Steps Toward Socialism: The American Pilgrimage

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement [sic] of the freedom of the people by the gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation."
President James Madison (1751-1836) speech, Virginia Convention, 1788

Eleven score and 13 years ago, our founding fathers pledged to each other their "lives, [their] fortunes and [thier] sacred honor" (Declaration of Independence) and embarked upon the great experiment known to us as The United States of America. It was to be a true republic; a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" (Gettysburg Address) guided by divine providence. It was a dream that they shed sweat, blood and tears to achieve. It was a dream defended on the battlefield, in the courthouse, and in the hearts and minds of our earliest patriots. It is a dream realized.
Today there are more than three-hundred-million people lucky enough to call themselves "Americans" and lay claim to the unparalleled heritage of our great country. People from all nationalities, races, and tongues have journeyed here just so that they too might be a part of this great dream and claim the promised blessings of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (Declaration of Independence) for their posterity. Through hard work, determination, and a little inspiration they let our capitalist (free) economy work for them.
I love America. I have been a student of its history, purpose, and theology since I was a boy. I feel especially blessed to be an American after the two years I spent living in the heart of Russia. I learned the Russian language, culture, customs, and history and feel so very fortunate that our country has been spared their dark heritage of tyrants, bloody revolutions, and communism.
As a student of the histories of both of these nations, it not only became apparent to me that there were reasons for the rise of the Soviet Union, but that similar trends exist in the United States today. Trends that if not halted, I'm sorry to say, will lead us down a long and destructive road toward a fate similar to our Soviet friends. Many of these trends may seem harmless, or even appealing such as "socialized medicine." But behind the campaign promises lies a threat to our hard-won liberties. Although appealing, this progressive movement toward socialism must be halted or our great nation will find itself slowly robbed of its liberties and freedoms in the name of "security" and "welfare."
It shall now be our opportunity to explore the histories of Russia and the United States in order to compare, contrast, and decide for ourselves what our future shall be. As one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, once said, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."