When we've had so many breaches of trust, brevity (like this) is necessary
By WILBUR WELLS / During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised a young girl that he "would return the country to its former greatness."
I, too, would like to see us return to the period of greatness when presidents were humbled by the greatness of our country rather than inclined to apologize for it.
When presidents did not bow to petty dictators or call the greatest, most powerful, most successful, and most generous country on earth "arrogant." When presidents did not tell the world that our country is not a Christian nation. When presidents actually had significant life achievements other than being able to read speeches written by someone else from a TelePrompter.
When presidents were schooled by patriots who believed in democracy, liberty and freedom and not by communists and socialists. When presidents knew our Constitution and understood the big differences between "providing for the common defense" and "promoting the general welfare."
When presidents had good hearing and would not tolerate 20 years of denigration of our great country in his church. When presidents appointed highly qualified legal scholars to the Supreme Court who would interpret our Constitution without referring to international law or resorting to personal empathy, ethnicity, sex, or cultural biases.
When presidents enforced laws against illegal immigration. When presidents appointed only cabinet members who obeyed the law and paid their income taxes.
When "community organizers from Chicago" only meant colorful characters like Al Capone. When elected representatives realized that politicians, political parties, lobbyists, and campaign contributors are not even mentioned in our Constitution, much less intended to be the main purpose of the federal government. When "We the People" really meant something.
When elected representatives understood that our individual rights come from God and that government should protect these rights rather than constantly diminish them, i.e. the Second Amendment to the Constitution. When politicians studied history and understood that we separated from Europe for profound, fundamental reasons, and that the freedom-loving people of the United States are not interested in becoming "more like Europe."
When "bailout" meant jumping out of an airplane and "tarp" was a canvas garbage trailer cover.
When businesses hired the most qualified person for a job without having to worry about government-imposed gender, race, and sexual orientation preferences. When government got out of the way of businesses and let them thrive rather than regarding businesses and taxpayers as infinite sources of revenues for failed social welfare programs.
When journalism was an honorable and impartial profession that held the feet of the government to the fire rather than actively participating in partisan politics. When the federal debt was single-digit trillions. When our currency was not in danger of complete collapse due to federal overspending and excessive borrowing.
When our elected representatives understood that the basic functions of the federal government are three in number: defend the country, deliver the mail, and otherwise get the hell out of our lives. Yes, I really long for the good old days!
Wilbur Wells of Tehachapi is a retired mechanical engineer.
