A recent New York Post editorial called for an end of the so-called “Occupy” movement; it also contains a two-page feature, “Other 99 percent Fires Back.”  The feature includes stories about an Occupier being raped by another protester and demands from local storekeepers who want the protesters gone.  Since the office where I work is next door to the Occupy D.C., crowd at McPherson Square, I echo the New York Post‘s criticism.

I am deeply offended by the fact that our taxpayer money paid for extensive restoration of McPherson Square last spring and summer — new sod, new benches, complete renewal of a formerly run-down area dominated and occupied by the homeless in downtown D.C.  Now, after all that work and all that expense, the lush new grass and other renovations are being trashed by the Occupiers.  Further, this week a slew of portapotties were set up (at our expense, I’m sure) for the convenience and sanitation of the Occupiers and the occupied territory.

Ironically, these supposedly disadvantaged protesters who are demanding the redistribution of wealth, own expensive tents and have the luxury of just lounging around during working hours.  When I drive by in the late morning coming back to the office from a meeting, there are few signs of life, and the tents are closed up.  Numerous people have questioned whether there really are people occupying the tents at night.  If there are protesters in the tents, they are not early risers.

There are stacks of donated food and water in a central area of the park.  The homeless are still in and around the area in the daytime — mostly on the park benches, but some lay or sit out in the open on the grass.  Reportedly, there is tension, even conflict, between the homeless who want some of the food and the Occupiers who aren’t willing to redistribute the donated goods.

Reports of abuse, crime, and disorderly conduct abound.  In Oakland, California, the Occupy movement sought to expand their political and economic influence by marching and demonstrating through the downtown area.  They ended up breaking into buildings, spraying areas of graffiti, and committing acts of arson.  Police in riot gear had to quell the mayhem.

And I am not the only American who is tired of the Occupy movement.  A new Quinnipiac poll reports that only 30 percent of voters have a positive reaction to the movement, 39 percent react negatively, and 30 percent don’t have an opinion.  Sadly, the president and the Democrats have been successful in linking the Occupy movement to the Tea Party movement, with the end result being higher negatives for Tea Partiers than for the Occupiers.  But, as they continue trashing public areas and creating unsafe environments, more and more Americans will lose patience and tell the Occupiers to “just get a job, already!”

Across the street from the Concerned Women for America (CWA) office is a park that recently underwent an expensive government-funded bailout makeover.  “Your tax dollars at work,” but at least it was pretty.  Now, unfortunately, the space has become a tent city for the “Occupy Washington” crowd.  Every morning, as CWA employees come to work way before the sun comes up, we pass the park.  They are all still sleeping until they wake up to panhandle.  It occurs to me that perhaps they would have a better grasp on the American dream if they simply got out of bed.  But we know this isn’t really about them being cheated in some way.  No, this is about them not getting what they feel they’re owed — namely, more government handouts.

Juxtapose this image of the unwashed Rasta boy across the street with the young people I met this weekend while attending Homecoming for my alma mater, Liberty University.  While there, I spent time with CWA’s Young Women for America Chapter.  Prior to the football game, I was honored to ride in the parade with our Young Women for America/Liberty Chapter members and some young men in uniform who came out in support of their upcoming military banquet.  Wow, what amazing kids.  From the young man (Kyle) who drove me in his jeep, wearing his ROTC uniform and dreaming about his goal to reform America’s broken foster care system, to the beautiful young woman (Caroline),  aspiring to work in foreign policy,  they all were inspiring Patriots!

The group of about 30 kids finished up their Saturday parade and tailgate just in time for many of them to rush off to the weekend jobs that they work to pay for their educations.  No one whined about corporations having “too much money.”  Instead, they were working hard to be a part of a system that truly has raised the standard of living for people around the world.  No one thought that “rich people” were evil.  Instead they aspired to join their ranks or at least have them support their charity work and Christian ministries.  None of these kids were lazy or spoiled.  They were God-honoring, country-loving conservatives who were not running their mouths.  They were just living their lives.

Thank God for our young conservatives.  They aren’t getting on the news, but they are the real voice and spirit of this nation!  They give me hope for America’s future, and my money’s on them.

God Bless America!

This Constitution Day, forget about attending local parades and commemorative ceremonies. Instead, you have the option to celebrate the birthday of our Constitution this Saturday the 17th by participating in one of two very different political protests.  While one option promises to be a “peaceful assembly,” the other threatens an eruption of flash mob violence and destruction.

The leftist-sponsored “U.S. Day of Rage” will be protesting Wall Street and the United States capitalist system.  Organizers of this event, including Wade Rathke, founder of ACORN, have called for an “occupation” of Wall Street and every other financial district across the country. 20,000 disgruntled protestors are expected to infiltrate Wall Street Saturday morning and pitch tents for a late night stakeout.  Although the exact details of “U.S. Day of Rage” are being kept a secret, organizers have promised their event will be non-violent. Yet, with such a large number of angry socialist liberals in one place, many can’t help but fear an outburst of, well, rage.

If “Day of Rage” isn’t your style, try “Picketing Across America,” a National Tea Party-sponsored event.  The event’s founder and organizer, Tina Sims, invites all Americans to peacefully sit on their front porch and hold a picket sign reading, “Can you hear us now?” as a silent but resounding message letting Congress know Americans are sick of the federal government’s fiscal irresponsibility.  Sims told Concerned Women for America, “The reason that I started ‘Picket Across America’ is because I am scared for my children and my grandchildren’s future.  I am scared for America’s future.  Washington needs to hear us loud and clear and have a clear understanding that WE THE PEOPLE are listening and watching, and we do not like what we are witnessing and we are not going to stand for their nonsense any longer.”

Before deciding which demonstration your family will attend on Constitution Day, consider the words of Patrick Henry, “Bad men cannot make good citizens.  A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.”  Henry’s words warn against uncivilized, lawless protesters like “U.S. Day of Rage” and its participants.  Their hostile leftist agenda threatens the security of our nation and our freedoms.  For our great country to thrive, Americans must pull together and stand up in defense of the principles our nation was founded upon and our inalienable rights (rage is not one of them) guaranteed under our Constitution and given by our Creator.

So this Constitution Day, the choice is yours.  Both events are free of charge, but materials are not included.  If you choose to attend “Picketing Across America,” you will need only a picket sign.  On the other hand, if you attend the “U.S. Day of Rage,” be sure to bring a torch, a pitchfork, and a light jacket — and might I suggest one that is flame retardant?