Read the Declaration Of Independence this Independence Day July 4th 2013

The Declaration of Independence of the United States Of America

On this July 4, 2013 it is my hope and prayer that every American citizen and those whose desire it is to become an American will start a new tradition by including the reading of the Declaration of Independence in their BBQ, picnic, or beach festivities.

Penned by our nations founding fathers, and containing some of the most consequential language in American history, the Declaration of Independence laid the foundation for that which has become arguably the most powerful and influential nation of people in the history of the world. It should be remembered, however, that Americas foundation is fragile if and when her citizens do not personalize their individual responsibility and commitment to protecting that which it stands for.

Do your part this Independence Day 2013, and share these words below with your family, friends and neighbors.
-Ira Pickett

“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 of 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness of his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

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 ought 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.”

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: George Read, Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Home Depot Advertising Creative or Deceptive? You Decide!

Home Depot Advertising Creative or Deceptive? You Decide!

This morning I was searching Home Depot and Lowe’s for a few tools I need this weekend, and stumbled across this ‘ad’ on the Home Depot website. The big print states “Save up to a $1000 INSTANTLY” and then in smaller print “On appliance purchases $396 or more”.

The TRUTH in the advertising is that in order to save $1,000 you must spend a minimum of $5,996.

A typical $396-$495 purchase will save you a measly $25, or the equivilant of only 5%.

What do you think, is Home Depot’s Advertising Creative or Deceptive?

http://www.homedepot.com

Link to sale:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=Appliance_Savings&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&cm_sp=Homepage-_-5_9-_-Row1_B-_-Save_On_Appliances

How Some Gas Stations Are Tricking You

It appears we’ve crossed into a new and dirty era of gasoline marketing whereas gas stations advertise the price of a gallon of gas on their street pylon signs, with one caveat. The price you see on the sign may not be the price that you pay at the pump, if you don’t pay close attention.

Case in point: last week I was traveling thru both Tampa & St. Petersburg, Florida on my normal routine and noticed dozens of gas stations where the advertised price had a small (and in several cases, unreadable) sign stating “Cash” or “XZY Credit” indicating that the advertised price per gallon is reserved for those paying with cash or their specific privately branded credit card. If a consumer plans to pay with a MasterCard, Visa, American Express or a debit card, the rate is considerably higher and unknown until their card is swiped at the pump to initiate the transaction.

Now, in fairness, those station owners with the small signs attached to their street signs might argue correctly that they are fairly advertising, and that no trickery is involved. Interestingly, the Exxon sign shown in the picture I included above at the top of this article actually features a bright red add-on sign indicating to whom the posted rates applied to, however, this appears to be the exception and not the norm for those playing this new pricing game.

Look, I’m not opposed to gas stations charging whatever rate they desire, as we live in a free market. That is the beauty of capitalism! But I do have an issue with gas stations bucking the trend with obscure signage at the street, where drivers are taking a quick glance before turning in, and more often than not having no time to safely read disclaimers posted off to the side. I also find it unethical for rate differences to not be posted at the pump in a clear and concise manner.

In a day and age where a tank full of gas can cost upwards of $75, and many consumers routinely use major credit cards to complete their transaction at the pump, it should be standard that the rate be posted on the street sign that ALL consumers can expect to pay, and perhaps, a “CASH” discount be offered for those willing to carry ben franklin around in their wallet. As the old saying goes, “let the buyer beware” rings true, even when you are filling your gas tank!

Does President Obama look like satan or does satan look like President Obama?

 

Social media exploded today after millions of American’s noticed that the character portraying satan in The History channel series “Bible” had a close resemblance to President Barack Obama.

While producers dismissed the claims as “unintentional”, one cannot deny that there is an uncanny similarity between the two individuals.

The real irony of this story is that so many liberals are in a tizzy over this issue, while many outright deny the existence of God, Christ and the legitimacy of the Bible.  If none of the latter is true, then why are they so worked up over Obama’s portrayal as something that doesn’t exist?

Maxine Waters Claims 170 Million Jobs Will Be Lost Due to Sequestration – 40 Million More Than Are Employed

With all the talk about the impending sequestration cuts about to take place tomorrow, Maxine Waters (D) California, the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee said that “If sequestration takes place, that’s going to be a great setback. We don’t need to be having something like sequestration that’s going to cause these job losses — over 170 million jobs that could be lost.”

The only problem with her statement is that there are only 130 million employee’s working in the United States.

Was her comment a simple ‘slip-up’ or yet another attempt by the Democratic party to pressure low-information voters and consumers of news into believing the apocalyptic scenario her party and President Obama have been attempting to portray would happen, should a measly $85 billion be cut from the massive trillions of dollars annual U.S. government budget?

How can anyone take the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee seriously when she cannot even get basic facts like this straight?

Watch this video and see for yourself:

Comments On Election Day November 6, 2012

Comments on Election Day November 6, 2012

Entrance to a polling location in a suburb of Tampa, Florida. Not a single Barack Obama sign was here.

All across the United States today, millions of Americans will cast their ballots in favor for or against a multitude of candidates and issues affecting their local communities, states and the nation.  In particular, the significance of  the Presidential election has been termed by many as the most important decision voters have made in modern times. 

With out-of-control federal spending and $16 trillion in national deficits, tensions throughout the middle east and around the world, record sustained unemployment, more citizens than ever receiving public assistance, and multiple serious scandals (such as Fast and Furious & Benghazi) it makes the decision to fire and replace Barack Obama, Joe Biden and their entire cabinet both symbolic and strategic in repairing and rebuilding our ailing nation.

While most polls and political pundits leading up to this mornings election show the Presidential race an even dead-heat between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama at 47%/47% each, the final decision will come down to you and I, the voters.  Citizens like you and I, who want and seek a better tomorrow for America and seek responsible, not perfect leaders, who aspire to unite us by our similarities, and not divide us by our differences.  Citizens who expect that our municipalities operate under balanced budgets, regardless of the difficult decisions that it requires to function within, and demand honesty, integrity and transparency from every level of our leadership. 

Together, we pray to God that His wise counsel will guide us daily to continue to ensure a FREE United States Of America for a unique and united people who want to leave a legacy that is better for our families, better for our children and future grand-children, better for our neighbors and better for the entire world.

May God bless this America, our rights and privilege to vote and may God bless you!

Sincerely,

Ira Pickett

Obama Has Given American Voters Plenty Of Reasons To Fire Him In November 2012

While many liberal political pundits were clamoring for President Obama to have a decidedly more impressive showing last night than his seemingly uninterested  attitude at the prior debate in Denver, voters in Tampa and across Florida learned three key points about both candidates that will help determine the outcome of the November 6th Presidential election:

Candidate Barack Obama vs Candidate Mitt Romney

1. It is abundantly clear that side-by-side, candidate Mitt Romney has more  ‘Presidential’ qualities than the incumbant Obama.  Romney was relaxed, organized, focused in thought and in speech and answered more from his heart and less from scripted one-liners.

Unfortunately, however, after 180 minutes over the first two debates, American voters witnessed two entirely different characters in Barack Obama : first, the bored and flagrantly annoyed version who, when challenged by Romney, appeared arrogantly “put-out” to have to answer for his record in his first term, and in most cases didn’t bother to even challenge or address Romney’s many persistent attacks on Obama’s lackluster results. 

The 2nd version of Obama, as seen last night, was an angry, hostile version that smiled rarely, interrupted often and refused to confront the realities of the consequences of his policies, even when politely asked by the town hall participants.  Obama’s default response in various forms blamed George Bush and Republicans, while taking credit for socializing health care and providing billions of dollars in funding to several now-bankrupt alternative energy companies run by 2008 campaign donors, and calling for more investment in such failed enterprises.

2. While Mitt Romney has an action plan to turn around the circumstances of our economy consisting of several points, of which include creating jobs, reducing dependence on foreign oil, balancing the federal budget and repealing socialized medicine, President Obama appears instead to be adamant about unilaterally focusing on dividing the nation into ‘have’s’ and ‘have nots’ by continuing to vilify the very job and wealth creators whom America depends on for employment (entrepreneurs, business owners,etc) and instead insisting on sticking to his plan for ‘leveling the playing field’ and demanding that those with more, share more of their income and wealth with those who have less.  

Unfortunately, Obama’s own actions don’t mirror his expectations for wealthy American taxpayers to shoulder a greater financial burden by turning over a larger percentage of their personal income.  Currently, over 60% of the taxes collected by the IRS are taken from job creators and economy builders, yet Obama believes and continues preaching that it should be more. 

However, when given the opportunity to share his own personal fortunes, he could stand to learn from Mitt Romney.  In 2011, Romney gave nearly 30% more of his own personal income to charity than Obama, and Paul Ryan gave more than 300% more to charity than Vice President Joe Biden.  Clearly, when given the opportunity to give without requirement from the IRS, Romney and Ryan set an admirable example for both Obama and Biden to follow. 

3. Most troubling from the debate last night was the question focused on the terror attack in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.  Prompted by the question raised from an audience member, Mitt Romney carefully and respectfully outlined the details and timeline of events as it relates to how the Obama administration handled the dissemination of information related to the attack, while President Obama categorically lied about the factual and proven details recorded since then. 

While all of the details have yet to emerge, it appears Obama and his administration have a major problem on their hands regarding their handling of this issue and the murders of American citizens.  Below are two scenarios that could possibly represent what really happened immediately following the attack, and neither are appropriate responses:

~Scenerio A: Hillary Clinton & President Obama truly were provided inaccurate information about the attack as they claim.  As early as September 12, 2012 several media outlets (including CBS NEWS) indicated that the incident in Benghazi appeared to be a deliberate, planned act of terror,  at the same time Clinton and Obama continued escalating the story that there had been a “peaceful demonstration that had spontaneously turned violent because of a reported video produced by an American disparaging the muslim faith and relevance of the prophet Mohammed.” 

Obama continued promoting this story repeatedly to the U.S. media and even mentioned it multiple times in his address to the United Nations, going so far as to empathize with the attackers purported ‘outrage’ and went on to apologize to muslims for the insensitive nature of the video and lack of tolerance it showed.  Not until 14 days later, did Obama indicate with certainty that this incident was indeed a terror attack, well long after imbedded media sources had already made that clear.

~Scenerio B: After being provided information regarding the attacks in Benghazi, someone in the administration made the decision to attempt to cover up the attack in an effort to minimize the impact that such an attack on 9/11 would have on the appearance of Obama’s foreign policy and failed relationship building efforts in the middle east over the past 3 years. 

As we know today, some 35 days later, the attacks and murder of innocent American’s on 9/11/12 in Benghazi were deliberate, planned and executed with no challenge from those who would normally protect such interests, as their earlier request for added protection was denied by Clinton, and added to the unfortunate consequences that day. 

With less than three weeks until the November 6, 2012 election, both candidates have little time to re-tool their platform, and will instead work to strengthen their core base of supporters and attempt to reiterate their strategic direction for the United States to those undecided with a final push of political ads and the 3rd and final debate. 

All things considered, candidate Obama’s demeanor, strategy, policies and three years worth of disastrous results both domestic and abroad have given voters more than enough reasons to fire him next month and choose a new President and path for America.

Why Obama Isn’t Our Only Problem And Romney Isn’t Our Only Solution

Voting is only one part of the solution to America’s problems

With the Republican National Convention set to start Tuesday in Tampa, and just over 2 months left until the November 6, 2012 election, there is a tremendous amount of political conversation across America as to which candidates will be best suited to lead the nation in the coming years.  

Before stepping into the polling booth, all eligible voters really need to take a serious “check-up from the neck-up” in the mirror before further complaining about the current situation our nation faces with regards to financial, social, and international issues.

The problems our nation faces today are not the sole responsibility of the elected officials that we have chosen to represent us, yet instead are a reflection of the choices that WE have individually have made over time that have seemingly added up to near disaster for our nation.  Far too often, we sensationalize the ramifications of major political and social issues and decisions, but give no thought to the smaller, mundane decisions, and how that when added together they actually overshadow the major ones.

In fact, if we do nothing to change and impact the smaller daily decisions we make individually, this great nation that has previously set the pace of development for the rest of the world will ultimately slip into insignificance and America will have no-one to blame but itself.

Consider this:

~ The average American spends 13 hours a week on the internet and another 13 hours a week watching TV. 

~ More than 35% of adults and 17% of children are obese.

~ Since 1980, personal debt has grown at approximately the same rate as the out-of-control total national debt.

~ Since 2008, the number of Americans enrolled and receiving food aid (SNAP) grew from 26 million to nearly 46 million people.

~ American’s spend roughly 50% of their food expenditures at restaurants.

~ Approximately 45 million American adults are regular smokers (nearly 20% of the adult U.S. population).

 ~ Approximately 12.8 million Americans are unemployed.

~ Nearly 50% of all Americans receive some type of assistance or entitlement check from the U.S. Government, and a similar amount pay ZERO taxes into the system each year.

Americans are strapped for cash, yet eat out daily; they live sedentary lifestyles in front of electronic screens, yet complain about the rising cost of health care.  Somewhere along the line, a culture of entitlement has been created whereas normally able-bodied adults no longer feel compelled to provide for their families, take care of themselves and contribute to the good of the greater whole  while making sacrifices to accomplish both.  

Somehow, the inspirational words of John F. Kennedy “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” do not seem to resonate in our current culture.  In fact, many believe it is the role and responsibility of the government to provide for the people in a way is destroying personal freedom and erasing incentive to excel at a very basic level.  Not only is this ideology destructive, but it is contrary to everything that has made America prosper for three centuries.

These issues are the core of our national problem, they permeate every aspect of our current crisis and lay a tragic foundation for what we can expect in the future if there is not fundamental change at every level of our society. 

Worse yet, we’ve proven as a nation that we are unwilling to get off the couch and do anything about that which seems to attract so much political debate – that is, LEADERSHIP, by even getting out and voting on a consistent basis.   While current congressional and White House approval ratings are at near all-time lows, it seems many Americans prefer to do nothing more than complain about it, rather than impact the necessary change by getting involved in their community and voting.  In fact, for the “Voter Eligible Population”, approximately only 41% of eligible U.S. voters actually showed up and voted in the 2010 General Election, while slightly over 60% did in 2008. 

America needs great leadership to move forward away from the impending doom that she is headed for, no doubt.  Selecting a President, congress, state and local leaders that have a vision for American greatness is unquestionably a challenge that cannot be overlooked during the next 60 days, and should demand every eligible voters participation.

Keep in mind, however, President Obama is not our only problem, and Mitt Romney is not the only solution.  America has a much larger task at hand after electing a new President and public officials. A major part of that great leadership that America needs actually starts with each individual citizen understanding his and her importance and role in the future of our nation. 

America is not a nation built on a foundation of elected officials.  Instead, her strength and stability is and will always be derived from her citizens passion for exceptionalism, promise for a better future and courage in the face of never-ending world adversity.

Get involved.  America needs YOU.

No Shocker – President Obama Ignores D-Day, Again.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 06: A Tea Party protester holds a sign during a demonstration outside of a fundraiser for U.S. President Barack Obama on June 6, 2012 in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of spectators and protesters gathered outside of two fundraisers for Barack Obama during a four hour trip to San Francisco where he earned $2 million for his campaign. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Sixty-eight years ago today, some 150,000 Allied troops dramatically and in unprecedented fashion, invaded the beaches of Normandy, France in what turned out to be the pivotal turning point that marked the beginning of the end of World War II. 

June 6, 1944, “D-Day” was the largest military amphibious invasion in the history of the world and was executed by land, sea, and air with the total operation ultimately costing over 12,000 Allied casualties. 

It is a day marked by immense human tragedy and yet also highlights unparalleled bravery and heroism that should never be forgotten by any American or American leader.

So why then, has President Obama once again blatantly ignored this historic day, by scheduling absolutely no speeches or anything remotely significant to remember or commemorate the day?  While Obama did give a speech back in 2009 on the 65th anniversary of D-Day, he has since ignored D-Day for the past three consecutive years – 2010, 2011 and now, 2012. 

What could possibly be so time-consuming that he couldn’t take even five minutes to address the nation using todays instantly accessible communication tools that he and his campaign and administration are so fond of? There were no emails, tweets, You Tube Videos, Facebook posts, TV interviews on “The View”, nothing.  In fact, the only mention of D-Day on the official White House website, is a vanilla re-post of his 2009 speech and a commentary “From the archives”.  To make matters worse, that website posting isn’t even located  in a prominent position. The post is located below the ‘fold’ buried near the bottom among several other posts. Is this really the best that President Obama and his team he can do? Or, has D-Day been ignored on purpose every year since 2009?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t require much research to understand that President Obama was far too busy today to acknowledge D-Day this year, because he is fully engulfed in protecting his own political interests on the west coast,  with having to attend multiple campaign fundraisers in California and to promote dozens of other parties around the country.

As an example, in the past week alone,  I have personally received dozens of emails purportedly from candidate Obama and his supporters urging me to donate at least $3 to his campaign to have a chance to win a fully paid trip for 2 to a Obama fundraiser and dinner party hosted at Hollywood elite Sarah Jessica Parker’s home in New York City. Clearly with all of this fundraising and partying going on, he and his team simply do not have the time to recognize the sacrifice of our parents and grandparents on a day unmatched in human history.   

While President Obama has once again ignored the importance of June 6th to our country and the world, we have not forgotten.  And many voters will not soon forget come the November election, either.

Understanding Our Responsibility On Memorial Day

A soldier plants a flag at a grave in Arlington National Cemetery May 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. American service members and others participated in the yearly event where small American flags are placed at over 220 thousand headstones in the cemetery reserved for members of the US military and those who served America. (Photo credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

Ira Pickett   |   May 25, 2012 

For some Americans,  Memorial Day is nothing more than the kick-off to the summer season and is marked by shopping, barbeques, trips to the beach, and the Indy 500.  To others, it is a somber time of reflection and remembrance for those who have served in the military defending our nation and the unique freedoms that were established by the Declaration Of Independence and further supported by the Constitution Of The United States Of America.

While Memorial Day is one single special day set aside to remember and honor those whose service should never be forgotten, perhaps the greater good of this day and weekend should be for all citizens to consider and take action on their own personal responsibility as participants in history’s greatest democratic experiment.  If we are to truly honor those who have and currently defend our freedoms, then we are obligated and should be internally motivated to understand and honor our basic freedoms as well.

The founders of our nation envisioned something remarkable and great that had never been established in the history of mankind.  Their vision has now become in reality a place of liberty, opportunity and undeniable inspiration for millions around the world.  Our founders ideas have worked in principle because they were based on understanding the imperfections of man, the pre-requisite to structure a limited government of laws, and the overwhelming consent of the people.  These points, as pointed out by the National Center For Constitutional Studies, are paramount in our understanding of the true distinctiveness of the American experiment:

• It acknowledged that individual rights are derived from a Creator.
• It was based on enduring principles compatible with “the laws of nature and of nature’s God.”
• It recognized human imperfection and that a tendency to abuse power is ever-present in the human heart.
• It restrained those in power through a written Constitu­tion which carefully divided, balanced, and separated the powers of government and then intricately knitted them back together again through a system of checks and balances.
• It left all powers with the people, except those which, by their consent, the people delegated to government ­and then made provision for their withdrawing that power, if it was abused.

One such way average ordinary citizens can pay tribute to our military hero’s this Memorial Day is to read and study the American Constitution, its origins, historical significance and modern implications.  While there is an endless supply of constitutional resources on the internet, Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan offers a fantastic course that is open to the general public titled “Constitution 101 – The Meaning And History Of The Constitution“.    There is NO cost to register in this course, and yet it will pay a lifetime of dividends toward being an active and participatory American citizen on the 364 other days throughout the year surrounding Memorial Day.

On this Memorial Day 2012, let us never forget the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate price with their earthly bodies on behalf of you and I, and our country, these great United States Of America.  To someone, they were grandparents, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbors, and friends and will always be missed.  While there are those that we knew intimately well,  the remainder we will never meet until the day we are reunited in the presence of our Maker.  It will be at that moment that we are able to properly thank each one for their service and sacrifice.  Until that glorious day, however, we as citizens have an important and never-ending responsibility to never allow their sacrifice to be in vain, and to fight every day of our lives on their behalf for liberty and justice for all.