GOD BLESS THE USA---

Summer time and the livin' is ---not so easy. We have lived through darker days, but these are not our brightest. Unemployment rages at almost 10 percent. The stimulus plan, as admitted now by VP Joe Biden, has not succeeded in creating enough jobs to spur the economy. There is a nagging feeling in the country that while things may have gotten a bit better, we're still not out of danger. Some even predict that things may get a whole lot worse, as uncertainty persists and other European countries, such as Greece , show us that complete national melt downs can happen. Nobody seems to have a clear view of the future, including those in charge . Have Americans lost our optimism, our can do attitude? Reading the news, one doesn't find a lot of reasons for optimism. The oil spill continues to gush and bog down the golf coast economy. And now comes the threat of hurricanes . Arizona continues to fight not only the illegal immigrants with their new bill, but now is rumored to be the target of a White House law suit protesting the legality of their law! And we continue to be at war in Afghanistan, in what is appearing to look more and more like a losing battle, with a President whose heart doesn't seem to be in it, and a military who appears to be confused, frustrated, and even angry with the way things are going. Lack of funding and strict rules of engagement, originating from congress and the administration, are making their jobs very difficult. However, though the forced resignation of General McCrystal, was unsettling in an already unstable war, it emphasized the importance of our military's duty to respect the office of the President. In an interesting twist , the appointment of General Pertraeus to take the place of General McCrystal, was ironically the same man who took such heavy criticism from President Obama and many democrats for his handling of the Iraq surge operation, which, by the way, was highly successful. President Obama had no choice but to ask for General McCrystal's resignation. The President had been disrespected, whether intentionally or not, and that cannot go unreprimanded. Military coups are born of such events and that is not our way. But it would seem that the military too deserves respect and support from its chief commanding officer. President Obama , while identifying Afghanistan as the war to fight during his campaign for presidency, now seems ambivalent and reluctant about how to proceed. Instead, he has announced a withdrawal date for our troops. This sounds more like retreating than winning to many.

But, in spite of all our problems and differences, on Sunday we will all come together as one and celebrate our Independence Day--our separation from England, and her oppressive laws.. Our fight for freedom was won with courage and spilled blood--- ordinary people, not just the military wanted it badly enough to die for it. There were those who thought it was not worth the struggle and just wanted to go along, but others had the fore-sight and will to fight against a very well organized and determined English military. The rest is our history. We won, and with it our freedoms. Our founding fathers sought to not only document our independence and laws to guide and protect our new government, but to make sure it lasted way beyond what they could see. Will it last? The Constitution is our country's bible but it is being challenged by those who feel it can and should be changed and revised , making it up as we go along to suit whatever interests and opinions may hold sway at the moment.

As we watch the fireworks in our skies this weekend, many of us will pray that this grand and glorious experiment we call the United States of America will somehow regain its strength, power, and belief in itself---and that our best days are not behind us, not leaving us to fall apart and become so weakened by our problems that we are not able to retain our place in a world who needs not only our leadership,strong military , robust economy, but also our example of how to live free. May our beloved diversity not ultimately be our downfall. May we find a way to remain united and committed to at least one thing---our love of our country and its original reason for existence--- freedom. We are a nation governed by one precious concept---that we are a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people. If we forget this, then perhaps we deserve a country no longer so free, but more like that from which we once struggled to escape---or worse. Some may think that America needs to change and become more a citizen of the world, not so independent, and isolated unto ourselves. Does the term, "One world order" come to mind? Barack Obama, himself, has stated that "no country should have an advantage over another". Really? If that is truly his belief, then how can he lead us back to greatness? Or is it his view that greatness should not be our goal, instead that we should work to be more loved by other countries by being less mighty, more like---well, Europe?

We may not always win the popularity contest, and we may not be the land of milk and honey, but this nation remains the envy of the world and the place where people flock to improve their lives. Where else would you really like to live? Once, after a long trip to another country, I was thrilled and relieved to finally be on a plane homeward bound. As the wheels finally touched down on our soil, the Captain of the plane announced, "Welcome to the USA, folks!" A loud cheer rose up from the passengers and filled the cabin. There is no home sweeter than ours. May there be brighter days ahead, and may America and we find our way back home before dark. Celebrate on the 4th of July--- for all we are , and all we've become--and send a prayer that this great land will continue to be so. God bless the USA!!!!