We all look around and wonder what has happened to our beautiful safe country. The country that not only made us feel safe and secure, but a country that fed most of the world. Our country not only protects our own borders, but also protects the borders of many countries around the world. We are the first country to rush in supplies and aid to the countries who have been hit hard by disasters. And we wonder, “Why aren’t we safe when we’re so good to help others?”

Let me tell you. First we were hit by terrorists in New York City. After that we went into a war that the president warned us it would not be like a normal war where we would just invade a country. This was going to be a long war because the terrorists were in several countries.

The war in Iraq was flawed from the moment it began. When we reached Baghdad, we should have had at least twice as many troops so when we took an area; we had the manpower there to hold the area and keep peace in that area.

Second, when the Iraqi troops laid down their weapons and surrendered (I believe there were approximately 500,000 men), we sent them back to their homes and families with nothing — no way to feed their loved ones or take care of them. No wonder so many looted, robbed and joined the terrorists. We should have told them that they are still soldiers with a pay raise, but now they are Iraqi-American troops. To pay for this we could have used some of the millions of dollars we found and also by selling their oil. We could have weeded out the bad soldiers and those not loyal to their army.

Then came the hurricanes that destroyed one state and did so much damage to other states that they may never recover completely, the number of forest fires breaking records on acres lost to fires, the soaring gas prices and the groceries reaching record highs, the winters with record snow falls in some places and hardly a flake in others, the unusual heavy rains and the number of tornadoes that have devastated complete towns. The weatherman is always saying “unusual” or “record breaking.” I have so much more I could say about our weather, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.

Another thing that we have to look at is what is happening to our children? Young couples having children, then hiring a day care to raise them. Our children are not safe going to and from school. Nor are they safe in school. There has been several hundred shot or stabbed while in school. We have kids as young as 9 or 10 on drugs or caught carrying weapons. We have abused children and children that can barely read or write. So many of the kids have lost respect for others and treat adults with contempt.

Our TV has taught our kids that sex is open and living together is a normal way of life. I believe now that people who live together outnumber those who have taken the marriage vows. Our divorce rate is so high I believe only the government knows the figure. Then our people were led to believe that the homosexual life style is a normal way of life. Even the courts are ready to back this thinking up with their full power if we don’t except this belief, no matter what our religious beliefs are or what the Bible says.

William Perm once wrote, “Man must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.” And the writers of our Constitution began it with, “We the people” in large bold letters, and no, they were not trying to be funny. They did this to send a message to all future generations that as long as “we the people” stayed in control, our country would remain free, prosper and be mindful of the poor and sick among us.

But we chose not to listen to William Penn or the writers of our Constitution and we turn our government over to the tyrants —the politicians. The politicians needed God out of the way so they would not have to feel guilty when they wanted to pass a law that was not exactly Biblical. So they came up with that silly “separation of church and state” (which by the way, is not even in our Constitution). With this separation of church and state, the politicians were able to kick God out of our government, all of our schools and any place that receives government money. They have changed Christmas to the “holiday season” and Easter to “spring break.” In other words, we told God, “We don’t need you. We are powerful and wealthy and a world leader. Leave us alone.”

And God did! Do I believe God has sent his wrath like he did to Egypt when they would not free the Jews? No! He doesn’t work that way! What God did was to take his protective hands off our nation, much like a dad would do when he’s trying to train his child to ride a bicycle. Dad will put his child on the bicycle but he will keep at least one of this big, strong hands on the back of the bicycle. As soon as the child seems to be going good, the dad removes his other hand, but he follows close behind just in case the child gets into trouble. After the child gets going good and is having fun, then he tips over and hurts a knee. His dad is never too far away to pick him up and mend his wounds and give him hope. That is what God has done for our nation several times when we were hurt or in trouble.

As I close this column, I want to remind you all of one thing. The politicians can say and promise us all anything they want. But it all will be empty promises and hot air unless we urge God to be our ruler. I am sure some of the politicians will come up with some quick fixes for our troubles to make the people happy, but their quick fixes will tumble and fall, like the old Roman Empire.

Harold Kinney is an Albert Lea resident.