Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Thanksgiving & A Few Thoughts From 1885

Found in Pennsylvania's Harrisburg Telegraph on November 25th, 1885:


While it sounds as though the writer worked for the Harrisburg Telegraph newspaper, it also sounds as though he was a cynical person to say the least. But even with that, the writer did make a good point. We should all thank our blessings, let us all give thanks, and also give charity to those in need.

For me, I've always believed in giving to those less fortunate than myself. Yes, looking back on my life, I can honestly say that's been the case even when I haven't had much more than they did. Among the things that I'm thankful because that's the way I was brought up. But more than simple charity, I was taught that it was the cowboy way to give a hand up instead of simply giving a handout. Maybe that's why I was taught to help others by giving work to others even though I myself may have been stretched for cash. 

My parents and grandparents taught me that giving a person a job if you could, versus simply giving cash, accomplished more than we knew. They taught me that by giving someone a job, we actually save their pride so that they don't feel they simply got a handout -- and instead earned what they got. 

My grandmother used to repeat the Great Depression Era philosophy and say, "A man feels better about himself when he's working." She used to say that you can see it in how they walk, how they talk, how they deal with others, and how their home-life improves when a man is working and earns their way. People feel better about life in general when they can make money to make their things better. I believe that applies to both men and women. 

And whether or not my grandma knew it or not, statistics prove she was right. Statistics show that when Americans are out of work, the numbers of people suffering from depression and all sorts of domestic related problems go up. Statistics show that in contrast, during economic prosperity, the numbers of domestic violence reports go down, drug use usually falls, the divorce rate decreases, and the number of homeless go down. Today, because of the great economy affecting most states, we are seeing that and other positive indicators. Positive indicators such as how millions of our fellow Americans are getting off of Food Stamps. This is a great indicator of people working and doing well for themselves. 

And while I can easily turn this into a political blog post by talking about all of the wonderful things that President Trump is doing to create such a robust economy, an economy that historically we only seen during wartime production and not during peacetime, I'll simply say that we have a great deal to be thankful for this year. He is one thing that I am thankful for. I appreciate his hard work and the positive things he's bringing back to our nation. 

Of course, on the smaller scale, while I try to do what I can for the needy, give to those who have less than me, and maybe try to pass on some work to someone out of a job, I remember to be thankful for what President Trump is doing to make our nation more productive. And while I will certainly get email about that simple sentence, I really believe that giving credit to those who deserve it is important. I will give credit to where credit is due simply because I never want to be known as being ungrateful. Especially, ungrateful for all of the work that he's put in to making our lives better.

Fact is, I'm very thankful that we have a president in office that cares more about America and Americans than the welfare of other countries. That's what putting America First is all about. While I'm going to get a lot of hate mail about my feeling this way, I feel every American should want that for our fellow Americans. 

So while I thank God for the food on my table, the roof over my head, the clothes on my back, and all of my other blessings, I also thank God for allowing America to prosper again in spite of the resistance to such good. 

We are a good and noble people. We still do more good than harm, and we're still the place that people want to live. Make no mistake, there is a reason for that -- contrary to what some say. And while we can't open our doors to allow a flood of people to come in, our doors are open to some. Most want to assimilate and join our family as Americans. Most love freedom and liberty as much as I do. Most stand for our flag, take off their hats and place it on their hearts when our anthem is played. Most believe in God. And yes, I'm very thankful for all of that as well on this Thanksgiving. 

God Bless you and yours!

Tom Correa