I watched the ceremonial folding of the American flag as a lone
bugler played “Taps” in the distance. A member of the honor guard took a
knee in front of my 90-year-old mother-in-law and softly said to her:
“On behalf of the United States Army, and a grateful nation,
please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved
one’s honorable and faithful service to our country.”
And in spite of how cynical I can be at times, the service brought me to tears.
Now, as I write this, I’m sitting in a room looking out from the 25th
Floor of the Madison Hotel in Seattle, Washington. The view from here
is peaceful. The busy roads and bustling people seem surreal; the city
below is full of movement without noise. As often happens after a
funeral, my mind is focused on the bigger issues of life.
My father-in-law was part of the “greatest generation,” born in the
early 1920s. His teenage and young adult years were spent during the
Great Depression and World War II. In the War, he served under General
MacArthur during the occupation of Japan. Along with his wife, he raised
his four daughters. In the 1980s, he retired after working for 30 years
as a corporate man.
My father-in-law’s generation, which included so many memorable leaders,
left a legacy of wealth, stability, a strong currency and unchallenged
American dominance in the world. They defeated Hitler then turned around
and fought a 50-year cold war with the Soviets. In the end, they gave
us a huge peace dividend. It wasn’t without problems, but our country
was sound.
Now, as I watch the ribbon of cars on the road below my window, I
struggle to understand the changes we’ve seen since this generation left
America’s leadership. Since the 1980s – under Democrats and Republicans
alike – we’ve seen a great unraveling.
What Would Our Founders Think?
When my father-in-law went off to World War II, he was sworn in with a
simple oath. This oath was approved by an Act of Congress on September
29, 1789 and applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned
officers and privates in the service of the United States. It read, in
part: “I, (name), do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution
of the United States.”
My father-in-law is one of millions who have fought for the U.S.
Constitution. But in spite of their sacrifices, that all-important
document is now under assault from a corrupt and selfish political
establishment. They see the Constitution as a roadblock on their quest
for absolute, dictatorial powers.
This Fourth of July, as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence
and our break from Britain in 1776, we should recognize that our current
government has more power than King George III could’ve possibly
imagined.
This government routinely searches your bags when you travel. They
access your financial records, credit card history and bank statements.
They can track your movements via your car’s GPS system or your mobile
phone’s signal. They routinely break-down doors and search homes without
knocking or asking for permission. Soon, they‘ll have total access to
your medical records. And if you’re over 65, they have the right to deny
you medical care.
I respect and admire the America of the Founders and my forebears.
But on this Fourth of July, I’m bewildered by my fellow Americans who
allow their government to fleece them, abuse them, track them and
catalogue them. A sinister change has come to our great nation, but it’s
barely even noticed.
I hope I am wrong, but it seems that freedom is just a forgotten way of life…
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