Curmudgeon's Corner: Where are the leaders?

As we celebrate this Independence Day, it's a valid question.

We also might ask why our current "leaders" believe as they do about the direction our nation should take.

Were they born believing in universal health care? Or abortion? Or it takes a village to raise a child? Or that the First Amendment to our Constitution didn't really mean what it said about freedom of speech and that it must be altered to suit their whims? Or that our "leaders" can save the world by curtailing our output of carbon dioxide when they will not control our borders and the illegal immigrants that are flowing into the nation by the millions? Some of whom are surely putting our national security at risk!

"But, leaders are born, not made," you say. There's some truth to that bromide; however, the education system that teaches them reading, writing and math also teaches them the fine points of Keynesian socialist economics. In sociology, the multiculturalists teach it's America's fault the world is so terrible; English literature often overlooks teaching the classics; and in teaching history, the multicultural revisionists are changing facts to suit their politically correct manifesto.

Today, our education system teaches character development, group think and self-esteem. Once upon a time, character development and self-esteem was a family responsibility, and people were encouraged to think as individuals. Why the change? Is the change because of the dictates of our burgeoning socialist welfare state? The minions of social justice in Foggy Bottom wouldn't do that, would they?

In Washington's Farewell Address of September 17, 1796 to his cabinet, he alluded to what could be expected in the future. To give you an idea of the prescience of the man, I quote the following excerpts:

"The unity of government which constitutes you people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize.

But as it is easy to foresee that from different causes and from different quarters much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness..."

What can be expected of the "leaders" who would pretend to protect our freedom and liberty? Listen carefully to their words for they may be advocating closing the door of freedom and liberty while opening wider the door of fascistic socialism.

Pax vobiscum.

D. Kennedy has lived in Ahwatukee Foothills since 2002. He is a retired independent insurance agent and can be reached at curmudgeon@cox.net.