Let's Keep Pursuing Abraham Lincoln's Vision of America

Is Abraham Lincoln's vision of government still worth pursuing?  Or have times and culture changed beyond what he envisioned 150 years ago standing at that National Cemetery dedication in Gettysburg?

Civil War Union Patriotic Envelope Design

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

    As a senior in high school in 1971 it was my honor to be chosen to recite Lincoln's Gettysburg address at the Memorial Day Ceremony in my hometown by the local American Legion.  I admit I really didn't understand the creative genius of Lincoln's words.  I was just glad I was able to memorize it and recite it and not make a mistake when called upon to speak to those gathered to remember the soldiers who have served our country over the years.  When I repeated Lincoln's words our nation was struggling to extricate ourselves from the Vietnam War, and come to terms again with 'who we are as a nation'.

    Again in 2013, one hundred and fifty years after President Lincoln first shared his challenge of what our nation was struggling with in the Civil War, it falls to us to continue to strive to preserve our nation. It was not Lincoln who won the war, it was the multitude of soldiers who stepped up and gave their best. Lincoln may have set the vision, but it was the people who brought it into effect.  Even back then there were political thieves and scoundrels at work, just like today. By the grace of God, in spite of the anger and sadness of that civil war, our nation was given a new birth of freedom.  Through great sacrifice and courage those American citizen-soldiers won "Liberty and Union".  But what of the second phrase?  "Now and Forever"?  Let's recommit to working together so that it cannot be said what they preserved. . . we lost through indifference.

    Our current president may be too busy or too grand to "remember" the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Let's surprise him and the rest of the professional political class of both parties entrenched in Washington DC, and thwart their plans to spend our nation into oblivion and regulate us into helpless quiet sheep that obey their every whim.  Isn't Lincoln's vision of government -- "of the people, by the people, for the people" -- far better than what the political elites envision for us?