Protection, huh?

        Why is America such a novelty in our world?  Why is it the best country on earth?  Simple.  We have the ability to choose for ourselves.  We have an amazing freedom in the US that we would never like to lose.  Freedom to do what we like with our possessions, beliefs, opinions, and money.   
       Most everybody knows what a 401k is.  It's the plan/money for when you want to stop working and retire.  Most everybody would consent that this money is, of course, your money.  And that would entail that you can do what you would like with it- put more money in, or, if need be, take some out. 
    Now that freedom is being put at risk.  The government is trying to pass a bill that essentially "locks up" our 401k accounts.  At first glance, this idea seems pretty logical- to keep our money for retirement.  But wait- our money.  Shouldn't we be able to have the ability to do what we want with it?  Of course! 
    Our founding fathers based the United States of America on limited government.  They had the right idea, to keep government out of our personal lives.  This bill that is pending is a total violation of what our values are rooted on.  Little invasions like this bill add up quickly to a government very like an overprotective parent. 
    Other bills have been introduced lately that are as bizarre as this one.  What about the bill that tried to impose high taxes on cigarettes?  Of course, they were just to keep us "healthy."  Hmm.  And what about the bill to limit the amount of sodium restaurants use in their food?  Still only in "our interest."  But what about freedom of choice?  We should have the right to choose how unhealthy or healthy we want to be!
    Keep your eye out for these seemingly small ideas.  The more the government argues for them, the less strange they seem.  We start accepting things like this.  And before you know it, your life is being controlled.
            

What's your response?

    When I heard the news that Osama bin Laden was dead, the immediate reaction was happiness, of course.  Who wouldn't be happy about the elimination of such a terrible man?  He has killed literally thousands of our people.  He was the mastermind behind the 9/11 attack and was also in charge of bombing the U.S. embassy in 1998.  He was the founder of al-Qaeda and was on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list- this guy really hated America with a passion.
    Any loyal American probably feels totally free to celebrate bin Laden's death.  After all, the less al-Qaeda members, the better, right?
    I definitely felt no remorse over this man's death.  I still don't feel remorse, exactly, but something my friend said has made me think of my reaction to his death in a different light.  On the day of Osama's death, my friend posted on Facebook a quote by Martin Luther King Jr.  “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
    How powerful is that?  MLK Jr was a prime example of driving out darkness with love.  Hate and darkness will never make anything better.
    If there was ever a person worthy to hate, it was Osama bin Laden.  What a terrible guy!  We have every wordly right to loathe this man.  But nothing good could ever come from our hate.  It's hard not to hate someone so awful, but keep Luther's quote in your mind.
    Nothing good can ever come from our hate.  So what's your response to this huge event?