By J. Edward Howell Jr.

We are now approaching the 243rd birthday of these United States of America. A grand experiment it was called; and for these 243 years it has served us well — but alas.

For the past two nights I have observed a fiasco called the Democratic Party Primary debates. All I heard from these pretenders to the Oval office were their assertions that more free things given to citizens and non-citizens alike would immediately solve all the problems. They could not offer any realistic plans to pay for these goodies because none exist. The nation simply cannot afford to give every one free healthcare, free education, free childcare, a government job and supplemental government checks every month.

Where has love of God and pride of country gone? Where has the Democratic Party of my parents gone? Where have the candidates for president such as John F. Kennedy gone? In his inauguration speech on Jan. 20, 1961, President Kennedy said these famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you-but rather what you can do for your country!”

That is FAR different from what these new Democratic presidential candidates are espousing. What has happened to personal responsibility?

When I was in the military, my heart was filled with pride as our unit marched to the cadence of music written by John Phillip Sousa. Whenever I heard Kate Smith sing “God Bless America,” my eyes would fill with tears because I was reminded that God had truly blessed this land. In recent days a group of protestors have disgraced her name because of the song she sang. Any reference to the Almighty God who created this universe and our world within it has been rejected and we Christians have meekly watched and allowed it to happen.

My plea to you, the reader, is that you rethink and recognize what is going on in this beautiful country of ours. We all need to get on our knees and pray that a merciful God will again bless this land and renew our spirit. In God we trust.

JAMES EDWARD HOWELL JR. is a native of Southampton County, a graduate pf Franklin High School and a retired farmer and real estate broker. He is also the author of three books. Contact him at 562-3289 or jimmy9298@charter.net.