28 days ago, I had just wrapped up a trip to California mixed with business and pleasure.  For my entire adult life with my bride Suzy (almost 31 years of marriage after 4 years of dating), I long wanted to take her to visit my family in California and to show her where I lived as a little boy.  This particular trip, planned for two years, was a dream come true!

After she returned home to Edgefield County, I spent the second half of that trip preparing business plans, thinking about things I hope to execute in the next few years, and meeting with individuals who are passionate about things I am passionate about.

Our world has changed since I returned home to South Carolina, Monday March 2, 2020.

28 days ago, our economy was booming.  28 days ago, unemployment rates were at historic lows especially for the African American and Hispanic American communities.  Today, they are higher than we faced during the Great Depression, and our economy faces an unknown future as we fight an enemy we cannot see, the COVID-19 virus.  Last week, our Federal Government passed a stimulus bill that is the greatest single spending bill in the history of our republic.

The projected date for peak COVID-19 cases varies, depending on who you listen to. In a March 27 press conference with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina’s Senior Senator Lindsey Graham stated,  “While it is expected the summer heat will help end the spread of virus, we could expect a rebound in the fall,” (paraphrased), an indication that we really don’t know the length or impact of this current crisis.

My thinking has been profoundly impacted by this pandemic, my participation in daily state-wide conference calls on handing this issue and speaking with Edgefield County constituents during the past two weeks.  I will share an important decision after discussing three key factors:

First, during my California trip, I wrote my article posted on March 16^th, (linked), mentioning the two non-routine items County Council has planned to execute this year: The Capital Project Sales Tax and the Land Management Ordnance Project. At the time I wrote that, I didn’t have any doubts these items could be completed in 2020.  Both projects have either their own commission or steering committee, which hold regular meetings, which should be open to the public.  Due to COVID-19, we made the decision to postpone both meetings last week, until next month.  Currently, it is unclear how long this trend will be required to continue.  For the future success of Edgefield County, I care deeply about seeing these projects executed during my tenure serving you on County Council.

Second, during the last two weeks, I have talked a lot with residents in the Sweetwater and Merriwether sections of the county.  Honestly, I sought to persuade many of them to run for the District 5 Council seat.  With the 2020 Census, the growth District 5 is facing, and also considering  how the 2030 census will impact future County Council Districts, I believe it is critically important we have representation from District 5 that has strong ties to the unfolding history of District 5.  The vast majority of those I spoke with encouraged me to serve one more term, since the timing wasn’t right for them to serve.

Third, I have talked with constituents inside the county but outside District 5, who told me they were appreciative of my time serving as Chairman of County Council, and they did not want me to leave that position for at least one more term.

Based on these three factors, I have decided to file and run for another term. For those registered to vote in District 5, I sincerely hope to have your support at the ballot box at the Primary on June 9^th.

I want to tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity I have had to serve Edgefield County, in various roles, for what will end up being close to 8 years.

You may or may not know, that while my family has a history in Edgefield County which dates back to the 1800’s, prior to 2013 I had never lived here.  Much of the previous 25 years, as our family restored our historic home, our journey’s to Edgefield County generally were in 72 hour increments, for three day weekends!  

Knowing we would one day relocate here, I studied the greater CSRA region for much of the previous two decades.  Each of the three places I lived during the course of those twenty years: Stafford County, Virginia; Chesapeake, Virginia and Spotsylvania County, Virginia had all witnessed tremendous growth in the decade surrounding our being residents there.  We witnessed development take place well, and we witnessed development take place poorly.  

Because of that history, I knew before we moved here, that whatever growth came towards Edgefield County as a result of the growth in the Greater CSRA, I wanted to do everything I could to help ensure it developed in a positive way, which would be great for the generations coming after us.  I just never imagined the various roles I would play, and how my love for the people and interest in all the various needs of our county would evolve. I’d like to share with you that evolution.

Shortly after arriving, My County Council Representative Genia Blackwell asked me to serve on the Tax Appeals Board.  I was so honored to be asked, I couldn’t say no! During that process, I learned a tremendous amount about the financial hardship, and the heroic leadership Edgefield County had during the Great Recession, when close to $ 1 Million had to be cut from a $ 10 Million budget, while preserving all jobs! I learned many other things during this time period, including the opportunity to hear quite a few residents request adjustments to their taxes!

It was during this time period I was also randomly selected to serve on the Edgefield County Grand Jury, which is a one year appointment.  That process taught me a great deal about the criminal justice system, and the various crime problems our county faces.

Before the term on the tax appeals board was over, Councilwoman Blackwell asked me if I would be willing to leave that board and serve on the Hospital Board, which I did.  Through out the last decade the challenges on rural hospitals have been immense. Many have closed. The only thing constant in healthcare, is change! I am so grateful to the team at Edgefield County Hospital.  I could write a lot about that experience! I simply want to thank the leadership of Board Chairperson Connie Sutton and CEO Carols Milanes, who along with the rest of the board, helped ECH transition into a partnership with Self Regional Hospital.

When Councilwoman Blackwell decided to not run for re-election, I decided to run for the District 5 seat.  At the end of this year, I will have served two terms, one term as Chairman. Many things are taking place in our county which all of us can be proud of.  We are executing on many things outlined in The Pace Study and The Strategic Plan. Last year we completed the required Comprehensive Plan. The two most significant non-routine items we will execute this year, both of which take a tremendous amount of team effort and time, are the Land Management Ordinances and the Capital Project Sales Tax.  Both of which you will learn more about as the year progresses, if you follow County Government. 

Here is one thing I know to be true serving in elected office:  you can not please 100 % of the people 100 % of the time. We need to strive to listen to all sides, both those who are publicly vocal and those who prefer to speak one on one, and then make principled decisions which will best serve the long term stability and goals of the county.  Your County Council has been, and continues to be committed to that.

I just wanted to let you, the Edgefield Advertiser reader, know that I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve.  It has been a great pleasure and privilege. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful people during the experiences I just shared.

Today begins the two week period where candidates register to run for office.  I have decided that I will not be seeking another term on County Council.  I feel I need to invest more time on my farm, which includes planning future events.  I also want to pursue a couple of other business opportunities which I chose to delay while I invested time on county business.  Who knows, perhaps beginning in 2021 I’ll restart my weekly editorial at The Advertiser!

I am committed to finishing this year on County Council strong.  One of my goals is to help compile a handbook for new County Council Representatives and new County Council Chairpeople.  In both circumstances you enter the role not knowing what you do not know. There is no guidebook! It is my goal to help those who chose to serve their term in the future, get up and running as quickly as possible.

Two closing thoughts: First, I want to thank the County staff for their commitment.  We have so many great team members, in every department. Second, I believe not only does Edgefield County have a great history – we have an amazing future!  It’s true – “It feels different here, because it is different here!”

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As I prepare for Hump Day, which also happens to be Master’s Week, I am beginning the day sipping coffee, sitting in the dark on my great-grandfather’s front porch, listening to the rain fall, the wind blow, the thunder roll and watching the lightning. As dark turns to day, and the rain tapers off, I also am enjoying the sounds of birds, insects and the steaks (cows) in the field. I am also keeping track of the traffic count, which each passing year increases on this beautiful country road our family has been blessed to know for well over a century.

I am thinking about life 100 years ago and am wondering what my 12-year-old grandfather and 44-year-old great grandfather would be thinking, as they potentially sat on this same porch, drinking coffee as they prepared to go to work. As there was a 32-year span between the two men, I am confident that in addition to the labor that was ahead for that specific day, they were thinking of different things. Yes, I called my 12-year old grandfather a man, as the expectations of 12-year old farm boys 100 years ago was vastly different than the expectations today’s society places on 12-year old individuals.

My great grandfather’s mind might have been on the devastation of World War I, which was six months away from ending, a fact no one knew at that time. He may have only been thinking about this year’s agricultural business, so focused on the immediate that he couldn’t think beyond what was right in front of him. Having been blessed to know my grandfather during the last decade of his life, I can safely assume my great-grandfather was thinking further ahead than one year.

No doubt, much like today’s agricultural business owner he was concerned about the labor force, the weather and cost structures he couldn’t control. Since he died in 1926, I am confident he couldn’t have imagined industrialized agriculture as we have witnessed in the last half a century. I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the future of agriculture being in hydroponics or aeroponics, where entire cities could see their greens and vegetable food supply being produced vertically inside containers or high-rise buildings, with high-tech systems monitoring lighting and water with unimaginable specificity, as we are witnessing in the 21st century.

I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the traffic count in front of his driveway being what it is this morning. I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the only region he had ever known being transformed by industries called cyber-security or golf. The idea of his neighbors’ homes being rented for thousands of dollars a week during a golf tournament would have been ludicrous – especially when he had only a few years prior constructed his home for $ 300 and a motorcycle!

As for my 12-year-old grandfather – he very likely was only thinking about how quickly he could accomplish his morning chores before school! While the events of his life would later force him to think long term, and become adept at it, at that point in his life, he was very likely focused on just getting through the day.

For me, thinking about history, both at a high level, as well as the individual family level, I am grateful for our heritage. As you look at your personal family heritage, I hope you are grateful as well and that you can glean wisdom from both family failure and success.  Then, regardless of where you are today as an individual, will choose to put your hand back on the plow with vigor, in such a way those coming behind you will look at your life’s work and be grateful for your effort.

I hope you can focus on more than simply getting through the day, sometimes a great challenge, I know.

However, you choose to begin your Hump Day – I sincerely hope you have a productive day!

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Scott and Suzy on Christmas Eve

Closing the final “work day” of 2017 yesterday, I (Scott) was amazed at how quickly the year passed.  I spent time reflecting on what I have not accomplished.  In addition to thinking about what else I had hoped to accomplish, but didn’t, I spent time reflecting on James 4:14 “you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”  The entire chapter of James 4 (linked) is valuable when reflecting on time. Matthew 6:33, and the entire chapter of Matthew 6 (linked) is another gem when reflecting on the use of time and resources.

What are you reflecting on this New Year’s Weekend?

In addition to thinking about the investment of 2017, I spent some time thinking critically about the last 5 years.  January 1, 2013 was the day I drove to South Carolina to begin a new life for my wife and me.  Suzy and David, our youngest son, planned to join me after David graduated High School in June 2013.  David was to spend a “brief season” with us, as he considered his future.

You may already know the work we have been engaged in on multiple fronts; Suzy in Dental Hygiene; Scott in agriculture, a weekly column at The Edgefield Advertiser, work with High Frontier, Managing a U.S. Senate Campaign, and serving in local county government.  Each of Scott’s endeavors have required significant investment of time studying.  Each of these endeavors have made great strides.

This New Years, we, Suzy and I, want to share with you our recognition that God works through painful, generally unwanted circumstances.  Over the course of our first five years in South Carolina, we have come to acknowledge and adapt to the fact that our youngest son David will likely be with us, dependent upon us, our entire lives.  The diagnosis yet completely unclear, is related to the autism spectrum and mental disorder.  The bottom line is following high school he took a severe spiral downward, and after a multi-year roller coaster, we have adjusted to a life we hadn’t planned.

We do not share this with you to seek pity.  Prayers yes, but not pity.  We share this with you for three reasons. 

First, frequently this time of year, everyone puts their best picture forward in Christmas Cards and letters.  We think that is fitting, because people genuinely want to hear how their friends have done the previous year, and this time of year is the natural time to provide an update.  But let’s be honest – the painful parts of life are often left out.  And the reality is, far more people are struggling with painful parts of life than not, and our friends are either growing or withering as a result. 

Second, it is our belief and our faith, which we celebrate this time of year, which tells us these things are given to us, not to crush us, but to create in us the individuals God will use.  His ways and His plans are generally not ours.  Romans 8:28. 

We humbly acknowledge that finding the resilient spirit which looks for the purpose and chooses to “press-on” is not easy.  It requires support, which may come from places other than where you had hoped.  The above verses were provided as a potential lifeline for whatever you may be going through.  For Scott they were key to his personal resiliency, which is still a daily journey.

Third, researching what Scott now refers to as the plagues of the autism spectrum and mental disorders on our republic, we are profoundly grieved by the number of families which are facing similar and in many cases far more devastating circumstances.  The toll these scourges are ravaging on human life, marriages and families is on an epic scale.  My gut tells me every individual who reads this will know impacted lives.

In closing, sometimes people ask me (Scott), “why invest / waste time in civil governance?”  My reply is simple.  Because I value life, and because it’s personal. 

As it relates to the subject matters above, there is far more I do not know, than what I do know; however, in my gut I know there are some key public policy and lifestyle choice factors driving the increases we are witnessing in the diseases I highlight above, and it’s having a devastating impact on lives.  I would covet your prayers as I continue serve at the levels and in the circles of influence that have been opened to me, to help increase awareness and work with those seeking solutions, for our immediate family and beyond.

Many blessings to you and your family, as you prepare to enter a new year!  May it be a productive one!  If you have a minute, please make a comment to let us know how you and your family are doing!

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I watched three programs this weekend which I greatly appreciated, because I learned things I didn’t know which are worth appreciating. One was Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Michelle Obama.  One was the Fox News program Donald Trump: Objectified.  One was Breit Baier’s interview with Charles Krauthammer.  Each program highlighted these individuals for an hour.

Both Obama and Trump have raised accomplished children, who grew up with the tremendous pressure of living in the spotlight in a way 99.9 % of other individuals will never have to navigate. The poise and resilience their children demonstrate is indeed impressive and says a tremendous amount about their parents, which is positive.

Krauthammer is a man whose fierce determination as a very young man enabled him to complete Harvard Medical School while lying on his back in a hospital bed following a freak diving accident resulting in a broken neck.  A feat never accomplished by anyone before.  Krauthammer is a man who has worked for individuals at the highest level of political office on both sides of the ideological spectrum.

As a very young man Trump spent five years leading in many, many categories at the New York Military Academy, graduating in 1964 at the top of his class. Interesting.  Perhaps that is where he garnered so much respect for the military.

Obama has a legitimate concern of our food supply and its connection to healthcare, and attempted to speak out about it in a way not previously done.  Personally, I find it interesting her effort didn’t convey into the healthcare debate more than it did, and I hope it does in the future.

I could list more about these individuals; however, the main thing solidified for me this weekend is that our systems – media, political and educational systems specifically – foster environments where we don’t listen to others very well.  These systems spend more time demeaning and deconstructing people than trying to legitimately listen and understand them.

Also this weekend I thought quite a bit about Christmas 1986, 30 years ago.  That vacation at our family farm 30 years ago was spent reflecting on a year where I had eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner for close to 180 days with students from around the globe.  Literally all my meals at school were eaten at a table of 12 where I was the only American.  For example, the morning of the bombing of Libya on April 15, 1986, following the terrorist attack in Berlin, I was eating breakfast between my two Libyan schoolmates, both of whom had parents in Tripoli, who were unreachable.  I could invest over 500 words on that one breakfast alone! I elaborated on it in April. (linked).

The bottom line for me is we have some serious ideological worldview issues which are struggling for the dominance of our American culture. This struggle ultimately streams into education, media and politics; however we need citizens who can engage in the process thoughtfully, articulately and truthfully without degrading to name calling, which is so prevalent in today’s reality based culture.

As we think this week about “Peace on Earth,” I pray each of us, on both sides of the political aisle, will contemplate how we might get outside of our own echo-chambers and try to understand the human that is on the other side of our ideological divide.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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So many folks tell me their perception is my life is centered in politics. The reality is my heart is concerned with culture – and politics is simply downstream of where my heart is.

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The life of my family has gone through extreme transitions in the last three years.  I am not going to list them here – but suffice it to say that in 2012 we started a journey that was 180 degrees from the path we were on, and drastically different than anything we had planned on in the two decades leading up to our transition. As is the case with all of life, road blocks and speed bumps have been visited along the way. We are grateful for the hardships, challenges, opportunities and the triumphs!

One of the focuses I had when leading a civic organization in Fredericksburg, VA in 2011 and 2012, prior to moving to South Carolina, was to be strategic in that organizations communications.  It was critical to me that we stopped overwhelming our member’s e-mail boxes. So we diligently strived to have only one communication via e-mail per week.  We gave folks who found us via social media, or through the forwarding of e-mails an opportunity to subscribe to our communications.  More importantly – we gave people an opportunity to opt out, or stop receiving our communications without having to tell us.  What we found during that time period – is our overall readership drastically increased.  Our readership and influence increased when we began limiting our total communications.

I share those two things with you because since that time period, due to my life and professional experiences I have had the heart to write on a multitude of issues.  I believe the vast majority of these issues impact and interest you and your sphere of influence.  Honestly, the majority of the issues are about business, life and culture, not politics – but as I mentioned starting out – politics is downstream.  It isn’t downstream of only culture, but just everything in life.  Furthermore, due to our transition I have not been able to commit the time, or quite honestly with everything going on, have the discipline required to be consistent in writing.  Beginning June 1^st of 2015 I am now committing a portion of each week toward this effort.

I would like your permission to once a week share links to my writings and thoughts with you via e-mail – which will always link back to my personal website.  If you would like to receive this weekly summary – please sign up in the upper right hand corner of this page.

What will the topics cover, you may ask?

Through my career I have been engaged in the following industries: Travel, Big Box Retailing, Banking, Technology, Agriculture, Non-Profit Work and Political Campaigns.  My life experiences have taken me all around our great country, Europe, Israel and the former U.S.S.R.  I have lived in communities, and with housemates, which were extremely diverse and communities which were not. I have friends and mentors which are at very high levels of the worldly “success” spectrum as well as friends and mentors who are not, but although they don’t outwardly exude worldly “success,” they truly are the salt of the earth.

I mention all of that simply because most of the issues we face today are what I call “non-respecter of person” issues.  In other words, they impact everyone – and despite our leadership wanting to put us into boxes based on race, gender, socio-economic status, nationality or faith – we are all part of the same human race.

So, the topics will be varied and on things that impact us all.

I am going to close with something I shared on my Facebook Wall last night:

“I honestly think the years ahead of us are going to be the most challenging, but also the most exhilarating. God placed each of us here for this time, and this place.

Yes – there will be many of us who will see the proper course, who will come up severely lacking in will and resolve. But I believe there are vastly more individuals His Spirit is preparing in ways we cannot comprehend – and in the end, good will be achieved.

Lots of negative things being reported out there.  Chaos and negativity sells – for some reason.  But there are good things happening too.  Bridges being built – people seeking to understand vs. simply being understood – folks getting outside of their boxes and comfort zones – and legitimate love and charity taking place.”

I can’t wait for the future!

#BringItOn #LetsRoll

Again – if you would like to subscribe to my weekly summaries, please do so in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Blessings,

Scott Cooper

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It is our prayer that you had a blessed time with family and friends this Christmas season.  The above picture shows that we are all still kickin’ – and the bottom picture shows that our family continues to expand!  Yes – we are taking orders for #SaladBarBeef – which will be ready for market in 2017!

Even though we finished putting away all the Christmas decorations last night, the culmination of our Christmas celebration will really be on April 5^th – Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! 

Even at birth, Jesus knew he was born with a purpose – to live, to die and to be resurrected – with the sole purpose of saving a lost world, which was dying in its sin.  We are looking forward to the culmination of this Christmas celebration in April – when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ – for if there was no resurrection, the celebration of Jesus’s birth would have little meaning!

In our last two New Year’s Day greetings (2012 and 2013), I shared a blog written by Doug Phillips.  It is titled “Three of the Most Important Things You Can Do This Time of Year.”  As I mentioned in last year’s note and posting – I was concerned that Doug’s blog might be taken down – and indeed it was – so I am thankful I gave him credit and posted it here.

Most of us will have a long weekend this weekend.  I know it is unusual for a Christmas Message / New Year’s Message ask something of you – but this one does!

If you have not done it in the past, I would encourage you to read through Doug’s blog (linked) – and take some time doing the things he suggests.  (Just recognize you need to change the year!)  We have some exciting times in our future – beginning in 2015 – and I believe his encouragement will help each of us move victoriously into our future!

May God bless you and your family as you prepare to enter 2015!

Scott and Suzy Cooper

Written by:  Scott Cooper

To follow is the New Years Greeting we sent to family and friends!

It truly is hard to believe that in 2 days we begin a new year.  Suzy, Robert, David and I sincerely hope you and yours had a great year.  For our family, 2013 was a year of many changes, and challenges!  With our kids both being young adults now: Robert being a real estate professional and David entering into vocational school, a move to a new state (South Carolina), starting a new business (a farm) and seeking new employment and ways to serve, it really has been a transition year!  We are entering 2014 looking forward to all that God has in store for our family, not only for the coming year – but further into the future as well!

Our New Year’s message last year shared a comment from a friend that expressed pessimism about the future.  This year, I hope to share some optimism, and why I am hopeful about the direction of our country, not because of our leaders, but because of average Americans engaging in the civic arena! 

I appreciate your indulgence, as I share a couple of the positive trends which I think are motivating as we move into 2014.  With the exception of the first, which is a personal request for you to consider doing, they are things in the civic arena which I am investing time in – but I share them primarily because they point to the reasons I have hope – via first-hand experience!

• First, I sincerely hope you will personally take the time to review Doug Phillips blog – Three Of The Most Important Things You Can Do This Time Of Year (linked).  As I shared last year, I believe going through this process annually will help us see God at work in our lives and help us move victoriously into the future.  After all – isn’t that one of the things we should focus on at new years’ time?

• Second, I have had the privilege this year of investing time with High Frontier, which is part of the EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) Coalition, working to educate Americans on the clear and present danger of an EMP.  Like most things in gridlocked Washington, our federal leaders are not acting – but there are very exciting things taking place at the state level.  I encourage you to read my father’s year-end report by clicking here.  Many of the men and women who are leading this effort to bring civil defense to the American public are personally investing their time, talent and treasure – and their investments are yielding fruit!  It has been inspiring to see many of these individuals make this investment – some at a point in their lives when they could be relaxing.  If you agree with this important work, I would encourage you to support the effort!

• Third – average citizens, not career politicians, are entering into the arena – to challenge career politicians who have “led” our country to its current state.  Most who receive this were inspired in 2013 by Ted Cruz and Rand Paul (Freshman Senators) who are leading – not because of seniority (the way Washington works), but because they are leaders.  They have inspired others to put their businesses aside and invest their time, talent and treasure in an effort to help steer our nations ship away from the iceberg we are rapidly approaching. 

One such individual is Richard Cash, who is challenging Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina Republican Primary.  I personally have decided to invest 2014 with Richard’s Campaign as its State Field Director.  First let me tell you why Lindsey Graham must be replaced:

Senator Graham was the only Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote for Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

Senator Graham is not pursuing The Rule of Law when it comes to Immigration Reform.  For this he is affectionately known as Senator Grahamnesty.

These two reasons alone are enough to return Senator Graham to South Carolina.

Richard Cash and his wife Marcia are parents to 8 children.  Richard has developed and runs two businesses, both for over a decade.  Prior to being an entrepreneur, he worked in Corporate America and prior to that served in the Pro-Life Movement for 7 years.  I would encourage you to learn more about him at www.RichardCashForSenate.com. 

I have chosen to invest my time in 2014 with Richard for four reasons. 

First, I have gotten to know Richard and his family.  I know he feels called to be in the arena, and I am confident he has the moral fiber required to stand against the pressures that will come his way in Washington – including the pressures that will come from his own party. 

Secondly, I believe Richard is the one who can defeat Lindsey Graham in a runoff – and that is critical.  There are currently four candidates challenging Senator Graham in the primary, which is a good thing, because South Carolina is a run off state.  If the conservative movement collectively focuses on why Senator Graham is NOT a conservative, we will hold him to less than 50 % of the vote, he WILL be defeated in a runoff.

Third, all good legislation currently goes to the Senate to die, and fourth, International Law typically gets passed in the Senate.  We must get more true conservatives in the U.S. Senate to stop these trends.

If you want to see conservatism brought back to Washington – Please consider helping Richard by donating to his campaign! Not only does Lindsey Graham have $ 7 Million in the bank, there is no doubt the establishment machine and the likes of Karl Rove will be doing everything they can to prevent a true conservative replace Lindsey Graham.

• Fourth – The Convention of The States Project – This effort at the state level has tremendous momentum, and I believe is likely the last chance we have of reigning in the Federal Government. If you have not already reviewed their website – I strongly encourage you to do so, download the handbook, find out who your district or state leader is, and get involved!  Combined with the momentum Mark Levin has provided with his book “The Liberty Amendments,”  I believe there is real hope in this effort.  Again, the hope isn’t in our current leadership in Washington – it is in We the People – who are getting engaged in the civic arena!

Each of these items give me hope.  I would encourage you to share this information with your friends, who just may need a little hope!  Positive things are taking place in the hinterlands of our country.  I firmly believe we have a long way to go before we see their impacts being felt in Washington – but ultimately we will!

In closing – YES – this was a New Year’s greeting that went beyond just “the personal” and discussed national issues and some of the solutions that are underway.  There may be some who would prefer that it just remained personal and left the other stuff out. 

Well – for me, what is taking place in our country is personal.  I can’t list all the ways that I have personally witnessed the devastating impact of over regulation and the elimination of liberty in our country.  I have witnessed it in the industries I have worked.  I have witnessed it with countless individuals and I have witnessed it in my own life.  This is not the country our grandparents grew up in.  Heck – it isn’t the country I grew up in.  It is personal. 

Generally Christmas letters and notes this time of year are filled with notes about our families and kids – let us be honest – it is our time to brag a bit, while we catch up with old friends!  That is fitting – and good.  But honestly – it is for our kids that I share some of the positive things that are happening in the civic arena.  We are stewards of this country…..and I trust that most of you, like me – want to bequeath to them the liberty and freedom we were blessed with. 

In closing, I ask you to pray for our country.  More than anything, we need a spiritual awakening.  After praying, if you want to get engaged, but don’t quite know how – please feel free to reach out to me, and I’d be happy to point you toward some excellent organizations that are doing honorable work.

May God bless you and your family in the coming year!