This past weekend, we were at Rockbridge for their weekly Farmer's Flea Market event to gather signatures for The Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment. There was quite a crowd there, with all kinds of diversities represented. Old and young, short and tall, some taking their time strolling the grounds and some in a big time hurry. The most remarkable thing I saw, however, was that when it comes to our freedoms, just about everyone was in agreement. Even folks who didn't sign the petition agreed that we are blessed to have the RIGHT to decide---the FREEDOM to make our decision without coercion or any kind of pressure. We asked several people about their voting habits - Democrat or Republican? Independent or Libertarian? Their answers were as diverse as the crowds themselves. Ultimately we found that while folks may differ in ideaology the one ideal we ALL appreciate and cling to is our FREEDOM.
It's an amazing thing to me that despite all of the division and discord currently overshadowing our beautiful county and our people, when we take the time to talk and learn more about one another, it doesn't take long to find that we are not so different after all. That it really doesn't matter so much what label we wear, our values and principles about hard work, fiscal responsibility, limited government, respect for God and country are not really obstacles to our unity; but common denominators that we, in fact, share.
I believe that my greatest joy that's come from being a part of this movement has been meeting some of the best people on the planet, and working with them to effect positive change in our community, in our state and in our nation. While each individual is different, and we don't (and don't expect to) agree on everything, I've found each one robustly endowed with that great American spirit that has brought our infant nation (only 234 years old this year!) to this point in history. That same Spirit will lead us through these troubled times, as we grow and mature, nurturing that beautiful spirit together.
I'm bust-my-buttons proud to be a part of such a liberty-loving group as Organizing for Freedom, as we strive together to empower our people with knowledge and accurate, timely information so that each individual can make their own decisions wisely - let the people decide! God bless each individual who is a part of our group; God bless America.
You are so correct Juanita! There is a strong current of patriotism afloat in America. One needs only to open their eyes to see that many of the values that they were handed down by their ancestors are threatened. The core values of the nation, that were guaranteed by the founding fathers in The US Constitution, are under attack. It is too late to "nip it in the bud" as the old addage goes...but we must act swiftly to halt this carefully orchestrated attack on our beloved country and the freedoms that we hold so dear.