the state of the union

when I was younger my parents where always giving me little pearls of wisdom, usually in the form of mumbling to the tv during the evening news.  (keep in mind i lived with a liberal mother and a conservative father) in light of our current economy, no one stands out more than the one my dad told me.  I had asked how he knew who the good guy was, he gave me a prompt and swift answer "you don't, there are very few good guys left.  In order to get to the top of the political food chain or by the time they get there, they've had to sacrifice something."  at the time it really didn't have an impact.  now looking back I see they end up sacrificing the very thing they started out to protect.  you see once you get started its like gambling, a slippery slope of just a little bit more, your already so far in you can't loose it all.  but, all to often the end result is you loose far more than what you ever had to gain.  things you can't get back...dignity, respect, honor, your word.  as a Vietnam vet with two purple hearts, a titanium shoulder, misc. shrapnel, malaria flashbacks, permanent nerve damage to his feet from the jungle rot, a little known hidden fear of fire works and Im sure the occasional night terror, a MAN'S WORD & his hand shake still matter to men like my father. 

in my 36 years I have never heard him complain,  even though he suffers daily from the shoulder pain.  he has never asked for anything and in the end even used his own private insurance to pay for the shoulder replacement when it got unbearable. 
not only has he not taken from the system, he has given far more than he has ever received.  he owns his own businesses and is an employer that can be trusted and respected.


I know I started out originally having a point but, somewhere along the way lost it!