I got into an interesting conversation about a week ago with a former student I taught a couple of years back. I was sitting at one end of the coffee shop while he was sitting by the fire-place reading a fiction thriller drinking his $5.00 coffee. Ironically this former student was quite the challenge for me when I was his teacher. At the time I was teaching health and he had been the only senior in my freshman health class. This wasn’t his first go around and I just knew he had to pass in order to graduate. He was an extremely intelligent teenager that challenged everything. He barely passed my class due to in-completes, absences and missing assignments but squeaked by because he was a great test taker. This student was certainly unforgettable. So when I saw him at the coffee shop reading I was impressed and excited to talk to him. I sat down across from him and just started asking questions; I really wanted to know how he was doing.
He proceeded to tell me that he was currently unemployed and dropped out of college this semester. He was living at home with his parents and just trying to figure out life. I understood to a certain degree how he was feeling as I have been there many times before. I then asked him how long he plans to do this and he proceeded to tell me, “until my unemployment runs out.” He said, “my parents pay for my food, my housing and my cell phone bill and the government pays for my gas and my fun – oh, and this tasty coffee drink.” I shook my head slightly in disappointment. I then asked him if receiving all these handouts ever made him feel guilty or lazy. He of course responded, “guilty? For what? As long as they keep giving, I will keep taking. It won’t be until I actually have to do something that I will. But for now I am content (in my complacency). I can do what I want, when I want with very little effort.” I proceeded to ask, “where did you learn this thinking?” He said without hesitation, “my family, society and the government.”
It was a very frustrating conversation but another reminder of how important it is for we the people to start educating the population about community and freedom. I went to my trunk and handed this former student of mine the best seller by Orrin Woodward and Oliver DeMille titled Leadershift with a business card for a bookmark and encouraged him to read this fiction book instead. I can’t blame him for his naive thinking. He has spent the last 19 years of his life witnessing the results of a nation who has taken freedom for granted and was swept up into the belief system that the government (or someone else) will always have your back.
This conversation inspired me to write this post. I recently found this controversial picture painted by Jon McNaughton titled, “The Forgotten Man.” (video below) The painting depicts all of the American Presidents, both past and present, standing in front of the White House and on a bench in the corner sits a dejected and impoverished man who represents the men and women that the Presidents have ‘forgotten’ in their quest for power.
But the real controversial part of the painting? Underneath the foot of our current president is the crumpled Constitution of the United States. Now, I’m sure that some of you would object to something so outlandish and over-the-top. But, is the symbolic message of the painting that far off?
Men and women trample and disregard the American Constitution every day as they pursue power and security instead of community and freedom. People forget that this pursuit encourages the design of more programs and initiatives to strengthen the power of the government. There is ample evidence of this when we see overwhelming government expansion, welfare programs, income taxes, the Patriot Act and ObamaCare.
When governments gain more power, they do so by displacing the power of the people. The more powerful governments become, the less freedom people have. It’s that simple.
In 1776, after witnessing the abuses of a large and out of control government, our Founding Fathers decided to create a government of limited powers, a government that gave political power to the people.
A major champion of America’s freedoms came from the American Constitution: a document defining a government of limited powers; a government that derives its power from the people; and a people that have greater freedom as a result. Furthermore, the Constitution promotes and protects the rights of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.
Let me make this very clear, I don’t side with a particular political party. In fact, until I joined LIFE Leadership I didn’t really care about politics, the government or freedom; I was no different than my former student. But now I have developed a hunger to educate myself about what I can do to play my part. I am simply a concerned American attempting to share some of the truth that I have learned. As George Guzzardo states so passionately, “WE will probably make it out just fine, but that may not be so for our children and grandchildren.”
This concept is not complicated. We (the people) need to take matters into our own hands. As people continue to pursue power and security instead of community and freedom, they trample the American Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson wrote “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.”
I think that Jon McNaughton’s symbolic painting of “The Forgotten Man” is a powerful warning for those who pursue more governmental power at the expense of the people.
Is freedom worth it? Is the next generation worth it? That’s only for you to decide.
God Bless,
Kristen
Check out the book, Leadershift by Orrin Woodward and Oliver DeMille to begin the process of educating yourself on what you can do to play your part.
Great post, Kristen. Thank you!
Thanks for your encouragement Jean!
Kristen: You sure are so right on with this blog. I have seen this picture and it almost bring tears to my eyes. There seems to be more and more people who think the way your former student stated . Complacency seems to dominate a lot of our culture these days. We in LIfe have been truly blessed to have leaders like Orrin Woodward.George Guzzardo, and Oliver DeMiile. Real “change needs to come to our country to bring back constitution values to a broken goverment and education system agree with all you’ve put into this blog. Bless you my young friend.
Amen Bill you are exactly right. Proud to be in the battle with you of awakening of fellow Americans.
Hey Kristen! Way to have the courage to reach out to that student and to post this blog! Everyone needs to see that painting. It’s not Republican. It’s not Democrat. It’s not Independent. It’s not Green. IT’S AMERICAN! People need to become aware of what is really happening to our Freedom.
You got it Joanne and I am thankful to be associated with women and men like you and Kurt who care about this country and our freedoms.
What a powerful painting. Your conversation with your former student will no doubt have a far reaching ripple, it shows you’ve been reading and associating with Life-you are making an impact, way to go!
Thanks Toosh for your comments!
Well said and well written. You have put into words exactly what I have been feeling for several years now. LIFE Leadership has helped me to open my eyes to learning and questioning things that I read and hear on a daily basis. Freedom has become ever more important in my life. Thank you for writing and posting this.
Proud of you Jim for educating yourself on these important topics!
Great post Kristen. Awesome examples of the demeanor of many people and how our freedoms are slowly being washed away. Keep sending the message of how important reading and leadership is to save what we have.
Will do Charlie, keep fighting the good fight! Proud of you man!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Kristen. The cloud of complacency thickens around us minute by minute and I fear the day is not too far away when Americans will wake up and ask “When did this happen?” And, of course, by that time it will be too late.
You are right Pat but let’s pray that doesn’t happen on our watch. We will take a stand!
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.