We're off to see the Wizard

How much do you know about our money system?  Do you even care how it works? Who is in charge of printing our money? Is it possible to print off enough money to pay off our national debt?  Who was the only President in U.S. history to pay off the national debt, and how did he do it?
Should we go back to the gold standard? Why in the world did President Obama give so much of our tax-payer money to bail out the banks have been deemed "too big to fail"?  Should we let them fail, and why? Where did we get the term "greenbacks"? Who was William Jennings Bryan and would we have been better off if he had been elected instead of William McKinley? Can the problem of poverty ever be solved?  What does North Dakota and Iceland have in common? Which king of England allowed the people to pay off debts using sticks? Yes, I said sticks. And, what in the world does "The Wizard of Oz" have to do with any of this?


I just watched this full length film which I received as an email.  It is fascinating and interesting. I strongly believe that every American should see this. Not only every American, but every person. (If I say "world-wide" will you think I'm crazy?) 


It will take up almost two hours of your time. But, I am pretty sure you will be amazed if you take the time to watch it. I hope you do.

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I pledge...

A little history on the Pledge of Allegiance:


The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Baptist minister and Christian socialist, Francis Bellamy (1855-1931)


The original Pledge was published September 8, 1892, in a children's magazine, "The Youth's Companion."


The Pledge was first used in schools, on October 12, 1892, during Columbus Day observances, organized to coincide with the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition, in Chicago, IL.


The Pledge has gone through several transitions:


1892 - I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.


1892-1923 - I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.


1923-1924 - I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.


1924 - 1954 - I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.


1954 - Present - I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
My information came from Wikipedia. More can be found here

If you are as old as I am, you may remember Red Skelton.

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Happy 4th of July

The United States is the only country with a known birthday. - James G. Blaine

Happy 235th Birthday, USA!

"We don't celebrate dependence on the Fourth of July, we celebrate independence." - Ronald Reagan

Here is the reason we must be vigiliant.
How much debt has the government put on her shoulders??

 Ronald Reagan was one of our greatest presidents. The following quotes are from "The Common Sense of an Uncommon Man, the Wit, Wisdom, and Eternal Optimism of Ronald Reagan" by Michael Reagan

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of these United States are covenants we have made not only with ourselves but with all mankind. Our founding documents proclaim to the world that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few. It is the universal right of all God's children. - Ronald Reagan, 1991


I had a copy of the Soviet Constitution and I read it with great interest. And I saw all kinds of terms in there that sound just exactly like our own: "Freedom of assembly" and "freedom of speech: and so forth. Of course, they don't allow them to have those things, but they're in there, in the constitution. But I began to wonder about the other constitutions--everyone has one--and our own, and why so much emphasis on ours. And then I found out, and the answer was very simple--that's why you don't notice it at first. But it is so great that it tells the entire difference. All those other constitutions are documents that say, "We, the government, allow the people the following rights," and our Constitution says "We, the people, allow the government the following privileges and rights."


We give our permission to government to do the things that it does. And that's the whole story of the difference--why we're unique in the world and why no matter what our troubles may be, we're going to overcome.
-Ronald Reagan, 1981


If we want to keep our country great and free, then we need to be interested in politics. I recently read on another great blog, Capitalist Preservation, that only 58% of Americans know that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776! I find that beyond appalling! No wonder our country is in the shape it's in, on a fast road to socialism. And, fyi, the road to socialism always leads to that great and wonderful utopia of communism. We don't even know our own history. And, much of our history is being rewritten. (I will save the rant that is going on in my head for another day.)


So, in the midst of hotdogs  (I've heard enough about weiners), hamburgers, beer, and fireworks, take a few minutes to remember those great men, who with a firm reliance on Divine Providence (GOD) pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, to give us freedom.


Have a Happy 4th of July!

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When in the Course...

Source

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.--We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--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 of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness....


(There is a list of grievances that follows - worth reading)


We, Therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right out to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.


And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Fifty-six men put their names to the paper. They pledged to each other, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. 


Thousands of freedom-loving patriots, fought and died for the freedoms we have enjoyed. 


I hope that we remember the sacrifices that have been made through out our history. I hope that we will not take our freedoms for granted. I hope that we will be paying attention to what our politicians are doing. I hope that we will take the time to be educated on those who would represent us. 


And, I hope and pray that God will bless America!

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Freedom Rings

In honor of our upcoming Independence Day celebration, I have decided that for the month of July, many of my posts will be dedicated to the topic of Freedom, and/or U.S.history.

"We don't celebrate dependence on the Fourth of July, we celebrate independence." - Ronald Reagan

Two hundred and thirty-five years ago, this is what was happening:


July 1, 1776  John Adams spoke at the Continential Congress to the delegates from the Thirteen Colonies:

Source

   " Before God, I believe the hour has come. My  judgement approves this measure and my whole heart is in it.  All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it.  And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration.  It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever.' 


July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, reflecting on what he shared in Congress and, with prophetic insight, declared the importance of what had happened the day before: 
    'The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, gun, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.
     You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.  Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not.' "
  -From America's God and Country by William J. Federer

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S is for the Story of the Star Spangled Banner

I could tell you the story, but it wouldn't be as good as David Barton can tell it. I hope you enjoy hearing about The Star Spangled Banner.

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