Donald K. Allen for President

Top of the Week

June 23, 2008

Last week Senator Barack Obama had a new ad on TV.  “I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents,” Obama says in the ad. “We didn’t have much money, but they taught me values straight from the Kansas heartland where they grew up. I’ll never forget those values, and if I have the honor of taking the oath of office as President, it will be with a deep and abiding faith in the country I love.”

His speech writers did such a good job that I thought I’d alter his quote a bit to fit me: I was raised by a widowed mom and extended family.  We didn’t have much money, but they taught me Christian values straight from the Illinois heartland where they grew up.  I’ll never forget those values, and if I have the honor of taking the oath of office as President, it will be with a deep and abiding faith in the country I love and have served for 18 years as an Airman, soldier, and loyal, patriotic citizen.

I didn’t go to exclusive private schools and college at Columbia and Harvard.  I went to Rock Valley Junior College, Danville Junior College, and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.  My college education was partly funded by the G.I. Bill and my own hard work as a horseshoer. 

New Jersey – Friday night after work I drove to Trenton, NJ and arrived about 2 a.m.  Saturday, June 21, I started out to visit ten or more veterinary clinics that advertised 24/7/365 hours.  My objective was to ask them if they would help get signatures to get on the ballot in New Jersey, which only requires 800.  Much better than Ohio at 5,000, or Illinois at 25,000. 

Military Coins – While looking for a flag lapel pin I happened upon a military website that also offered a variety of coins from the Northwest Territorial Mint (www.nwtmint.com).  I ordered several, some for gifts and some for myself.  One coin’s message struck me as significant in our present time and the situation in our government.  Paul said to the Ephesians, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  (Ephesians 6:10-12)  To me, “spiritual wickedness in high places” is a good description of our government.  We have lost our bearings and need to get back on a righteous course.  It’s time for a New Beginning.  May God continue to bless America.