Non - political Politics

Non What?

Non political politics seems to be, in and of itself, an oxy-moron but believe me, all things considered, it could and should happen. As long as we have partison bickering in Washington we will continue to lose not only monetarily but our freedoms as well. There is now talk about curtailing the freedom of the press. What will be next??

One of the best examples of non-political politics can be found in the speech made at his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy when he said: "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country".

Alexis de Tocqueville was born in France and came to America in 1831 when he was 25 years old. In 1835 he wrote volume one of "Democracy in America" and volume two in 1840. The two volumes were a study of the American people and their political institutions. Several years ago these books were much quoted by various politicians but lately seems to have gone out of vogue. The following is a direct quote from one of those books: "America will be a great country until the people learn that they can vote thenselves money from the public treasury, after that, it will be a war of all against all with each person striving to get the greatest amount of free money possible".
It appears that for many years we have been steadily drifting toward the fulfillment of that prediction or prophecy until we may have already passed the point of no return. I pray that I am wrong on that count.

Last week, by permission, I included a poem from a book written and published by Bill Browder. After much discussion,soul-searching and things better left unsaid I am operating on the assumption that I have his permission to include other poems should the occasion arise. That being said, my next posting will probably begin with one of his poems written as a prayer. It might be helpful to all of us. Until then, William