Where have the true patriots gone?

I recall being a young boy when World War II started and being 10 when it ended. There were no young men in the neighborhood, everything was rationed, all homes had blackout shades and volunteer wardens patrolled the streets in the evenings to ensure no lights were visible in case of air attacks.

That all sounds so quaint now. Did we really expect to be attacked by the air?

The nation as a whole was behind whatever it took in order to win that war. Millions of men went off for years while many of the women filled needed jobs in defense facilities to build the materials for winning the war. Rationing was enforced on nearly everything from gum to cigarettes. No automobiles or homes were built. I recall going to the store to buy three cigarettes at a time for my father. A pack of cigarettes was not allowed to be sold.

Americans merely toughed it out for the entire war period. The home front never knew where their loved ones were in the war effort and all mail was censored coming from the fronts. That also was accepted as required. As time passed and the war finally ended in victory, we returned to living fantastic lives. Then came Korea and again our young men went to fight. This time we were told that it was a "police action." We dared not frighten our Chinese and Russian adversaries. That war ended in a stalemate that continues to cause us difficulties today.

Vietnam arose and again our young men went off to war for the longest and most divisive war of our history. We took the best military that we had ever fielded and destroyed it with interference from the politicians. It took years to overcome the "Vietnam Syndrome" before we finally realized this country was that "Shining City on the Hill." President Ronald Reagan reminded us about how great and good this country was. He caused us to reflect on our fantastic past and our superb potential for the future. His leadership caused a growth and prosperity that lasted for more than 20 years.

Now we are facing different challenges. During the election campaign, we were told about the need for change, but I am not convinced that the majority of us expected the changes that are occurring on a daily basis. The latest change is a czar for executive compensation. I think that this is about number 20 on the czar list. Are Americans appreciating the fact that these czars are accountable to no one except the president? They are not confirmed by the senate or answer to any committee. The media has remained silent on this issue, and the population also does not seem to be concerned.

We are losing our freedom by edict from unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats.

Investors in companies that have been nationalized by the government are not being compensated as the first in line, but rather placed behind the government and unions that had little financial investment. If the government can come in and do this with the current nationalization of banks, auto companies and insurance companies, what is to prevent it from doing this to other companies? If a contract is not binding, then what assurance does an investor have that his investment is safe?

As is the usual case, an organization that accepts any amount of money from the government must then comply with the dictates of the government. The auto companies will be producing "green" cars that very few people want. This week, the Congress passed the "old clunker" bill. If an individual buys a new car, he will receive a bonus from the government of $4,500. That is more of our taxpayers' money in order to coerce us to buy a new car. I fully expect if we do not buy these "green" cars then the government will implement emission inspections that most older cars will be unable to pass.

Each of these huge spending bills was presented as the solution to the current financial problems at that time, and we were told that they had to be passed immediately. Unemployment would top out at 8 percent if the stimulus bill was passed. It passed and now unemployment is at 9.4 percent. Now we are told that we need another stimulus bill and must spend money faster.

During my service in the Marine Corps there were times, and they were often, when times were tough. As a family, we did not go on a spending spree but rather watched every expenditure. My family was not unique. Most families did the same, and many do the same even now. Why else would consumer spending be down? We are not as stupid as our political leaders think.

Last weekend, I was in the northern Virginia area. My family lived in that area off and on for years during several assignments in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the area. The number of new homes since I left the area is astounding. Now, 20 percent of the Virginia population lives in northern Virginia, and I suspect the greatest percentage either works for the government or supports those who work for the government. Most of them are immune to the current downturn in the economy as evidenced by the continual growth of governments.

It is time for the average citizen to wake up and demand our government do what we are doing - tighten the belt and cut spending.

The president says during the next few months he will create 600,000 new jobs. Part-time jobs by teenagers off from school during the summer are not what we need. Encouraging entrepreneurs with tax incentives by reducing corporate taxes will be the fastest method. It is past time for the government to get out of the way and allow the market to correct itself. Up to this point, everything the government has done has exacerbated the problems.