A Conservative Message of Hope

As I sit to write on this 21st of December, I am reminded that today is the winter solstice, the so-called shortest day of the year, the day when darkness relinquishes its grip later in the morning and reclaims the skies earlier in the evening, limiting the light of day to its briefest appearance of the year.

To listen to many of my fellow patriots, one would think that the darkness will never end, the skies will never brighten, and the breath of spring will never arrive. They lament the continuing manipulation of a lame duck congress that seems hell bent on destroying every vestige of American greatness before relinquishing its stranglehold on the nation. They gnash their teeth over every failure of republican representatives to hold fast to the conservative ideals of the multitudes of concerned citizens who have returned them to power. They despair that the gains we made this year will disappear overnight with every piece of legislation that comes to a vote.

While I share the concerns, the angst, and the outrage of the final days of the 111th Congress, I suggest we remember who we are as Americans. We proudly proclaim that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian traditions, so at this wonderful time of the year let us embrace the traditions and cultures that make us who we are.

Weeks ago we moved from the uniquely American Thanksgiving Day to the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, commemorating a miracle when what appeared to be only enough oil to keep the light lit at the Menorah for a single day, burned for eight days while more oil was prepared. In a few short days Christians will celebrate the birth of Christ, the Son of God, sent to earth as the Messiah, the one who would reclaim salvation for mankind. Our traditions, our cultures, our beliefs, our eternal optimism for hope. Remember that we each have the flame of freedom burning within us, acknowledged by our founders as being an inalienable right bestowed on us by our Creator. Each of us must nurture that flame and keep it burning, so that it may light the flame of freedom for others around the world.

Let us be mindful of the work we have ahead of us in the rescue of our nation, but let us not dwell on the negative, but rather look forward to the challenge and the eventual success that is a part of our very being as Americans.

We believe that this nation was conceived and guided by Divine Providence, put here for a reason, and destined to be the light of freedom for all mankind. Our forefathers have accepted challenges, setbacks, and hardships, and have risen up as victors. The first settlers suffered to take hold of the land, the pioneers and frontiersmen tamed a wild west, the initial assault on D-Day met with massive casualties and the island hoping in the Pacific resulted in terrible loss of life, yet generations of Americans have overcome these trials and achieved greatness. It is now our turn to weather the storm, to keep a steady hand and a focused eye, and to move ever forward, and to do it with the grace and hope of those who have come before us.

Let us remember that we are novices at what we are doing and that our movement as concerned citizens did not even exist two years ago. Rather than dwell on the negative, think of what might have been had we not become engaged, had we not raised our voices, had we not allowed our passion and love for America to become the one safeguard to the liberty of a nation. We have a class of conservative representative ready to take over the reins in the House, we have slightly more conservative representation in the Senate, we have made great strides in statehouses, and we have the organization and apparatus to continue to exert influence on those who have not yet heard our voices.

Starting tomorrow, each day will get longer. The sun will rise earlier and set later; the light of day continually encroaching on the darkness of night. We will weather the winter and welcome the spring and the rebirth and resurrection which it brings. A new year filled with challenges and hope is almost upon us. Last year we feared that all we cherished as Americans could have been lost, yet we rose to the occasion and lived to fight another day.

Let us make 2011 a year of continued advances for the cause of liberty, and a time of renewed commitment to this dream we call America. As long as even one of us keeps the embers of freedom burning within us, America will continue to live.

Let us face the incoming year with the optimism and spirit that Ronald Reagan so comfortably portrayed in all he did. Let us honor the celebration of his 100th birthday not with negativism and fear, but with a smile and an understanding of who we are as Americans, and a commitment to achieve our date with destiny.

Enjoy your family, your friends, your fellow patriots and all the joys and blessings that we have as Americans. I wish you all the Peace and Blessings of this Christmas Season and all the Health and Happiness of the New Year.

Nico

Deo Gratias

In the Jewish faith, rich in tradition and culture, on the feast of Passover, the youngest person at the table asks the question “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The question allows the children to learn of the past and to reflect on the history of their ancestors.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us ask the question, “Why is this Thanksgiving different from all the others?” Why should our gratitude be stronger, more intense, and more meaningful in the year 2010? Let us take a moment to reflect on the events of this past year.

Thanksgiving is by its very nature a feast of reflection, of appreciation and of gratitude for all we have, all we have been blessed with. This year, unlike so many others, we here in America realized that our freedoms, our boundless opportunities, our unbridled spirit and our limitless pursuit of happiness, all those things we have taken for granted for far too many years, are not etched in stone, but only exist to the extent that we, the citizens of this great nation, are prepared to fight for them.

Remember the words of Marcus Aurelius as he spoke of Rome in the movie Gladiator “There was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile.” We finally understood that our American Dream, all we cherish, all we hold dear for our children, could vanish before our eyes under the misguided leadership of a president and a congress that sought to destroy all that was good in America. The only safeguard for these precious blessings was the will of the patriotic citizens of our nation.

So let us give thanks for the Great Awakening of the American People. Let us gratefully acknowledge that We the People finally accepted our responsibility to become engaged in our politics, to raise our voices, and to stem the tide of socialism and the soft tyranny that would strip our away our liberties and subject us to a government leviathan, intent on crushing American greatness and prosperity. Let us pledge that our gratitude will forever be accompanied by our continued vigilance and action, for we have only slowed the demise of our country, and we must be prepared for a long fight to again right our ship of state.

Let us also remember to give thanks for the selfless sacrifices of the American warriors, both past and present, for their constant vigilance, keeping us safe from those who would do us harm, and likewise give thanks to their families, who live each day without their loved ones, hoping and praying for their continued safety. May our heavenly Father watch over each and every one of them, holding them close to His merciful breast, and shielding them from harm.

Let us, on this Thanksgiving Day, give thanks for our ancestors, our parents and grandparents, who traveled to this land of opportunity in hopes of providing us with a better life. If you are fortunate enough to still have your parents and grandparents, call them and thank them. Tell them you love them. Thank them for your life in America. If they are gone, and if you believe in an afterlife as I do, thank them in your thoughts – they will surely hear you and smile.

For those of us with children and grandchildren, thank God for the joy they bring to our lives, for their love and affection.

Finally, let us drop to our knees and give thanks to our God, whose divine mercy has placed us here, in this great nation, at this special time, blessed beyond the dreams of all the other people on this planet. Let us accept these blessings, cherish them, and be the stewards who will pass them on to future generations of Americans, who must always do their duty to make this world a better place in His name.

Deo Gratias.

A Pledge to America's Veterans

You don’t know me, but my name is Nico, and I am one of countless Americans who have been awakened to our duty as citizens of this great nation.

Up until about a year ago I never did anything that could be considered serving my country. I never put my plans on hold, left family and friends, sacrificed, or put my life on the line for a greater cause. No, I am just one of millions of Americans who have enjoyed the American Dream, lived a good life, and taken for granted all the wonderful blessings and liberties that we have in this great nation, and which are safeguarded for us, as they have been for generations of Americans, by a long line of selfless warriors, of which you and your fellow veterans are but the latest in that time honored tradition.

You men and women who have served this country, and who continue to serve this country, are the very backbone of our society – you are the deterrent that keeps us free – you are the tip of the sword that keeps our enemies at bay – you are America.

Today, there are things going on in our country which have caused many citizens to realize that our freedoms, our traditions and our culture, indeed our very way of life, are but fleeting treasures, which can evaporate before our very eyes when we forget that vigilance is the responsibility of every American.

We can no longer ignore the political ramifications, economic impacts, and foreign policy trials that are the consequences of elections based on immediate gratification, entitlements, and a lack of sacrifice. The American Patriots in every town are rediscovering that, who we are as Americans, what we stand for, and the founding principles of our nation, matter and are worth fighting for.

I have become actively engaged in what has become the Tea Party movement. I have finally found a small way to serve, to make my meager contribution to preserve this country for future generations. I have spoken at rallies, at group meetings, and have organized small groups of concerned citizens at dozens meetings in New Jersey, and have personally spoken to thousands of concerned citizens. Their concerns and their passion about restoring America to its greatness are real and this is what I want to share with you.

These people want a constitutionally responsible, small government. They want fiscal responsibility. They want a return to personal responsibility, free markets, and individual liberties. Besides these virtues, the single most significant thing that unites these people is their respect and love for this country’s veterans and those now serving in our military. They understand the sacrifice. They finally get it.

You all need to know that the vast majority of Americans think of you often, and they now pray for the safety of those serving today, and support the sacrifices of their families. The people I have come in contact with certainly feel that way, and their respect and gratitude towards our veterans is warm and heartfelt. I wanted you know that.

So what I am trying to say is Thank You, thank you all for all you have done, for all the good that you represent. I know that I speak for many, many Americans, and likewise for countless generations of people from every corner of the world, who owe their lives, their freedom, and their opportunity to those of you who sacrificed so much for a greater good.

We citizens now do solemnly swear to do our part, to fulfill our obligations as citizens, to safeguard our heritage, and to remain vigilant over those we place in power. We will treasure, nurture and sacrifice to preserve The Dream that you have gained for us, so that it may become the sacred inheritance that we bequeath to our children and our grandchildren.

To do that, we will teach our children and grandchildren why we honor you veterans. We will teach them our history, teach them of our sacrifices, and teach them of their obligations as citizens. We will tell them what happens when we are not vigilant caretakers of our democracy. We will make it clear to them that freedom is not free. Great words, but what do they mean?

We will show them pictures of the cemeteries throughout Europe and the Pacific filled with American graves. We will take them to National Cemeteries honoring our veterans – let them try to fathom the endless rows of graves. Take them to the Vietnam Memorial – let them touch the names engraved in stone. Walk them through the WWII Memorial and through the sacred fields of Gettysburg, where 147 years ago, 3 days of battle resulted in some 50,000 casualties. We will show them what those words mean, “Freedom isn’t free.” We will make it real; make it important, lest they ever forget.

God bless you all.
Nico Rago

Portions of this essay are taken from my Independence Day Address and also from a personal letter to a special young man now serving our country. – N.

We are at war

“Yes. Fight and you may die. Run and you will live, at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that, for one chance to come back here as young men, and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but will never take our freedom?”

These famous words of William Wallace to his troops before the Battle of Sterling may seem a little over the top as we rally our forces for this coming Election Day, but think for a minute what is really at stake as we approach the most pivotal election in our lifetime.

If you believe that we are merely engaged in a debate of ideas, that whatever the outcome, America will continue on as it has in the past, that our way of life will merely experience some slight inconvenience, then I suggest that you have not been paying attention these last twenty two months.

We are at war, a so far bloodless war, for the very soul of America. Too strong a statement? I direct you to the very words of President Obama in a radio interview that aired on Univision. Speaking to Hispanics, Mr. Obama said, “If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, ‘We’re going to punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends ……”

Who are the enemies he speaks of? Was he speaking about Islamic terrorists? The Taliban? No, the president of the United States was inciting Hispanic Americans to punish their fellow America citizens who do not fall into lock step with his agenda of redistribution of wealth. The president of the United States continues his deliberate, calculated division of America on religious, economic and social issues, pushing America into a state of civil unrest.

He has declared war on the free market. He has declared war on our system of contracts and law. He has declared war on law enforcement officers who would dare to uphold the concept of securing our borders. He has declared war on our brave men and women in the military by placing them in harm’s way under restricted rules of engagement that jeopardize their safety, while denying them their constitutional right to participate in the government they protect via their vote. He has declared war on the Constitution that has been the fundamental framework of our republic. He has done all of this with the cooperation of politicians who we have elected to represent us.

We are indeed at war. There can be no compromise. There can be no partial peace. We must defeat the liberal, progressive ideology that is neutering our country. We must oust from office any and all who do not espouse the simple tenants of individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets, and a limited government, exercising fiscal responsibility and compliance with its Constitutional authority.

We are out of time. Our actions, protests, and commitments of the last year and a half will mean nothing if we cannot produce the results on Election Day. The Left will try anything to steal this election. The media has prostituted itself to the status of a propaganda machine. It will all come down to turnout on Tuesday. Do not be lulled into thinking this is a done deal. Double your resolve, fire up your passion and bring others out to vote.

My fellow patriots, America has been infected with a cancer that is destroying us from within. Our government has been co-opted by a sleeper cell of radical socialists put in place decades ago. If we allow this congress to remain unchanged, we will have forfeited the inheritance of our children and grandchildren, which has been safeguarded and nourished by the sacrifice, blood and commitment of generations of American citizens. If we fail to overturn the radical agenda of this corrupt regime, we will forever be branded as the generation that refused to fight, the generation that lost the Dream, the generation that forgot that this country was founded under a Divine Providence to forever be a beacon of hope and liberty to the entire world.

I cannot fathom telling my children and grandchildren that I allowed the destruction of this great nation to happen on my watch. How about you?

Nico

Render to Caesar.....

I do not normally write about moral issues but the events of this past weekend were extremely emotional for me and I thought I’d share.

I was asked to give some brief closing remarks at the end of a Respect Life Dinner event at our Catholic church which is actively supported by my local Knights of Columbus Council. The keynote speaker was the founder of a crisis pregnancy center in North Jersey. My role was to speak about the positions of our local congressional candidates vis-a-vis abortion. This was to be a simple outline comparing two candidates, and I had not prepared any notes.

As I listened to the keynote address, heard the stories about the expectant mothers who struggled with peer pressure, family abandonment and socio-economic forces pressuring them to abort their children, stories I have heard time and again, and how our country had lost its moral compass, how we have failed as a society to elect representatives who would support our values, the emotions and passions that have roiled within me this past year forced me to reevaluate what I would say. How would I address 110 of my fellow Catholics, and tell them things they needed to hear, but would never be told?

A few thoughts formed, I approached the podium, and judging from the reaction of the room, and the dozens of grateful comments that I received afterwards, delivered one of the most well received and powerful talks I have ever given. Since there were no prewritten notes, this is an approximation of how it went.

*************

I have been asked to speak to you tonight about the positions on abortion of the congressional candidates here in our district. I have decided not to do that, for that would be too easy for you. We are now in a new America, an America where we must all become intimately aware of what is going on in our country. We can no longer leave decisions to others. We cannot expect someone else to tell us whom we should or should not vote for. We must understand that we are responsible for this nation. We have a duty to be informed and educated citizens. We live in the greatest country in the world, have the most opportunities, and are blessed with abundant liberties bestowed by our Creator, and with these blessings come a sacred responsibility to be vigilant and knowledgeable citizens.

So how do we discuss religion and politics – how do we deal with that awful taboo?

We have been taught, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” But when Caesar condones the murder of innocent children, when Caesar strips the citizens of every vestige of self respect, condemning generation after generation to believe that only Caesar can care for them, depriving them of the very human dignity that comes with self reliance and personal responsibility, and takes their very freedom in return for his largesse, then it is time when we as Catholics, when we as citizens, must rise up and proclaim “No, Caesar, this will not stand!”

Elections have consequences, and in the end, we really do get the kind of government we choose. It was said tonight that it’s a shame that New Jersey, a predominantly Catholic state, still does not have a parental notification requirement before a child has an abortion. It’s not a shame, it’s a fact. We Catholics voted for the representatives we have. We have two senators who will continue to sanction the murder of the unborn child because Catholics elected them.

We complain about the current administration in Washington. Somebody has to tell you that 54% of Catholics voted for Obama. Some of our church hierarchy and some religious communities also supported his slogans of Hope & Change without looking at the consequences. Understand that these Catholics, some of our bishops and other religious, have bought into this nebulous notion of “social justice” and supported candidates who espouse that term. Do they not realize that the progressive interpretation of social justice is merely redistribution of wealth, class envy and the subjugation of entire generations of people for a vote? Shouldn’t we instead be looking for social justice as defined by charity, unbridled opportunity, personal responsibility and individual freedom? And shouldn’t charity begin at home, then be supplemented by friends and by church, with government intervention only as a last resort, and only for the truly needy?

Such was not the case. Catholics voted for their social justice, and along with the progressive or liberal social justice candidate comes a sure fire vote for unbridled abortion rights. Fifty four percent of Catholics elected the most anti-life president we have ever known, a man whose record includes repeated votes against legislation which would have banned the most heinous crime of partial birth abortion. Fifty four percent of Catholics, if they most likely voted party line, elected a congress that has rubber stamped this president’s agenda. Fifty four percent of Catholics have consented to the de facto nomination of two Supreme Court judges, who will undoubtedly vote down any legislation that might limit abortion on demand.

Elections have consequences. When you go home tonight, I admonish you to pray as hard as you ever have for the continued health and safety of Justice Scalia, Justice Thomas, Justice Alito, Justice Roberts and Justice Kennedy. If God forbid, something would happen to one of them, then that fifty four percent of Catholics would have sealed the fate of your fight for a pro-life society. We could be saddled for twenty or thirty years with a court which would overturn any progress you could ever achieve and would uphold legislation that would render your efforts harmless. You would be left with prayer and only prayer, and while that is a powerful tool, would it hurt to have some legislative and judicial clout on your side?

So understand that it is up to each and every one of you. Yes you, and you, and you. You cannot wait for someone else to do your job. You cannot complain and hope for some miracle change. In the words of Ronald Reagan, “To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last – but eat you he will.”

Nico

Address to The Morristown Tea Party Labor Day Rally

Address to the Morristown Tea Party Labor Day Rally
Never Forget
(The body of this address was taken from a previous post)

On September 6, 2001, nine years ago today, Americans had no idea that their days of domestic peace and security, their long-standing isolation from the forces of terrorism, would vanish forever in five short days. On September 11, 2001, American lives were forever changed and security became a nebulous notion, sometimes apparent, often no more than a hope, an apparition that we prayed would materialize into a reality while we wandered through an ever-changing rainbow of terror alerts.

We said that we would never forget the horrors of 911. We came together as a nation and swore that never again would we be caught off guard by those who would seek to destroy our way of life.

Today, the current administration seems to have forgotten the lessons of history. They cannot speak of a war on terror, they refuse to acknowledge that Islamic Fundamentalists are our enemy, and they continue to place obstacles in the way of those who would protect us.

A massacre at Ft. Hood, the Christmas Day Underwear Bomber, the attempted attack in Times Square, all written off as isolated incidents perpetrated by troubled individuals. We undergo screening at airports, yet terrorists can simply walk across our Southern border, while the administration threatens sovereign states and law enforcement personnel with lawsuits and condemns the actions of Arizona lawmakers in that bastion of hypocrisy and ineptitude, the United Nations.

Those of us here today understand that the proud eagle, always vigilant, and with sharpened talons is the best protection against our enemies, but when we remove the talons and expose the soft underbelly, we surely invite attack by those who swear to destroy us.

Let us here today pledge that we will always remember, and come November let us elect those who understand that the security of America is the prime directive, indeed the sacred duty, of our government.

So now I ask you to please come back in time with me. Clear your mind, close your eyes, and as painful as it may be, let me paint that terrible picture for you once again. Let it be indelibly impressed in your mind lest you ever forget. Let us begin with a moment of silence…...

Remember……

It was the penultimate perfect day. Crystal clear blue sky, not a cloud to be seen, the air crisp and clean. New Yorkers of every stripe, in their own inimitable way, hurried about their business, rushing off to school or work, to a morning run or a latte at Starbucks. Down the subway, chasing a bus, stuck in morning rush hour traffic, or scurrying across the crowded streets they came, converging on downtown Manhattan like bees to the hive. For some, the day held an important meeting, for others only the mundane daily grind. They came, thinking ahead to their evening plans – a trip to the gym, pasta or chicken for supper, a romantic evening with that someone special – never knowing that those plans would never materialize.

They also came that morning – filled with hate for Americans and their freedom, their pursuit of prosperity, their individualism and their attitude, nowhere else better portrayed than in New York. Their mission was simple – to kill those who cherish liberty and to destroy the dream that is America.

Remember the first newscast – a plane had crashed into the Trade Center. Surely an accident, it quickly became the focus of the morning news.

Remember watching the broadcast, the speculation, the queasy feeling of seeing the first tower on fire. As the broadcast continued a second plane appears in the background – why was it flying so low, so close to the skyscrapers rising from the bedrock below?

Remember the shock as the second tower was hit. Flames bursting out from all sides – the realization that this was no accident – the understanding that the unthinkable was happening before our very eyes, broadcast for all the world to see.

Remember thinking that this was the worst day of our lives, and soon realizing that it had merely just begun. A fire at the Pentagon? – no another plane on a perverted act of religious vengeance. Then a fourth down in Pennsylvania. Back to the smoking inferno in New York, we watched horrified as office workers, fleeing from the flames, stepped out onto a window ledge one hundred floors above, held hands, and jumped to their deaths, while far below firefighters and police ran into the fire and up the stairs in a valiant effort to rescue their fellow Americans.

Remember the utter despair as the first tower collapsed in on itself, the plume of smoke and debris filling lower Manhattan, only to be followed by the collapse of the second tower, completing the devastation of the financial district and crushing the spirit of America.

Remember the immediate aftermath – air traffic halted, the market tumbled, the fear of subsequent attacks hung in the air, and the economic stability of the country hung in the balance.

But this was America. Unwilling to surrender to fear, defiant and proud, led by the sheer bravado that is New York, the country began to rebound. They came from all across the great expanse of our land, professionals and volunteers, men and women, the rich and the poor, every race, creed and color, united by the common bond that is America. Flags were raised and the ruins were cleared. Offices and schools opened. The wheels of commerce once again began to turn.

In Queens a special part of American culture and tradition brought the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, bitter enemies, together on a ball field where rivalries were momentarily forgotten and players embraced. Emotions and tears flowed openly, starting with the opening pitch, continuing through Liza Minnelli’s passionate rendition of “New York, New York” in the seventh inning, and culminating in a storybook ending as Mike Piazza, the darling of the New York fans, won the game with a dramatic home run. At that moment it was clear that the Islamic terrorists had failed, and that America would rise up and reclaim its place at the top of the hill.

Remember the resolve as we mourned and buried our dead, united in prayer and purpose, and planned vengeance on those who would destroy us. There was a very special feeling coursing through the veins of the country then. All differences were set aside and political bickering was given a backseat as congress united, not as democrats and republicans, but as Americans.

Just as time heals all wounds, time also dampens our resolve. Vigilance gives way to complacency. Cooperation to partisanship. Volunteerism to entitlement. Leadership roles change, new agendas come into vogue, and the course of our country is altered. Where once we projected military might, we now drop our defenses and apologize for being the great country that we are. We coddle those who wish us harm and prosecute those who rose to the challenge and defense of the country in the face of pure evil. Traditions are jettisoned for a vague notion of change, and our sacred liberties are threatened by a soft tyranny that would transform the face of the nation we hold dear.

As we commemorate the events of 9-11, let us first mourn our dead, both the innocent victims and the heroic first responders who embodied all that is right with America. Let us remember the emotions and passions that wrenched us all on that faithful day – shock, fear, sorrow, despair – followed by rage, vengeance and resolve. Finally, let us also remain vigilant to all forces that would seek to destroy our nation, both via malicious intent or by misguided actions, both foreign and domestic, for we alone are the last defense of our liberties.

May God have mercy on the souls of those whose lives were lost on that tragic day, and may He continue to bless and to hold America close to his merciful heart.

Thank you.

Nico

Remember in November - Address to TMTP Independence Day Rally

Remember in November – A fitting theme for our Independence Day Rally in this historic election year, when the basic tenants of our American Republic, our God given rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, our founding principles, our Constitution and over two centuries of tradition and culture hang on the precipice, to either be hurled off the cliff into oblivion, or to be rescued by an awakened citizenry which has revolted against the soft tyranny of an administration uncomfortable with the greatness that is America.

But what exactly will we Remember in November?

Will we remember the arrogance of elected officials who defy the voice of the people?

Will we remember the demonization of all who would not march in lockstep with a regime whose every move seems antithetical to all that we believe in?

Will we remember an administration and a complicit congress intent on overloading the system with every crisis, with every piece of legislation, with every decree and with every lie so that an uneducated electorate nodded with approval at the notion that the only salvation was a larger, more oppressive, more intrusive government and a further erosion of our liberties?

Will we remember a president who apologized for America’s so-called arrogance, who embraced those sworn to destroy us while chastising our staunchest allies, and who placed political correctness and the coddling of our enemies above the lives of our courageous sons and daughters who place themselves in harm’s way daily for a cause they believe is far greater than any one man?

Will we remember the folly of a Homeland Security system that harasses old women, forces us to remove our shoes, endure long lines, turn over our nail clippers, hair gel and babies' milk yet allows a reported terror threat, buying a one-way ticket with cash, arriving without luggage but with explosives up his ass, to just prance on a plane and attempt to detonate a bomb?

Will we remember a government that continually failed to protect our borders, to enforce our laws and to honor its sacred obligation to protect the citizens of this country, while using the illegal immigrant issue to further divide our nation and garner votes?

Will we remember an administration that secretly rejoiced over the oil spill in the Gulf? A president who failed to act, who pontificated about who was to blame, who refused all offers of assistance, and who blatantly used this crisis to declare war on Big Oil, halt drilling in the Gulf, and further cripple our economy, in order to push forward his agenda for more government regulation, more bureaucracy, and more profits for George Soros and his other masters who are orchestrating the demise of America.

And finally, will we remember our anger, our frustration, our lust for revenge, our passion to correct all these wrongs and our undying commitment to return our beloved America to its former greatness?

Your damn right we will! And it will propel millions of patriots from coast to coast to the polling booths in November to throw out those whom we had trusted with our hopes, our dreams and our treasure, and who have squandered our children’s and grandchildren’s inheritance and the very future of our republic for their own selfish motives and their perverted socialist agenda.

But, is that enough? Is it really what we as Americans are truly about? Is it sufficient to just be against the current regime? Is it fulfilling enough to just say no, this must stop?

I suggest to you that this is not enough. I believe if we look into our heart of hearts, into our inner sanctum, deep into our very core as Americans, we all understand that this country, this dream, was exactly that – a dream, a vision, a hope for the future, a realization that a new nation could throw off all the old beliefs, all the old restraints, and be whatever it dreamed it could be. Once we professed our belief in God-given rights, unalienable rights, not subject to the whims of governments or men - once we understood that government derives its just powers from the people – once we opened the gates, there was nothing that could stand in our way.

And so, I suggest to you that we must remember far more in November than our opposition to what we are being forced to endure right now. We must remember who we are, why we so cherish our liberty, why we fight and die to bring this liberty to others, and why we came together from every corner of the globe to this blessed land and entered into a pact with a dream, a vision, an understanding of individual freedom, of personal responsibility, of limited government and of free markets. We must remember our heritage, our history, our tradition, for only there will we find our dreams for the future.

I think it is fitting that we are here today on July 3rd, giving us a day to think about our past, to reshape our vision, and to pay respect to all those who have made, and who continue to make, this dream a reality. In that regard, I ask you to indulge me and to join me in what comes next.

The men and women who have served this country and who continue to serve this country are the very backbone of our society – they are the deterrent that keeps us free – they are the tip of the sword that keeps our enemies at bay – they are America. I know that there are veterans here with us today, and I know that they have done, and will always do, anything for their country. I also know there are some things they don’t do.

They don’t speak out about their deeds, they don’t brag that they served, and do not ever seek recognition. I know that if I asked them to come forward to be recognized, they would be restrained by their humility and hesitant. But I know they would do anything for their fellow brothers and sisters who share their valor and commitment.

So I am going to ask all the veterans here today to please come forward for a moment. Come forward not only for yourselves, but come forward for all who have served before you, all who have given so much, all those by whose side you served, and all those who today stand in harm’s way so that we may enjoy our liberty. Come forward as representatives for all those who have cherished and defended freedom, from that lineage of warriors stretching from the Revolutionary War to those who serve today. Come forward for all those who cannot be here today.

To all the parents and grandparents here today, teach your children and grandchildren why we honor these veterans. Teach them our history, teach them of our sacrifices, and teach them of their obligations as citizens. Tell them what happens when we are not vigilant caretakers of our democracy. Make it clear to them that freedom is not free. Great words, but what do they mean? Show them pictures of the cemeteries throughout Europe and the Pacific filled with American graves. Take them to National Cemeteries honoring our veterans – let them try to fathom the endless rows of graves. Take them to the Vietnam Memorial – let them touch the names engraved in stone. Walk them through the WWII Memorial and through the sacred fields at Gettysburg, where 147 years ago today, 3 days of battle resulted in some 50,000 casualties. Show them what those words mean, “Freedom isn’t free.” Make it real; make it important, lest they ever forget.

And now, let me speak for all those here today, and for all Americans who understand the sacrifice you all have made. Let me speak for those who never served, but still share the boundless treasures you have all preserved for us. Let me speak for a people who find it beyond contempt that so many of our elected officials fail to pay our veterans and our troops the dignified respect that they earn each and every day. Let me say to you that “We, The People” honor you, and thank you for your sacrifices, and fully understand that we as a country, as a people, as a dream, would not exist today without the selfless, humble, and courageous efforts our military performs every day. Will everyone please join me in a sign of our everlasting love for those who keep us free?

And as these veterans return to the crowd, remember that they represent all the loved ones whom you know, those who are currently serving or those whom you have lost, so thank them, hug them, kiss them as if they were your own.

What is it that we do when celebrating the birthday of someone close, someone we love? We look back; we remember the milestones, the good times, the sad times, the memories that make us who we are.

Remember in November. Let’s remember how we got here. Think of the birth of our nation, the wild ideas put forth on paper by the brave activists who yearned for freedom. A Declaration of Independence from the global hegemony of the British Empire.

Think of the Baptism by Fire – the Revolutionary War. “Give me liberty or give me death.” An impossible fight, but then Americans were fighting for a dream. What followed was a more impossible victory, and an example, a promise, a hope to people around the world.

Think of the growing pains and the astounding accomplishments, the constant march westward, manifest destiny, bountiful resources to compliment unbounded motivation. Unlimited opportunity unbridled by constraints.

The Civil War – a nation torn apart over slavery. Brother fighting brother. But for the sheer will of one man, the nation would have divided, but Lincoln understood that he could not let the country break apart. What contrast to today’s president who seeks issues to divide Americans over class, race, and ideology.

The 20th Century – America emerges as the savior. The dream comes to fruition in what may be our greatest moment. Selfless sacrifice, unbridled industrial production, a call to serve a greater good, and twice the world thanks America for saving it from totalitarian control.

The post war years through today. Cultural change, social unrest, a welfare state and government corruption. The beginning of the decline of the rugged individual and the rise of bloated government bureaucracies. The demise of the Soviet Union and the rise of radical Islam. Different presidents, different policies and political division. Finally, here we are with a president who is not comfortable with American exceptionalism, and who has begun dismantling a once great republic.

You know we have all experienced the bittersweet emotions when celebrating the birthday of a loved one who has become dangerously ill. We remember the past, we laugh, we cry, and we wonder, how many more birthdays will we celebrate with our loved one.

We pray for them, we pray that the doctors and surgeons are up to the task. That they are the most educated, the best equipped and the most focused in their field, and that they will bring our loved one back to celebrate many more birthdays.

In the case of our country, we are the doctors, we are the surgeons. We can entrust this task to no one else. We must be completely aware of the facts, we must assemble the best team to support us and we must be completely focused on the task, lest we lose the patient.

But what will we find when we operate? Will we find a tumor which can be cut out and removed, leaving the patient to recover completely after a period of recuperation? Or will we find that the body has been infected, and the disease has spread to too many organs, making the chance of survival negligible?

What will we find when we go to the polls in November? Is the problem a corrupt group of politicians? Will ousting them bring our country back? Or is the problem deeper? Has the dependency and the selfishness of too great a portion of the electorate weakened the country too gravely for it to recover?

This is what we don’t know, and this is why I believe it is not enough to just be against the current administration and our non-representative incumbents. We must articulate the dream. We must promote a better America. We must be visionary, profess our vision boldly, and demonstrate that our vision will help everyone, both rich and poor, both business and worker, Americans of every race, creed, color, sexual orientation and political persuasion.

Remember in November – There are many ways to build a dream, to promote promise, to encourage prosperity. Democrats had a visionary JFK – Republicans had the great Ronald Reagan.

We all can recall the wonderful words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoken at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. There is something special, something mesmerizing in the cadence, the words, the inflections of a Southern Baptist minister, and Dr. King entranced the world with his speech.

So with apologies to Dr. King, this humble citizen standing here before you, who grew up on the streets of the Italian neighborhoods of Brooklyn, will try to emulate Dr. King, and hopefully will leave you with a vision we can promote, a promise we can spread, and a dream we can remember all the way to November.

Let me say to you my friends, that despite the frustrations, and fears we have witnessed over the last 18 months, I still have a dream that is America.

I have a dream that this nation still possesses the fortitude to rebound from the damage done to it by those we elected to office.

I have a dream that We The People will raise our voices, reclaim our inheritance, and nurture it for future generations.

I have a dream that the Constitution will withstand the attack upon it by those entrusted to protect it, and remain the law of the land, guaranteeing freedoms and opportunities to all.

I have a dream.

I have a dream that one day we will rid Washington of the charlatans, thugs, and hacks who have kidnapped this great nation and replace them with honest, humble statesmen, who will serve the people for a few years and then return to their lives as productive citizens

I have a dream

I have a dream that those who have lived off the public dole for generation after generation will realize that their government has enslaved them and denied them their self respect, and that they will put those outstretched hands to honest work, reclaim their human dignity and be content to provide for their families by the sweat of their brow and the fruits of their labor

I have a dream

I have a dream that our children and our grandchildren will inherit this wonderful dream that is America, which was preserved and nurtured for us by our parents and grandparents, and by the blood and sacrifice of generations of Americans

I have a dream

I have a dream that our leaders, inspired by the greatness of the American people, will return our country to its rightful place as a beacon of hope for the world – that we will recognize our enemies and strike fear in their hearts, while embracing our allies and providing each other with mutual support

I have a dream

I have a dream that our future leaders will end bureaucratic interference and suffocating regulation, encourage free markets and allow American enterprise to flourish once again, increasing prosperity and jobs for all Americans

I have a dream

I have a dream that America will once again embrace the notion that we are a nation blessed by our creator, and as such remember we have a special role to play in the world, to be an example of goodness, charity and morality, I have a dream.

But if this dream is to be, then we must, each and every one of us, take up this cause, devote our time, and focus our resolve. We must shout as one and our voices must ring out.

From the concrete canyons of Manhattan to the Great Plains of Nebraska, raise your voices high

From the Redwood Forests to the Florida Keys, raise your voices high

From the Town Hall on Main Street to the Halls of Congress, raise your voices high

And when this happens, when our voices are heard, we will rescue our nation, we will reclaim our heritage, we will right this ship and guide her forward to once again provide opportunity and liberty for all

So let us here today mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor, in defense of this bountiful land and this wonderful dream. So let us pray

God Bless this land!

God Bless this land!

Please God almighty, Please, Bless this land!

Thank you.

Nico