Lincoln "Logs"

Today. I was struck! No, not by lightning, nor anything else so sinister, but, struck I was. I received an email offer that solicited my money in exchange for a new coin. Not any old coin mind you, but an absolutely genuine Lincoln/Obama silver dollar coin. The coin is a non-circulating, of Liberian origin, coin. The offer is dazzling, and quite persistent in it's appeal to one who might be moved to collect such a treasure.

So, there I sat, struck by the striking of this magnificent coin, with it's message of direct linkage of these two men in all their presidential glory.I was struck by something else as well. The price. For only 19.95 dollars, you may have this inflated, valueless coin as your very own.Then I got to thinking. I wondered what old Honest Abe would have thought or said about this generosity? Well, let's take a closer look, and see what we find.

In 1832, after suffering the only defeat of his career in a run for the Illinois legislature, Lincoln said ths to his supporters, and to all the people of his district: "...Considering the great degree of modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I have already been more presuming than becomes me..." He further noted that "...so soon as I discover my opinions to be erronious, I shall be ready to renounce them." This most humble man knew his limitations, and always seemed to be apologetic in discussing his decisions; his understandings.

And what of his ambitions? "Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem." This, said in his concluding remarks of that day. March 9, 1832, tells us precisely how grounded Lincoln was. He held himself not above others, rather, labored at their will, and with their trust in him so paramount in his mind.

That Liberian coin I spoke of earlier, has of course, Lincoln on the obverse side, and Obama on the reverse(in glorious color no less). Upon hearing the president-elect's economic speech today at George Mason University, Virginia, one may not help but contrast the views of the young Lincoln, and the views of the young Obama. Lincoln held himself to the propiety of his actions, as they related to the good being done for the Union, or the country. He spoke often of each man in Congress, along with himself, as being accountable in specific and not general terms. None of them might escape history, nor the remembrances thereof. Obama speaks from the lofty perch of one with his party's goals in mind, and not the greater goal of betterment for all the people, all the country.

Today's economic speech was more a blueprint for disaster, than a plan for economic recovery. Government is at the apex of the menu tree, seen as the only means of correcting what is merely a market correction reacting to disastrous government decisions relating to social mandates forced upon the financial markets. Lncoln would have recognized his mistake, had he made one so profound, and would also have renounced his mistake, and himself.

Today, Obama's plan became ever more clear. Our leftward drift has become a pall mall dash in reach of the tentacles of an unforgiving socialism. Our collective futures are now officially at risk, and we have ony a blithe recognition made by members of the loyal opposition. Our tabula rasa has now been written upon, and on it are the instructions for economic decay, loss of sovereignty as a nation, and loss of pride. Pride in our country, it's ideals, it's traditions, and it's institutions.

In his annual message to Congress on December 1, 1862, Abraham Lincoln was preoccupied with his idea of "remunerative emancipation", however, he concluded his message with a warning: "Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We, of this Congress, and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us."Lincoln was speaking of events leading up to his signing the Emancipatiion Proclamation into national law one month later. He full well understood the implications of adherence to his humble nature, and his responsibilities to the country at large. He spoke for all men, for he was one of them. His words that followed may be used to underscore our current dilemma:" "...We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth...and God must forever bless."

In short, although Lincoln and Obama share the same state, they do not share Lincoln's vision for a UNITED America, an America of promise for all it's citizens, and not the selected few. Obama's range of vision is comparable to a horse running his race with blinders, not at the side, but covering it's eyes completely. This horse must lose, as it may not see it's way to progress of any kind, especially the kind America desperately needs right now.

No, I think I'll pass on that fantastic offer of the two-headed coin of improbability..