Thoughts as Memorial Day Approaches

Maybe it is worth considering a tally-board to track which politicians cast votes against legislation considered to be potentially beneficial to our veterans.

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - As Memorial Day approaches every year I try to give considerable thought and consciousness to those who have given so much to our country. I try to think of what I can possibly say to help make my fellow countrymen fully aware of the many sacrifices made by those who have placed themselves in harm’s way for the benefit of all. This has been my practice for many years now and I have never been able to adequately satisfy my goal. The reason has finally been made clear to me... "There are no words!"

Our veterans have done far more for us than words can possibly say. They have sacrificed more than we can possibly repay. Their length of service can be equated to a combined hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of lifetimes away from their families.

They have witnessed some of the worst horrors imaginable in foreign lands and returned home with minds and souls irreparably scarred and damaged. The problem is that words only serve to define and limit the indefinable and unlimited feelings, losses, and hurt suffered by the men and women who must live the rest of their lives trying to heal both the seen and unseen wounds they received in service to our country.

How can anyone possibly make the U. S. voting public focus on these things when such a high percentage of them can’t get beyond their own greed long enough to cast a meaningful and thoughtful vote that does not include what the people on the ballot will do, not for the country and those who have served it, but for themselves. Then there are those who run for elected office... how many of these individuals are not chomping at the bit to make backroom deals that gladly send our youth into harm’s way, for resources and personal profit.

How can anyone’s words make these people set their selfish agenda’s aside long enough to help those who have served our country and suffer greatly as a direct result of that service. When the same individuals who inhabit the Whitehouse and the Halls of Congress can send our young men and women into situations they know will do permanent damage, both physically and mentally, to these young warriors but cannot see their way clear to do whatever it takes to help them when injured, only meaning can have a healing touch. The meaning translated from votes cast on Election Day . . . votes that say “If you cannot help those who have sacrificed for me... GET THE HELL OUT!” Votes that send a message to those who would replace them . . . a message that would say “SIMILAR SELF-SERVING, CORRUPT, LOW-LIFE, SCUM NEED NOT APPLY!”

Maybe it is worth considering a tally-board to track which politicians cast votes against legislation considered to be potentially beneficial to our veterans. You could keep it simple... maybe just individual names and the number of votes cast against legislation considered to be beneficial to veterans. You could start tracking on Memorial Day to make it more meaningful and publish it in a rectangular box shaped like a tally-board. And then draw particular attention to it on every Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and especially the week before Election Day.

Just some thoughts from someone who is tired of feeling ineffective where it matters.

Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present. These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collingsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net