What Happened to American Exceptional-ism?

I remember it like it was yesterday.  Being and kid and watching "The Adventures of Superman" after school on TV.  I might not have realized it at the time, but this might have been where I learned about American Exceptional-ism.  Day after day I watched that show and day after day a was reminded that I could be GREAT because I lived in The United States of America.  If you don't remember the intro to the show, watch it here:


So what happened to our country where we aren't allowed to think that we are exceptional any more?  Why is it that even Superman has to turn his back on "The American Way?"



Don't we live in the free-est country on this planet?  Don't "American's" have more opportunity at success than in ANY place in the world?  Isn't that why people from all over the world flock to the U.S. for better opportunity and a better life? (read Mexico, etc.)

I think we all know the answer to that question, well at least everyone who didn't receive a trophy for coming in LAST place when they were growing up.

It's time to turn this ship around folks.  If you are one of those parents who has a child that gets a trophy for everything that he/she does, even when they come in LAST place, you need to get off your collective butts and teach your nanny state kid something useful.  Take all of those trophy's into the backyard and BURN them with your child watching and then have a meaningful conversation explaining that people should only get a trophy for being EXCEPTIONAL.  And if you are NOT exceptional then you have to WORK HARDER to become exceptional and receive that trophy.

People, in general. don't get better by having things handed to them on a silver platter and WINNING all the time.  People learn by FAILING and then working harder for the next time.  Then if they fail again, they keep working harder until they SUCCEED.

It's time time revive American Exceptional-ism in our country, put it has to start with parents teaching their kids that they have to work harder to get better.  If you don't, then don't be surprised when your kids end up at Occupy Wall Street and start demanding that they are ENTITLED to free education, healthcare, jobs, homes, food, etc.

I want MY Superman back!  I want Truth, Justice and THE AMERICAN WAY and NOT "all that other stuff".

Searching for Bread Crumbs, Glenn Beck and "e4"

Last week, an amazing thing happened as a result of my blog post "Sometimes, It's Harder to Give Than it is to Receive".

On Thursday of last week I was contacted by The Glenn Beck Program and asked to come on the show for this week’s LIVE studio audience on Thursday at 5pm EST to tell my story.  So far this entire experience has made me think of what Glenn talked about in his book "The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life" .  You have to look for the signs that appear in everyday life and how he put it, "follow the breadcrumbs" that are placed in your path.

The past few years have been chock full of following breadcrumbs, and until this week I wasn't sure where they were leading.  Now I know; to the doorstep of Glenn Beck and to the destiny that I was placed on this earth for.  It is a story of “e4” and Entrepreneurship.  Here are my breadcrumbs that I have been following . . .
My story begins in failure and depression . . .  but ends in triumph.

I have always been an entrepreneur, in my heart and in my soul.  I remember having conversations with my dad about different ideas growing up and him telling me stories with a longing look in his eyes about the ideas and the different ventures that he tried and that unfortunately, never took off.  One of these stories involved a snow sled that my father and a friend, designed and had manufactured.  I found a stack of them in the basement and wanted to take one out and slide down the hill in my backyard.  It was then that I learned that the sled was so poorly designed that even on a 45 degree angle the thing just wouldn’t slide.  I remember the pained look on his face when he found me trying to use it in the backyard and watching the same thing happen to me as had happened to him while demoing it in the snow.  But I digress . . .

My story really begins about 8 years ago after I moved back to Los Angeles from Tucson, AZ to take care of family.  It was then that I got my insurance license and started selling Long Term Care insurance in Orange County.  My first failure out here was that I was a HORRIBLE insurance salesman.  The one thing that I was really good at though, was Networking.  I use to go to all the breakfast and lunch meetings in Orange County.  I belonged to 2 Chamber of Commerce and even had my own handpicked networking coffee group that I started with the people I had met from the other groups.  It never helped me at all selling insurance, but it helped me sell myself and it also taught me how to listen to the business owners around me and what their problems and challenges were in the businesses they were in.  Here is what I learned.  They ALL were networking because other more traditional forms of advertising their business were just too expensive.  It was the RARE person I met that was able to afford $1000 plus a month for a Yellow Pages ad and those that could were struggling paying that monthly bill (even though most said that they got business from the ad).  Networking was also a way for them to get in front of their potential customers, utilize their 30 second elevator speech to describe their business and have the potential for these same people to refer business to them.  The trouble that they had came down to what they call in Advertising, the rule of 8, or it generally takes about 8 times in front of a person for any type of advertising to work.  It was definitely a long term commitment and for some of them (depending on the business) those breakfast and lunch costs started adding up pretty quickly.

It was at this point where I thought to myself, “Self.  There has to be a better way”.  So I decided to build my own online “Business Directory” that incorporated ALL the different aspects of a Yellow Pages, Chamber of Commerce and a Networking meeting and put it into an online format.  Businesses would be able to control their pages with their own username and login, they would be able to upload their audio commercials, photos, PPT presentations, have a Bio with Ratings and Testimonials from their clients and would even be able to “list” all the other small businesses that they referred to, and if those businesses referred back it would show up on their page also.  It was called “The Platinum Business Network”.

It was a great idea.  Everyone said so.  Still, it FAILED.  It failed MISERABLY.  For 4 plus years I invested my life into it.  My web designer and the programmers never got it quite right and never got it working properly and unfortunately I was marketing it the whole time at my meetings and events (in fact there is still a YouTube video of me at a trade show with my booth at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CiG5s7apuk).  This wasn’t my web designers fault.  It was mine.  It was more about ME and MY business than it was about building something to help my fellow entrepreneurs.  It is no wonder that it was a colossal failure.  After the 4 years, I ran out of money, told my web designers to stop working and I quit.  I never stopped paying for the servers though out of sheer stubbornness.  It remained alive even though in essence, it was dead.

I quit.  I failed.  I lost and I was a loser.  I became a Security Guard working the graveyard shift at a local resort.  But I did what I had to do to bring in a paycheck and contribute to my family, even if it was only enough to pay a couple of bills.  At the time, I thought I had lost a lot (pride, dignity, etc.) but at least I didn’t lose my house.

Working the graveyard shift also gave me the ability to do one other thing.  Get home from work; go to sleep and then wake up in time to watch the Glenn Beck Show.  That was when I started getting my self-respect back.  I had afternoons to go to Tea Party rallies and participate.  I wasn’t able to do a whole lot, but I started to pay closer attention to the things around me.  I started to read and educate myself.  I’ll never forget when I brought “American History in Black and White” by David Barton into work and one of my black security guard friends asked me what I was reading.  I told him and let him borrow the book when I was done.  As you can guess, I got the same reaction that Glenn did from the people that work on his show.  He was “pissed” and couldn’t believe he had never learned any of this before.  Another convert.  I went through it all.  The education, Founders Fridays (WINNING!), 8/28 on the webcast, 9/12 project, 40 day challenge, Faith Hope and Charity, The Seven Wonders, and then, “e4”.

I watched those shows about “e4” and I remembered how you said that it was the “entrepreneurs” and small business people that were going to save this country.  I remember standing in front of the TV and cheering you on.  Then you said that it was up to “ME”.  I had to stand up and take control.  I had to be the “entrepreneur”.  I HAD TO HELP SAVE THE COUNTRY.

I thought about my website.
In hindsight, I should have known that The Platinum Business Network was going to fail.  At the time I was thinking more about myself and the money I would make than how it would help other people.

But where The Platinum Business Network would fail, BizClicker.com would succeed and thrive!

This time, I would do it right.  This time it would be about helping businesses.  I called my web designer and said, “We are going to rebuild the website.  I can’t pay you but let me tell you my plan and I would like you to be a part of it.  We are going to rebuild it and all businesses and customers are going to be able to have it for free.  Don’t worry about making money right now because somehow I know everything will work out”.  I don’t know why but he said yes.

I talked at the beginning about signs and following bread crumbs.  This past Tuesday, 5/10 was our re-launch date.  We rebuilt it better than ever with the addition of full integration to Facebook with tutorials for businesses on how they can create their own Facebook Business pages and integrate them into our website.  We were going to launch it and see what happened, and then I got a message from the Glenn Beck Program.
After coming down off my high, I immediately thought of “e4”, “Entrepreneurship” and Glenn’s plans for the future.  I pictured him just like he described before 8/28 when he found that he was going to have to put out more money for the event.  Down on his knees asking God what more he could do and to send him some kind of sign or help.  I pictured him doing the same thing as he was making his plans for the future.  Him saying, “I don’t know how I’m going to accomplish this but I know you will send the answers my way.  I thought, “I am being sent his way”.  I thought that this could be the “Freedom Connector” for entrepreneurs and small businesses around the country.  I said to myself, somehow, this was meant to be.

At that point I decided that BizClickr.com was meant to help Glenn and his “e4” project and that I would put it at his disposal to utilize in any way that he could.  I might not be able to mention any of this on today’s show, but somehow I know that everything will work out the way it is supposed to.

So I say for all of Glenn’s listeners who are Entrepreneurs and business owners that BizClickr.com is for you.  It is a resource for you to communicate and advertise you business at NO COST.  It is time for the Entrepreneur to help mend the injuries that have been done to our economy and country.

It is time to revive entrepreneurship in this country.  All businesses will receive free advertising and customers will not have to pay for viewing the information.  All they have to do is sign up.

The website is:  www.bizclickr.com and the Facebook page for integration is www.facebook.com/bizclickr .

I truly believe that this is where my breadcrumbs have led me to and because of Glenn Beck’s “e4” Project and Entrepreneurship our country will begin to turn around and start heading in the right direction. 

Fellow Entrepreneurs:  It’s up to us.

Radical Tax Reform (Part 1): Corporate and Business Taxes

Okay, let's break this down, because honestly it's really not all that complicated.  We all know that this country needs a radical overhaul of our close to 70,000 page tax code which covers everything from personal income tax to corporate and business taxes and even how much of your estate that you have to hand over to the government (instead of passing it on to your family) after you are dead.

Let's start by breaking down the most important part of our economy and how our tax system affects them; Corporate and the Business taxes.

It really torques my chain when people start talking about the Big, Bad, Evil and Greedy corporations and businesses (you know...the ones who employ you, give you your paychecks and help you put food on your table and pay your rent/mortgages...) who's primary goal in life is to make as much money as they can so that they can give the fat cat CEO's millions of dollars, becoming filthy rich and having dinner of caviar and champagne on their yachts and corporate jets.  HELLO?!  That's the whole point, isn't it?  And another thing, have you ever heard of a POOR person being able to employ another person.  Obviously the answer is no.  It is the rich business owner who has the ability to employ other people.

But I digress . . . we were talking about taxes, weren't we?

So what are the effects of taxes on corporations and businesses.  If you listen to our politicians in charge today (aka the ones on the left), they will tell you that the rich corporate fat cats and business owners have to pay their fair share and they need higher taxes.  Well, let's say we DO tax the corporations and small businesses (who might be individuals making over $250,000); what will happen then?  Let's break it down:

MORE TAXES=

1. Less money for the Corporation and the Business Owner.
2. Fewer dollars to employ people.
3. Fewer jobs and possible layoffs.
4. Higher unemployment.
5. Fewer benefits or a reduction/elimination of benefits.
6. Higher prices of goods and services passed on to the consumers (who now have no jobs), because the business has to try to make up the money somehow.
7. Corporations moving overseas to avoid the higher taxes and taking their money and jobs with them.
8. Corporations shipping jobs overseas because of cheaper labor and to avoid payroll taxes.
9. Hundreds of Billions of dollars moving out of this country looking to avoid the tax burden.

Sounds like a great idea, huh?  Well, now that we know what some of the consequences to higher taxes to corporations and businesses are, I would like to throw out a HUGE "WHAT IF" scenario.

"WHAT IF . . . we ELIMINATED all Corporate, Business and Payroll taxes?  What do you think would happen?  Let's take a look:  

No Corporate, Business and Payroll taxes =

1. More money for Corporations and Business Owners.
2. Businesses will have more money to hire people and expand their business.
3. Businesses will have more money for benefits to entice high quality candidates to work for them.
4. A major drop in unemployment.
5. Through basic principals of economics:  prices of goods and services will DROP because the cost of production will be less and competition will force the price to go lower.
6. Corporations that have gone offshore to avoid the tax ramifications WILL ALL COME BACK!
7. Foreign Corporations will ALL want to move their businesses to the United States, thus providing MORE jobs for the American worker.
8. Wages will go UP because competition for jobs and low unemployment will force companies to offer more money in order to get the BEST candidates.
9. Billions of dollars will come flooding back into the United States.

Now I know what you are thinking, "Oh my God!  We can't do that.  We need those tax dollars to help pay for Social Security, Medicare and all the other government programs that are being shoved down our throats!" 

Well, yes we can (no pun intended).  We can radically reform our tax code, simplify it and still have plenty of money to fund all of these wasteful government programs.  I don't want to spoil the surprise though and will leave that for a further blog posting.  Next time I'll throw out another "WHAT IF" scenario with some pro's and con's.

Taxes, taxes, taxes . . . WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Answer me this question. How much do you make every paycheck? I'm asking this question because I would be willing to bet that as you think about it, the first answer that comes straight into your mind is your NET income and not your GROSS income. Well people, it's time for you all to WAKE UP and start thinking about your GROSS income because that is how much money you are REALLY making.

When it comes to the topic of money, your job and your income, this could be the single most IMPORTANT question that you could EVER think about and hopefully it will help you PAY MORE ATTENTION to your paycheck and where your money is going.

Most people never think about their paycheck and the only important number that they look at is their NET income. They say, "Oh goodie! I made $750 this paycheck!" and are all happy, when in reality they made $1000 and should REALLY be saying, "Where the heck did my $250 go!" Well I'm here to tell you that it is far past time for you to open up your paycheck and take a closer look.

Here's the first thing I want you to do. Open your check and find the spot where it says NET Income and GROSS Income. Now, take a calculator and subtract your Net from your Gross incomes and this is the money that you are handing over to the Federal and State governments every single time you get paid.

Now that you have an actual dollar amount that is being deducted from you paycheck you need to take a look at where all that money is going. What you will find, at a bare minimum, are deductions for Federal Withholding, Social Security, Medicare, State Withholding and, in most states, State Disability Insurance. In most cases, depending on your tax bracket (aka how much you are taxed depending on how much money you make) you will find that the government is taking about 25% of your hard earned money out of your paycheck BEFORE YOU EVEN SEE IT!

But that's okay though right? You'll get it back come tax time and you file your taxes. After all, April 15th and tax time is when you get a check BACK from the government . . . It's a happy time of year, right?

Wrong . . .

Now your next task is to take EVERY SINGLE PAYCHECK you received last year and add up ALL the differences between your GROSS and NET incomes. Don't use your W2 that you received at the end of the year because I want you to get an actual FEEL for adding up all the money that has been taken out of your check throughout the year.

Once that is accomplished, go and get the amounts of you refunds that you received from the kind hearted and benevolent Federal and State agencies and add those two together.

Okay, here's the kicker. Now subtract the refund amount from the amount of money that they took out of your checks throughout the year.

UH OH! It looks like they are keeping a little bit more of your money than you thought, right? But don't forget, even if you are in a low tax bracket where you are getting your money back at tax time, just remember that the government is still taking your money in advance and investing it so that they, AND NOT YOU, will make the interest off YOUR money throughout the entire year.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a better, more simple way, of paying your taxes? One that doesn't discriminate based on how much money you make but still forces the rich to "pay their fair share" and will still help the poor live a more prosperous life?

Well, there is such a plan, but it will take the "Will of the People" to get it implemented. It will take the will of the people because todays politicians rely on our current, convoluted tax code to stay in power and reap the financial rewards of Fat Cat lobbyist's who will more than happily perform any manner of bribery and corruption to get a beneficial outcome for their special interests. In other words, they won't change, because as soon as they do they will lose all their power. But guess where that power will go? IT WILL GO TO YOU! The American taxpayer. But a taxpayer that will DEMAND representation for the taxes that they will be paying.

But before you can change, you have to WAKE YOURSELF UP! Our country was founded and American Blood was spilled for MUCH less than what is being done to us now! The motto then was "DON'T TREAD ON ME!" and "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!", and this was over far fewer more inconsequential taxes. The citizens of this country raided ships and threw crates of Tea into Boston Harbor and that was for just a small tax on TEA!!

How much are you willing to put up with before you put your foot down? How much money are you willing to let them take before you say NO MORE!? Is it a car tax in your state? Is it a mandatory purchase of healthcare?

Well, what is it America? You have to choose. You have to make the call. You have to be willing to stand up as one and say NO MORE!

And now you ask "Well? What is this plan?" Stay tuned and I'll start telling you next time.

My 30-Day "Pledge"

The Pledge of Allegiance is almost forgotten in American culture today. For most grown Americans we probably remember reciting it each day in the classroom at school and then never saying it again after graduating. It is my hope that this will change.

I would like to propose a challenge to each and every person reading this to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day for 30 days. I will be putting out my flag each day, putting my hand over my heart and reciting the Pledge; and if I see others watching while I do it, I will invite them to join me.

Below is what the Pledge means to me. It was inspired by the comedian Red Skelton and an on stage performance he did explaining what the Pledge meant to him.

The Pledge of Allegiance

~I pledge allegiance~

“I” – me, myself, individually, not you, they them or us collectively
“pledge” – promise, agree, obligate, ‘cross my heart and hope to die’
“allegiance” – my love, fealty, obedience, devotion and honor.

~To the flag~

The Stars and Stripes, the Red, White and Blue, Old Glory, with 50 stars for each state on a field of Blue and 13 red and white alternating stripes for the 13 original colonies.

~of the United States of America~

NOT the United States of Mexico, Canada, England, France, Germany or even the United Nations. If you are in this country and want to assimilate and become an American Citizen and follow the appropriate rules to become one, then we welcome you with open arms. If you have come here illegally to take American jobs and abuse our welfare, healthcare, and education systems then GO HOME! We don’t want you here!

~and to the Republic~

“Republic” – We are a Representative Republic. We are not a Democracy, a Tyranny or a Dictatorship. “We the People” elect delegates to “represent” us. Delegates who take and oath, and I quote “ to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that (they) will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that (they) take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that (they) will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which (they are) about to enter. So help (them) GOD. And if they fail in that sacred duty it is our Right, no, it is our DUTY to vote them out of office and elect someone who will.

~for which it stands~

“It”, our Flag and our Constitution. Those Rules and laws by which we are guaranteed “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

~One Nation~

Not 50 nations. ONE nation. Working together to provide a more perfect Union.

~Under GOD~

Under Christ, under Mohammed, under Buddha, or under Odin. It doesn’t matter, take your pick; and for you Atheists, it’s STILL under GOD, and don’t worry. Even though you don’t believe, we will still be praying for you.

~Indivisible~

United, joined, permanent and inseparable.

~with Liberty~

Freedom, independence, and the right to live life without fear of threats or retaliation.

~and Justice~

We are ALL created equal, under the law and in the eyes of GOD. Our Constitution gives us equal rights and opportunities in order to prosper and pursue our individual happiness.

~for all~

Which means, in the immortal words of Red Skelton that “This is as much your country as it is mine”.

This is the Pledge of Allegiance to this “United States of America” and this is what the pledge means to me. It should be said each day in every classroom throughout the country and each citizen should say it each day, with hand over heart and in the presence or The Red, White and Blue. Hopefully, the next time you recite it you will think of these things, and it’s meaning will become imbedded in your heart and in your soul.

For those of you who refuse or don’t want to take this pledge, feel free to come and visit Disneyland, our Capital, and our beautiful scenery, and then go back home.

Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior

We have come a long way in todays society. In technology, science and the arts the advances have been tremendous since the founding of our country. There is one area however where we have definitely NOT progressed, and in fact some would say, including myself, that we have regressed to the point where it seems that we, as individuals only care about ourselves. We can blame our culture, progress, technology or what have you, but it really comes down to one thing. Individuals today have thrown away the rules of common decency, manners and in general what we all learned as kids: "The Golden Rule". Paraphrased, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Todays kids just don't seem to be taught that anymore, and it is all too apparent when you look at some of the actions of their parents.

This doesn't have to remain that status quo however. Our founders taught us a better way and all we have to do is learn those lessons, do the research and start behaving the way we know we should. One of the earliest manuscripts from George Washington was written when he was just 16 years old. At 16 years of age Washington copied 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. These rules are as relevant today as they were when Washington copied them onto that piece of parchment more than 260 years ago. To see the full transcript of all 110 Rules you can find it at: http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/civility/transcript.html

I encourage you to follow the above link and read through these 110 Rules. It is time to start setting an example by our own behavior, and what better role model than George Washington and the rules that he lived his life by. I won't recite all of them here but let's hit on a few of the key ones. Hopefully they will give you a starting point and be a guide to how each one of us should start leading our lives.

1. Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

6. Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.

17. Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.

19. Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

20. The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.

21. Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.

22. Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

25. Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

32. To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

35. Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

38. In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.

39. In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40. Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

43. Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44. When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

49. Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50. Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparag[e]ment of any.

51. Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd once every day at least and take heed tha[t] you approach not to any Uncleaness. (or . . . don't be a slob).

54. Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely. (avoid vanity)

56. Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

58. Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sig[n o]f a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion [ad]mit Reason to Govern.

62. Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63. A Man o[ug]ht not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qua[lities of wit; much less of his rich]es Virtue or Kindred.

64. Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho' there Seem to be Some cause.

Anyway, you get the picture. Personally, it would do the world and our society good if we could just "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and follow that Golden Rule. To conclude my diatribe I'll leave you with Rule 110. It's a rule that, if followed, will enable everyone to enact the other 109.

Rule 110. Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.

The American Herald - Beginnings

Education and history are our countries greatest assets. I grew up with what I thought was a very good education. I wasn't a poor kid by any means and I thought that the education I was receiving was top notch at the time.

What I didn't realize was the History I was being taught was incomplete, many times biased and often times just plain wrong. I have always had a deep curiosity for this countries history. I am a former teacher myself and I am ashamed to say that even I taught our American History to my students incorrectly. I didn't know it at the time because I was following my schools mandated curriculum and the assigned textbooks. Basically, I taught what was given to me and did what my department heads told me to do. Eventually, I grew tired of towing the Party line and decided that our educational system was not for me. It was at about that time that I decided to continue my education and do my own research. I decided that my research would contain ONLY the original documents and writings from our American History.

I decided to READ and STUDY our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. I've read the Federalist Papers, Poor Richards Almanac, the writings of James Madison. Then, do you know what I did? I decided to compare it to what I was taught and what I was told to teach to my own student.

My conclusion? Much of what we know of our history has been re-written to fit into the Social and Political framework of the times and our society. How did that make me feel? Used, suckered and REALLY, REALLY, REALLY PISSED OFF! Here are just a few of the things that have pissed me off, which I will elaborate on in future posts:

1. Almost ALL of our Black Founding Fathers have been eliminated from our American History. Did you even know that there were black founding fathers?

2. How about that before the Revolutionary war there really wasn't any segregation between Blacks and Whites? Churches had mixed congregations and some even had Black Pastors and also that Blacks and Whites fought SIDE by SIDE on the battlefield for independence from Great Britain.

3. Did you know that our Constitution mandated an END to Slavery in the Year 1808 and that our National Holiday of Thanksgiving was supposed to be celebrated on January 1st starting in 1808 commemorating that same end to the institution of slavery?

4. Did you know that from the signing of our Constitution it was the Conservative North and then the Republicans that created ALL Civil Rights legislation for the Emancipation and equality of African Americans and that from 1834 to 1964 it was the Southern Democrats that either blocked ALL Civil Rights legislation or had it repealed?

These are just a very few things that have set my blood to boiling since I have started educating myself on this countries GREAT history. My future posts will pick individual topics that will help bring to light some of our forgotten or re-written history. I hope you enjoy some of my ramblings. It is with great pleasure that I write these words.

Sincerely,

George W.