Two white haired older gentlemen on Harleys passed me on the freeway the other day riding side by side in the fast lane. They wore no helmets, and the bags on the back of their bikes indicated they were returning from a tour of some scenic spot in flyover country.
Harley riders have a saying, ‘Ride to Live, Live to ride.’ There is another expression from our history that came to mind while watching those gents out in the wind. ‘Live Free or Die’.
They could travel in a car with air conditioning, stereo, and sit on comfortable leather seats. But no, they were out in the wind, eschewing the safe, the comfortable, and the over reaching safety regulations of the new nanny state.
Harley riders in many ways reflect American values of risk, freedom, and individuality. They understand the risks of motorcycle riding. They understand what will happen to them in the event of a crash. Yet, they are willing to risk that for the experience. They understand going by motorcycle is really travel. They experience the distance, the sights and sounds, the smells, and the weather. In short they experience the environment in a way environmentalists never will.
Our fore fathers also understood risk. They understood that without risk there is no progress. If the Pilgrims had not risked a very dangerous Atlantic crossing, there would be no America. If the colonists had not risked their lives fighting a revolution there would be no America. If the western pioneers had stayed home, there would be no California, Oregon, or Texas.
Our fore fathers risked their lives defending America in wars foreign and domestic. Our youth volunteer for military service so people on the other side of the world can escape the clutches of despots and find freedom. A life we Americans take for granted. They are proud of what they do, and they are proud of the country willing to do it. Risks we face in our daily lives are trivial by comparison.
The town hall meetings, the 9/12 protest, the tea parties are all a reminder to our political classes that we are a country of free people who want to make their own decisions, live their own lives, worship their God, and be rewarded for risks they chose to take. They want their governments to follow the Constitution and treat tax dollars like their own dollars.
The political classes need to heed the voices of their sovereign electors.
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Thank you