Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Editor, Times-Union:
As I was reading a book last night by Bear Grylls, “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” (highly recommend it), I was reading the account of the betrayal of Jesus. As the religious leaders who wanted him gone were inciting the crowd to yell “Crucify him!” and chanting louder for Pontius Pilate to do their bidding, I wondered, “Where are the people? The common folks whom He touched and healed, and fed, and taught, and loved? Where are they? Why aren’t their voices heard?”
I wonder if they were at home? Not wanting a part of the “messy,” the uncomfortable, the problematic.
We find ourselves at a moment in time where our Democracy could be lost if we let our voices be chocked out by those wanting “free.” Free rent, free food, free education. Will we sacrifice our freedoms for a lie?
John F. Kennedy famously said in his inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1961: “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.” The same is true today. More government programs are not the answer to our problems. The answer is inside each of us.
The more money government throws at education, the less educated our children become. Those programs wonder away from teaching our kids real education and wonder into the desert of nonsense indoctrination. The United States ranks 31st globally in education. What does that tell you? Do we need more money for the Department of Education? No. More money is never the answer for better outcomes. It’s the people.
I grew up hearing “Nothing is free.” Freedom isn’t free. Ask those whose son or daughter have paid the ultimate price. For our freedoms. Communism isn’t community and socialism isn’t social. They are controlling not inviting. Listen to those who have escaped communism. Why do you think everyone wants to come to America, home of the free and land of the brave? You have the freedom to rise, to get up every day and work towards your dreams. We are a country of dreamers. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of his dream. Are we perfect? No, we’re flawed humans, but we can be better and do better! Hate always wants to kill. Love wants to reach out to you and take your hand.
I’m not sure how well this letter flows or if my thoughts are choppy, but I’ll tell you it comes from my heart. I don’t want you to hear an old lady screeching. I want you to feel the hand reaching out to you. Another quote from President Kennedy’s address is, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.” Good advice. We will always have something that we don’t completely agree on, but can we work together? What could we accomplish if we humbly served each other? I know a guy who did just that.
As the midterm elections are approaching, pray for guidance and really look at what the party or person you’re voting for. What are their core values and beliefs?
Pray, and then vote.
Julie Runnels
Warsaw
