Dependence Day: The Looming New Holiday

How ironic is it that as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, our elected officials took perhaps the most substantial step towards relegating their constituents to a lives of government dependence. While the founding fathers risked life and limb to insure that they and their families would be insured of their life, liberty and property, American citizens today are apparently willing to give it all back for a cradle to grave life of mediocrity provided by government. My local newspaper covered the House of Representatives vote on the Waxman-Markey bill ON PAGE 4!!! Of course page 1 was filled with coverage of the passing of Michael Jackson and the indiscretions of Gov. Sanford. Undoubtedly newsworthy, but are these events as important as the most recent and largest step toward socialism to date?

Now I consider myself to be a rational conservationist. This bill seems to be nothing more than a modern day version of the Catholic church's selling of indulgences that led to the Protestant revolution. My impression of this bill seems to be justified by the evaluations of this bill by both the EPA and Greenpeace, which were lukewarm at best. Regardless of which side of the climate debate you are on, with the exception of Congress, most people understand that this bill does little to nothing to address the stated goal while effectively chasing production from this country.

There is a general lack of courage among our politicians, as evident by the roll call of the House vote. Those congressmen who abstained from voting on such an important bill did so in order to retain their seat rather than take a stand. The courage of our forefathers is lost on today's politician. Perhaps because the concept of a career politician is a rather recent concept. It is no longer public service, but admission into the aristocracy with Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes.

While you are enjoying your July 4th Independence Day next week, take a moment to contemplate just how many more you will be able to truly celebrate. In fact, take a moment to contemplate just how much you value independence and liberty. If this bill becomes law, it may be the date we will recognize in the future as Dependence Day.