Almost 75 years ago, a young Judy Garland sang a song that still is remembered and sung today. During the black and white portion of the movie The Wizard of Oz, she sings these lines as she gaze skyward: "Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true."
We all have rainbows in our lives that we long to get over in order to achieve a better life. The blue skies over the rainbow may be a new job, a future spouse, a car, a new way of life or a vacation spot where you can unwind. Many people in foreign lands believe the United States lies over the rainbow and long to start anew here under our blue skies.
Since the first settlement at Jamestown, America has been the place where dreams - along with hard work, perseverance, and shear determination to forge out a better life - can come true. Simply put, our nation provided and still provides the opportunity for anyone to achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small. As legal immigrants and natural born citizens alike pursued their dreams with little to no government assistance, they became empowered because they were able to see the fruits of their labor. Likewise, their self-esteem and work ethic was contagious enough to fuel advancement, innovation and wealth building to others, leading America to becoming the number one economic power worldwide. Most importantly, because of this hard work and wealth, America's citizens are also the most generous in the world, always seemingly willing to give of their time, money and talents whenever disasters strike.
While we are still the number one economic power, our lofty ranking is slowly eroding. Cities are going bankrupt. Taxes are levied against wealth builders, thus reducing the amount of capital being poured back into the economy. Jobs are being lost. Blame - it seems - is targeted to anyone in power; however, those in power today seem to be made of teflon. Rarely do these power brokers ever take responsibility for their actions. It is easier to blame the other side of the aisle rather than examining the polices that have produced this ever growing dependence on government.
BELIEVE that hard work and not the government empowers the individual to do great things.
ACT by taking responsibility for your actions
SERVE others in a humble, sacrificial manner
America is still the land of the free and the home of the brave. We must preach to our youth that society is best served by hard work by individuals and not by continuing a reliance on government agencies. Constant hand outs enslave the individual to become more dependent. Dirty, working hands empower the individual to succeed with little help. And sometimes, failure is a good thing.
As I heard Joe Paterno once say to his team, "...after you are tackled, get back up right away --- don't dwell on being down." This positive message must resonate throughout the land.
America is still the land that lies over the rainbow, but for how long?
We all have rainbows in our lives that we long to get over in order to achieve a better life. The blue skies over the rainbow may be a new job, a future spouse, a car, a new way of life or a vacation spot where you can unwind. Many people in foreign lands believe the United States lies over the rainbow and long to start anew here under our blue skies.
Since the first settlement at Jamestown, America has been the place where dreams - along with hard work, perseverance, and shear determination to forge out a better life - can come true. Simply put, our nation provided and still provides the opportunity for anyone to achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small. As legal immigrants and natural born citizens alike pursued their dreams with little to no government assistance, they became empowered because they were able to see the fruits of their labor. Likewise, their self-esteem and work ethic was contagious enough to fuel advancement, innovation and wealth building to others, leading America to becoming the number one economic power worldwide. Most importantly, because of this hard work and wealth, America's citizens are also the most generous in the world, always seemingly willing to give of their time, money and talents whenever disasters strike.
While we are still the number one economic power, our lofty ranking is slowly eroding. Cities are going bankrupt. Taxes are levied against wealth builders, thus reducing the amount of capital being poured back into the economy. Jobs are being lost. Blame - it seems - is targeted to anyone in power; however, those in power today seem to be made of teflon. Rarely do these power brokers ever take responsibility for their actions. It is easier to blame the other side of the aisle rather than examining the polices that have produced this ever growing dependence on government.
BELIEVE that hard work and not the government empowers the individual to do great things.
ACT by taking responsibility for your actions
SERVE others in a humble, sacrificial manner
America is still the land of the free and the home of the brave. We must preach to our youth that society is best served by hard work by individuals and not by continuing a reliance on government agencies. Constant hand outs enslave the individual to become more dependent. Dirty, working hands empower the individual to succeed with little help. And sometimes, failure is a good thing.
As I heard Joe Paterno once say to his team, "...after you are tackled, get back up right away --- don't dwell on being down." This positive message must resonate throughout the land.
America is still the land that lies over the rainbow, but for how long?
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