Happy Independence Day!
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Today is an incredibly special day for all Americans! We are celebrating the 249th anniversary of our independence from the monarchy of Great Britain.
On July 4, 1776, our Continental Congress ratified of our Declaration of Independence and we were separated from the human king. And both our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution acknowledged the only true King – Jesus Christ and His Father, God Almighty.
I am so excited to see the swing back to patriotism among our remarkably diverse population! People from all ages, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds are realizing that our country is turning back to placing the main importance on AMERICAN citizens and not on illegal immigrants and foreigners. Our tax dollars are finally being used to provide services and benefits to OUR people who need them.
Americans should not be living in poverty, be turned away for medical care, be denied education benefits. But, Americans are also going to have to step up and go to work to replace these illegal immigrants who are being sent back home.
There is absolutely no excuse for able-bodied people not to work for a living. “Help wanted” signs can be seen almost everywhere – it might not be THE job someone wants, but they need to start somewhere and work their way up like we did back in the day.
The main thing I hope parents will consider now is encouraging their children to go to trade schools rather than college. With the major industries getting ready to move back to the United States we are going to need carpenters, welders, electricians, plumbers, and all other manner of construction-related experiences. And these trades will pay much better than white-collar jobs in most cases.
Yes, some kids are geared for higher education, but there are probably more that just go to a college for the party atmosphere or sports programs. Instead of spending four years and graduating with a degree that doesn’t guarantee job opportunities, spend two years at a trade school and go straight to work!
So, back to the topic of patriotism! If you watched any of the press conferences with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Chair of the Joint Chief of Staff General Dan “Razin” Caine after the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program and didn’t want to just stand up and wave a flag, you must have ice water in your veins! The report they gave of the 44 military personnel left to defend our largest military installation in the Middle East – Al Udeid Air Base – was chilling.
Generally there are thousands of service members there, but most were evacuated along with most of the aircraft stationed there. Of these brave 44 service members who stayed behind, the oldest was 28 years old and the youngest was 21 years old! Both men and women!
AND the pilots of the six B2 Bombers who delivered the bunker-buster bombs that decimated the nuclear threat in Iran, flying 37 hours non-stop, are most certainly heroes. Watching those planes coming back into Whiteman Air Force Base was such an amazing feeling! AND to the two men who had worked for years developing the bombs and the methods of their use, thank you for your service to our country while working so far behind the scenes in secret!
To the parents of these wonderful service members – thank you for raising such brave young people who volunteered to protect us from our enemies. Our military branches are seeing an enormous increase in recruitment since the first of this year – thanks to the return of our government standing behind our military again! Several of the branches have already met their annual recruitment goals, and we are only halfway through the year!
While this year’s celebration of our independence will be filled with heartwarming patriotism, just think what next year will be like when we celebrate 250 years as a country based on freedom and equality! Stock up on red, white and blue clothes and decorations; make sure you have an American flag to fly at your home; continue to pray for our nation to return to its roots and for those patriots leading our country.
As a new resident of Rockford I’m looking forward to being able to walk to three different restaurants, my church (Rockford Baptist), the courthouse, and the Post Office – once the weather cools off!
As I am finishing this I am watching the stock exchange explode after the U.S. Senate approved the “Big, Beautiful Bill”! It goes back to the House of Representatives where I hope it will again be approved. I REALLY did not want to see the Trump tax cuts expire and am looking forward to no more taxes on my Social Security!
Until next week – have a great, safe weekend! God is so good!
