To reap freedom's blessing, support it

I have recently been spending my spare time thinking about my country, my state, my county and my city.

I don’t understand why the federal government sends our tax money to countries that hate us in the name of spreading democracy. How about the county commissioners, the courthouse, the sidewalks, the layoffs, the budget, the raises, the debt, etc. What about the mayor and the priorities of that job. Then there is the education system where we spend the most per student of any country and the results get worse and worse every year.

I see and hear about those that are working under the table and drawing assistance from the government ( that means the taxpayer). What is going on? I remember growing up and thinking, “do what is right and get ahead.” Yeah right. Don’t be stupid.

The justice system, the tax system, the bureaucracy, the red tape. How much does the government want? Too much. What I say is first do then ask. If the education system wants more money then prove to the taxpayer that it is worth it. If the justice system wants to be respected, then reign in the nonsense and throw out the ridiculous crap that lawyers bring to the court.

Make those responsible, responsible. Parents turn your kids into decent respectable citizens instead of wards of the state. Those of you that are angry about what is happening need to open your mouths.

You don’t have to stand in front of a crowd, but you do have to help. You do have to be an American. Our country is the greatest experiment in fairness that the world has ever seen, but we are failing that experiment and failing ourselves.

JFK said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” Thomas Paine wrote: “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” Thomas Jefferson wrote: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”

These were men of character, with good morals and values. Those we follow today need to have the same. We are failing our future.

STEVE APPLE

Sandpoint