What Are We Leaving to Our Kids?

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Today things are less certain. We have young people who have spent so many tours in combat, many of them, severely disabled from war injuries. Other young veterans have given up and the suicide rate is increasing for returning combat veterans. Where once the military was a place to learn a trade, it is now an organization beaten up by years of war. Many of our college graduates are deep in debt with degrees with little value in a competitive job market. The labor participation rate is at the lowest level in over 20 years and the government is bragging about a 2% growth factor. Worse yet, adults who should know better are accepting mediocrity as the new norm. This may be the first time in history children in the U.S. may have a lower lifestyle than their parents. Plus, let’s face it, the music today does not include the Beach Boys.

I favor getting to work on our own energy production and getting our kids out of the Middle East. We hear, on a regular basis, the Jihadist dislike us because we are in their lands. Let’s make them like us by getting out, and staying out, unless we or our allies are attacked. When I say stay out, it includes foreign aid to these countries. Domestic oil production reduces the chance of war, provides jobs and will fuel a growth in our economy. We have growth in the energy sector due to drilling on private property, now it is time to open up Federal Land drilling leases.

We have not built a refinery in this country in years. With increased oil production we will need to increase our refinery capacity. A decision must be made by citizens. Do you want a Country making decisions based on the environment, at the expense of the individual, or do we want a country that pays attention to the environment, but places a heavier emphasis on people and jobs?

There are things we need from our government. The Federal Government should provide a military to protect our Country, a border patrol to protect our borders and a social program to protect those who cannot provide for themselves. There must be basic operating rules for institutions required for a modern society such as banking, finance, drug testing and medical progress reviews. Any supplemental government requires a careful review before we buy it. We have over 40 years’ experience growing government at the expense of individual freedoms. The Progressives are serious about helping people, but we now understand their programs sacrifice the individual at the Altar of Big Government.

In private enterprise successful businesses continually reorganize, reduce costs and focus on goals. The Federal Government claims it cannot even afford a 2% reduction in its growth. The Sequester should be proof the government considers its needs superior to your personal needs. Federal Expenditures are like a boat, every month there is something else needing repair. A boat is often described as a hole in the water to pour thousand dollar bills at each month. The Federal Government is the same except it is billions each month. Sell the boat and there is money to invest: A simple idea once priorities change to accept that the boat is too expensive. We need to explore the idea that government is too large, too expensive and too demanding.

A few simple steps like more jobs, lower tax rates and a growing business climate would make the letter to new graduates easier to write. We could then say we’ve tested alternate methods, we’ve spent more money on government than was wise, we’ve tried giving away our rights to people who claim to know better than we citizens and none of it worked. Congratulations on graduating, now get out there and change this country into something better than when you found it. Raise your families and provide your children with a great education. Enjoy the journey, but most of all remember, you are in charge of your destiny. Beware those who claim to have a path to Utopia, it is a false path. Oh yes, spend a little time working on your music, it’s not all that good.

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