I watched the Democratic National Convention and noticed they were describing a patriot as someone who pays their fair share of taxes. A patriot, by definition, is someone who vigorously supports their country. It is not related to how much a person pays in taxes, but more properly is measured in how committed they are to the principles and ideals of their country.

When the DNC invokes the theme of fair share, it reminds me of Bill Clinton’s quibbling over the definition of sex. Who determines what a fair share is? Is it fair for anyone to live in this country and enjoy the benefits available to them without paying anything? Is it fair that 45 percent pay no taxes at all? Is it fair that the bottom 50 percent of residents pay 2.7 percent of the total taxes paid? Is it fair that the top 50 percent pay 97 percent of all taxes?

On Wednesday, one of the commentators said that the omission of God from the Democratic platform was a distraction. The omission of God is many times more significant than a distraction. It betrays an underlying denial of the principles set down by our founding fathers. Even our currency declares that “In God We Trust.”

That commentator went on to say that the DNC platform consisted of many planks which were based on social principles directly from the Bible. Has it eluded the Democratic Party that Scripture never places the responsibility for social issues on government, but rather on individuals and the church?

The fundamental difference between the contemporary Democratic Party and its progressive, socialist agenda and the Republican Party is that the Republicans still proclaim individual freedom and individual responsibility.

When Nov. 7 rolls around, we will know whether we are the future Greece, with all of its upheaval, or if we are to continue as the future great hope of the world.

Thomas Day
Buford