Don't believe me? Check my
yard.
If you are wisely ignoring the media these days, you may be unaware of this phenom - I'll clue you in.
So kids... Imagine yourself in the front yard of your middle-class house in a plain old neighborhood on a random afternoon. You would like to go _____ (insert your fun here), but it's wiser to stay home. You're playing with your kid and enjoying the day. The neighbors drive by and you wave, you chat up the mailman when he delivers, you know the name of your ice cream man/lady. After that, there is a line of big cars and media coming down your street. They stop and greet you and ask you a few questions. Hey!, it's Barack Obama and he's likable fellow; you're a friendly sort so you chat with them for a bit. Next thing you know, you are over your head in political and economic discussions and just trying to figure out what all that means to you.
All you know is that this is the greatest country in the world. Your country has been the premire destination to work hard and be repaid for those efforts for the last 200 some-odd years and still is today. It worked for your dad, granddad, ad infinitum. So for all you know democracy and the free market works. On top of that, you were educated to believe that the politicians and the representatives work for the people. Remembering something about government of the people, for the people, and by the people you aren't scared to share your view or opinion. Jiminy Christmas, this presidential candidate stopped you on your own lawn, you didn't go interrupt his game.
It's a pleasant enough conversation and in the back of your mind you are making plans to personally put forth the risk and sacrifices necessary to better your situation. You are scared because you know full well that the burden lies on your own back and no one else's. There will be no bail-out for you and no collective liability. And, hey!, this guy who might win the election is in your driveway asking you what you think. Alright you think, let's talk. It has always seemed strange to you that just because you make more money that you should pay more taxes. Something like a flat tax sounds about right. Heck, it's worked for the Church all these years...
You ask a legitimate question about this fellow's ideas on tax policy. The answer is confusing, but in the dialogue you hear something like
'just spread the weath' or
"It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody that is behind you, that they have a chance for success too." Inspired by this rhetorical version of 'shock-and-awe' you spit out something to the effect of
'that sounds like socialism, dude'. Laughs and the shaking of hands transpire and everyone goes on their way.
The next morning you wake up to holy-heck-fire and a shoot-storm in your life. The candidates have grabbed you like the last Beanie Baby/Barbie/Tickle-Me-Elmo on Earth and are cuddling you or stomping you at their whim. The media (which I must remind you we all pay gladly (after taxes) to support) is
investigating you ala the KGB and telling the world how much you make,
how many back taxes you owe, and
that your name is not even Joe.
Let's wrap this up because I could (and still might) go on and on and on.
Know this, I don't care who you vote for. The point is not party or candidate related. Many better men than I have given their lives and their families have suffered to protect your right to vote. Please don't waste it. Learn the truth and know what you are voting for - whatever that might be. I believe that both parties and both candidates think that they are doing the best thing for their country. It is not about them.
The point is simple. This guy, this American, this neighbor has been wronged. He asked his question when asked and is paying for it. Sure, he'll get well paid from the publicity and may well be the next governor of Ohio. That is beyond the point.
This is the point. This one event should serve as a warning America. Let me be more clear, this is a shame people. Friends, allow me the opportunity to be concise. This guy, working as best as he knows how under the guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, asked a
candidate a question about his standings -
when provoked. Let's be crystal clear here, he did not go looking for trouble, it came to his home. When he disagreed with the
candidate's answer, he was pursued and investigated quicker than Ted Bundy. Maybe not directly by the
candidates themselves but definitely by the
media.
Don't know if you have read
Atlas Shrugged, don't know if you have seen either the sci-fi or historical flicks about being persecuted for speaking your mind. Don't know how much you value your freedom. Now that I think about it, there are a lot of things I don't know.
What I do know is that I work hard for what I have and don't want it given away without my approval. I give to the needy (because I want to). I pay my taxes gladly. I don't
want to be French no matter how good their food is. It makes me sad to see my country behave in this manner. It makes me angry to see my fellow/neighbor treated unjustly.
I am Joe. Not Joe Sixpack, not Joe Consumer, not Average Joe. Just another American Joe who loves and cares for his country and his family. Just a guy who wants better for his kids and want to protect his family; just like his dad and his dad and his dad and his dad... but makes a conscious choice to either work for it or do without.
- Guest poster DaddyMan
