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Michelle Obama infamously said, while her husband was running for the Democrat nomination for the presidency, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country..."
Well, there are a few other reasons to be proud of our country, besides Barack's political ambitions.
Let's take a look at a couple of them on this President's Day.
Be informed.
Before the Wisconsin primary in mid-February, 2008, TIME Magazine reported that Michelle Obama made this remark:
"For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."
Upon reporting her comment, TIME went to great lengths to explain that she didn't really mean what Republicans would surely say she meant.
You may recall, Cindy McCain immediately said: "I have and always will be proud of my country."
What's President's Day really about?
Most Americans are aware that today is "President's Day"---and they may know that it's a day set aside to honor our presidents, but for many, today is another holiday to kick back and enjoy a 3 day weekend.
However, President's Day celebrates a remarkable fact of our nation's history that all of us can and should be proud of---whether or not our spouse is running for the presidency.
It started with President Washington.
So much to be proud of.
President's Day celebrates a remarkable fact of our nation's history that for 244 years, power has been transferred peacefully from one United States President to the next, 44 times. This is not a power line determined by birth or military power---or wealth, but by the people's vote.
It began with President Washington.
In September 1796, worn out by the burdens of the presidency and attacks of political foes, George Washington announced his decision not to seek a third term as president. He knew that as the first president of our new nation he would have the unique opportunity to set a historic precedent in creating two terms as being enough for one leader.
With the assistance of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Washington composed in a "Farewell Address" his political testament to the nation. One every American should be familiar with.
Washington's address included his carefully thought out counsel to the American people as they would ensure the success of the great American experiment. He wanted to strongly remind them that religion and morality must remain the foundation and the fabric of our society.
He said:
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them."
He also added:
“And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
“It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?”
Because of George Washington's example, the Twenty-Second Amendment, establishing a two-term limit on the office of the presidency, was eventually added to the US Constitution.
You should also know that since 1896, Washington's Farewell Address has been read from the floor of the Senate by a United States Senator. This happens close to President's Day each year on February 22. And they read all 7,641 words.
The message from President Washington was reflected by President Trump yesterday.
While the ways of communication have changed dramatically, the message remains intact.
Yesterday, President Trump flew into the Daytona 500 race in dramatic fashion, with Air Force One flying only 800 feet above the track---with more than a hundred thousand auto racing fans shouting "USA, USA". And "four more years, four more years."
President Trump was the Grand Marshall of the annual Daytona event.
Aside from the theatrics, and the President's announcement of the famous words, "Gentlemen, start your engines," there was a continuity with America's founding.
In his very short speech before the race began, the President told the crowd---and the country, "NASCAR fans, never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, country."
The Book of Bernie.
Bernie Sanders is in Seattle today---well, he's actually in Tacoma at the Dome, but he's "in town."
The Seattle PI says,
"The appearance of the 'democratic socialist' candidate was announced on Facebook by his most prominent surrogate in Washington, US Rep. Pramila Jayapal."
Jayapal proclaimed, "Spread the word, let's stand up for our multiethnic, multigenerational, multigender vision for America. Come on out everyone---this is our movement."
This is not what George Washington envisioned for America---But it is the vision of at least two, probably three presidential candidates in the Democrat Party.
Bernie would be the senior socialist leader---and is leading in a number of polls.
He does not consider religion and morality based on religious beliefs as the foundation and fabric of our society.
CNN tried to pin him down back in 2016 and concluded:
"Nobody would mistake Bernie Sanders' stump speech for a sermon. When making moral arguments about income inequality or climate change, he's more likely to quote statistics than Scripture."
In their article titled, "The Book of Bernie," CNN conceded that while it may seem impolite to question Sanders about his religious views, "Who cares whether he spends his Saturdays at a shul or a socialist rally?"
It's time to care.
CNN also noted (in 2016) that if Sanders wanted to win the Democrat nomination, he would have to "lure church-going Christians away from Hillary Clinton."
I received a letter from one of our long time readers last week, which begins,
"Dear Gary, this will be the most impactful year of your current ministry. In 2020, will we keep this Constitutional Republic, or turn the reins over to the American Communist Party? Christians who have their spiritual eyes open and know the history of communism, will realize there will be a civil war.....Praying for your message, for fruit on investment, adequate resources to prevail, and for your protection and that of your family."
And he says this,
"It is very sad, the current American church hardly recognizes that there is an invisible supernatural realm."
President's Day can and should be a look back, so we can see ahead clearly.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active.