Sunday, July 25, 2010

Special Opinion - Fading Memories



The Darke County TEA Patriots held a rally Saturday at Annie Oakley Park. It was a hot and windy afternoon, but those in attendance listened to patriotic music provided by Rockin’ Robin, sat through three presentations from speakers, then took a tour downtown to show their support for the cause. I was privileged to be on of those speakers.

Fading Memories
By Bob Robinson

I’d like to thank Chris Zuccharo and the Darke County TEA Patriots for inviting me to speak today.
Someone once told me that Annie Oakley is a fading memory.
“My mother remembers her,” this person said, “along with a few others of her generation… but today? They don’t care.”
That is a sad statement, but if you stop to think about it, it’s kind of why we are here today.
Old fashioned values, like earning the money you spend and being responsible for your actions, are also fading memories.
We live in a “me first” and “you owe me” world. We require instant gratification. If we don’t get it, we look to our elected officials to “fix” it.
We have a problem?
We turn to government – my favorite term is “Big Brother” – to find the solution.
We need help?
Big Brother to the rescue.
We get into a dispute with our neighbor?
Our government’s legal system will solve it.
Can’t find a job?
That’s okay. Big Brother will send you a check every week.
Too many kids to support?
Big Brother will help out… we’ll give you food stamps, housing allowances… even pay for your baby sitter if you work.
Pregnant but no way of paying the bills? Big Brother takes care of that, too. The last I heard, half of all Ohio births are paid for by the state.
I know… a legal system is a better way to solve a dispute than dueling at dawn; and maybe in a tanking economy government should provide some temporary help, especially if government actions, or inactions, were responsible for that economy.
They usually are.
Human nature being what it is, no government intervention – especially in disputes – can result in anarchy. Unemployment relief is a disputed concept… mainly because it “opens the door” to a variety of abuses. And in some cases, simply turns into another form of welfare.
Why work if you can get more money on unemployment?
Government is an interesting animal. It sits in the wings, waiting for a “need” to appear… then Big Brother steps in and fills that need.
And it will only cost a little more. And more. And more.
I’d like to take you on a trip through time… to a different world, about 150 years ago.
It is 1860. Civil War is brewing. Southern states are talking about states’ rights; northern states are talking about the evils of slavery.
And a little girl is born to Susan and Jacob Mosey in the community of Woodland, a few miles north of us, here in Darke County. She is the last of six children. After the passing of her father, her mother remarried and gave birth to three more children.
She is now one of nine young mouths to feed.
The family was poor and the little girl, Phoebe Ann, who was eight or nine at the time, was placed in the care of the superintendent of the county poor farm. According to reports, the family was cruel and basically kept her in a state of enforced slavery.
She had no one to turn to. Certainly not Big Brother. But she survived. When she was able, she left her enforced servitude and used a God-given gift – her ability with firearms – to feed her family.
She put food on the table… and as her prowess grew, she began selling food to markets in the surrounding area, including Greenville… and as far away as Cincinnati.
Of course you all know who I’m talking about. Darke County’s favorite daughter, Annie Oakley. Little Miss Sure Shot.
Was her talent unique? Sure it was. And in the best American tradition she used that talent to make her way in the world… and her mark on history.
We all have talents. Words. Tunes. Organization. Industry. Building stuff. Repairing stuff. Thinking outside the box… new ideas… new thoughts…
When you are free to pursue your dreams and your talents – to use an old-fashioned phrase – the world is your oyster.
During Annie’s time, survival was tough, but she was free. Free to find her part of that “oyster.”
Today, survival is much easier, but we are no longer free, at least not in the sense that Annie would understand. Imagine her supporting her family as a young woman today, improving her skills and achieving the marksmanship for which she grew famous and eventually earned her living. In many communities… actually in much of the United States… she could be prosecuted.
She could have grown up knowing only about running to the post office for her family’s monthly government check, or taking government subsidized transportation to a local government agency for their food stamps.
And heaven forbid that she would have access to a firearm. After all, she was just a kid.
Folks, I’m not taking anything away from Annie. Some people can’t be held back, no matter how tough the obstacles. I believe she was one of those people. I can assure you, however, that her road to success would likely have been much different today.
And therein lies the hope for our future. Some people can’t be held back… individually or in concert with one united goal.
That’s you. United in one goal. You know the issues. That’s why you’re here.
Despite the views of some, TEA Patriots everywhere – including Darke County – simply want to return to the values of our forefathers when they signed the Declaration of Independence, and later, the Constitution of the United States of America and our Bill of Rights.
Our Constitution gives Washington the power to regulate interstate commerce, negotiate with foreign powers, protect our borders and levy taxes, as long as they are evenly proportioned to all.
The Bill of Rights tells our federal government what it cannot do… capping it off with the Tenth Amendment:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
It took us generations to lose the essence of those ideals; it will take generations to get it back.
But we can do it. You and me and millions just like us.
Here’s another old-fashioned truism… “Every journey starts with the first step.”
You’ve taken it. That first step. Keep your focus. Pick the battles you can win, then take your victories to the next level. Teach our young to do the same… by education and example.
One example of the American dream was born 150 years ago. Her famous quote could easily be the banner by which we embrace the challenges ahead…
“Aim at a high mark and you will hit it,” she said. “No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting, for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you’ll hit the bull’s-eye of success.”
Don’t let the memory of Annie Oakley fade… and don’t let the memory of what our forefathers held dear fade.
The loss to future generations would be tragic.
Thank you.


Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive notification of his comments, opinions and reports when they are posted, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.

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