ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

“When government falls out of favor with those it governs it’s either time to re-elect new officials or get out of the country.” Mark Twain

What exactly is patriotism?  I think it’s a natural feeling of pride for our nation’s accomplishments – a desire to defend its beliefs and moral fiber – love of the precepts established by that country – a social responsibility towards that nation.

Sometimes I feel that we have become complacent about what’s happening in Washington.  We sit back and complain.  We give in to the idea that we can do nothing about it.  We forget that we employ those in government.  We are the boss.  What kind of boss will stand still while his employees run his company into the ground? We are a nation of laws.  I still have pride in what America means to me.  I don’t like what’s happening to her, but I feel helpless to do anything about it.  Most of us do.  We’ve grown to distrust everything about our government, including the only true voice of the people – elections.  Even those have been corrupted.

Have we strayed so far from God that we have become slaves to those we thought would provide for all our material needs – make life easy for us – take from the rich and give to the poor?  The minute we depend on our government instead of the Creator of the Universe, we are destined for failure.

I won’t give up though.  I love my country.  Too many lives have been spent in defense of her.  Her people will be heard again, but not unless they speak.  The first words uttered should be a prayer to our God.

When human lives invade the land, they’re bound to take their toll,

Like sin corrupts and sucks out life, investing in our soul,

These precious remnants of our land must not be overrun,

For those who care so little for what God had once begun,

The hand of God is evident. His finger formed the seas,

The mountain ranges still stand tall, the forests filled with trees,

The waters raging over rocks, the mighty waterfalls,

The valleys green, the tepid springs, outshine man’s greedy calls,

Will all these wonders die someday, destroyed by man’s own hand,

Will wildlife that once flourished soon vanish from the land,

Our God remains in charge of things. The world’s at His command,

But in the meantime, may we try to keep our land secure,

So, it will fill the hearts of those who follow and endure.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!