LETTERS: AMERICANS HAVE BEEN SLEEPING

To the editor:

When I was a little girl, I read the story of Rip Van Winkle. As an adult, I think I know what this story is about.

The American people have been lulled to sleep by the ale of government involvement in our lives. We have neglected our right and responsibility to take care of ourselves. We have been lulled into a false sense of morality where the government decides what is right or wrong and who should receive the spoils. God and God's laws have become second to government laws. Americans no longer decide who should receive charity. The government does. Like Rip Van Winkle, we no longer know our children, who are being taught in our state education system ideas and ideals that promote government interference and control.

Rip Van Winkle did wake up. He regretted his lost years but took control of his remaining life for himself. Wake up, Americans. Let us not continue to sleep until our Constitution and republic are completely replaced by polls. The only way we can take control of our lives is to take back our money. Let us end income taxes. Let the government live on the other taxes it collects.

Government is necessary to protect individual rights and property, not to control them. Wake up, America, before you have slept too long.

MARY NALL

Marble Hill