Submitted by Arlene of FL President Kennedy said following in 1962: Few nations do more than United States to assist their least fortunate citizens--to make certain that no child, no elderly or handicapped citizen, no family in any circumstances in any State, is left without essential needs for a decent and healthy existence. In too few nations, I might add, are people aware of progressive strides this country has taken in demonstrating humanitarian side of freedom. Our record is a proud one--and it sharply refutes those who accuse us of thinking only in materialistic terms of cash registers and calculating machines. Are we still same country? Think about it.

Submitted by Frank of TX We are free to breathe. Well, only if you don’t mind fact that air we breathe these days is full of contaminants put there as a result of industrialization with profit main concern over environmental safety.

Submitted by Joseph from IL Thomas Paine said in 1791, "The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from federal government." Our first President, George Washington agreed. He said, "Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." I fear we’ve lost control and servant is not our government (as it was intended) but we people are now servants to them. Fearful master indeed.

Submitted by Stephen of OH I was a child during World War II. I remember thinking that I hoped war would continue long enough for me to join army and fight for my freedom. Now, as we appear to be repeating history, I wonder if maybe we should learn that freedom can be best held through learning tolerance and letting go of fear and hate. The struggle for freedom, around world, always seems to be centered in energy of conflict and only ends when one side concedes. Who will be brave trusting sole (or country) to say, no more killing for freedom sake?

Submitted by Agnes of FL Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security dollars are money that you and I have supported through payroll deductions. I say, if you want to receive these benefits, and then continue supporting this. If you do not want these benefits, let us have freedom to invest this same money on our own. We would promise never to apply for benefits and if we mismanage our money, then so be it. But I would like to have freedom to ask for right for government to trust me with my own finances. Given debt of our country now (you are aware that we’re borrowing money from China just to operate administrational functions of government) I think I can balance my checkbook a bit better than a politician. But will we ever take stance that we are wiser than politicians?

Submitted by Eleanor of OH Freedom to me is to follow accepted rules of society. That is to say, work and support ones’ family, educate your children, care for elderly and frail, teach people how to do same without crippling them with handouts and that my children should be able to capitalize on my efforts, ending up with a better life than me and their children building on this success and so on. My son and daughter-in-law and their two children are now living with us, my son holds a PHD and cannot find work. Clearly, they do not have same freedoms as I have enjoyed all my life. He has a job offer now, but it will take him to Japan. It breaks my heart, but he has a family to feed and this company in Japan is offering him something that he cannot find within United States.

Submitted by Howard of FL I would like to hear truth along with all facts supporting truth about how our tax dollars are being managed. Freedom requires decisions. Decisions cannot be made if you are held hostage by sound bites and misleading data. I sense that we are in real trouble here in states, but how does one truly know?

Submit your Words of Wisdom by visiting http://www.seniorsapprove.com

From a distance, Key anxiously witnessed battle as evening wore on. As long as roar of cannons filled air, he knew Fort McHenry had not surrendered. Occasionally, red glare of deadly rockets illuminated night, giving visual assurance Stars and Stripes were still flying. A few hours after midnight, shelling suddenly stopped, followed by an eerie, uncertain silence. Key nervously paced ship deck, agonizing over who had won battle. Visions of defeat dampened his spirit. If Fort McHenry had fallen, would this spell doom for United States? Did this mean end of republic’s grand experiment in ordered liberty?

Peering into darkness for what seemed like an eternity, Key searched in vain for a sign to relieve his anxiety. Finally, first glimmer of dawn’s early light revealed a joyous sight… great Star-Spangled Banner gently blowing in breeze… proof that Fort McHenry remained secure in American hands!

Moved by dramatic outcome, Key quickly composed a few lines of poetry on back of an old letter. Later, in his Baltimore hotel room, he added several more stanzas under title “Defence of Fort M’Henry”. Within a week, poem appeared in print, and soon, newspapers from Georgia to New Hampshire were running with verses. Eventually, poem was accompanied by music and renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The song enjoyed patriotic popularity for many years, but it wasn’t until March 3, 1931, that Key’s inspiration was officially adopted as national anthem of United States.