Josh

Today is a special day for me. On Nov. 11, 1918, at exactly 11 a.m., the guns fell silent on the Western Front. World War I had officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Since the first observance of 1919 to today’s observance, Nov. 11 holds a special meaning for veterans of our armed forces as well as their loved ones, friends and neighbors.

As I write this it is 11:00 a.m. many of us will hold a moment of silence. Later today on U.S. bases around the world, “Taps” is sounded to signify the end of the work day and to remind everyone that others have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Currently there are approximately 23.5 million Veterans in the United
States. In this instance the term Veteran refers to anyone who has served in uniform. If only those that had served in combat were counted the number would be considerably less.

The Iraq war has lasted longer than World War I, World War II, and the Civil War. More than 4,000 Americans have died. More than 60,000 have been injured and wounded. More than 1.75 million servicemen and women have served in Iraq or Afghanistan; more than 620,000 troops have completed multiple deployments. Military members have endured multiple deployments taxing both them and their families.

Many times in our history we have come dangerously close to losing the FREEDOM we hold so dear. Indeed in the beginning, there were times when winning the American Revolution seemed a dubious prospect. The tide of war was turning and the British had seized New York City and nearly captured General Washington. It appeared the Brits had gained the upper hand. It was then, in the winter in 1776, that Thomas Paine pinned “The American Crisis”.

“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the
sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their
country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man
and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this
consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the
triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness
only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper
price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an
article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”

Take a minute to write down four countries that are our greatest threat. Now consider that today, members of the military only make up 1% of the overall population of the United States. Talk about a thin line between those who would do us harm and the freedom we enjoy today. We live in a world with freedoms known no where else in the world, but where that freedom is protected by just the few. It is a sobering thought to consider that to some, to whom it has been provided, to those not educated about its cost or its value, it is likely esteemed too lightly and the celestial article FREEDOM is in danger of being taken for granted.

Parents, take time today to explain to your children that FREEDOM is not part of our genetic code as Americans. It was not given, it was taken. It is not guaranteed, it is preserved. FREEDOM is not our right, but it is our heritage.

Here is another sobering thought: I believe that now is a time when the fight for our freedom may lie in the hands of the American citizen. I believe that the greatest threat to our freedom and our way life as we know it today isn’t someone hiding in a cave; it is our fiscal irresponsibility. Take the time to discover that America has the largest debt of any country in the world, second only to our allies the British. Why is this dangerous? The countries with some of the largest surpluses are China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and other oil producing countries. (Now check your list of the four countries that like us the least. Anything catch your eye?)

Try coming home and telling your spouse that he/she can work less, but that you are going to start giving $500 more to your church, get a new car, refurnish the house, and upgrade your cable to include all the HD channels (what are credit cards for after all). If they are crazy enough to believe you it wouldn’t be long before you put your family out on the street. Stop believing politicians when they tell you they will cut taxes and increase benefits. It is counter-intuitive and rightly so. The government runs much like your household; if we are going to cut our income then we have to cut our expenses even more or run up a huge amount of debt that will eventually have to be paid. Yet no politician that runs a campaign based upon the hard truth has a chance at being elected. Instead we are told what we want to hear, we make our choice and pass the consequences on to future generations (the only thing better than using a credit card is being able to pass the accumulated debt on to someone else).

Start putting money back into your savings account. America is broke, not just the government, but the people. For two years in a row Americans have spent more than they have made. You may think this is they way it has always been but that is not true. It is the first time it has happened since 1933 and 1934-not good years for America.

Stop spending money that you don’t have. Living off of debt gives the grandeur of wealth soon to be followed by the unforgiving splendor of reality.

After you read this, Google “Financial Warfare”.

When World War II ended the American Deficit was over 120% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP, think of it as America’s income), essentially we were spending 20% more than we were making which resulted in debt. BUT, 0% of that debt was held by foreign governments. The American People financed the war using their savings and earnings to buy bonds. This is not true today. Currently almost 50% of America’s debts are owned by foreign governments, (remember those countries I mention earlier with the largest surpluses? Yep they OWN us)

I have hope that this American crisis can be quickly resolved so that no current or future American Poet should find a need to pen: “For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the embers can never expire.” -Thomas Paine 1776