Future Leaders
By Oliver North
November 21, 2008
Page 2 of 2
Today there are only 129 members of Congress who have served in our armed forces. (Since the end of World War II, the ratio of veterans in Congress usually has been closer to 50-50.) The GOP can fix that by reaching out now to the best and bravest of this generation: the remarkable young Americans serving in our armed forces. They are all volunteers, part of the brightest, best-educated and most combat-experienced military any nation ever has had -- and they don't have false illusions about the way things are in the rest of the world.
From personal experience, they know that America is one of a handful of places on earth where you can drink tap water or where you can flick a light switch and the lights will come on. They are aware that in the U.S., you can go to a store and buy almost anything you want -- that when you call the police, you do not expect brutality to show up at your door.
The young men and women who have served our country in uniform know that America is one of the rare places on the planet where you can get in a car and drive anywhere in the country with nothing more than a driver's license and a credit card. They appreciate that every citizen has rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Military service has taught them that competence, courage, integrity, perseverance and compassion are rewarded. Those qualities make them natural leaders.
Recruiting them to fight for what's right isn't just political. For them, it's personal. That would be good for all of us -- even our friends here in Europe.
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Oliver North is the host of "War Stories" on Fox News Channel, the founder and honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance, and the author of "American Heroes."
COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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