What's Wrong With This Picture ?

The man in the picture is running for the office of president of the United States or at least he represents that such is the case.  So, why is he signing and selling books at the same time?  Why is he grinning as if he has just made another successful investment on the road to wealth accumulation?  Why is he smug when his country is in debt up to its eyeballs and he wants us to vote for him as its leader for the next four years?

What, on earth, is wrong with this picture?

Two hundred and thirty five years ago the colonial United States were under the domination of a foreign royalty that had valid and just claims to the territory they occupied.  At least in historical, legal terms they could make that claim.  The basis for the claim was simply might makes right.  If you can fight for it and prevail, it’s yours.  Today that power and control rests with an unelected, burgenoning bureaucratic presence in Washington DC, every state capitol and every city/town/village/school district in the country.  It controls law making, spending and borrowing activities, elections and taxation policy.

Back to 1776.  A group of colonial citizens were fed up with the shenanigans of this royalty and their governors and bureaucrats; their military presence and their wars and their taxation policies.  They wanted to be free.  They sought the ability to control their own destiny.  They believed that God had given them the right to be so endowed.  To be able to make decisions for themselves.

So, they gathered together with their disparate views and agendas and set out to separate themselves from the “might makes right” fellows.  Knowing full well that to accomplish their ends, self rule, would mean a battle of the ages.  Not words; war.  Death.  Destruction. 

They sent a note to the ruler and the world and they laid out their positions; their claims; their thinking and stated that henceforth they would be independent of the ruler and his minions.  But they knew it would be difficult and that it could fail.  So, in closing, they uttered these words to put all on notice of their intent:

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

And then they signed it; just like the smiling, chubby fellow in the picture is signing his books, they put their names on the document for all to see.  By the act of signing their document they became traitors.  They signed and subjected themselves to death warrants as traitors to the British crown.

So, the chubby fellow signs his books of history and guidance; of recommendations and ideas; of stories and claims and positions and then sells them and pockets the money.  All while asking us to support him and his claim to leadership.  

The other fellows signed their names and put their lives and fortunes at risk for their ideas and historical views and their plans for the future.  They did not seek personal gain.  Instead they risked all they had, every cent they had and their most valued gift – their lives.

Can you detect the difference between leaders and pretenders?  We can.  Our position is this - if you wish to make money don't run for any political office.  If you want to make money either during or after you time in office, using your ideas and your time and your  experiences, don't run for office.  If you think your ideas are worthy of following put your time and energy; your pocketbook and your privacy at risk.  If you have made money off being in office turn it over to the people who paid your way while you were in office (think Clinton.)  If you cannot grasp this concept you may be inclined to follow pretenders.  If you need further edification to understand our position, please refer to the Declaration of Independence.  It is only 1,322 words long; it is free; no need to pay for it; it was signed by 56 men.   Have you ever heard of Arthur Middleton, Button Gwinnett, Abraham Clark, William Paca, William Williams and John Hart?  You may not recognize these names.  They were traitors along with Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and Francis Lightfoot Lee.   There is not a Newton Leroy Gingrich among them.

Now you know what is wrong with this picture.