I greatly encourage everyone to read the attached article. I wish I had written it. Patricia Smith has my admiration for writing the truth, and expressing hope for our nation which is in decline.

The article is about Abraham Lincoln, and his hopes for the future of our nation. It begins 152 years ago yesterday, November 19, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The President was dedicating the cemetery, and made a speech which was composed of only 272 words. His most important phrase was his hope “that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” The Civil War was raging and would result in the most destructive war in our nation’s history.

Lincoln plead with the American people to abide by the Constitution and reunite our nation. Ms. Smith speaks of the same complaints about which I have previously written. Our nation is divided as it was during the civil war. The right wing seeks to return women to a level of servitude. They also want everyone carrying a gun. Many conservative extremists believe that only white, Christian Americans should be allowed to vote and control our government. The irony is that Lincoln was a Republican President; so what do we call them today? They do not represent Republican principles and ideals, and although they claim to support the intent of our founding fathers, they are in direct opposition to their dreams and ambitions.

One quote I would add from President Lincoln is applicable to today and our corrupt and disjointed government.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

The Republican Party was once the party of individual freedom and less government control. It has turned 180 degrees and seeks to restrict individual rights. They seek to institute Christianity as our national religion; they forbid women the right to decide how to control their own bodies; they support the NRA lobby and deny the rights of the majority to remain safe and secure during their daily lives; they are attempting to restrict voting rights for millions of minorities; and they would deny equal protection under the law for the LGBT community.

The GOP has dropped its principles for the support of extremists and special interests. If they control our nation the American people will be forced to re-live the failed George W. Bush Administration. We will be forced to exist in a nation ruled by lies and self-serving politicians.

I join Ms. Smith and beg the American people to use the only power we have; our right to vote. And please vote intelligently. Become informed and vote for the best candidate, not for a party.

It is not unreasonable to think that the 2016 election may be the most important event in modern history. Will our nation move forward and join the rest of the developed world, or will it regress to the dark ages of American history? Will we accept a virtual dictatorship or fight for our freedom?

You have a choice to allow your greatest weakness, emotions, to overrule intellect, or research and find the truth.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2