In three days we will be observing Memorial day, a day originally set aside to remember and honor the union soldiers who lost their lives in what had been known as the War of the Rebellion. This is the war that ended slavery in our Republic. Or did it? We are now facing a serious threat to the liberty that so many of our soldiers and citizens have fought to keep. Our liberty is now being traded in favor of other perceived “rights”. The right to health care, the right to work, and the right to…. (fill in the blank). If we indeed have the right to all these things such as health care, or anything else, who is to pay for these services? Liberals think that government will pay for these services, but how is the government funded - by taxes. The next question is, who pays these taxes? The “evil corporations”? A clue, no. It’s hard working men and women that will bear the costs of these “rights”. Taxing corporations, products, or income is ultimately paid for by the consumer. If anyone can’t afford any of these “rights” then others will be forced to pay. This is nothing more than slavery. But this time the slave owner is not the plantation owner, but the government.

I am reminded of the quote used in the Mel Gibson movie, The Patriot: “Why should I trade one tyrant 3,000 miles away, for 3,000 tyrants, one mile away?”. As I reflect on the history of this nation, and contrast where we began with where we are now, I am deeply disturbed. Our choice of candidates for President now is a matter of who will further socialism to a greater or lesser degree. Obama is the only compelling argument for voting for McCain, and McCain is the single greatest reason to not vote for McCain. Perhaps this coming Memorial day should be about remembering and honoring the Republic we once knew or only have read about in the history books because I think that United States of America no longer exists.