Patriotism 4/15

I awoke to a beautiful day here in Joshua, Texas. The sun is shining and we're in the 50's heading to the 70's. Perfect. I always try to fly my American flags (one in the front and one in the back) on non-rainy days, but I had an extra-special feeling of patriotism this morning as I unfurled the colors. This day marks two very significant events in American life. Taxes and Tea Parties.

While I'm firmly against our current progressive tax system, over-taxation and little to no actual representation I do support the means by which we fund our government. I recently heard a state representative from the Dallas area state over the public airwaves that the purpose of taxation was to encourage or discourage behavior. Wow! It's been increasingly obvious for quite some time that many in office share his terribly misguided point of view, but I've got to give him credit for having the guts to actually come out and say it. Although I think he's so ignorant that he didn't even realize that what he said was just flat out wrong.

The real purpose of taxation is to fund the needs of governing we the people of the greatest civilization the world has ever known, The United States of America. Our taxes need to provide for the common defense. This is not an inexpensive task in 2009. Our taxes need to provide for our system of election, law making and law enforcement. Our taxes need to provide a safety net fund for those able-bodied Americans who need temporary help when luck turns bad and longer term help for those with no other support system of their own. This list goes on, but no too much. Not anywhere close to what we have today. It's simple economics that the more you want to spend the more you have to take in.

The other patriotic display today, the Tea Parties, is one this nation was founded on. From 1773 through 2009 we have come together in groups to stand united in protest of our government, a reprimand on those citizens we elected to represent us who are no longer doing so. It's interesting that today's groups are those less heard from in recent history. The non-squeaky wheels. The well-oiled machines that have been driving this country for a long time and always hoping with innocent optimism that things would not really get worse and maybe even get better.

This will be an historic day. An eye opening day for some. You'll see today and tomorrow a divide in our country that will take more than a day to repair. Our left-leaning mainstream media will show their true colors today for sure in one of two ways; lack of coverage or slanted coverage that will portray the event attendees as lunatics and the events as very small and meaningless. I believe you'll see today the waking of those who have been silent for too long. We want our country back and today we'll start demanding it.

Have your voice be heard today!

A.J.