Grandparents have the clout to turn this nation around in one election cycle if they are all informed, involved and registered voters. Grandparents represent about 50 percent of all voters!
The problem is that too many, just like voters in general, do not get informed, involved or vote.
Maybe grandparents need to be reminded that they are already investing in their grandchildren's future in many ways. They provide that special love, that special attention, that special understanding when needed, and just that special connection that makes most grandchildren feel special. They are!
Tragic or mis-fortunate circumstances sometimes leave the responsibility of raising their children's children to the grandparents. Sometimes it's just a single grandparent. That takes even more special commitment, but that's what love does.
In today's tough economic environment, some grandparents are having to help supplement their grandchildren financially, directly and indirectly, where possible. It's not always possible because many grandparents are living on tight budgets themselves, but most will assist their children with the needs of the grandchildren, especially when it comes to their education.
Each generation wants to give the next generation a little bit better start in life than they had. What they do with it is up to them. I experienced that firsthand with my parents, and now with our own children. A good education, some common sense and a good dose of moral values are a good start to a happy and rewarding life.
But preparing our grandchildren for a future that may not be there would be a travesty. Since World War II, we have seen decades of continuous growth and opportunity for people to succeed. Some people made choices to survive, and others chose to invest the sweat equity in life necessary to thrive.
That continuous growth and opportunity is gradually slipping away due to the burdensome impact of big government, and people being trapped in government dependency programs. Median household income has actually gone down in the last six years by about $2,000 per household, while the cost of everything has gone up!
That trend will continue unless we elect people who believe in real pro-growth policies instead of pro-government policies, and people who will truly embrace the urgency of curtailing our federal out-of-control spending.
Grandchildren prepared for a future that won't be there would be a disappointment for all of us. That's like getting kids ready for school when there's no bus, and no gas in the car to get them there. That's why it is urgent that we change the current trend line for future opportunities.
You don't have to be a grandparent to care about the future of this country. Any patriot cares just as much, because love's got everything to do with it.
I know many grandparents have worked and planned for many years to "retire". Unfortunately, in many cases we cannot retire but we must refocus some of our energy and attention to making sure there is a future for those grandchildren we are helping to prepare for the future.
I don't know if I would be as vocal and involved in helping to get this nation back on the right track if my wife and I did not have four grandchildren. Without them it would be a lot easier to sit in that hypothetical rocking chair and watch the world go by.
But for now, we can't sit back and watch the nation go under.
So stay informed, stay involved and stay inspired that there will be a future in this great nation for our grandchildren when they get there!
Grandparents have the power to change the future of our nation.
