It was almost 21 years ago that President Ronald Reagan said to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall." The wall that he referred to was the Berlin Wall. Built in 1961, the wall kept West Germany and East Germany from accessing each other, thus limiting freedom. The move was socialistic in theory and controlling in practice.

There was nothing new about what the Soviets had done. For thousands of years, dictators with their empires and some with their perceived religions have sought to limit individual freedom. My how times have changed in 21 years!

Last week, President Bush, a man who has several admirable traits, the leader of the free world, stood before the leaders of Saudi Arabia and asked a question: Would you increase oil production? On the surface this may seem like a harmless, simple and exploratory question, but trust me on this: President Bush said a lot about himself and our country in those five words.

First, the question implies that we do not have enough oil. That is not true. The United States has an abundance of oil at its disposal. The problem is not the source, it is access. The leaders of our country have been hoodwinked into believing, or accepting the premise, that oil is bad and we must reduce our dependence on it. We are bombarded with the constant message regarding "bad" oil, and over time a wall has been built and freedom has taken a sharp and deep blow.

Secondly, the question implies that our economy is impacted when there are limitations on access to the very thing that runs the engine. We need oil, plain and simple. The Saudis know it, the Iranians know it and our president knows it. The very thing that could help pull the U.S. economy out of a recession is being restricted. But not by other countries; this sits in the lap of Congress. For years, it has built a wall as to restrict us from the freedom that our founding fathers wanted for us and our children: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Finally, the question implies that our only option is to negotiate. But if you're going to negotiate, you want to do it out of strength rather than weakness. When Reagan confronted the Soviets, he did it with the strength of a restored economy and a fully funded military. When Bush asked his question, he did so with a recession economy and a divided citizenship. He has nothing to offer and they have no reason to respond.

The Berlin Wall restricted, confined and symbolized everything that freedom stands against. In order for the people to be free, it had to come down. We face a similar wall built by citizens who live among us and whom we have elected to represent us.

Socialism claims its efforts are about fairness and equality which brings peace. But at the root of socialism is control, which brings no peace and greatly restricts freedom. Freedom brings peace! Our president knows this and has practiced this. The same resolve and conviction that led him to bring freedom to a foreign country can work on this soil as well.

It's time for the president to embrace freedom over peace, stand before Congress and say "Tear down that wall!"

Gary Fangmann
Clermont