A history long forgotten

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Lewis

By Frank Lewis

[email protected]

My friend Stan Bender said something to me the other morning – “When was the last time you saw someone read a history book who didn’t have to?” I had to think about that for a minute. I believe we are in at least our second and possibly third generation of people who really don’t have a clue about the history of this nation or even this city.

When I watch people on college campuses who are unable to identify a picture of George Washington it tells me two things immediately. The real history of the United States of America is being ignored and some parents have failed in giving their children a firm foundation on which to understand who we are and maybe more importantly where we came from.

It would surprise most of them to know that until 1913 this country did not even have an income tax. It would further surprise them to know the federal government had absolutely nothing to do with your daily life. When you opened a business you didn’t get federal dollars, you risked your own capital.

I heard the president of the United States say – “the economy grows from the middle class out.” I am still trying to figure out how that is even fiscally possible. The truth, prior to large amounts of government money propping everyone up, is that wealthy people formed companies, hired people and because they received paychecks, the economy grew. However, the powers that be do not want you to know that.

The definition of “working class” has been grossly misunderstood over the years and the people in Washington are hoping you will buy into an adversarial relationship with those who risk their money to build companies that hire people. They hope you will believe government can create jobs. I believe one of the important members of the so-called working class is that man or woman who works 17 hours a day to build his or her company.

Are there people in white shirts who are taking advantage of the system? Of course. When my tax dollars are used to prop up a corporation and the CEO then gets a big fat raise and a bonus, you bet that is wrong. But it is also wrong for people who are able to work to spend their entire lives living off my tax dollars.

Here’s more information that is most likely not taught today. Most successes come from failures. Most of the great inventors and entrepreneurs failed at least once. But they were a different breed of people. They kept getting back up and tweaking their business or invention until they became a success. Now that person is vilified by government and the mainstream media. Successful people are actually looked down on. It’s all part of this divide and conquer political atmosphere.

There is a lot more about the history of this country that people need to be taught today, but, as I see people on campuses who don’t know who the vice president is, I am convinced it is probably too late.

Here is the last sentence of a document every child should read – The Declaration of Independence.

“That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.

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