If Not Us, Who?

by Candace Salima, Senior Contributor
Published on US Daily Review
24 June 2013, 6:00 A.M. CST

Education before football. One might wonder why I am writing about football today, but bear with me. I have a nephew, Connor, who is 15 years old, 6'7" and is a tough kid with a tender heart. He also has an immense amount of raw talent for football. Sadly, coaching hasn't met his need for skills, so his mother took it upon herself to make sure he attended good football camps this summer.

The best one I've seen so far is All Poly Sports. The football camp was three days, the first day they spent hours teaching the kids how important education is; that football is the vehicle for education, not the other way around. They spoke of personal responsibility, of perseverance and hard work. They specifically taught these young players that the responsibility of going to school (and class), studying, working out, and playing football belonged to them--not their parents, teachers, or coaches. Personal responsibility was the mantra of the football camp, and it was a thing of beauty to behold.

Over the course over the next two days coaches from multiple top universities and former NFL players put these kids through intensive training on all things football. I watched Connor, and other players, grow hour by hour, and it was a wonderful thing to see.

Now apply this to America and the entitlement society which is nearly overtaking our nation. We listened to the Occupy Wall Street movement vilify business and the rich, demanding that everything others had worked for be given to them. In the meantime, they lived in squalor and crime ridden camps.

Now let's look at what the schools are doing to the children of America. Competition is bad. Everyone must win. Which completely eradicates the entrepreneurial spirit, the spirit to fight for what you want in life, win or lose.

America was built on courage and the entrepreneurial spirit of the founding generation. Our Founding Fathers locked themselves in Independence Hall and fought it out until they emerged with the U.S. Constitution, the most superior rule of law in the history of the world. It was built on freedom, liberty, morality and raw courage, and required the same of America's citizens.

Generation after generation drew on those amazing gifts and built on them. They amended the Constitution, most of the time for the good, and we saw America grow into a prosperous super power. Generation after generation improved upon the one before, inventions and technology exploded, as did medicine and science. We watched as the world grew smaller and the internet brought the teenager in Scotland in contact with the teenager in Denver, Colorado.

It would behoove America to remember what made us great, and take a lesson from the All Poly Sports Football Camp. No one will do it for you, nor should they. It is on our shoulders and it is our responsibility to preserve freedom and liberty for the next generation. We must stand tall, stand strong, simply stand for that which is right. Freedom is an eternal principle and it exists in its purist form in America. If America were to fall, freedom in the world would cease to exist. We must protect that which was handed down to us. If not us, who? If not now, when?

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Candace Salima is an author, columnist, and public speaker. She makes her home in the Rocky Mountains. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.