Sound Off!: August 2004

Monday, August 30, 2004

Fencing in Free Speech

Subject: Moving Toward a Fascist State, by John W. Whitehead

Dear Sir,

The American people have become accustomed to others doing their work and thinking for them. Why bother to say anything as our voice no longer makes a difference. We have become so distracted and fat and lazy. We have allowed this to happen. So it is no surprise when large groups of people go out to exercise their constitutional right to "free speech" and the police come out in large numbers to keep it contained to a controllable area inside a fenced in pen.

As long as Americans continue to sit back sipping the suds and taking little interest in what is going on around them, the people that do become involved (current day soothsayers) are treated as "criminals" for speaking out against wrong doing. Our generation of baby boomers were taught to question authority. I don't know if this new generation cares or if they are unable to think independently for fear of having the New American Gestapo pay them a visit.

Thanks for the great column!!!!!!

Sincerely,

George Larner
Ruckersville, Va.

Monday, August 23, 2004

So What Can The "Common Man" Do?

Subject: The Rich Who Rule Us, by John W. Whitehead

Dear Brother John,

I understand what you are saying and somewhat agree with you. (Although I do believe that President Bush has worked for much of what he has. He is not a lazy man.) Also, it would be great if all of us had wealthy relatives from whom to inherit. There are times I tend to get jealous of the wealthy, but then I must remember that God did not place me in those families. He put me where I am.

So now, what am I going to do about it? That is the question all of us must ask. This is a nation where the sky is the limit if we are willing to work hard enough to achieve our dreams.

Some people are telling me (and I believe the Lord has planted within me the idea) that I am to run for the Senate. My husband works for Indiana University, and I've been doing ministry unto the Lord for four years. In other words, I am a "common man".

I have been called at this time to be an activist, to get Christians informed about issues of the day and their consequences to our rights and freedoms, and educate them in what God requires of us. I am telling people to get involved, to speak up, and to make a difference.

So can you please tell me how the "common man" can get involved in the political arena? Help me to understand so I can be better equipped, and can also encourage others.

Thank you,

Madeline Crabb

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Conservatives Disillusioned With Bush

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

I found your recent interview with Ron Paul, Starting a Brush Fire for Freedom, quite by accident but read it, as he is a representative in a district here in Texas near me. I have
regarded Dr. Paul as a rare statesman.

Although I vote Republican 99.9% of the time, this interview makes me question whether I'm just wasting my time or should take up a different effort. The dilemma, to me, is that if people like me abandon the Republican ship, then we have to dance to the music played by the liberals who already assume we are government property and we have no pre-eminent right to money that we earn nor property that we own. And, more scary than that, to the liberals the Constitution can mean anything they want it to.

I'm somewhat more deeply involved in politics than the average American. I attended our state republican convention as a delegate in San Antonio in June. I also attend meetings of the Republican Leadership Council. (The RLC mission is to find and support candidates that are truly conservative, demonstrate a stance for smaller government and less taxes, but, and most importantly, are strong in defense of the traditional Judeo-Christian principles our country was founded upon.)

I and many other conservatives I've spoken with have become disillusioned by the Bush administration's big spending, big government approach to solving our problems. But so many of us are hesitant to give up on the GOP when we have yet to see anyone step up to represent our values and principles. Who would you recommend as my perfect candidate?

Gordon Isaac
New Caney, TX