Never Forget 9/11

This weekend is the anniversary of the day we all said we would never forget. We all remember where we were when those planes slammed into the twin towers and the Pentagon, but to some, the newness has worn off and life has become "business as usual". We have captured or killed all who are responsible for planning the attacks thank God. However, we have not completely shut down Al Quaida, and it seems that we are preparing for some eminent threat this weekend. No, the threat of terrorism even on the mainland of the United States is not gone. There is an enemy out there who would still like for the embers of freedom to be done away with and the United States to be swept away into an inferno of fear. I say, let's not rest until the whole world can rest from terrorism.

We were attacked that September morning. Many, many brave men and women gave their lives that day to try to rescue their fellow New Yorkers trapped in the burning twin towers. We remember those brave fire fighters and policemen and other first responders who gave their lives on that day. We remember the brave passengers who gave their lives to save others on Flight 93. Equally, we remember those brave soldiers who have laid down their lives in the war on terror wherever it may have taken them. The Bible says, “greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend”. These have all displayed what Jesus defines as the greatest love that there is and I, for one, will not forget them.

Many want to simply slide back into the slumber that this sleeping giant of a nation was in prior to those planes slamming into those buildings and killing our fellow Americans. Many would like to simply stick their head in the sand and pretend that terrorists will simply go away if we talk nicely to them. Many come up with rhetoric sounding like the defense of this nation has somehow made us less safe than we were on 9-11-2001, but my friends many have laid down their lives to insure our safety and I, for one, will not belittle their sacrifice by saying that it counted for nothing.

Let me just say that everyone who has worked to insure that the US does not have another attack here on our soil is a hero, from the soldier who fights for us overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and several other fronts in the world; to the FBI and CIA agent intercepting chatter of plans to unleash another attack here and foiled that plot; to the Homeland security people and the airport screeners and the local and state police to the National Guard and the Coast Guard, I say thank you and we will not forget your sacrifices to keep all of us safe. And while I’m at it (though I’m quite sure he won’t see this note), thank you President George W. Bush and your administration for doing what was right and not necessarily what was popular to keep our nation safe even though many don’t appreciate your efforts. History will record that we had the right man in the White House for just that occasion. Thank you former President Bush.

Many, for political reasons, would like us to move the events of 911 into the back of our minds and lull the sleeping giant back to sleep. I will not EVER forget that day and how it changed this nation forever. We said we would never forget and that we would never give up, we would not falter and we would not fail. Let’s honor the memory of everyone who has touched our lives in the war on terror. Today, if you see a policeman, fireman, soldier or public official, walk right up to them and shake their hand, buy their lunch, thank them or whatever you can do, but remember that we live in safety today because they lay down their lives EVERY DAY for us.

God bless you and God bless America!!!

Until later,

Don

The History of Social Security

I have not blogged in a while, but someone sent me this article about social security that I thought you may be interested in. So much rhetoric is going around and finger pointing about our nation's financial outlook, but here is the truth about social security and it's history sent to me by my friend Laura Bales:

History Lesson on Your Social Security Card

by Dick KantenbergerGifted Education Writer
Examiner.com

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this.
It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts.
Social Security Cards, up until the 1980s, expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION,was removed.
http://blog.kir.com/archives/images/social+security.gif
An old Social Security card with the "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION"message.

Our Social Security

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social
Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be
Completely voluntary,

No longer Voluntary

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program,

Now 7.65%
on the first $90,000

3.) That the money the participants elected to put
into the Program would be deductible from
their income for tax purposes each year,

No longer tax deductible

4.) That the money the participants put into the
independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the
general operating fund, and therefore, would
only be used to fund the Social Security
Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and,

Under Johnson the money was moved to
The General Fund and Spent

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Under Clinton & Gore
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month --
and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of
the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put
away' -- you may be interested in the following:

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the
general fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

AND MY FAVORITE:

A: That's right!

Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!

------------ -- ------------ --------- ----- ------------ --------- ---------

Then, after violating the original contract (FICA),
the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!

And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
awareness will be planted and maybe changes will
evolve.
But it's worth a try.
How many people can YOU send this to?

Actions speak louder than bumper stickers