Still proud to be American - The Firearms Forum

Kingpin46 · 02-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Moderators-If this needs to be in a different area, do as you see necessary.

I am proud to be an American.

I was lucky enough to be born into a land that was conceived by a handful of men that were compassionate and intelligent way beyond their time. This handful of men listened to their friends and neighbors, identified a common problem, collectively agreed that there must be a better way, then sat down and penned what I think is one of the most profound well conceived documents of mortal man. The Constitution of the United States. Then these men fought for what they believed. For this, I am truly grateful.

I am, however, not nearly as proud of what my government has done with this profound document. I must accept at least partial blame for allowing this to happen. I, like a lot of us, maintained a faith that my government would make the correct moral and ethical decisions to protect my rights as set forth by the founding Constitution. I have obviously been listening when I should have been talking, or possibly yelling at the top of my lungs. The people I have voted to put in public office, were not always the people I wanted to see in office. I, like a lot I am sure, voted for 'the lesser of two evils'. For this I am truly ashamed. (I did not vote for the current president). Rather than working hard to share my beliefs about my political candidate by attending meetings, posting on forums, passing out flyers and so on, I chose to sit back and think to myself that my vote would speak for me. While this may have been the case in years past, it could not be farther from todays truth.

Over the years, my complacency has led to putting in place a government that is more interested in enacting rules and laws that allow a certain few to advance their own agenda. This while ignoring the Document, the system and the people that placed them where they are. Our governmental system is not perfect, but I believe properly regulated and in tune with the people, it is the best there is at this time.

The bureaucratic glob (read 'Good 'Ol Boys Club') in place now is so dysfunctional, the people we have charged to make rules and enact laws cannot even decipher or explain their own doings. We have a tax system that puts the load on the least paid hardest worker while allowing the more affluent to proportionaly pay less than their fair share. Even the people that wrote the tax laws cannot explain them. Time for a change I think. We have an immigration policy that really is no policy. We have put the 'rights' of illegal aliens ahead of the 'rights' of tax paying, property owning, Constitutionaly protected US Citizens. I have no problem with immigration into the US as long as a set of rules and guidelines are in place and are enforced. If our country appears to be a better place to live than the one you are currently in, welcome. But be advised, there is more than just setting up your tent. Our heritage, language, beliefs, rights, responsibilities and way of life is who we are. If you are not ready to fully become 'one of us', please feel free to return when you are truly ready to assimilate into our society.

The current administration harbors a belief that the Second Amendment does not apply. I respectfully disagree. I say the Second Amendment is what allowed them to have the job they now possess. It is part and parcel of what has kept us free. It is the deterrent that has kept others from taking what we have. It is the reason we have more than the original thirteen colonies. It is the reason the United States has a western shore on the Pacific rather than a western border at the Mississippi. The Second Amendment gives me the right as a US Citizen to own and carry a gun. I do, and proudly. I carried a weapon in the defense of this country and was glad for the oportunity. I did as my government requested, regardless of my own personal beliefs or thoughts. It is now time for my government to return the respect to me and protect my Constitutional Rights as eagerly and fervently as I protected its rights when requested to do so. I am the first line of defense against those who would do me or my country harm. Don't deprive me of the tools needed to do the job. Don't make me out to be a criminal because I defend my right as a United States citizen.

oldogy · 02-12-2009, 02:46 PM

Kingpin, I agree with much of what you write, if you wrote it.
I have a little disagreement with the following.

We have a tax system that puts the load on the least paid hardest worker while allowing the more affluent to proportionally pay less than their fair share. Even the people that wrote the tax laws cannot explain them

The tax system currently rewards those who put their money at risk, who invest and are seeing the rewards of their risks, business owners, stockholders, folks who create jobs. Many are those who managed their money wisely to begin with, invested, saved instead of spending for instant gratification. Sure there are crooks at all levels. Less than their fair share? Statistics show otherwise. The lowest paid in the economy pay no taxes but get credits...read this as wealth distribution, exactly what our new president believes in.
IMHO, the folks who can't explain the tax system do not want to.
Maybe I should have thought it out a little better prior to ranting but I must get to work.
oldogy

Kingpin46 · 02-12-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldogy

Kingpin, I agree with much of what you write, if you wrote it.
I have a little disagreement with the following.

We have a tax system that puts the load on the least paid hardest worker while allowing the more affluent to proportionally pay less than their fair share. Even the people that wrote the tax laws cannot explain them

The tax system currently rewards those who put their money at risk, who invest and are seeing the rewards of their risks, business owners, stockholders, folks who create jobs. Many are those who managed their money wisely to begin with, invested, saved instead of spending for instant gratification. Sure there are crooks at all levels. Less than their fair share? Statistics show otherwise. The lowest paid in the economy pay no taxes but get credits...read this as wealth distribution, exactly what our new president believes in.
IMHO, the folks who can't explain the tax system do not want to.
Maybe I should have thought it out a little better prior to ranting but I must get to work.
oldogy

Yes, I wrote it this morning. You have a point. I could have worded things a little differently concerning that. Thank You.

SolidVFR · 02-12-2009, 06:19 PM

You very eloquently described my feeling of pride in my country.

02-12-2009, 02:05 PM	#1
Kingpin46 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tacoma,Wa Posts: 51	Still proud to be American Moderators-If this needs to be in a different area, do as you see necessary. I am proud to be an American. I was lucky enough to be born into a land that was conceived by a handful of men that were compassionate and intelligent way beyond their time. This handful of men listened to their friends and neighbors, identified a common problem, collectively agreed that there must be a better way, then sat down and penned what I think is one of the most profound well conceived documents of mortal man. The Constitution of the United States. Then these men fought for what they believed. For this, I am truly grateful. I am, however, not nearly as proud of what my government has done with this profound document. I must accept at least partial blame for allowing this to happen. I, like a lot of us, maintained a faith that my government would make the correct moral and ethical decisions to protect my rights as set forth by the founding Constitution. I have obviously been listening when I should have been talking, or possibly yelling at the top of my lungs. The people I have voted to put in public office, were not always the people I wanted to see in office. I, like a lot I am sure, voted for 'the lesser of two evils'. For this I am truly ashamed. (I did not vote for the current president). Rather than working hard to share my beliefs about my political candidate by attending meetings, posting on forums, passing out flyers and so on, I chose to sit back and think to myself that my vote would speak for me. While this may have been the case in years past, it could not be farther from todays truth. Over the years, my complacency has led to putting in place a government that is more interested in enacting rules and laws that allow a certain few to advance their own agenda. This while ignoring the Document, the system and the people that placed them where they are. Our governmental system is not perfect, but I believe properly regulated and in tune with the people, it is the best there is at this time. The bureaucratic glob (read 'Good 'Ol Boys Club') in place now is so dysfunctional, the people we have charged to make rules and enact laws cannot even decipher or explain their own doings. We have a tax system that puts the load on the least paid hardest worker while allowing the more affluent to proportionaly pay less than their fair share. Even the people that wrote the tax laws cannot explain them. Time for a change I think. We have an immigration policy that really is no policy. We have put the 'rights' of illegal aliens ahead of the 'rights' of tax paying, property owning, Constitutionaly protected US Citizens. I have no problem with immigration into the US as long as a set of rules and guidelines are in place and are enforced. If our country appears to be a better place to live than the one you are currently in, welcome. But be advised, there is more than just setting up your tent. Our heritage, language, beliefs, rights, responsibilities and way of life is who we are. If you are not ready to fully become 'one of us', please feel free to return when you are truly ready to assimilate into our society. The current administration harbors a belief that the Second Amendment does not apply. I respectfully disagree. I say the Second Amendment is what allowed them to have the job they now possess. It is part and parcel of what has kept us free. It is the deterrent that has kept others from taking what we have. It is the reason we have more than the original thirteen colonies. It is the reason the United States has a western shore on the Pacific rather than a western border at the Mississippi. The Second Amendment gives me the right as a US Citizen to own and carry a gun. I do, and proudly. I carried a weapon in the defense of this country and was glad for the oportunity. I did as my government requested, regardless of my own personal beliefs or thoughts. It is now time for my government to return the respect to me and protect my Constitutional Rights as eagerly and fervently as I protected its rights when requested to do so. I am the first line of defense against those who would do me or my country harm. Don't deprive me of the tools needed to do the job. Don't make me out to be a criminal because I defend my right as a United States citizen. -->

02-12-2009, 02:46 PM	#2
oldogy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East TN Posts: 309	Re: Still proud to be American Kingpin, I agree with much of what you write, if you wrote it. I have a little disagreement with the following. We have a tax system that puts the load on the least paid hardest worker while allowing the more affluent to proportionally pay less than their fair share. Even the people that wrote the tax laws cannot explain them The tax system currently rewards those who put their money at risk, who invest and are seeing the rewards of their risks, business owners, stockholders, folks who create jobs. Many are those who managed their money wisely to begin with, invested, saved instead of spending for instant gratification. Sure there are crooks at all levels. Less than their fair share? Statistics show otherwise. The lowest paid in the economy pay no taxes but get credits...read this as wealth distribution, exactly what our new president believes in. IMHO, the folks who can't explain the tax system do not want to. Maybe I should have thought it out a little better prior to ranting but I must get to work. oldogy

02-12-2009, 06:19 PM	#4
SolidVFR V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 346	Re: Still proud to be American You very eloquently described my feeling of pride in my country. __________________ -USA- ~ Μολὼν λάβε ~ The Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.