Gulf1 - C - Pappas

Gulf1 - C - Pappas

Recent Tea Parties all over the United States are a latter day revival of what was a momentous event at Boston harbor more than 234 years ago. One can trace the roots of American Independence directly to that event. It is a constant and indelible reminder of the American genesis that direct citizen action has become the hallmark of freedom loving people everywhere.



On this date in 1776 fifty six gallant men signed their names to the Declaration of Independence. On that date they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so that American citizens would be able to live free from oppression and tyranny forever; this date gave birth to the American dream and that dream has changed the course of human history.

The Declaration of Independence was the culminating genius of the Continental Congress written primarily by Thomas Jefferson with assistance from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. When they signed that hallowed document, they had no idea that their pledge would exact a personal price that few ordinary men could bear. But these were extraordinary men of means, power, influence and the courage of their convictions. Their pledge cost them dearly during the course of the War that followed with all but a handful feeling the full wrath of the British Crown.

And, among those who supported continued unity with Great Britain one ignoble, treacherous person was Benedict Arnold. To this day the ultimate insult to one’s patriotism is to be labeled a “Benedict Arnold.”

If patriotism could be displayed on a continuum with Benedict Arnold representing the worst, then George Washington was the best not because he was the first President, but because the leadership he exercised propelled him there. It was his selfless dedication and combat leadership throughout the Revolutionary War that despite setbacks, culminated in victory and wove Washington’s name permanently into the fabric of American history.

Successors owe the founders an enormous debt of gratitude but not only to them, millions have sacrificed much to protect the flame that has illuminated the path of freedom for two centuries; they sacrificed so that the nation would embody those words forever inscribed; “that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and that the American conscience would not abide denial or abuse of those rights to any American.

To that end the Constitution emerged as the foundational document upon which Americans could implement their dreams, and although it was imperfect, its stated purpose that:

“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity…”

guided successive generations to more nearly achieve those objectives.

Today, as never before in the history of this country, there are forces at work that seek intentional destruction of America, and will unless patriots deflect the challenges to liberty that they pose. It is abundantly evident that government no longer exists for ‘the people,” rather, “the people” exist to support government’s pervasive, overreaching programs and burgeoning power.

When Government chooses to enact law through devious means, such as the “Stimulus Bill” that not one Representative or Senator read but voted for, the time is nigh for patriotic Americans to act upon the words:

“That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government,…”

The ongoing struggle for the soul of America is between traditional values and secularists; between free markets and government control; between those who have abused America’s economic freedoms for selfish gain and ordinary citizens who invest the fruits of their labor to purchase a slice of the economic pie; it is a struggle between errant politicians’ lust for control and people whose aspirations are to achieve their dreams; between tyranny and freedom; between good and evil.

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The government that governs least governs best,” and John Adams dying words, “Independence now, Independence forever” gives real meaning to President Ford’s immortal words, “a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.”

God bless and protect the United States of America!

Semper Fidelis