from Massachusetts. I lived there most of my life, Attleboro to be exact. My dad was a Marine and fought on Iwo Jima in World War II. I have the highest regard for all servicemen and women. They are selfless people with big hearts who care deeply about their country. I believe that television, movies, and video games have destroyed our youth. They has turned them into puppets who believe everything they hear on TV and don't take the time to investigate what is really going on. News has become entertainment with 30 second sound bites that not leave the wrong impression on people who never hear the whole story. Kudos to you for saying the things that many of us believe. American Apathy will be the downfall of the greatest nation ever. Please keep writing your essays!!

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  25. Amen to all you said.
    I feel so sorry for my (soon to be) 34 year old son who will never know what a great country this was.

    Msg (Ret) Peter Olsson USAF.

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  26. THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!!! You are a true American Hero and a genious. Very well said...too bad the people that are the problem are too arrogant to consider that they are the ones causing all of this. I will definately check back often. Any advice on politcal blogging? I love to try and convince uneducated, stubborn liberals that they are WRONG!!!

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  27. Wow! That was incredible. I am really enjoying reading your blog. Thank you for sharing. I am truly honored. Thank you for your service.
    Beka

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  28. I just finished reading your essay, "This I Believe".

    It is without exception the finest statement of personal philosophy I have ever read. Though never having served in the military (4F) our views line up nearly 100%. You expressed it better than I have ever heard. Thank you.

    Steve Mishket

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  29. having served my tour of duty in Nam as a gruntwith 1-3-5 in 1966-67 and then going back to lejeune to become the 2nd Mar. Div. Budget Chief, I was release in 1969 as a E-5 and am proud of it. I'm proud of you. Great minds think alike. Your writings are spot on and need to be read by everyone. I am still working as well and will be until I meet the Master Sergeant in the sky.

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  30. Great! - I enjoyed the contents of your essay.

    Semper Fi!

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  31. Bravo!

    Nice to know there are like-minded people still out there. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to get organized and be able to effect change we can live with.

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  32. I just read this blog. Boy, you and me both. I am 65 and share 99% of your feelings. Congratulations to you. It is about time to hear it as it should be. Thanks.
    Ronnie Semler - Malibu CA

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  33. Excellent. Came over from Sarge Charlies who posted your 'I'm Tired' piece. I love all your thoughts. I can so relate.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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