"Fat, Dumb, and Happy". "Ignorance is Bliss". "What I Don't Know Won't Hurt Me". These are but a few sayings that have crept into the vocabulary of the modern American. Whether they have come to us via famous prose, poetry, or literature, or whether they have become catch phrases for common events does make any difference. They are all lies!

It has been several months since my last post. It is only because I and my family have been going through a myriad of changes. I have recently changed from the US Navy Reserves to the Virginia Army National Guard (The Stonewall Brigade in Staunton...Hooah!). I have recently changed civilian jobs, and have had a small vacation with my family.

How do the two paragraphs above link together? I am so glad you asked. While the President Obama administration has been scrambling and struggling to find a way to provide "free", and I use that term lightly, healthcare, I have been securing mine. That's right. I've been furthering my commitment to serving and protecting this country from all enemies foreign and domestic, and along with that I get free healthcare (actually I get it a an extremely reduced rate, but were I active duty I would get it free). Not only that but I get a great retirement plan, tax benefits, savings incentives, clothing allowances, free (or close to it) college education, significantly reduced home loans, credit union membership, life insurance, I learn a valuable trade or skill, and I get the ability to travel the world. I learn respect, honor, the meaning of hard work and what it feels like to earn something and make a difference, and on top of all of that......I get paid too!!

Those catch phrases from the beginning of this article are what the government is counting on to dupe you into the "happy-go-lucky" feeling of letting someone else bear the burden of providing you with something you should, and can, earn for yourself. They are counting on you to act like a child whose mommy gives him a lollipop to keep him from acting up instead of a spanking. Does it encourage the child to continue in good behavior? Not at all. In fact it has the complete opposite effect. The child feels good about getting rewarded for nothing at all, but in the long run the damage is irreparable! Free government hand outs are going to be the death of this country. Our history is saturated with stories of heroism, hardship, hard work, and overcoming obstacles. It is those traits and events that formed this country out of the wilderness, that formed what has been called the "Greatest Generation", and what ultimately formed a "More Perfect Union".

Adolph Hitler wrote in his book "Mein Kompf" that though many agree that history is to be learned from, the ignorant and proud are destined to repeat it. He hit the nail on the head. The ignorant and the proud are those who are wanting to move this country into the depths of socialism and ultimately the pit of destruction and poverty. Socialism has never done anything to boost a nation, create and instill drive and determination, or create economic stability much less prosperity. Yet many of you are being "Fat, dumb, and happy", filled with blissful ignorance, and are figuring that what you don't know won't hurt you.

Government provided income, "wealth", healthcare, and "spreading of the wealth" is a cancer. It will continue to grow and spread unless it is treated early and totally eradicated form the body of this great nation. Ignoring the future ramifications to receive the immediate reward is to sacrifice the future of this nation to the selfishness and the vanity of today.

Only that which is truly earned can make one feel proud of himself and in his work. "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase." - King Solomon