Lisa Benson for September 17, 2012

My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting the Lincoln Memorial in DC and for the first time in my life, I visited the museum underneath the level where Lincoln sits and read more of his words. The more you read the words of those who built and shaped this nation, the more you see where our elected officals who are charged with caring for this United land are working against the efforts made by Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Roosevelt(both of them), and more. It’s always good to read the words of those who fought, and sometimes died, so that all Americans can live equally and pursue happiness.C.

I fear that too many think money is their god. They do not and never will work for us. The words, although beautiful and awe-inspiring, are lost are those who are after their own.

Amen.

Too bad so many in Congress are so focused on re-election and so entrenched in their ways that they’ve lost sight of this. Well said C.

Unfortunately, it also takes more MONEY than most of us have to do anything about it.

Wait, what? Brains and guts? You might want to clarify who that was directed at… otherwise you might show your ignorance.

Dr, I have written many letters to my elected officials & have actually had a couple of replies that weren’t form letters. I vote for ALL elections, local and national. I have volunteered at voting precincts and, as witnessed here, am not afraid of sharing a respectful dialectic exchange with people even when we disagree. Brains? Maybe you’re right. I’ve not changed minds that have power. Guts? Maybe…having the Eye of Sauron that is the media makes being…public…daunting to say the least. The message is lost if the messenger has warts. You prove that last. While agreeing with my initial comment you imply its meaningless since I lack brains and guts. A better comment might have gone, “You’ve got that right, but first we need to…” and provide an idea we could use to sway hearts and minds. Sorry about my lack of brains and guts. Really, I am. But if you have some good ideas, I WILL convey them to Sen Jim Webb, Sen John Warner, and Rep. Wittman, State Senator Miller and state Rep Wittman.Best I can do on my current budget.C.

Up thar in Canaduh, they get all thar brains from down heay, like Dr. Canuck hisself.

(know what I mean – know what I mean) ;’)

This is the most thoughtful Lisa offering I have seen.

It really does come down to us. First we have to learn what is really going on, what really needs to be done, and what options our local, state, and federal governments have to address the issue.

Then, informed, we have to vote.

Finally, we have to put skin in the game and get involved. This is the tough, messy work. The tradeoffs are hard and your wonderful ideas and beliefs will be tested and torn. It is daunting for those involved but it makes a difference for our communities and our country.

No, not obviously. I also thought you were responding to the post above yours, to Wraithkin’s. Some people do that, and yours looked that way.

Once again, in our time of national crisis when the issues before us need to be so carefully delineated, and the case needs to be made for a fair hearing of which direction to take and what application to make and which leader to choose, we are guided still by the Spirit of President Abraham Lincoln in this, our hour of peril with the wisest of words and the choicest of actions to take to embolden us to take righteous action in the righteous causes of freedom and security to secure the blessings of ourselves and our posterity. Lincoln’s cause was just and so is ours today to pray to the better angels of our nature and to our own concience to implore and seek the Providence of the Almighty for intelligence, as well as wisdom, for our choices in November and over the next four years.