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April 3, 2017

With the advent of the Revolutionary War; John Adams estimated that approximately a third of the Colonist stood with the Revolutionaries, a third stood neutral (supporting those who had the money or control at the time), and a third with the King (known as Tories). Recently scholars using more actuate information have placed the estimates closer to 50% supporting the Revolution and 20% not in support (Tory sympathizers).  Regardless, the nation was extremely divided with tempers and injustices being perpetrated from both sides. 

Washington often found himself vexed due to a lack of resources, a lack of intelligence information from his spy network, and even those who sought to subvert his role.  Without full intelligence of British intentions; the American General scrambled to get his troops from New Jersey to Philadelphia, in the summer of 1777, with the hopes, of thwarting Howe’s attempt to capture the American capital (Philadelphia).  The Battle of Brandywine Creek also played out very poorly due to the lack of intelligence. Howe entered Philadelphia late that September.   
 
Again hoping to remove the British, Washington “[o]n October 4, 1777, bolstered by thousands of reinforcements, attacked a smaller British contingent at Germantown.  The Americans initially caught the British off-guard; but they soon regained their equilibrium and fiercely countered, sending the Americans into a hasty retreat.  Still, Washington somehow understood clearly the outcome writing, “a superintending Providence is ordering everything for the best and that in due time all will end well.””

The terrible winter at Valley Forge ensued.  Still as the prophetic Washington noted, fighting ended at Yorktown several years later; the Americans had won their right to govern.  Over the next decade, the framers assembled a governing “miracle” rallying around the concept of very “limited central government”; rendering the primary responsibilities to local governments and on the integrity of citizens.  Today we again find ourselves divided, but real solutions still rest upon the same principle of limited government founded upon the integrity of citizens. 

During the last election we noticed the President’s remarkable resilience while facing unfavorable odds.  Since November, we also have observed the continued disrespectful chatter and political games being played in an attempt to block his directives toward returning power back to the people and local governments.   Although President Trump is no George Washington, he seems to have the same ability to rise up after being beaten down by the “mainstream media.”  We truly hope he continues with the same unshakable determination he has exhibited so far, in spite of those who seem unwilling to accept that he is The President.
  
If ever there was a time for national concern, it is now.  Those who are determined to create chaos and to throw stumbling blocks in the way of governance – all in order to make a political statement – need to consider this: Elections have consequences and the voters are watching the foolishness going on in Congress and on TV.  Standby, there will be other elections with more consequences. 

Bill, Mark, and John