Engage, Persuade, Preserve

America is an absolute mess today. 

The good news is that the vast majority of people realize this. The bad news is that far too many of them cannot properly diagnose the root of the problems plaguing this country today. 

If we are to take steps toward solving these problems, we have to first properly diagnose them. Upon doing that, we have to have the wisdom to prescribe the right solution – and the courage to see it through. 

Election Day is only 7 months away. And, at the risk of sounding melodramatic, this is the most important election of our lifetimes. 

I am careful to avoid overstating the size and scope of the problem ravaging America today, but it is my sincere belief that we are not capable of enduring much more strain as a nation. 

Our culture is morally bankrupt. 

Our nation is financially broke. 

Our government is progressively tyrannical.

Our border is completely unsecure. 

Our world is increasingly volatile. 

Until we, as a majority of Americans, properly diagnose the root cause of these problems, agree upon the prescribed solution, and commit to taking the necessary steps to fulfill the treatment, these problems will only get worse. 

I came to peace with this reality long ago: the fight for the heart and soul for America will not be won in my lifetime. 

And even if it is, the victory would only be short-lived. 

That’s because the forces of tyranny never sleep. And it’s why Ronald Reagan once said:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

In order to preserve freedom, we must be engaged. Vigilant. Resolute. 

If I could waive a magic wand and the majority of Americans would realize and accept the following things, we would take a giant step toward correcting the tragic course of our great nation. 

Our current politicians, not the Founders, are the problem. 

Politicians have always been a shady bunch – and they deserve every bit of scrutiny they’ve ever gotten from the American public. In fact, the corruption and political theater they engage in is absolutely nauseating. I’m a little biased to the way Ronald Reagan described it: 

“It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.”

(Side note: having two Reagan quotes in one column is still nowhere near the allowable limit. In fact, America would be well advised to implement more of his timeless wisdom.)

Despite the nature of politics, it seems American politicians have taken corruption and reprehensible behavior to an entirely new level. 

Think Russian collusion delusion. Trump impeachment 1. Trump impeachment 2. The J6 committee. Trump’s criminal indictments. His civil suits. And the nearly half-billion dollar judgment against him. 

Add to that open borders. Inflation. The botched Afghanistan withdrawal. And $34 trillion in debt.

I could go on.

The Founders didn’t create these problems. Modern politicians did – as a direct result of a complacent and lackadaisical electorate. 

America’s foundations are strong, but her politicians are absolutely reckless.

We must change our politicians and not our foundation. And we must do that via the voting booth in November. 

The real ‘threat to our democracy’ comes from the Radical Left.

For years now, the siren song of the Radicals has been that Trump and MAGA Republicans are a ‘threat to our democracy.’ 

But in reality, the biggest threat our system of government faces today is absolutely, unequivocally coming from the Radical Left. 

Totalitarians don’t lower taxes, cut bureaucratic red tape, and defend our First & Second Amendment rights like Trump did. 

Instead, totalitarians do exactly the opposite because they love government and hate liberty. And they’ve never met a problem they think they cannot solve if they are put in charge of the government and given a blank check. 

They ignore the atrocities committed by communist regimes. 

They justify the weaponization of the government against their political foes. 

They prefer mandates over individual choice. 

They are the tyrants, my friends. And they must be stopped. 

We must engage and persuade. 

The big government we fight against can be daunting. Some may even wonder why we should try to mount an opposition. 

But future generations are depending upon us. 

My friends, the very last line in the Declaration of Independence reads, “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”  

It’s time we commit to that again as we pledge to engage and persuade our fellow Americans to accept the truths this great nation was founded upon. 

Conservative, not bitter.
Todd