Do you ever remember the stories told at the dinner table as you were growing up?  Do you also remember when you heard those stories from your childhood that your parents would say you don’t understand how good you have today? Do you remember?

Both of my parents were born in the depression era.  I found it a little hard to believe how they described the America they grew up in. My dad’s father working for the US Postal Service and making $25.00 per week.  My mom grew up in Dayton Ohio and was raised by a single parent. My mom telling me that grandma Bernice worked two jobs to support the family and that each of the older children had to work after school to also support the family unit.  My mom would tell me, Mike, you have advantages I never had. With hard work and determination, anything is possible if you believe in yourself. 

Both of my parents worked while I was in school so that I could enjoy the advantages they did not have. My mom also taught me that it was important to give.  As you become successful, you have moral responsibility to share your gifts and talents with the people around you. She would say, Mike, I need for you to take this seriously because I expect you to never rely on government for your daily bread. Instead, you’re to share your talents with others.

If you raised your family in the 60’s & 70’s, you’re probably thinking, what happened to the America I knew? We have become the following society:

·         There was no debate about right to life. It was generally accepted that the life of the unborn child is sacred and to be treasured because it is a gift from God. Today we have President actually tell the world: I don’t want Sasha and Malia to pay for a mistake.

·         If you were sick at school, the school was prohibited from giving you medications. Today, they can give your child the morning after pill and never tell the parents.

·         The value of work was to be admired. Today, there is honor in scamming the American government for every entitlement. Don’t ask what you can do for your country, but what can your country do for you?

Your parent’s generation and your parents, parent’s generation made sacrifices so that the next generation would be better off than previous generation.  The American tax payers (that is all of us) owe our creditors 16 trillion dollars! Seriously, how selfish of a culture we have become that we would saddle the next generation of children with this debt?

Do you have children? What kind of education do you think they’re going to have? A few weeks ago I was reading the Oregonian and average classroom sizes in Beaverton will be over 35. In the high schools that number will be even higher. Were you aware that 60% of the freshman walking into the high school for the first time will not graduate? What are we going to do when there is no more money for education?

Our parents were the greatest generation! They understood to be great, they had to freely give their talents to the society as a whole and they held themselves accountable. They created a culture that refused welfare, food stamps, and low cost housing. In their hearts of heart, what made America great was hard work, determination, and individual sacrifice. 

This weekend ask yourself what type of America should we have? Are we better off today than we were in our parent’s generation?  Think about the following:

·         Are the moral values of this country better today than the previous generation?

·         Will your children have the same commitment to marriage that your grandparents had?

·         If a baby is in the womb of a woman, why is it morally ok to kill it by having an abortion?

·         Whyis it wrong to love Jesus Christ?

Would you want your child to conduct their life like our current President?

Mike

 

On August 10, 2012 US Marine Greg Buckley Jr.  died when an Afghan Police Officer fired multiple AK-47 rounds into his chest as he worked out on a exercise bench at a Marine Base in Afghanistan.  There have been a total of 51 attacks this year made against US and British armed forces.  Greg Buckley Sr. recounted that in several telephone conversations with his son, Junior made it crystal clear that there were growing hostilities between the US and Afghan forces.

Since receiving news the evening of August 10^th that his son was killed on a Marine base, their family received a form letter from the White House giving condolences for their loss. No personal message signed by President Obama. Just your traditional form letter you get from the government when they are replying to a question.

On September 11, 2012 Ambassador Christopher Stevens was murdered by Islamic terrorists.  Three other US citizens were also murdered in that planned attack. What appears odd is why the United States UN Ambassador, Secretary State Hillary Clinton and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney would report to the world that these murders were the result of a video? A spontaneous riot that led to death?

Here is a serious question to think about; what does it mean to be professional in the way you carry out your responsibilities as President of the United States? The leaders of the world have arrived In New York City and the President of the United States does not have time to meet and discuss the critical issues our country is facing?

Iran is months away from having nuclear weapons and they have promised to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. US Embassy’s in the Middle East are being attack. The US Ambassador is murdered on the 11^th anniversary of 911. The Prime Minister of Israel asks for a private meeting with President Obama and was told he could not fit it into his schedule?

 I need to ask this question to my liberal friends. Do you think our President goes to bed at night worried about the safety of our men and women serving this nation in dangerous situations?  Does it not bother you that the President of the United States is more concerned sharing his love life on the ABC program the “View” than meeting with leaders to find solutions to this crisis?

Do you believe the men and women serving this nation, the families who have given the ultimate sacrifice of a loved one and the diplomatic community who lived in fear truly believes in their heart of hearts that this is just bump on the road Mr. President? Look into the faces of your children tonight and remember the first time you took them to school. Remember the first time they spoke to you. Remember the night they said, I love you! These same very children then grow up and decide to give service to the United States and in list in the military. Then one day a Marine officer shows up your door and says, the United States is so sorry for your family’s loss. Would this be a bump in the road for you?

The world is in crisis and President Obama is drinking beer with Barbara Walters? The President is only 20 minutes away from a family who just put their son to rest and the best the President can do is mail a form letter of thank you?

Am I having a Groundhog Day moment? Have I really gone back to my senior year of high school in Lake Oswego and the year is 1979? Are hostages being taken? Am I really watching Nightline and seeing Ted Koppel tell the world this is the 350^th day America has been held hostage? Thank God I wake up and I am having a dream.  But wait a minute, maybe Jimmy Carter is still President?

 

Mike