Dakota Beacon

It is right and proper that Americans begin our Holiday Season with a celebration the Pilgrims dedicated as a day to give thanks.  These courageous and humble men and women might have had a Day of Grumbling – of the 110 souls who landed at Plymouth Rock, fewer than 50 survived to share in the banquet

They had renounced the comforts of home, parted with friends and family, made this sacrifice for the freedom to worship.  This was the birth of the America we now know.  It is interesting in that this could not have happened without two things: people who were willing to place conscience and morals above all else and . . . a consortium of private investors, the Merchant Adventurers, who risked their wealth to finance it.  America was born into the marriage of “Virtue” and “Capitalism”.

And so today we find a land rich in resources and history and a people who have inherited greater wealth than any known to Man.  We are the sole possessors of that which humankind has sought since the beginning of time: FREEDOM.  The freedom to worship, the freedom to engage in business, to create, to speak without fear, to enjoy our homes and families – that freedom to which Jefferson alluded in the Declaration of Independence, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”. 

Most of us think of the warmth of a family gathering and our gratitude for that.  I am thankful for family, and friends, those still with us and those who have gone before and are here in spirit when we are together.  I remember the huge dinners my mother would prepare, the turkey and all the rest – the wine, and the faces of my brothers and sisters and parents in the candlelight.  I think of a brisk walk in the November gloaming and coming back in to a roaring fire by the hearth.  But when we give thanks this year let’s also think of the heritage of our freedom in America and those here and abroad, past and present, who have defended it.

It is not enough to be “thankful” and then to ignore the gift for which we give thanks.  This is hypocrisy.  If we do not use this gift we disparage it.  Recently a man told me that the only way to change things for the better is through prayer.  I submit that the venerable Pilgrims prayed while they cut wood, fed their chickens or planted their corn.  They did not just pray and then sit back and wait for results. 

Our country needs us now.  We live in times as perilous as those of the Pilgrims.  To survive we must follow their example.  We must be grateful for the opportunity before us and then act on it.  If we honor the Almighty and give thanks, we cannot get away from the fact that we must act as well as pray.  When we hear complaints that we don’t have a real choice at the ballot box we must accept that we are accountable.  We have the tools to effect the change we must have but they will not employ themselves while we pray. 

We’ve all heard about the farmer working in his field when the minister stops to chat and tells him what a marvel this field is, what great work God has done.  The farmer reminds the minister that he should have seen that field when God was working on it alone.  Irreverent, amusing and Truth. If we do not accept the responsibility that goes with the gift of Freedom that gift will vanish for us and for our heirs. 

This means that every one of us must participate in the decision process.  I mean the political process of conventions and caucuses and, if need be, primaries.  WE need to select men and women worthy to carry on the work of our forebears and defend our freedoms, values and American way of life.  WE are called to do the nation’s chores. That is how we must give our thanks in November, 2011.

Sally Morris is a member of Americans for Constitutional Government and the Executive Committee of the Valley Tea Party  Conservative Coalition.  Please check out their website at vtpcc.com!