Restoring Honor Rally - My Perspective

As both a Christian and a Conservative, I feel called to share my experience from Saturday's Restoring Honor Rally in D.C. Having followed Glenn Beck for a few years now and been anxiously awaiting this day since it was announced a year ago, I knew the rally was going to be an event to remember. What I didn't know was how profoundly it would affect me and what I would feel compelled to stand up for afterward.

I decided to go to the event alone so that I could truly soak up each moment the day had to offer. Along the way I met so many strangers that instantly felt like friends due to the fact that we had all come together for the same reasons; with the same passion for God and Country. Probably one of the things that affected me the most was the fact that with all the strangers I met and interacted with, we were all from different states (and in one case a different country). None of us were "duplicates," and all of us wanted to represent our State with pride! Of course I was there to help represent Maryland, but within minutes I met people from Hawaii, California, Ohio, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Holland.

When I asked the woman from Holland why she felt compelled to travel so far to witness this event, she said that it's already too late for Europe; that many from her country feel that the United States of America is the "last hope" for this world. Little does she know that many of us who attended Glenn Beck's rally are afraid that if the U.S. doesn't change it's course soon and go back to our founding principles, that it will be too late for our country as well.

Being at the rally refreshed my spirit, though... and my hope... While the media is trying to say this was a "tea party" event, I can tell you as an up-close witness that it was not. There were people from all walks of life and from all sides of the political debate who chose to come together as one to show that God and Country do go together. They must go hand in hand in order to get us back on track. The Founding Fathers had the vision to put a great foundation under us, but it is wavering right now. Too many of our principles and morals are being smashed by complacency, immorality, and "political correctness." What started out as a Nation Under God, has turned into a place where Christian Conservatives are being oppressed and we are made out to be on the "fringe" of society. I think this rally showed that we are not on the "fringe" but represent a large portion of the constituency, and the folks on the inside of the beltway need to listen.

The program started out with Glenn introducing direct descendants of the Native Americans who met the Pilgrims, and there was a direct descendant of people who were aboard the Mayflower. That was a pretty powerful reminder to see them arm in arm on the stage. As Glenn Beck put it, "and with malice towards none, they got into their boats and they came... God's chosen people, the Native Americans, and the Pilgrims...People came together, in different faiths, in the spirit of God, and the first thing they did was pray together."

This rally was not about telling everyone they have to be a Christian Conservative. It was about uniting people of all faiths to stand up together arm in arm; it was about asking each individual to look inside themselves to discover their true core beliefs and to do inventory to see if we are each living the life we should. Glenn Beck was saying that the way back to honor is through God. The way to fix our problems with government is through Him, because if we all do our personal inventory, we will know what we need to stand up and demand of the politicians who represent us.

On the radio yesterday, Mark Kreslins from Mid-Maryland Live asked me if I felt Glenn Beck got it right. Is God the solution to the terrible politics happening in D.C.? My answer is a resounding YES! If every politician followed the 10 Commandments, or at least lived by the Golden Rule, our country would be in a much better place. Not only would We The People stand up, but our elected officials would finally realize that lying, adultery, deceit and selfishness would not be accepted. They would have accountability and know that if they don't get it right, they are voted out. George Washington and the Founding Fathers gave this Nation a great gift... we no longer have to fight with guns, as they did. We get to fight for righteousness as a Republic, without bloodshed. The government they set up is "one nation under God," for the people, by the people. Glenn Beck did a wonderful job of reminding us of this.

In Frederick County, we have a big election coming up. My hope is that every voter looks at each individual candidate and measures their worthiness to represent us. Character counts and so does selflessness for the greater cause. What do our candidates and incumbents stand for; what have they done for their community to make it a better place? Will they listen and put their constituents first? Do they live by the Golden Rule? I am basing my vote on that in both the Primary and again in November. Will you join me on Election Day and honor your responsibility as a citizen of this great country and vote? I'll see you at the polls.