Recently I had a long conversation with a very conservative “trusted advisor” about the future of our country. This individual is convinced that we have lost the war, the great experiment in freedom known as the United States is over. Needless to say, I disagree. But what truly bothered me about the conversation was not the defeatism, but the reasoning behind it.

As the conversation progressed it became clear that my friend felt that the problem was that Americans are too stupid to vote the right way. It occurred to me that I had heard this argument before. It is the argument that is used to justify virtually every liberal program and concept. Parents can’t raise their own children, “it takes a village”; we can’t be trusted to manage our own retirements, government must provide “security”; Americans can’t be trusted with guns, and so on.

This is a very dangerous trap that leads to a belief that the ends justify the means. This is the liberal view that explains why they see no problem with attempting (and sometimes succeeding) to steal elections in Washington state, Minnesota, and Florida. This is why liberals turn to the courts rather than the people when they want to force their agenda on America.

 For forty years we have allowed the left to control the education and media in this country. The problem is not that Americans are stupid, we are not. However we are not as well educated or informed about civics and politics as we should be. We have been lied to and manipulated and indoctrinated into believing more in government than in ourselves. But I believe that Americans still understand freedom and still desire it more than anything. But in the absence of strong leaders committed to freedom, Americans sometimes fall for strong speakers with a compelling message of hope and change, particularly when he is running against a candidate without a strong message of freedom following an unpopular President.

 Gerald Ford was defeated by Jimmy Carter’s big smile and easy manner when the voters were sickened by Watergate and the loss of the Vietnam War. But only four years later, Ronald Reagan told them that he knew Americans could do anything, that the “malaise” existed only in Washington and that government was not the solution to the problem, government was the problem.  Ronald Reagan’s magic wasn’t his speaking skills or rhetoric; it was his fundamental belief in the goodness of America and Americans. He spoke directly to the American people as often as possible, when the liberals in Congress tried to block his goals, he didn’t turn to the courts, he turned to the people.

When Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980 the Dow Jones Industrial average stood at 771, interest rates, inflation and unemployment all stood in double-digits, the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan, 52 Americans were being held hostage by the Iranian government, and the Cold War was at its peak.

When Ronald Reagan left office eight years later, our economy was booming in what would become the longest peacetime growth in our nation’s history. The Cold War was effectively over with the collapse of the Soviet Union a few years later.

In 1976 when Jimmy Carter was elected, I am quite sure there were many who believe that the American dream was over. Teddy Kennedy was pushing universal healthcare, taxes were brutally high and the government was expanding every day. Our military was being cut back and demoralized. In many ways February 1997 resembled February 2009. In that there is a message of real hope. Americans are not stupid. If we conservatives can put forth our message with a strong, likable candidate with an unwavering message of freedom, personal responsibility and personal success. That candidate will win in a landslide; particularly if President Obama continues down his current path.

If, on the other hand, we put forward a candidate like John McCain, with a “centrist” message trying to appeal to the left as well as the right, we will again lose and deservedly so. Americans want a strong leader to protect their freedoms, to fight for them in Congress and overseas. They don’t want a milquetoast seeking compromise on every issue. Despite all of the media whining about bi-partisanship, the record clearly shows that the American people want the conflict and consider it good.

I hope that everyone will keep the faith in the American dream and the American people alive. We are a great people and we will survive this as we have survived in the past. We have a long war ahead of us, and we will have to fight for every inch of freedom against Obama’s encroachments. We have lost a major battle, but the war is far from over. We Shall Return.

God Bless America

The time: 1970, thirty-eight years ago. The place: Hollywood, California. The situation: a nation in turmoil, protests, riots, flag-burning, and more. An experienced Hollywood actor named Morrison decided that it was time to remind Americans what this great country was all about.

He gathered some friends to put together a variety show. He got a sponsor, and got a network to agree to broadcast it. On November 29, 1970 the NBC special broadcast of Swing Out Sweet Land became the highest rated variety show ever with over 30 million viewers and it won an Emmy Award.

Morrison himself said that Swing Out Sweet Land was not to be about preaching or politicking. It was about a country with a love of life that could poke fun at itself cheerfully. It was about a country that we should all be proud of, despite her faults. The show presented a look at American history from the Pilgrims to the Wright brothers in a series of comic skits, songs, and some serious vignettes. With historical characters from Crispus Attucks to George Washington to Samuel Clemens, Morrison provides a view as to why we love this country and particularly why he loved this country so very much.

The cast he brought together included many that are still household names today: Ann-Margret, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Dan Blocker, Roscoe Lee Browne, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Bing Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Lorne Greene, Celeste Holm, Bob Hope, Michael Landon, Dean Martin, Ross Martin, Greg Morris, David Nelson, Ricky Nelson, Hugh O'Brian, Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, William Shatner, Red Skelton, Tom Smothers, Leslie Uggams, Dennis Weaver, Cathy Baker, Ed McMahon, and George Burns.

The 90 minute show ended with Morrison himself talking about why this is the greatest country on earth. He said he was a lucky fellow for many reasons. He believed in his country, his family, his family and his God. He believed in “Freedom, with an accent on the Free, which is still the best four letter word I know.” “Equal opportunity is based on equal obligation, and speaking of opportunity, American opportunity has no limits and has been known to knock more than once.”

He encouraged optimism by pointing out how some of the great heroes had come from small starts and that no matter what your age, it is possible to make a difference. He ended with this: “Tomorrow, that’s the only thing any of us have going for us. And I believe this: if tomorrow all of us, every single one of us, gets out of bed and says ‘this is my country, and I am going to do good for it’, we’ll make the greatest step forward since the Pilgrims foot found Plymouth Rock. Tomorrow remember, ‘this is my country and I am going to do good for it’, it just might work. We’ll never know unless we give it a fair try. Oh yeah, there is one other thing. I’ll say it tomorrow because I say it every day of my life: God Bless America!”

This wonderful show is now available on DVD, but you will not find it under its original name. It is now listed using Morrison’s stage name. The title is “John Wayne’s Tribute to America.” To quote Paul Harvey: “and now you know… The rest of the story!”

God Bless America