You have to wonder what our country would be like today if it were not for a few tragic events. History does not allow for what ifs, but thinkers can explore worlds of possibilities.

In view of the tremendous loss of life and devastation of the south during the Civil War, you have to wonder what it would have been like had President Abraham Lincoln not been assassinated. Given his temperament and demeanor, would lead you to believe things would have gone much better for the south under his presidency. Lincoln’s main concern was that the union not be dissolved and “that government of the people, by the people, for the people would not perish from the earth.” Chances are he would have diplomatically brought about reform and reconstruction to the south without a hint of reprisal or heavy-handedness. I truly believe Lincoln grieved for both sides of the terribly destructive war. The thing the south fought for and lost was state’s rights. Ironically, the north lost theirs too, as it was the beginning of a more centralized and power wielding Federal Government. The only positive of the war was it brought about the end of slavery.  Slavery was a scourge on the south that was wrong then, today and forever as well as being evil, immoral, reprehensible and unconstitutional.

Unfortunately, we are still paying the price for a more powerful Federal Government in its overreaching encroachment in our everyday lives. They almost dictate or regulate our every routine and would like nothing better than to do just that. The conventional wisdom in Washington, D. C. is, they know best what is good for the peasants. The impending ruin of our nation can be contributed to our elected representatives in Washington, D. C.. Samuel Adams said in 1776, “If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our Country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”

We are engaged in a struggle now to retain any semblance of states’ rights from  monstrous Federal Government intrusions. The Department of Justice has filed suit against some states and intervened in others on immigration and voting issues. They want control, but desire to do nothing, not even enforce the laws of the land. The final insult is requiring everyone to purchase a product or pay a fine for something they endorse such as health care while exempting themselves, clearly unconstitutional to constitutionalist, but championed by vain and aspiring men.