November 22, 2010

THOUGHTFUL THANKSGIVING MESSAGE
 

On October 3, 1789, during his first year as President, George Washington issued a proclamation that set aside Thursday, November 26 (1789) as "A Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer." Entitled "General Thanksgiving," the decree appointed the day "to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God."

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America,
A PROCLAMATION:

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the Service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all Sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed)
G. Washington

While there were Thanksgiving observances in America both before and after Washington's proclamation, this represents the first to be so designated by the new national government.

In celebrating this Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for America, and its benefits, but with eyes wide open to the fact that we are in one of the most critical times in the history of our country.

Let us not forget, our founding documents and our will to defend them, the greatest governing documents ever given to mankind, are all that stand between the People and oppression, tyranny and despotism.

If obeyed, these Documents show us how to realize all the GOOD that was intended for each individual: “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

The Declaration of Independence is the Spirit and Philosophy of our People. It is America’s Charter. It expresses the essential principles underlying our entire system of governance:

If the Declaration of Independence is America’s Charter, the Constitution is Her By-Laws – the Supreme Law of our Land, a set of rules to govern the government..   

Today our Republic faces grave challenges.  Usurping the power of the People, our elected officials are continually stepping outside the boundaries the People have drawn around their power and are taking possession of a boundless field of power.

Truth is, our national distress -- in all its current forms, has arisen directly from our disobedience to our Charters of Freedom.  

If only we would follow them, for within their divine design, they provide the pathway for a return to the peace, prosperity and harmony we all long for. 

The Constitution CANNOT defend itself. That’s our duty and responsibility. The Constitution is not going to be defended unless We, the People defend it by holding our elected officials accountable to its provisions and principles.  Our nation suffers because We, the People have allowed it to happen.

Nor is the Constitution a menu from which our elected officials can pick and choose. Yet that is exactly what has been taking place for many years, over many administrations, by both political parties. In the halls of Congress and the dominant media we hear scant mention of the Constitution in our public policy debates about war, money, corporate welfare, immigration, health care, homeland security, taxation, foreign policy, the economy and other critical national concerns.

Envision what America would be like if we adhered to the Constitution.

We would not be meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, taking sides. We would be neutral in our alliances; trading with all; conducting ourselves with honor and dignity.  Our troops – those amazing citizens who have stepped up to give that Service - would be here with us, protecting our soil and our people, not far off allegedly “serving our country” and giving the ultimate sacrifice in the Name of Freedom.  How can we possibly express enough gratitude for their efforts?

There would be no undeclared wars abroad and no war on terror at home. 

Our government would not bail out any private company or foreign Nation with public money.

All debts incurred by the Federal Reserve, without Congressional authorization, or for purposes not enumerated in the Constitution would be null and void. 

Gold and silver coin would be our currency.  There would be no inflation. Prices would be stable. We would have full employment.

We would all have the Right to bear and keep arms and each state would have a well-regulated, trained and disciplined militia. 

There would be no direct tax on an individual’s property, including his labor. 

Our Rights to privacy would be honored.

The President would enforce the immigration laws, dutifully passed by Congress.

We would not have a President with the potential of dual loyalties because his father was a citizen of a foreign country. 

We would never enter into contracts, treaties or alliances with any organization, country, group or individual that would compromise the Sovereignty of individuals, the States or America.

We would not be counting our votes in secret which is what happens when machines count them.

Life as we know it now would surely be different.  The day when we the People can be grateful for a government of wise and moral leaders, just and constitutional laws, faithfully executed; with a great degree of tranquility, union and abundance awaits only our love for Liberty and our commitment toward those ends.

Happy Thanksgiving

Give Thanks by Supporting We The People

As we gather with our friends and family this Thanksgiving, let us remember to offer not only great thanks for the Divine gift of Liberty enshrined within our Founding Documents, but let us give thanks to those among us who have dedicated their years of labor, their personal resources and their life passion to the defense of those documents. Indeed, to the extent the battles for Freedom continue at all, it is to the few that the many owe our significant Thanks.

Although we pass through difficult and uncertain times, we urge you to specifically consider the substantial contributions the WTP organization (and Bob Schulz in particular) has made in the defense of Liberty over many years and the importance of sustaining this most righteous work.

In short, WTP cannot continue its mission without your financial support.  We hope that over the many years WTP has earned the respect and trust that would move you to support our work and leadership now. (Please note that WTP has no employees and Bob Schulz and his wife Judy receive zero compensation for their volunteer service)

As we move toward the closing days of 2010, please consider giving Thanks in the form of financial support to We The People. Below we offer the 2011 Freedom Calendars and links for direct donations and WTP Congress memberships. 

Again, have a great Thanksgiving.

Remember!
Second “Liberty Walk” Happens This Saturday, Nov. 27
 
The second Liberty Walk will take place Thanksgiving Weekend, on Saturday, November 27, at 1pm in all time zones, when Americans are invited to walk for Honor, Gratitude and Obedience to our Founding Documents. Click here to read the national announcement release (.pdf printable version).
 
All participants should bring a copy of the Liberty Walk event program to the event.
 

		Our Annual Year-End Fundraiser! The 2011 Freedom Calendars Click Here Now Shipping!