Dear Mr. President,
As you know, millions of individuals have risen up in the past year to protest your designs on our Health Care system in this country. These individuals, and their complaints, were glossed over by your administration, as you doubled down and committed to passing your legislation, your way, because “Americans want it.”
But, Sir, I am an American, and I do not.
Those same individuals rose up before, to protest your designs on our economy. You told the House Republicans that “Americans disapprove of the Stimulus, but like every policy in it.”
But I am an American, and I do not.
Your reactions to the concerns of Americans over your policy have been mixed with scorn and condescension. Your Administration has accused those voters of everything from ignorance to blind partisanship – and even of being bought off by special interests.
You don’t know us very well.
Sir, I am an American. My wife and my parents are Americans. My siblings and friends. You haven’t the knowledge to question our motivation or our patriotism, nor the credibility to question our intelligence. My pockets have never been lined by a special interest group, a campaign never funded, a cabinet never filled. Can you say the same?
I am a married father of four. I have worked in factories and offices, done manual labor and menial tasks. I am educated and well-read. Even, some would say, well-spoken. I have known times of great joy and times of great sorrow. I have known both want and fulfillment.
I am an American, sir – a member of the single most generous nation on Earth. I have been sustained by the kindness of my friends, and have been generous where I could. I was born into neither wealth nor privilege. I have been given neither education nor employment based upon my social status, on that of my friends or family, or on my race.
What I have is mine because I have earned it out of my own blood and sweat, or because it was given freely as a gift by those who love me.
I am an American. A descendent of those who crossed an ocean in search of freedom. A brother and friend to those who have crossed oceans to defend it. I have seen those men and women return from battle wounded in body and in heart, and I have mourned them and loved them and given them comfort, because I am an American. I have been both proud of my country and fearful for my countrymen.
I am an American who has been belittled because of his beliefs and judged, not on the content of his character, but on the color of his skin. But I am an American – and individual built of sterner stuff than to crumble and fall at the merest criticism.
I am an American who believes in the right to live my life, not by the consent of a government, but by a Liberty granted by God alone. I am an American, not by birthright, but by my belief in the inalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness, and in a government for, by, and of the People.
Sir, you speak for the American people, but it is a people with whom you are woefully unacquainted. You don’t know them, because you don’t know me, nor the people like me. I am an American, and I do not want to be taken care of by government. I want the liberty to take care of myself, and my family, without your interference.
I am an American, Mr. President. You may not like what I have to say, but by God, one way or another, we will be heard.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Well Said
Whitesands (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 7:11PM EST (link)“YOU SEE I AM A FREE MAN”. The current congress or white house may not understand a declarative statement such as that. Although it is the embodiment of that statement that impels mankind to stand erect, proud and confident of the future. The burden of proof rests with the administration to make the case why I should follow a large government, socialist agenda.
Perfect.
redneck_hippie (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 8:31PM EST (link)A great movement is at its foundation a mood of a people. Our opponents misjudge everything, but mainly they misjudge what you’ve written about. A people wronged is a powerful thing, and the current is grown strong enough that our opponents would do well to look to the lifeboats.
5's all around, for the diary and the comment!! nt
nessa (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 10:36PM EST (link)“If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Contributor to Unified Patriots
teh twitter
5+ I am an American
gekster (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 10:55PM EST (link)They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved
I may not want to be once this passes! nt.
Menlo (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 11:09PM EST (link)“The ultimate touchstone of constitutionality is the Constitution itself and not what we have said about it.” -Felix Frankfurter
Randy, you have beautifully captured the essence of the....
penguin2 (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 11:25PM EST (link)American spirit. Please, when you get a chance, go back in and tag your diary for RedState University. The link I provided takes you to the diary where the concept is explained. That is the new category that we are putting diaries that have to do with Constitutional education and application of those principles.
This stirring statement on being an American should be in there.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. – Benjamin Franklin
When Good stands up to Evil, Evil blinks. – Vassar Bushmills
Conservative Education: Suggested Reading List
Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots
It's funny
Beaglescout (Diary) Wednesday, February 24th at 8:20PM EST (link)How this strikes me the same way that Obama’s “no blue states and red states, just united states” speech did. It’s about bringing us together. Of course, Obama turned out to believe in the exact opposite of what his most famous speech was all about. Somehow, I doubt there would be such a radical disconnect between Randy’s words and beliefs.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
What A Strange Attitude
conservativegeorgian43 (Diary) Tuesday, February 23rd at 8:53AM EST (link)“What I have is mine because I have earned it out of my own blood and sweat, or because it was given freely as a gift by those who love me.”
What do you mean that you own your own property? You OWE it to those losers who refuse to work and take care of themselves. You OWE it to all those poor ‘unfortunates’ who never had a chance – in the greatest country on earth for opportunity. You OWE is to all the people on the planet you’ve injured by your blatant consumption. You OWE it to everybody … except yourself and your family. Just ask Obama and his merry band of communists.
Excellent article
daconia (Diary) Tuesday, February 23rd at 9:26AM EST (link)For me, I have taken John Galt’s oath:
I swear – by my life and my love of it – that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another an to live for mine.
The founding of this nation, and the Revolution, was based on a simple idea, government should leave the people alone.
Honored to stand with you, sir!
That's me too!
petersaint (Diary) Tuesday, February 23rd at 3:14PM EST (link)I wish I had written that!
I can't add anything to that
qixlqatl (Diary) Tuesday, February 23rd at 6:18PM EST (link)except cheers and a ‘reco’. Very well said.
“Yet, Freedom! yet thy banner, torn, but flying,
Streams like the thunderstorm against the wind.”
George Gordon Noel Byron
The greatest strength of your diary
Deskpilot (Diary) Tuesday, February 23rd at 11:22PM EST (link)is that it is completely devoid of ANY description of your liberal identification tag. No definition of race, gender, private sexual persuasion, handicap, religion (except Christian).
The only descriptor we need to be tagged with is EXACTLY what you said, “AMERICAN.”
It is interesting to see so few self defined liberal tags here describing a RS’ers,
Excellent piece
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can still read it in English, You’re Welcome
Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)
Join the RedState Strike Force
Outstanding piece
redpens (Diary) Wednesday, February 24th at 6:05AM EST (link)I couldn’t have written that
Bravo!
eastbaylarry (Diary) Wednesday, February 24th at 10:16PM EST (link)Ever consider running for office? I might like to vote for you.
2+2=4 dammit!
'Scuse me while I whip this out...
Erick Brockway (Diary) Wednesday, February 24th at 11:04PM EST (link)…yet again.
Democrats underestimated…
Note to lefties;
“Don’t be afraid to see what you see.” -Ronald Reagan
Activists taking Action
Join the RedState Strike Force
You know if you replace the words "Health care" with Iraq war" and the
togaman Thursday, February 25th at 12:19AM EST (link)I could swear that you could have found this diary on Daily Kos in 2003
Amen!
usawatchmen (Diary) Thursday, February 25th at 1:16AM EST (link)That was awesome brother. Like a scolding, prayer, and pep rally rolled in one. I would like to link to this on my website if that’s good with you? I think more people would like to read this.
USAWatchmen
http://www.usawatchmen.com/blog
Thank you, usawatchmen
randy streu (Diary) Thursday, February 25th at 8:27AM EST (link)and of course.
Blogging also at
SLC Republitarian
The Minority Report
Probably your best ever Randy - God bless - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Thursday, February 25th at 5:56PM EST (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Just curious?
bluestate71371 Friday, February 26th at 12:02PM EST (link)Randy did you vote to elect President Obama? Because you refer to the Americans that he doesn’t know. I think there are a lot more Americans out there that you clearly do not know. Currently, the Democratic party holds some of the largest margins in both houses in recent memory. This isn’t because they American people have been duped or lied too. It is because many of us believe that the US government is the people. Neither party has done a good job of representing the people. Both have been bought out by special interests. But, many Democratic representatives believe in government. That we the people can come together and make decisions to benefit us all. I can not vote for someone who claims to not believe in government. If you elect someone to the government who doesn’t believe in the concept of government don’t be shocked when government doesn’t work. Individual liberties are the bedrock of this country. What liberties has this administration tried to take? The last administration discarded habeas corpus and rejected our long standing stance on torture, Deciding what things we as a government should and should not be pay for is not taking away your liberties. If that were true than my liberties were violated when the previous administration spent my money on a “preventative” war that I did not want. I come to this web-site to read and learn other peoples perspective on things. I hope everyone here is willing to realize you most likely do not represent the majority of Americans if you did it would be President McCain.
just a couple of points
streiff (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 12:25PM EST (link)1. read the purpose of the site before posting again.
2. stop trolling.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
Another one of the 52% both stupid enough to vote for Comrade Obama
Achance (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 12:33PM EST (link)AND stupid enough to admit it today. Anyone stupid enough to vote for a practicing and avowed communist with exactly zero executive experience and a past that he refused to account for is too stupid to participate in a republican democracy.
You should have been “curious” in 2008.
In Vino Veritas
Obama's Army
izoneguy (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 12:48PM EST (link)are calling all the right thinking radio talk shows today.
I have heard dozens of these idiots already.
What a bunch of drones.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
bluestatist- You are so wrong
Scope (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 12:54PM EST (link)I believe I can speak for all Redstaters in saying that Randy has spoken for all of us, and for that segment of Americans that didn’t vote for Socialism/Communism, in other words, the ones with brains. You obviously are lacking in that department. Posting the comment you have, here on this website, is further proof of that.
And if you notice recent polls
Leopard1996 (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 1:10PM EST (link)Obama is at a 40 some odd approval rating, and the asshats that were elected to congress is at approximately lower that crap that came out of the killer whale after it drowned the trainer.
As far as that “preventative” war, don’t let facts get in the way of a good story a majority of your heroes “Pelosi, Clinton, et. al” gave the authorization from the jump for that “preventative” war, then conviently decided that they were lied to.
My dead dog could have won the election of 2008, with the economy getting slammed, an unpopular president because of the economy, and a complicit media that did nada in doing it’s job in vetting a guy who came out of nowhere to run for president. So as far as your majority arguement take it and shove it.
“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
Name calling
bluestate71371 Friday, February 26th at 1:43PM EST (link)I cam e here to have an honest discussion. Notice I didn’t call anyone names, I didn’t insult Randy. I asked some questions and stated some observations. I was in hope of finding a conversation where everyone could be respectful. Apparently, I have come to the wrong place for such a conversation.
No some responses.
Achance, President Obama is no more a communist than you are. I am going to assume you were being hyperbolic or just don’t understand the concept.
Scope – First, I was against the war regardless of who supported it. You made huge assumptions about who my heroes are. A preventative war is a war in which you attack someone who hasn’t attacked you. Iraq never attacked the US. That isn’t really my point. The fact is our government choose to engage in a war that I was completely against. Hence spending my money or as it seems people on this site would say “taking my liberty”. We all believe the government can take our money for the public good. Unless you don’t believe in the US military, police departments, and roads. So I don’t like people cloaking themselves with “my love of liberty” as an excuse to avoid a tax. Now you may believe that some form of federal government involvement in health care is inappropriate. I just disagree. I am hoping someone can give me an explanation of their position. If we disagree fine. Also, I will make an assumption about your heroes, Dick Chaney. If that is true I wouldn’t go around talking about poll numbers. He is one of the least popular politicians in the history of the US. Also, by the way, I would argue that President Obama’s poll numbers have gone down not because of people like yourself because you would have never given a positive rating. But, more likely his poll numbers have gone down because of people like me, who don’t understand why he isn’t taking a stronger stance against the corporate interests in this country.
By the way, no one who loves liberty has explained why torture and the suspension of habeas corpus was ok.
bluestate, what color is the sky on your planet?
Achance (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 1:56PM EST (link)There is no reason to have a discussion with a mind-numbed lefty robot such as yourself. You can’t reason and you can’t be persuaded, so it is a waste of time to discus anything with someone who merely recites talking points. I learned long ago that talking to lefties is like trying to teach a pig to sing: It frustrates me and it irritates the pig. So, run along now.
In Vino Veritas
Didn't Streiff tell you to stop trolling?
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:00PM EST (link)You should really take his advice.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
From someone who is new
bluestate71371 Friday, February 26th at 2:20PM EST (link)trolling as I understand it is using inflammatory language to elicit emotional responses. I have not done such a thing. Did you complain about this to the people who called me names?
If you feel my comments are off topic, I apologize. I was willing to come into your house and have a conversation. I have been greeted with insults and ZERO answers. But, I will continue to look at this thread hoping someone will step up and have this conversation. I am not hoping to change your mind and you likely won’t change mine. But you never know we might find some common ground. I know you will likely celebrate this, but unless I get a reasonable response this will be my last post. It is truly a shame that things have gotten so bad that a conversation can not be had.
We're not here to answer your questions
Neil Stevens (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:37PM EST (link)We’re a community of activists.
Get over yourself.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Who finally blamsticked this seminar douche? -nt
Leopard1996 (Diary) Saturday, February 27th at 2:02AM EST (link)“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
Not sure
Neil Stevens (Diary) Saturday, February 27th at 2:03AM EST (link)If it’s a stealth blam there’s a good chance it was streiff.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
That is a good thing
Leopard1996 (Diary) Saturday, February 27th at 2:42AM EST (link)For someone to not understand that after seeing OFA telling their douchey followers to spam talk radio, and I am sure blogs with their utter bile that when someone comes on here in your house with the garbage he/she was spewing, that we will not be in a mood to hear their garbage. I guess that comes with the arrogance of beliveing that we are stupid and need to hear from the more enlightened.
“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
bluestate71371 we have a different definition of troll...
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:38PM EST (link)Our site purpose is to advance conservative goals, not debate lefty talking points. With that in mind you are trolling. You were asked to stop by a moderator. I suggest you heed that warning.
Oh, and if you had read the site’s about page you would already know this. But since you are a lefty troll who didn’t even bother to look at the purpose of the site, you didn’t.
Later troll.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
Bluestate, I would gladly debate you at another time
hickorystick (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:45PM EST (link)I would even be willing to educate you on some things you haven’t spent enough time thinking about. Posting your debates under this diary is not an appropriate time. Randy spoke from his heart-felt convictions about what he is seeing going on around him. He is truly concerned about the direction of the country. If you don’t support what he is saying, bring it up in another diary. If you do get the gist of what he is saying, add something relevant. Your bringing up the torture thing is not relevant. Go read this book, and then come back to discuss it at another time.
http://www.amazon.com/Courting-Disaster-America-Barack-Inviting/dp/1596986034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267213485&sr=1-1
Hard to debate disjointed statements
civil truth (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:22PM EST (link)You need to present an articulate statment rather than throwing out phrases and expecting us to figure out what you mean.
So let me give your some brief phrases in response.
About taxes – try on “enumerated powers” – which is much narrower than “public good”. We accept paying taxes for military, and other duties that the Constitution gave to the Federal goverment. Healthcare is not one of them. “Public good” is so broad as to encompass anything, so if you argue that, you might as well argue for unlimited government power. You might like todays depredations, but the worm always turns – history shows that – as absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Habeus corpus suspension – not sure what you’re talking about; certainly haven’t seen any widespread suspension. Care to clarify the circumstances and the associated Consitutional violation?
Torture – don’t you remember Pacific programs talking about secret CIA involvement in extraordinary rendition in the good ‘ol Clinton days. Far worse than what was happening under Bush – it’s just that by outsourcing it, that Adminstration could pretend its hands were clean. You’re going to be painting both parties with this one, going back many years.
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
Thanks for a the response
bluestate71371 Friday, February 26th at 3:53PM EST (link)I assume when you say the constitution sets forth the military as part of the Constitution you are talking about the preamble “provide for the common defense”. Literally the next words are “promote the general welfare”. What do you think those words mean?
Our responsibility as citizens is to be watching our representatives for any possible corruption. Transparency in government is a must. Therefore, any lack of transparency should be held under great suspicion. You don’t think there is corruption in the military industrial complex right now? So you are more worried about corruption in a program designed to get people health care than a program filled with weapons? Don’t mercenaries (aka Blackwater) worry you more than rogue doctors? Never mind the fact that enormous trans-national corporations are the ones making our medical decisions now.
First, it is never a good argument to say well someone else did it. If Bill Clinton ordained torture he too should be in prison. We executed Japanese soldiers at the end of WW2 for waterboarding people. But, is there a difference between turning someone over to a foreign government who then does something wrong and our government doing it? The answer to that is yes!
Do I support rendition? NO.
How many men have been held in Guantanamo Bay without trial for years? You say they are “terrorists” But many of those men were just released by the Bush administration. Without ever being charged with a crime. So who deems them terrorists? The President? People who distrust government certainly can not put forth that argument.
I hope to continue a constructive, open discussion.
thanks
p.s.
bluestate71371 Friday, February 26th at 3:55PM EST (link)I hope that is more concise.
concise is knowing the difference between provide for and promote. nt
pilgrim (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 4:58PM EST (link)Oh, geez..... nt
janis (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 4:06PM EST (link)My response ended in the great cybervoid
civil truth (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 4:57PM EST (link)I don’t have the time to rewrite it now – a lesson to never write a long comment without saving it somewhere.
Perhaps late this evening. But in the meanwhile, do be careful; you’re on thin ice with the powers that be.
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
civil truth, you have the fabled patience of a saint.
janis (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 5:02PM EST (link)To take the time to answer so much aggregated ignorance is worthy of a medal. Perhaps the RedState “Blue Troll Educational Medal.”
It’s only given to those who can educate determined idiots with patience and without cursing vehemently. I’ll never win one.
But when you went to the polls
Leopard1996 (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:29PM EST (link)To vote for the American Idol president, I am sure you just left the D field blank for the congressional reps that were up that year. I don’t know what state you are from, but they were probably either complicit in the same, “preventative war” or like Obama could afford to say, “I was always against it.” because they were a hair within looking at the intelligence and making a decision. Also on the Iraq front, the way I see it is this. We had a treaty after Desert Storm with Saddam that also stated that he would not engage in any WMD building. When we with the UN wanted to verify as such they were stonewalled, hence violating said treaty or cease fire. Therefore we had the right, especially with his known support of terrorism (paying 25,000 to palestinians to kill themselves as long as a few Jews go with them), to attack and perform a regime change.
As for suspension of Habes Corpus, for whom, people who were making war against our country and our soldiers without being under a banner of a country, that is called an illegal combatant and they probably should have been summarily executed with a bullet in the back of the head while their hands were tied behind their back, but we didn’t do that, instead we chose to detain them until the hostilities ceased, now since the other side (Al Queada, taliban, et. al) have not ceased those hostilities they are detained in a military prison.
And I love liberty and Habeas Corpus as much as the next guy, however, engaging in terrorism at this point, (I would even go as far as to say the douche in Austin, TX who slammed his plane into the IRS building), are traitors to this nation, and should be tried (if still alive), and if convicted, hung by the nearest yardarm.
Yes I am a damn savage, deal with it.
“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
Great Diary Randy
hickorystick (Diary) Friday, February 26th at 2:47PM EST (link)needed to be said. Often times I feel like I am reliving the siege of LondonDerry (Ireland).
Great comment / letter
newfreedomblog (Diary) Saturday, February 27th at 11:09AM EST (link)Hope you do not mind but I have credited you and posted this to my blog http://www.newfreedomblog.com
Thank you for writing this
Contact@newfreedomblog.com