In 1948 I joined a labor union because to work in Michigan one had to a union member. For years I was a supporter of the unions and what they had accomplished over the years for both the trade and common worker.

In recent years, my Labor Day columns have reflected this support. But no more! The unions today, with government backing, have now gone too far — way too far. In recent years their unyielding tactics and threats of crippling strikes have cost American workers millions of jobs.

Anyone who has followed the thuggery tactics used by the unions in Wisconsin to recall their governor, Scott Walker, sees danger to themselves and to America’s way of life if their thuggery tactics prevail.

Destroying the Wisconsin state capital and then threatening the governor’s family with bodily harm goes too far — way too far.

The Wisconsin recall election will be in June and will be a bellweather election for the November 2012 presidential election. The outcome of that election will determine whether America will begin restoring those unalienable rights given to America by its Founding Fathers or if it will choose re-enslavement and simply become another third world nation where socialism (poverty equally divided) based on the false promises of a party that seeks to only gain power and self-glory rather than protecting those freedoms Americans cherish so highly.

While pondering where America is today, I remembered others have had to make similar choices throughout history — some recorded in the biblical history of the world and others found in the history of western civilization, including Greek history.

I found two examples well documented in Chris and Ted Stewart’s well written 2011 book “7 Tipping Points that Saved the World.” Their introduction begins by pointing out that between 1783 and 1828, a 45-year period, the only free nation in the world was the fledging United States. Their introduction also reminded us of just how fleeting freedom can be. They pointed out that of the 29 nations who gained freedom after the Berlin Wall fell in 1987, 14 have already begun reverting to despotism.

People can live free only if they are willing to fight for it and to live a lifestyle in harmony with the Ten Commandments given to all mankind by Moses.

The Stewarts titled their first chapter “Two Gods at War.” It describes what Hezekiah, one of Israel’s ancient kings, a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah in 701 B.C., did when he learned with certainty that the Assyrians were going to totally destroy Jerusalem, and take its people captive.

This story, as told in 2 Kings and Chronicles, tells how Hezekiah turned to Isaiah, and how Isaiah then turned to Jehovah for counsel. Hezekiah was counseled that Jehovah would protect them but that Hezekiah must prepare his people for war.

Hezekiah followed the counsel: He prepared his people for the coming crisis — including bringing water in from the surrounding hills that also deprived the Assyrians of much-needed water.

True to his word, Jehovah stepped in, after the Assyrians began their assault and caused a plague that destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The Assyrians left, defeated, and Hezekiah and Jerusalem were saved.

The Stewarts’ second example told of how a band of 300 Spartan Warriors, led by their King Leonidas, in 480 B.C. united a very scared, and divided Greek nation, in defeating the Persian King Xerxes’ army and navy, the most powerful military force in the world at that time.

This story tells how religious tradition required the Spartans to defend to the death their freedoms at Thermophae Pass, which united a divided nation who then defeated the Xerxes’ military and deprived him of Western Europe.

The 2012 election will determine if there is a Hezekiah amongst us, a righteous person willing to seek God’s counsel; or if there are 300 ‘Spartans’ left in America willing to give their life to defeat the marauding hordes of progressives now trampling America’s Constitution and its freedoms.

I believe there are both. God, I believe would step in if America will cleanse itself and prepare to defend its freedoms by electing an administration willing to restore those freedoms now being trampled by Assyrian and Persian like despots.

Today, progressives, like the unions, have gone too far. Perhaps, as Hezekiah did, it’s time for America to counsel with God and beg for his help again.

Glenn Beck has encouraged all Americans to fast and pray for America on May 17. A Hezekiah idea worth considering!



Donald Conkey is a retired agricultural economist in Woodstock.