Freedom Isn’t Free You Know
How many times have I heard this from my Father and my Grandfather? As a child I don’t think I grasped the true meaning — parents come equipped with so many philosophical phrases, what is a kid supposed to do? This one, however, stuck with me and it is something I truly believe. Many people have paid the ultimate price to give us the many freedoms we take for granted. My Grandfather was a true patriot. He loved our country and raised his children to do the same. He was a World War II veteran who fought to keep America free. He had buddies who fought for the same freedom, but did not come back to enjoy it. They paid the ultimate sacrifice. For them, and so many other patriots like them, I am grateful. I treasure my freedom as an American, it came at a very high price.
So on April 15th, I decided to exercise my freedom in a way I have never have done in the past. I participated in a peaceful protest known as a Tea Party! It was pouring down rain, cold, and miserable, but I went anyway. I stood on a small public square with about 70 other people who shared a concern about the future of our America and our precious freedoms. I did not know a single person there, yet there we stood, all Americans, all exercising our freedoms, all concerned about the same thing — the future of our country. There were no ugly shouts from the protesters, and I saw nothing in the way of the disgraceful signs the press chose to publish in the newspapers and on the internet. Instead, there were horns blowing, thumbs up, and lots of support from passersby. Of course,there were a few who added some negativity in response to the protest, and even a rude gesture by one, but all in all, I felt uplifted and positive by the whole experience. Those opposed to my beliefs are simply exercising their freedom as well, although there is a right way and a wrong way to express yourself, as I explained to someone who asked if I returned the gesture.
I stood on the square that day for my Grandfather, he fought in a horrible war, so that i could. I stood there for my parents who taught me right from wrong, integrity, perseverance, and love for God and country. For parents who endured many hardships so that my brother and I could have opportunities they never had–opportunities made possible by freedom. I stood there for my children, to teach them to have courage to stand upon their principles and to defend their future that is being destroyed by greedy politicians. I stood there in pride–because I am an American.
In this morning’s news I find that I am now considered an extremist, a public threat, and possibly on a watchlist of Homeland Security. I have been called an idiot, a right wing nut job…the list goes on. I guess I should be hurt, and maybe I am a little, these ugly terms are being thrown at me by fellow Americans, people who share the same freedoms. I have never been drawn to politics, this is a new experience for me, and I admit it has opened up an ugly side of people that I have never seen before.
For me, it is no longer about Republicans, Democrats, Candidates and Presidents. It is about the three “F”s –Freedom, Family, and Future. That is what I stood up for on April 15th. Those representing us in this whole political process are out of touch. It is time to reaquaint them with reality, restore the faith by rewarding hard work and integrity, remind them what it means to be American, that freedom isn’t free! I stood up for those beliefs and I hope that I made my grandfather, my parents, and my children proud! Proud to be an American! And so what if others called me names, it surely isn’t the first time, and doubtfully will be the last. You know, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Samual Adams, they were all called traitors and other derogatory names, so the way I see it, I am in good company.