In the House of Wood

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September 20, 2012

In the House of Wood

The Wisdom of Bill Clinton

Steve Woodhouse Journal-Express The Zope Gazette Thu Sep 20, 2012, 10:43 AM CDT

Knoxville —

“What kind of country do you want to live in? If you want a you're-on-your-own, winner-take-all society, you should support the Republican ticket. If you want a country of shared prosperity and shared responsibility – a we're-all-in-this-together-society – you should vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.”-Bill Clinton

This is an excerpt from the disgraced former President's address to the Democratic National Convention. Now stop and think about what Clinton is saying right here.

America is a you're-on-your-own, winner-take-all society. That's the American dream. That's what has brought millions of immigrants here, over the past 230 years. The idea of being on our own, or independent, is the promise and basis of this nation.

Human history is that of oppressive governments with limited opportunities to rise above and freely live the life you choose to live. America isn't supposed to be that way. We're the exception to that rule.

Here, if I may borrow a phrase from Brooks and Dunn, we are free to “dream as big as we want to.”

If America becomes a we're-all-in-this-together-society, how can that be possible? As I've said before, there is limited wealth and limited resources in the world. If we're all in this together, as the Democrats have it in their socialistic utopian ideal, then how can someone obtain the kind of wealth that Americans have been able to for so many years? If there's no promise of rising above, why would people try? If we don't try, how can we grow or allow people to try to live the American dream?

Obviously, I'm speaking more of the small business owners, entrepreneurs and those who are willing to work for what they get and achieve their wealth by providing a good or service that is in high demand among consumers, instead of politicians who seem to mysteriously multiply their wealth once they get into office.

The truth is, we are already in this together and we have recognized this. America is the most charitable country on the planet, we are the most charitable people because we're not stupid enough to think that we shouldn't give back. We know we have to look out for others and we do, of our own free will.

For a lot of us, we get that idea from the Bible, the word of God. But, apparently, the Democrats have a problem with God today. He's probably not that fond of them either, since too many of them advocate for the legality of killing babies – even those who are nearly fully developed.

To me, I believe too many politicians – including plenty on the Right – think they are the end all, be all of governance with dominion over everyone. Not every problem people face is a problem which the government must solve, nor does the government give anyone any rights. We are born with them and we merely allow the government to control small portions of these rights to maintain an orderly, civilized society.

Clinton's thought that the Presidential election is a choice between the true spirit of America and becoming just another government-controlled, limited-opportunity nation, is absolutely correct. But, it's not just about the Presidency.

Obviously, it begins at the top with a true leader. One who realizes the greatness of America comes from freedom, liberty and independence; not from a government taking the biggest share of everything and leaving little to the individual. But this leader also needs a supporting cast in Congress who believes those things as well.

Constitutionally, a President cannot dictate what the country is going to be on his or her own. All elections matter because all elections have consequences. Educate yourself, volunteer and educate others because we need to make a decision in 60 days that will put America back on the right course of freedom, prosperity and true hope (not the empty promises of a politician who's good at reading a teleprompter). The choice is ours and I pray we make the right one.

Take care of yourself and thank you for reading.

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