This passed weekend, I watched a recent biographical movie about George Washington. I sat and pondered the portrayal of General Washington as the warrior, the statesman, and the man himself. 

Within the past few days, there was also a short on President Washington's and several of the Founders' membership in the Free Masons.  Seems that there has been a great deal about the Founders recently on several cable venues. 

This summer I, along with millions, went to the theaters and saw the movie, "The Patriot". Leaving the theater, I felt a surge of pride that I had not felt in many years. However, this pride was quickly replaced with shame. These men, the generals, the infantryman, cannoneers, and just plain folks -- the militia -- were all as responsible for creating this nation as were the men who utilized the quill to pen the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. 

I have sat and wondered just what the fathers of our country would say if they could speak? Also, I wonder what the signers of the Declaration of Independence would say to us? Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton or Harry Lee -- what would they say to us? 

I am terribly afraid that they would say, "You have failed us." I do not believe in ghosts and upon this subject I am grateful for this non-belief. For if ghosts did exist, I fear that there would be a haunting unimaginable by even the most twisted mind in Hollywood! There would be thousands upon thousands rising up, screaming, shrieking, "YOU HAVE FAILED US!" 

I once had a desire to visit those places where these patriots marched, fell and died to give us freedom. Now, I do not. It is for the shame I feel in my heart and that phrase ringing in my ears. "YOU HAVE FAILED US."  When passing military cemeteries, I feel the same shame to the modern patriots who gave their lives in defense of freedom and liberty. WE FAILED THEM TOO. 

It seems that after our fathers and grandfathers returned from World War Two, to reap their rewards, to once again live in peace, a silent invasion began. The beachhead for this invasion was centered on universities. Now there have been three possibly four generations that have been indoctrinated into the liberal mindset. The beachhead quickly marched downward towards the high schools and elementary schools. This is where we failed them! 

This invasion has penetrated the media, and every other facet of life and office in this country. We no longer hold the ideals of self-reliance, self sacrifice, love of freedom and liberty that our Founders held so dear. We no longer believe that we can take care of our families and ourselves without the assistance -- interference -- from the state. 

In socialist countries the "STATE" is everything and the individual is to serve the state. Someone asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government the Founders had given us. Mr. Franklin's reply was, "A democracy, Sir. If you can keep it!" The Founding Fathers were at that date well aware that the government we had been given would have to be watched and managed by the PEOPLE if it were to survive. 

We have not managed the government. We have allowed our government to be populated with people who would enslave us, to take care of us as they have been taught by these infiltrators, because we just can't do it without their help. After all now there are three or four generations that have been through the indoctrination. WE FAILED THEM. 

Today we have "hate crimes". This concept would baffle the Founders. Is not murder, murder? We have twenty thousand plus (both federal and local) gun laws. These too would baffle and bemuse them. The very tools of freedom are mocked by our supposed elected officials. WE FAILED THEM.

Many times in the past eight years, by the stroke of the pen the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has set aside lands in the American West, and in most all cases stolen private property for the "good of the STATE." Is this not socialism at it's finest? WE FAILED THEM.

We, the people, no longer have a voice. Those of us who still value the traditional ideals of the Founders are mocked and scoffed at as radicals, mal-contents and rebels. Our great-great-grandfathers were Rebels. They dared to rise up to defend their homes and hearth from an invading horde after the Constitution was torn asunder by the original big government advocates, where the failure began. 

We, the people, who cherish freedom and our abilities to work and care for our families and ourselves, are a direct threat to those who would tear down everything that our Founding Fathers built and shed blood for. There is one last chance for us to stem this tide, this creeping socialism that is strangling this once great nation. The coming election is that last best peaceable chance. 

Are there enough of us left to stem this tide? Or will we still hear, from off in the far distant past, "YOU FAILED US"?  Or ... will we be forced in the not-too-distant future to, "…nourish the Tree of Liberty..."? 

WILL WE FAIL THEM, AGAIN?

Steve Bilyeu is the Secretary of the Southern Political Alliance and an humble servant of the Cause.