I remember the night of November 9, 1989 pretty clearly. Maybe not the minor details of the afternoon and evening…but I remember where I was and most importantly, how I felt.
I grew up learning about the tyranny of Communism and Socialism in sharp contrast to Capitalism. We learned that a Capitalist society allowed individuals the freedom to work and succeed to the level that they desired. You want more money, you work harder. Anyone could be a millionaire, a billionaire, President! All you had to do was decide to work for it and earn it.
I often wondered growing up, what was it like to live in another country, especially under tyrannic rule? I also found myself questioning, why was I so fortunate to live in such a great country? I did my best to empathize with those on the other side of the wall.
I remember how excited I was in 1980 when the US hockey team beat the Soviets. I remember the maps in school that showed a massive red land mass with letters strewn across, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. I remember learning how countries and cultures were overrun by the Soviet Empire and absorbed against their will. I remember the pictures of the Berlin Wall, the symbol of Soviet rule and Communism.
a symbol of tyranny
I understood that Socialism and Communism were wrong. Why else would you need fences, walls, barbed wire, and armed guards, not to keep people out, but to keep people in?
When the Berlin Wall fell, I was overcome with emotion. I never dreamed that the big, bad Soviet Union will come crashing down. Here I was, watching it on television! It was coming down! Freedom is spreading throughout the world! I recall seeing the elation of the citizens on both sides of the wall.
I recall seeing the East Germans pouring through the gates and openings in the wall. Why? Because they could finally escape massive government and relentless tyranny. They were escaping Socialism.
an hand up for freedom
We stand at a crossroads in the United States. We are being led down a road to Socialism by a lunatic Speaker and an angry man in White House. Except, the politicians in this country call it “Social Justice” or “Economic Justice.” They want to “fundamentally transform” the United States.
Barrack Obama turned down an invitation to attend the anniversary celebration by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel….and Dear Leader said he’s too busy.
Too busy to celebrate the freedom of tens of millions of people? Too busy to celebrate to falling of a wall where hundreds, if not thousands, of people died trying to escape tyranny?
Maybe, if Dear Leader wasn’t flying around to pick up a worthless joke of a Nobel prize or to make a failed sales pitch for the Olympics, he could have gotten a little more done. That way, he could have freed up his schedule to mark this moment in history. Hell, he could have sent the Mrs. or even jabberin’ Joe. Nope….nada.
But then, celebrating freedom… well, that would then fly in the face of everything Barack Obama stands for.
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