Memorial Day – Recognizing the Price of Freedom

Memorial Day weekend is many things.  For my kids, it’s the first week of Summer break.  For many communities, it’s when the swimming pool opens.  For many it’s about baseball or the Indianapolis 500 or just a long weekend for the lake, picnics and pure leisure.

But for many, Memorial Day is a time to reflect.  While Memorial Day is a time to honor the sacrifice of those who died in the service of our country, it’s really even bigger than that.  It’s WHY those heroes died.  It’s WHY young men and women STILL volunteer to join the military even (maybe especially) during a time of war and conflict.

Despite its many flaws, America remains the greatest nation in the World today.  People endure untold hardship to get to America.  There are a scarce few who fight as hard to leave America as there are who fight to get here.  We take for granted the freedom and opportunity that so many outside our borders recognize and envy.

America is great because we are free.  We are free because people fought to ensure that they and their families could help create a nation BASED solely on the freedoms and rights bestowed on every individual by their Creator.  We have remained free for well over 200 years because legions of young Americans have taken up the cause and gone where others would not go, done what others would not do and been willing to sacrifice what others would not sacrifice so that those who would not sacrifice would not be forced to sacrifice.

In short, America remains free because there are people willing to serve in the military.  The American soldier is NOT a killing machine.  He (she) is a giving machine, willing to lay down his or her life to protect the freedoms we all so easily take for granted.

On this weekend, I ask that you honor the sacrifice of those who gave it all.  I also ask that you honor those who have offered up a part of their life to protect you, your family and your way of life.  Regardless of what you think about the President, the Congress or the war, reflect on your freedom and their sacrifice.  If you see someone in uniform, recognize their service and let them know how much you appreciate them.  Buy their meal or in some way show your gratitude.

Remember, someone has paid and is paying the price for your freedom.  Never forget that.

Prescription drug abuse surging

Drugs KILL whether pushed or prescribed!

Even as the use of illicit drugs are waning, the illicit use of LEGAL drugs have taken over as Americans narcotics choice.  Has American Medicine created its own Frankenstein?  Here’s the link to the story.

It Works!

Ever wonder if Washington, DC ever gets the message? Well, it does.

In Mississippi yesterday, another Republican seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was lost to a Democrat. This particular seat (like the ones earlier in two other states) was in a supposedly solid
Republican district. The special run-off election was to fill the seat of a Congressman who left to fill the unexpired term of Senator Trent Lott. It was the 2nd “safe” Southern seat to elect a Democrat over a Republican in the deep South.

Apparently, the GOP’s contempt for its Conservative base and its roots in smaller Government is going to cost the GOP dearly this fall. It should be noted that those Republicans losing all ran against Barack
Obama, Jeremiah Wright and Nancy Pelosi INSTEAD of running FOR those principles that have held the Reagan Coalition together for so long.

It really bears out the idea that if the voter has a choice between a Democrat and a Republican who acts like a Democrat, they’ll choose the Democrat every time. And, why shouldn’t they.

This is the purging many on my side have been yearning for for quite some time. Between this housecleaning and Bob Barr’s Libertarian candidacy, maybe the GOP will finally wake up and smell the coffee.

America is good AND great!

I was talking with a friend the other day about the state of the economy, gas prices, international competition, the dollar and a few other things.  His despair was apparent.

But honestly, I am NOT discouraged.  America has been though much worse.  Certainly, the dollar sucks right now.  BUT, with all the other currencies so high compared to the dollar, it will make our goods a cheaper alternative to what many other countries are buying.  I also believe the spot price of oil is irrationally high.  Certainly, OPEC is enjoying this.  BUT when reality strikes, I think you’ll see the price of oil plummet causing panic among oil speculators.

The trade imbalance will (as it always has) correct itself.  Remember when the Japanese were buying up everything back in the ’80s?  That came to a screeching halt.  Same will happen with China and India.

The fact that Obama is going to get elected and the current crop of phony Republicans is about to get their clocks cleaned, will clear the way for a fresh new approach to the country’s problems.

I see a silver lining around the looming recession, war, etc.  The World is emulating America from China and India to France and all of Europe.  Our star is rising despite Bush, McCain and Obama.

Better days are on their way!

Dr. T!m