Is this the land of the free or the land of "the fee"?

Lawyers' fees, that is. Ninety-five percent of all civil lawsuits in the world are filed right here in the United States. Obviously, just about everybody wants something for nothing - the exact opposite of what true freedom is all about.

If ever there was a time to go back and rediscover our rich history as a nation, it's now! And I am not talking about memorizing a few dates, making a cardboard Civil War cannon, or reciting three points and a poem from early American Literature.

I'm talking about rediscovering the wisdom of our Founding Fathers...the kind of truth and passion that inspired Patrick Henry to exclaim, "Give me liberty, or give me death." But it appears we have wandered so far from our foundation that few of us truly understand the concept of liberty as laid down by our Fathers more than 200 years ago.

And if we don't, what of our children? Slowly the message is fading, and soon we will have forgotten the rich heritage that, already in the 1800's, made this country the envy of the civilized world. Such ignorance breeds bondage. Patrick Henry also said, "Those who would exchange security for liberty deserve neither."

What is this word "liberty" that evoked such passion in our forefathers? History demonstrates that liberty comes with a price, the greatest of which is personal responsibility. Our entire Constitution hinges on the notion of an individual being self-governed, for this is the foundation of true freedom.

Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

In other words, only those who commit themselves to a virtuous lifestyle, which includes such qualities as honesty, self-control and compassion, are able to handle the responsibility of freedom. Otherwise, we fall prey to greed and gluttony, twin vices that history show usually precede some form of tyrannical government - just as Franklin predicted, because he knew the history that preceded him.

Some may still wonder what it means to be self-governed. Well, again we need only look at the writings of the Founding Fathers. James Madison once said, "It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage ... Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe." Each of us is held accountable to someone greater than ourselves. This is the course of true freedom. Even God set up just 10 simple rules and left the rest to us.

This brings several challenges to us all. The first is: Go back and read. Don't just take my word for it. Rediscover the Constitution of the United States of American, the Declaration of Independence, and even other writings from these great men. And you, too, will begin to long for liberty and freedom.

Finally, let's rally as individuals, communities and school corporations, committing ourselves to a virtuous lifestyle. Let's be open to learning and teaching the joys and sacrifice of true freedom, as handed down by our Founding Fathers. Let's emphasize long-term gain, even if it may mean short-term pain. History has not been kind to anyone or any nation that has not learned these lessons. After all, what good is knowledge if we don't apply it to our daily lives? [[In-content Ad]]