“The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and mines, as well or iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidable engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.”
Abraham Lincoln
Oct. 3, 1863
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to ‘recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:’
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th. day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, A.D 1789
G. Washington
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th. day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, A.D 1789
G. Washington
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Letter To My Friend Morgan Griffith
Dear Morgan,
Last Spring, you and I were candidates for the Republican nomination to run against the Democrat incumbent for the Ninth District congressional seat. I campaigned against you in that primary campaign, and during the course of that campaign, you and I went to many meetings throughout the Ninth District. I feel that I got to know you.
My friend Morgan, you won that Ninth District primary campaign and became the Republican nominee. Now you have also won the general election and are our new Congressman-elect. I give you my heartiest congratulations; you worked hard, stayed on the issues, and ran good campaigns.
You will be going to Washington soon. I am glad that you and many other newly elected Congressmen will be there on a mission to get our country headed back in the right direction.
Morgan, I hope you won’t think it presumptuous of me to humbly give you some suggestions to consider once you get to work in Washington.
First and foremost, make every decision as though you are planning to serve only one term. Do what is best for the country, even if it is not easy or popular. Follow your conscience, not the vagaries of the polls or political winds. In fact, never look at a poll or a newspaper. Don’t do anything for the purpose of getting re-elected.
Next, be available to us, not the Washington insiders and lobbyists. We want to be able to meet with you face-to-face if we have an issue or concern. This is a matter on which we have had strong feelings over the years.
Do not strive for acceptance by the Washington insiders and self-appointed elites. Shun them. Remain an outsider. If these self-appointed Washington elites ostracize you or worse, wear it as a badge of honor. Remain one of us, Morgan; do not let yourself become one of them.
Similarly, do not curry favor with party bosses. Remember that you work for us, not them. Think not of committee memberships or chairmanships or a better office or other such accouterments of career politicians. Don’t be concerned with getting onto the A-list for Washington social circle parties. Draw your strength from us, the people of the Ninth District.
Listen to Harry Truman’s advice: Walk softly and carry a big stick. That’s good advice for a newcomer to Washington with tough fights ahead; “give ‘em hell, Harry” knew something about that. When necessary, be ready, willing, and able to emphatically say “take a hike” to those who will try to pressure or intimidate you into doing their bidding. My friend, you were not elected because we want someone in DC to” go along to get along”. We’ve already had that, and in this last election we said loudly that we want a new approach. We want you to clean house in Washington. As we discussed at our breakfast meeting before the election, be the Morgan Earp of the posse that the people are sending to DC in January to clean up Dodge. Kick butt and take names.
Remember always the issues that got you elected and our desires on them: no cap and tax – no way, no how; total repeal of Obamacare; stop out of control government spending; reduce the deficit by spending less; reverse an ever expanding, ever more intrusive government; be strongly anti-abortion; win the war on terror; reduce unemployment by stimulating businesses large and small via reduced regulations and cuts in business taxes; extend all the Bush tax cuts permanently; adherence to the Constitution; promote American patriotism; promote traditional family values. We expect bold action on all of these, not nibbling around the edges. Fight hard, and never give up.
Finally, my friend, gird thyself mentally to do battle. It’s going to be a knock down, drag out fight when you and the other newcomers try to right the ship of state. But we have confidence that you are the right person for the job, and that you will prevail.
Now go. We will keep you and America in our prayers. Please let us know how we can help you.
Sincerely,
Jessee Ring
Last Spring, you and I were candidates for the Republican nomination to run against the Democrat incumbent for the Ninth District congressional seat. I campaigned against you in that primary campaign, and during the course of that campaign, you and I went to many meetings throughout the Ninth District. I feel that I got to know you.
My friend Morgan, you won that Ninth District primary campaign and became the Republican nominee. Now you have also won the general election and are our new Congressman-elect. I give you my heartiest congratulations; you worked hard, stayed on the issues, and ran good campaigns.
You will be going to Washington soon. I am glad that you and many other newly elected Congressmen will be there on a mission to get our country headed back in the right direction.
Morgan, I hope you won’t think it presumptuous of me to humbly give you some suggestions to consider once you get to work in Washington.
First and foremost, make every decision as though you are planning to serve only one term. Do what is best for the country, even if it is not easy or popular. Follow your conscience, not the vagaries of the polls or political winds. In fact, never look at a poll or a newspaper. Don’t do anything for the purpose of getting re-elected.
Next, be available to us, not the Washington insiders and lobbyists. We want to be able to meet with you face-to-face if we have an issue or concern. This is a matter on which we have had strong feelings over the years.
Do not strive for acceptance by the Washington insiders and self-appointed elites. Shun them. Remain an outsider. If these self-appointed Washington elites ostracize you or worse, wear it as a badge of honor. Remain one of us, Morgan; do not let yourself become one of them.
Similarly, do not curry favor with party bosses. Remember that you work for us, not them. Think not of committee memberships or chairmanships or a better office or other such accouterments of career politicians. Don’t be concerned with getting onto the A-list for Washington social circle parties. Draw your strength from us, the people of the Ninth District.
Listen to Harry Truman’s advice: Walk softly and carry a big stick. That’s good advice for a newcomer to Washington with tough fights ahead; “give ‘em hell, Harry” knew something about that. When necessary, be ready, willing, and able to emphatically say “take a hike” to those who will try to pressure or intimidate you into doing their bidding. My friend, you were not elected because we want someone in DC to” go along to get along”. We’ve already had that, and in this last election we said loudly that we want a new approach. We want you to clean house in Washington. As we discussed at our breakfast meeting before the election, be the Morgan Earp of the posse that the people are sending to DC in January to clean up Dodge. Kick butt and take names.
Remember always the issues that got you elected and our desires on them: no cap and tax – no way, no how; total repeal of Obamacare; stop out of control government spending; reduce the deficit by spending less; reverse an ever expanding, ever more intrusive government; be strongly anti-abortion; win the war on terror; reduce unemployment by stimulating businesses large and small via reduced regulations and cuts in business taxes; extend all the Bush tax cuts permanently; adherence to the Constitution; promote American patriotism; promote traditional family values. We expect bold action on all of these, not nibbling around the edges. Fight hard, and never give up.
Finally, my friend, gird thyself mentally to do battle. It’s going to be a knock down, drag out fight when you and the other newcomers try to right the ship of state. But we have confidence that you are the right person for the job, and that you will prevail.
Now go. We will keep you and America in our prayers. Please let us know how we can help you.
Sincerely,
Jessee Ring
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
When Is A Situation Where Taxes Stay The Same Actually A Cut
There is a furious debate going on in Washington now about whether or not to extend the so-called Bush tax cuts beyond their scheduled expiration date of Dec. 31.
There are three possible outcomes from this debate:
Scenario #1. Outcome: Congress does nothing. Effect: Everyone's taxes go up due to the expiration of the lower rates
Scenario #2. Outcome: Congress extends all the current tax rates. Effect: Everyone's taxes stay the same.
Scenario #3. Outcome: Congress extends some of the current tax rates, but not others. Effect: Some people's taxes stay the same, and other people see a tax increase.
In no case is anyone going to get a tax cut. Let me repeat: No one, come January, will pay less tax than they now are.
So why are Republicans letting the left-wing liberals frame this debate as one of whether or not the "rich" should get a tax cut? This is incredible ineptitude on the part of the Republicans. Why do they always let the liberals set the rules for the debate, on everything. Don't the Republicans get the meaning of the last election? Apparently not, so I will tell them: We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired of Washington. We want some new blood in there that will fight, fight, fight for America's first principles. We didn't send you there to join the club; we sent you there to kick butt and take names.
So, Republicans, don't debate phantom tax cuts for the rich. Instead, nail the liberal's pants to the wall by showing how they think that they own all of the people's money. Show how the left wing liberals think that when they deign not to raise our taxes, they have actually given us a tax cut. Expose the libs for what they are: arrogant, egocentric, condescending elitists who think that they are our rulers. Go after them!!
There are three possible outcomes from this debate:
Scenario #1. Outcome: Congress does nothing. Effect: Everyone's taxes go up due to the expiration of the lower rates
Scenario #2. Outcome: Congress extends all the current tax rates. Effect: Everyone's taxes stay the same.
Scenario #3. Outcome: Congress extends some of the current tax rates, but not others. Effect: Some people's taxes stay the same, and other people see a tax increase.
In no case is anyone going to get a tax cut. Let me repeat: No one, come January, will pay less tax than they now are.
So why are Republicans letting the left-wing liberals frame this debate as one of whether or not the "rich" should get a tax cut? This is incredible ineptitude on the part of the Republicans. Why do they always let the liberals set the rules for the debate, on everything. Don't the Republicans get the meaning of the last election? Apparently not, so I will tell them: We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired of Washington. We want some new blood in there that will fight, fight, fight for America's first principles. We didn't send you there to join the club; we sent you there to kick butt and take names.
So, Republicans, don't debate phantom tax cuts for the rich. Instead, nail the liberal's pants to the wall by showing how they think that they own all of the people's money. Show how the left wing liberals think that when they deign not to raise our taxes, they have actually given us a tax cut. Expose the libs for what they are: arrogant, egocentric, condescending elitists who think that they are our rulers. Go after them!!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
2012 Is Coming
I have been making this prediction informally for months; now I will make it public. In 2012, Hillary challenges Obama for the Democrat Presidential nomination, and gets it.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Shut up and Listen
President Obama and other Democrat leaders have concluded that the reason they got their clock cleaned in the election is not because the people rejected their policies, but rather because the Democrats communicated poorly on those policies. People just didn't understand how wonderful the policies were. No, it wasn't the policies; it was the message. Now the Democrats plan to continue full speed ahead, but do a better job of explaining things.
Let me translate this for you. Obama and Pelosi and Reid think that all you local yokels out therein in "fly over land" are too stupid to be able to run your own life, so they have to do it for you. And since you hayseeds are so stupid, you also can't understand why their policies are good for you. You're just too dumb to be able to fathom it all.
Now the Democrats are going to do things differently. Henceforth, they will explain things to you on a first grade level so you can, hopefully, understand, and then you will support them and their policies. In addition, once you have been properly explained to, you will no doubt see Obama-Pelosi-Reid as the just and righteous rulers that they actually are. Your job is to shut and listen, and then vote for them.
Let me translate this for you. Obama and Pelosi and Reid think that all you local yokels out therein in "fly over land" are too stupid to be able to run your own life, so they have to do it for you. And since you hayseeds are so stupid, you also can't understand why their policies are good for you. You're just too dumb to be able to fathom it all.
Now the Democrats are going to do things differently. Henceforth, they will explain things to you on a first grade level so you can, hopefully, understand, and then you will support them and their policies. In addition, once you have been properly explained to, you will no doubt see Obama-Pelosi-Reid as the just and righteous rulers that they actually are. Your job is to shut and listen, and then vote for them.
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