I have known for years that I was a [endif]-->descendent of Thomas McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It wasn't until this past spring, when I was working on my family tree that it became more.  My sister (the history buff in the family) sent me some interesting things that our Grandmother had given her. I was excited to see so many dates and information....much was written in my Grandmother's handwriting. That itself made me feel closer to her.

One article in particular stood out. It was an article that my Grandmother had cut out off the paper...an article regarding the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Of course it was no shock to me that some of them were captured, their homes were ransacked and burned, nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War, one even had his wife jailed where she died. But the particulars of Thomas McKean were what I was most interested in. McKean was hounded by the British so incessantly that he was forced to move his family from place to place constantly(so much for stability). He served in Congress without pay...(like that would happen today), his family kept in hiding (what, no social life?)... his possessions were taken from him, (we can't go a day without the TV or computer)..and poverty was his reward.

Okay, that sucked out loud! I can't even begin to imagine that....  But at the heart of this was a question. Would anyone serving in Congress today ever put themselves in a position where they could loose everything for standing up for liberty?.....I'm thinking...nah. The second question came from the article (which came from the National Statesman Oct 1981)..."What Patriotism once was..America's welfare of getting to the public till?"  

The founders were very concerned with personal liberty, without a big government. But would anyone sell out to take a ride on the gravy train? Sure! They have and they do. Can "We The People" stomach it any longer? Things of late have come to a boiling point in this country. The citizens are better informed, are paying attention and to say their fed up is an understatement. We take care of our families, pay our taxes, all the while politicians are making backroom deals with lobbyists and special interest groups, vulgar and unimaginable amounts of money is being thrown every which way and no one is saying STOP!

Well, someone or should I say, millions of people, are doing just that. People from different ethnic backgrounds and different political parties are standing up for what is right and true. I for one, do not have an exact head count on the tax march on Washington yesterday, but I'm not blind either...it was breathtaking...the crowd seemed to go on for days...I cried with gratefulness in my heart and a renewed perseverance. I saw the ties that bind us together actually come together. I saw a sea of Americans...men, women and children. I saw acceptance, respect and a love for this country that is immeasurable yet palpable. 

My last question is, will Congress listen? Will they realize that we are watching every move they make with a magnifying glass? Will they actually respect and adhere to the will of the people?...time is running out, 2010  elections are just around the corner.