“The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.” — John Adams

 

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you live safely in the land and prosper. — Psalms 37:3

Howdy Folks,

I hope everyone survived the summer meeting and pray that the monsoon rains are sending the much needed moisture over this parched and burnt land. I was looking at some of my letters I’ve written but never sent in when I found the one below. I wrote it a couple of years ago and I think it is still appropriate today.

July 8, 2009 — Ramblings of an Ole Cowboy

Dear America,

It has just been a few days from your birthday, and I pray that is was a happy one. Don’t take this letter wrong, but cowboys spend many hours alone with nature and God and use much of that time contemplating on various subjects, some good and some not so good for animal or man.

I have spent many of these days since last fall thinking of our national economic woes. We have created a debt that we may not be able to ever pay back. Who have we borrowed from and what have we used for collateral? I would like our president or one of his top czars to explain this. I know that if I borrow money I have to put something up for collateral. Have we Americans been duped by our governmental leaders for years? I am not pointing fingers at any one party or political persuasion — just big government — period. The only real assets America has is land and natural resources. I also know that much of our nation’s natural wealth is held (supposedly in trust for our country’s future) in the many national parks, monuments, forests, wilderness areas, military reserves, etc. One has only to look at ANWR, the Escalante Staircase, Devil’s Tower, and many of the other areas. Have we put up these lands for collateral for loans from China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries? Might make you scratch your head.

Our border with Mexico has been put in jeopardy with many of these same areas being off-limits to different types of transportation for U.S. citizens, but have left a gate wide open for illegal aliens and the smuggling of drugs or possibly dirty weapons by OTMs. The nation has lost a river to the border fence. Just ask Texans which side of the river is the fence built. When federal, state, county, or local authorities cannot patrol these areas because of our own laws prohibiting them from vehicle use in wilderness areas and such that are close to the border, we might need to look at the law.

We have created a monster with the Endangered Species Act. Way back when this act was passed, we all had a fuzzy feeling that we were helping the Bald Eagle. Today, when a microscopic bug can halt any kind of economical development, something is wrong. Many animals, plants, birds, bugs, and such became extinct long before man came along and supposedly ruined the world. We (the government) have closed down or hindered the businesses and vocations in the West with these laws. Look at the logging, mining, farming, ranching, and oil and gas businesses — all that use natural resources —to help the economical stability of the United States and to keep our country fed, clothed, and sheltered. IS THIS BECAUSE THE ONES THAT HOLD THE NOTES ON OUR DEBT DO NOT WANT THEIR COLLATERAL DIMINISHED?
Like I said — Cowboys have a lot of time to contemplate on the problems that we are faced with. These things are a little heavy for this cowboy — Maybe I’d better ponder on something I have no control of whatsoever — like the weather.

Things are sure moving slow. It seems we still have the same problems today that I was contemplating on a few years ago. Members of the Association have lost loved ones this past month. These folks will be missed by everyone that was lucky enough to have had them in their lives. The history that they helped forge should not be forgotten. It is the fabric that the West and our nation was built upon.

Again, Happy Birthday America!

 “Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the

rains he sends are an expression of his grace.”

               – Joel 2:23