America is an exceptional country founded by those who valued individual freedom.

In the fall of 1973, as a new teacher at West Oaks Elementary, I found a paper in the classroom closet. Previously, the district had worked with an organization called Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. Freedoms Foundation promotes an understanding of the American way of life and our freedoms. The paper could be from Freedoms Foundation and is worthy of printing.

Foundations of Freedom

Below are listed eight of the foundations of freedom which are so rarely examined that many Americans do not comprehend why they are essential to the survival of liberty and the unprecedented system originated by the first architects of our nation.

1. Trust in God, as we understand Him. 2. Importance of the Individual. 3. Freedom of the Individual. 4. The profit motive. 5. Private ownership of property. 6. Dignity of work. 7. Competition.

8. Government as a protector, not a provider.

Consider No. 1 on the list. Historical facts reveal that the Pilgrims and founders were influenced by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures. It is often said, “God bless America.” Is it not true that America has been blessed? Has America been blessed because of citizens’ relationship to God, as they understand Him?

We live in troubling times. Homelessness, the economy and terrorism are pressing issues. I visited with three Americans who are representatives of those issues, and despite different backgrounds a common thread unites the three. That thread is a trust in God.

The first person was a homeless man my husband, John, and I met in a Florida restaurant. We blessed him with a meal, but we received the real blessing. His name was Kenneth, and before eating, despite his apparent hunger, he gave thanks to Jesus for his food.

As John and I finished our meals, Kenneth held out his hands to us. He prayed a prayer as beautiful as any heard in church, asking God to protect us. In spite of his terrible circumstances, he has faith in God.

The second inspiring person is a 45-year-old single mom named Marg. She lives in North Carolina and shares her home with her two children and her Vietnam vet, handicapped dad. The down-turned economy has made life difficult. Marg works at a seasonal store and is presently unemployed. Her relatives operated shrimp boats, but the NAFTA treaty hurt their business with the importation of shrimp. Marg wanted us to see the old shrimp port and sheds. She expects those landmarks soon will be gone. She still has her faith in spite of difficult economic times.

The third American impressed me profoundly with his faith. I don’t remember his name, perhaps it was Chuck. John and I met “Chuck” in North Carolina when visiting Marg. While his friend confirmed reservations, he hobbled over to visit with us. Immediately I noticed he was an amputee. Chuck was a pleasant man with a smile on his face -- no sign of vindictiveness, no hint he was a victim of terrorism on 9/11.

He told us his story. Chuck and his fellow carpenters were renovating the firm Cantor Fitzgerald between the 40th and 50th floors in one of the Twin Towers. He stated that he saw the second plane hit. When his building collapsed, he was found hours later among the dead. His body was wrapped in insulation, which saved his life from the surrounding heat. He was given a 10 percent chance of survival. Many bones were broken and organs punctured.

For three months, he was unconscious, and after many surgeries he survived. He showed us his hand with shortened fingers and explained their re-attachment. I asked him, “Do you believe in angels?” His response, “Yes, I saw them and felt the peace.”

These three people illustrate to me the faith I believe has made America an exceptional nation. The freedoms we have enjoyed are unprecedented in the world, past or present, and we cannot take them for granted because there are those who seek to fundamentally transform America.

President Obama made two statements before the election that are unsettling. The first was to Joe the Plumber when Obama said, “I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” The second statement was when the president said, “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”

What did President Obama mean? I believe to “fundamentally transform America,” a new relationship would have to exist between government and citizens. Power would be transferred from the people to government. As government grows larger, the individual citizens’ freedom shrinks.

Politicians would become more emboldened to short-circuit the democratic process. To understand this, think of America as a house. There is a foundation, four corner pillars and a roof. The foundation as set forth by the founders was a belief in God. To “fundamentally transform America,” God would be replaced with government. Situations could be created by government so citizens look to government to fulfill their every need. The four pillars represent citizens’ basic needs:

1. financial/money/shelter 2. health care 3. energy/fuel

4. food/water

Examine each of these to see how government is acquiring control. The first is financial. Consider the government’s involvement in home mortgages. Bank bailouts have allowed government to have unprecedented control over banks, and what about the present rate of spending and money printing? Do inflation and bankruptcy loom on the horizon for America?

The second pillar is health care. President Obama promised transparency with C-SPAN covering the health care debate, but legislation was written behind closed doors in the House and Senate. Unions, Nebraska, Louisiana and others received special exemptions and benefits not afforded all.

Ultimately, I believe present legislation would result in cuts and rationing of medical care, with senior citizens on a course toward politically correct euthanasia. Will federally funded abortions be in the plan? Those in power, I believe, seek total government control over individuals’ health care.

The third pillar is fuel and energy. Examine capand trade legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency chief stated that either Congress pass this legislation or, in her words, there will be “command and control” from the EPA. Will costs increase on electric bills and goods and services? Will there be more government control on electric companies and oil companies? Will it do little to help the environment?

The fourth pillar is food/water. Whoever controls water controls the food supply. Watch for any legislation that gives the federal government more control over water sources. Look at what happened to farmers in California. Their valley lost its water supply to crops when the federal government shut off the water to save a fish. Crops died, and people lost their jobs.

Observe the roof of the house that represents America. To “fundamentally transform America,” cover the house with lies, half truths and scare tactics. How can millions of people be added to a health care system with no increase in doctors, reduced Medicare spending, keeping the deficit neutral and improving health care for all?

We are told global warming is killing the planet and that legislation has to be passed fast. In spite of questionable and seemingly manipulated data by climate scientists, those in power are pushing for cap-andtrade legislation.

A large “stimulus” bill was passed, with jobs created/ saved statistics to come later. Reportedly the government made “job claims” for districts that don’t exist. It is outrageous how money is being wasted.

By taking from one group and then redistributing the wealth, Big Government enslaves citizens in two ways. In the first group, government becomes a bullying taskmaster when high taxes are imposed on working people who desire to live the American dream. The second group becomes completely dependent on government, thus empowering larger government.

Look at the list of freedoms. Is America being “fundamentally transformed”? We Americans have enjoyed unprecedented freedom. Do we, the people, really want America to be fundamentally transformed by President Obama and his pals?

Sandra Orr Tompkins