Where have all the patriots gone?

Republicans this, Democrats that! Congress, to include the failed debt committee, are far too focused on themselves as individuals and parties. Do the parties even provide any value to the government or the system as a whole? How about society? I am really thinking that they do not. They are self-licking ice cream cones, fat wallets, big mouths of hot air, and spoiled brats. All of 'em. They have forgotten what it means to be a patriot.

They have forgotten what real hard work is, and that the majority of Americans are all-too aware. Merriam-Webster defines a patriot as "one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests." Let's break this down.

The first part is very straight forward and I would not dare question whether any of those in Congress love their country, assuming that their country really is the United States of America. I think you can love a country, or at least your selective parts of it, and not really be a patriot. That second half though, I think that part is where you see a stark difference; and it's here that I'll try not to get long-winded.

If a patriot is one who "supports...[[his country's]] authority..." then he must support the supreme law of the land. And what is that law? It is the Constitution of the United States of America! The vast majority of our Congress grew up with that knowledge. School teaching further deepened it. And yet, they are the ones making the laws that slowly, quietly, almost secretly destroy our supreme law! And those at the State level are just as guilty. They implement changes to education that have far reaching effects by distorting our children's views of freedom, capitalism, and the American dream (side note: the present version of the American dream is no longer the pure desire for liberty and justice that it once was).

As for supporting the country's interests, we are talking of our domestic interests in the way of education (most polls/estimates put the US at the middle of the road), economics (think debt super committee - failure), border security (well, that is for another time), etc. Now think about it, are we any better off in any of those areas? Have they improved over the last decade? Two? Three decades? That would be a resounding, NO! This would also include supporting America's foreign interests, too. Let's see, they want early withdraw from Iraq, Afghanistan, and pretty much anywhere the liberals cry we "invaded." They are pushing jobs, our jobs, off to foreign lands (and then asking why the unemployment rate is high). Oh my, I know I could go on, but I think we'll dive into each topic one at a time in the future.

In fact, feel free to let me know what you would most be interested in hearing about. I pray that you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Never leave a man behind

That has been a long-standing position of the United States. When there are hostages, we do not leave them behind to be tortured or hurt or used or abused in any way. However, today we have a left a man behind. Captain Phillips still sits in a boat with pirates. He gave himself to them to safe his crew and ship, which has now safely docked. He likely did so expecting that the United States would do all that could, truly do all it could, to get him back. First, he was left behind by Barack Obama when reporters asked B.O. about the Captain and his reply was, "we are talking about housing issues." What crass he has to not even first say that he is concerned and wanting to move on to that, then perhaps continuing with housing issues. That's still wrong in my book, but at the least it would have demonstrated some compassion for Captain Phillips and his crew! Now, the Captain is still sitting there waiting for help. We have the most powerful navy in the world, with the most highly trained soldiers, and yet they are doing nothing. They are "talking". Does anyone really believe that you can negotiate with pirates/terrorists. They want what they want, when they want it, how they want it. And they want money and recognition of their power. And we keep giving it to them. Send in the SEALS, have them swim from far out and underneath that vessels and take them out. Shoot them, and if someone lives great, take them in and work them over. Get whatever important information they may have on pirates in the area; BUT GET OUR MAN BACK! NOW!!!