• strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_node_status::operator_form() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::operator_form(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/modules/node/views_handler_filter_node_status.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.

Letter to editor - Author honors her faith in what freedom means

To the editor,
Every Fourth of July, we remember the Declaration of Independence; we remember the men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for this great country in order to make it a reality, and we remember those who fought to keep it free, now for 243 years.
What is freedom? It is the ability to do what one ought to do. It is the ability to do good. It is the ability to live. It is the ability to speak the truth. It is the ability to practice one's religion. It is the ability to defend one's self and family from physical harm. It is the ability for parents to educate their children. Freedom is more about being able to give of oneself than to receive.
In our current tumultuous political climate, it is important to understand what freedom is not. Freedom is not the ability to do whatever one wants. Freedom is not a government handout or mandate.
Freedom, for example, is not free college or student loan forgiveness. Instead, freedom is a healthy economy with an abundance of private scholarships and plenty of good jobs where individuals have opportunities to pay back their debts. Freedom is not a one-size-fits-all universal healthcare system. Instead, it is a less regulated medical market that results in more doctors, more competition, and more independent clinics that give patients options to seek out the best care at affordable prices.
Freedom for a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy is not abortion. Instead, it is a nearby pregnancy help center, a supportive community, and family and friends that can provide her with the encouragement and practical help she needs to joyfully give birth to her little boy or girl.
Freedom is not legalizing marijuana. Instead, it is living in a culture where one's human dignity and hope for the future are so supported that no one turns to harmful drugs. Freedom is having effective programs available to help people beat their addictions. Freedom is not “taking a knee” during the National Anthem. Instead, it is standing respectfully with the knowledge that men and women died in battle so that you could be there at all--standing in relative peace and prosperity in the greatest country on earth.
The authors of the Declaration of Independence had a good grasp of the definition of freedom and they knew that the purpose of government was to secure the people's freedoms.
The government doesn't invent freedoms, but should protect them. Our nation – built on the foundation of freedom – will continue, but only as long as voters choose their representatives carefully and with a true understanding of freedom.
Anna Enright,
Hutchinson