After Lech Walesa Meeting, Romney Should Call America to a New Birth of Freedom

By Keith A. Fournier
8/2/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

We need to hear once again the kind of message which brought us into the Republican Party - a robust call to true freedom with personal and social responsibility

The Romney campaign has much to draw from out of this visit. Not only in the optics, but in the substance of the meetings the candidate held with Champions of freedom. For example, his meeting with the iconic Lech Walesa, the former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize winner. It presents him with an opportunity to call America to a new birth of true freedom in an hour when we are disheartened and ready to respond to just such a positive message. We need leaders unafraid to speak the language of freedom again and rouse us to follow what Abraham Lincoln called our "better angels." Lincoln called us to a "New Birth of Freedom". We need to hear such a call again.

Lech Walesa with Mitt and Ann Romney

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - On Friday, January 29th, 2010, Lech Walesa, the former President of Poland, traveled to Chicago to endorse a candidate for Governor. He, along with another Polish hero, the late Blessed John Paul II, helped to bring freedom back to Poland at the end of the last century.

Walesa's sincere Catholic faith informed his courageous stand against a totalitarian regime. His hero, Blessed John Paul II, warned in his writings of what he called the "death of true freedom". He also observed that "freedom itself needs to be set free." Lech Walesa responded to those insights and became a true Champion of Freedom.

In an interview during his 2010 visit Walesa offered this observation: "The United States is only one superpower. Today they lead the world. Nobody has doubts about it. Militarily. They also lead economically but they're getting weak. But they don't lead morally and politically anymore. The world has no leadership. The United States was always the last resort and hope for all other nations. There was the hope, whenever something was going wrong, one could count on the United States. Today, we have lost that hope..."

Former Governor Mitt Romney just returned from a foreign policy trip. The spinmasters of the Obama reelection campaign are feverishly attempting to disparage the trip with mocking denigrating assessments. I do not think I am alone in saying, 'Enough!" All of this cynical nonsense is growing old and people are growing very tired of it.

On Monday, July 30, 2012, in Gdansk, Poland, the very place where a trade union movement was used as a vehicle to topple an oppressive statist system, Mitt Romney was endorsed by one of the historic champions of freedom. Lech Walesa, pounding his strong hand on the table for effect, told the Republican candidate for the US Presidency, "I wish you to be successful because this success is needed to the United States, of course, but to Europe and the rest of the world, too. Governor Romney, get your success, be successful!"

He continued, "Poland and many other countries will certainly do their best for the United States to restore its leadership position. And after our conversation, I'm quite confident that you will be successful in doing that....Individuals who have struggled all their lives really favor the kind of views and perspectives that you share. Thank you very much for accepting my invitation and I wish you to be successful."

This was a strong endorsement from a man who is a champion to people like me, who left the Democratic Party years ago. I was a "Reagan Democrat" who left the Democratic Party when it rejected the values of the blue collar, Catholic home I was raised in - and lost its soul. It also gave up its claim to represent those with no voice when it refused to hear the cry of our youngest neighbors, children in the womb. The same Party which rejected the Right to Life has announced it will reject Marriage within its Party Platform. So, it now embraces a big government statist economic model along with its overt immorality.

We need to hear once again the kind of message which brought us into the Republican Party - a robust call to true freedom with personal and social responsibility. Twenty three years ago, on June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan, speaking at the base of the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin wall, cast aside the advice of trained consultants, reached into the courageous heart which propelled his statesmanship and proclaimed "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" That Wall fell like the walls of old Jericho. Freedom removed the stones.

Lech Walesa, Ronald Reagan and John Paul II all understood the power and the irresistable appeal of freedom. They helped to topple the totalitarian threats to freedom's advance. Today, we are at war with new versions of tyranny. The national spirit is heavy. America is in a crisis. A once robust economy is languishing under the boot of an increasingly bloated federal government. We have lost our moral compass. We are disheartened and tired.

However, the world still looks to America. We need leaders unafraid to speak the language of freedom again and rouse us to follow what Abraham Lincoln called our "better angels." At another critical time in our history, when we were disheartened and tired, Lincoln called us to a "New Birth of Freedom". We need to hear such a call again.

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1 - 10 of 11 Comments

Judy Claar
10 months ago
Thank you Deacon Keith, for your personal thoughts and words of wisdom to William Foster. The letter to him, was a letter to all. Thank you for confirming my, and many other personal choices as well. "Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Immaculate Heart Of Mary, Pray For Us".
JoAnn
10 months ago
Rob: Obama can "evolve" but Romney can't. Is that what you're saying? Romney wasn't my first choice, you know that. Santorum was. But it looks like Romney is going to be the candidate. Romney IS a "progressive" but in no way has he demonstrated himself to be a communist. You say. "What about Romneycare?" Romney didn't shove healthcare down the throats of the citizens of Ma. as Obama did on America. The citizens wanted it. And doing something on a state level, (10th ammendment) is no comparison to forcing it on a nation when 73% of the nation didn't want it. Of course you have deep concerns about Romney, we all do and if he succeeds in getting elected,(please God, make it happen) we will all hold his feet to the fire. America is FED UP with BOTH parties. We are waking up, and we are not going to tolerate shenanigans from ANY party. It's shape up or ship out. Voila, 2010! I personally think your concerns are just excuses to vote for a 3rd party. To me that is gambling with the future of this country and it is unpatriotic You sound like one of those people that aren't satisfied with anything. Nobody's perfect! If a 3rd party had a better chance of winning, I'm sure a lot of people would vote that way, including me. I'm sorry, I think America is worth fighting for and I'm not going to gamble with her future unnecessarily. I hope I haven't offended you. I never was one for being "politically correct." This political correctness stuff is killing this country. If Obama and his comrades get back in, no one is going to be able to open their mouth, period! It's already happening. Have you read AGENDA 21 yet? If not, I recommend you do so ASAP. Time is running out. The "intolerant" party is the Democratic party. If you don't agree with them, they want you to shut up and sit down. We're racists & hate mongers. Well, I WILL NOTCOMPLY! You can't teach an "old dog" new tricks. I know what this country was like and what she can do and I know a Marxist/Socialist when I see one, no matter who that person may be. God bless.
j
10 months ago
As you so often do with your writing, Deacon Fournier, you hit the target. Thank you for your insight! I would also urge all Catholic readers of this site to ask themselves the question: why would a hero of the Poles give a ringing endorsement to a candidate for the American presidency, while refusing to meet with the president of that same country when given an opportunity to do so? Remember, here is a national hero and a contemporary of the great John Paul II. Both led the successful fight against an oppressive communist regime. Don't take my word for the above; look it up. It seems to me that it is important for all American Catholics to look behind the actions of all political leaders. Discernment is crucial---especially so during these next several months!
Paul-Emile Leray
10 months ago
Another interesting and well written article. Some people are awarded Nobel Peace Prizes after having done something significant for humanity. Others get one out of political correctness, in a secularized world that often awards those perceived as deserving a prize, in a culture of death filled with deception, moral relativism, utilitarianism. The current democratic party in the U.S. seems to represent almost everything horrible about a democracy. It truth, it has become a mobocracy. Top heavy governments, extreme socialism, communism; these systems anywhere can only produce results through coercion, thereby seeing the state having too much power and control over the citizenry. The government is supposedly in the business of creating conditions that help set people FREE. Instead, it enslaves people. A democracy leans towards a mobocracy, inherent to its nature, and tends to bring forth a demagogue. (such as Obama) Communism and socialism have been so successful throughout history that, in the words of a great scholar, countries with these systems often saw people escaping from their countries in boats; often heading for America! The citizenry needs to be awake, if a democracy is to function as it ought to. And before voting, remember most journalists are in the business of selling stories. They are sensationalists. They seek emotionally appealing stories and not facts, in most cases. (as do politicians: when politicians seek facts it is usually to manipulate them to perceived advantage; shine light on certain things, sweep under the carpet anything likely to hinder political advantage). This having been put forth, look at the content and facts the next time you vote. Being a great speaker does not presuppose being a great leader. I was right about Obama, a few years ago, after having been criticized and yelled at by several. Now? Now, nobody challenges me and everyone yapping at me years ago are now miserably disappointed at the FACT he was NOT the Messiah that some clueless pollyannas had hoped for. Are the pink colored rosy glasses of delusion off yet, after 4 years of this nonsense? For the record, I am a political atheist. I do NOT back any political party anywhere at present. Why? I trust NONE of them. A benevolent dictator is likely required for a just society to flourish. Does anyone know of any such person? If so, he is likely not interested in the job since he would be too humble to campaign effectively! This is one reason why campaigning should be forbidden, since it brings forth show-boats and peacocks. If you tell a lie often enough, many people will believe it. Political platforms and pushing all that propaganda through, drilling it into the heads of the citizenry, using all sorts of tactics, is marketing. Any salesman will tell you of the benefits of his product. Does he tell you of all the short-comings and known and potential defects? Precisely! An honest and truthful benevolent dictator type would likely not be interested in the job to begin with. Cynical, but unfortunately likely true. All this having been said, if I was American I would lean towards Mr. Romney before Mr. Obama. (with great hesitation, since I do NOT trust any politician....NOT ONE! And if any politician dislikes these words, YOU people did it to YOURSELVES with all your lies and deceptions! At any rate, everyone dies and God gets the last word. No matter how much rotten meat politicians and the so called justice system ("the law is an ass", in the words of a great Jesuit) feed us, NO human escapes death....good!) A pleasant day to everyone, on this crazy planet rotating on its 23.5 degree axis. The world spins; the media and politicians feed us spin as well...so much that people ought to be revolting instead of reforming. I say give Mr. Romney a chance. If he screws up? Forbid campaigning altogether and write it into your constitution in 4 or so years from now that it brings forth ambitious demagogues who push and manipulate peoples' frustrations to their own perceived political advantage! Perhaps campaigning as it exists in contemporary society needs to go the way of the dinosaur? Let us see what the future brings....good luck.
Paul-Emile Leray
vance
10 months ago
Isn't it amazing how Romney receives an endorsement from a real humanitarian hero Lech Walesa while Obama receives endorsements from Hugo Chavez and Akmadenijad, two anti-Christ Tyrants. It is quite a contrast in my view.
Rob
10 months ago
JoAnn, What do you base your comment about Mitt not being a communist on given that the very thing we accuse Obama of socialism for (among other things) is healthcare? Maybe he's a small time communist? And while Romney has changed his position on abortion, I'm not so sure it's a change of convenience. That guy is all over the map and I have some deep concerns that what we see may not be what we get.

And I'm wondering if calling politicians "pro-life" is a misnomer. Seems to me most are abortion tolerant with only a sliver of them willing to actually take a stand (i.e. Santorum). In the same way that sites like this try to educate voters about voting our catholic faith, will the same standard be used to pressue politicians to ACT and hold them accountable for not doing so?

Being pro-life has to mean more than holding the line on abortion.
JoAnn
10 months ago
William Foster: If you think that was bad (if true) you surely must hear what people say about Catholics. All I know is that Mitt Romney is NOT a communist as is our present president. Romney is pro-life. Our present president is not. Obama endorses murder of innocent babies in the womb. He endorses sterilization of women 15 and over. He has declared a major war on the Catholic Church, trying to force her and Catholic institutions to do heinous things that are against her teachings. Are you a Catholic or not? God bless.
The Rose
10 months ago
My dear Brethren: This article is very inspiring. It reveals the truth of today and explains that the "stance " of Freedom is the foundation of liberty our forefathers sought for and, now, is the cry of many in the year of our Lord, 2012. May I speak, thus saith the Lord, in 2 Chronicles 7:14 , " If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.". This is "REVIVAL" "spoken of in the Holy Scriptures. The Lord gives the perscription for what ails the land and the inhabitants thereof. Go to verse 19, The Lord speaketh further to actually explain how the inhabitants of the land got to the point of needing a revival within their spirits, their bodies, their temples and their land..Verse 19 says, "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from My land, which I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for My Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And though this temple is, now, so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, "Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?" People will answer, "Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them, that is why he brought all this disaster on them." ....We who are called by the name of the Lord, a Jew, Jesus Christ, are His temple and the land is given unto we believers as an inheritance from God the Creator of all. "Go, and possess the land." We have allowed evil to come in and possess the land, the temple, us, and the children given by the Creator of life and death. Remember that in Romans 8:28, the Lord speaks, "all things work for good for those who trust the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the "likeness" of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Now LISTEN, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Galations, 5:1 begins..."It is "for" freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not "let" yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Know your enemy, know the Word of God who gives us who are called by His name the covering to be empowered with His Spirit to be bold, be courageous, be strong to say "NO, I will not allow evil to rob us of what God has given as an inheritance to the children of Abraham. " What is evil? It is that entity by whatever name that denounces Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and thus rebukes The Way the Lord of Creation has called those to who are called by His name...Revival is the process of the acknowledgement of God's people surrendering and admitting the error of their ways, as all mankind is in fault of because of our flesh, yet, it is the returning to a new beginning with a heart seeking forgiveness from God of our own ignorant, rebellious childlike selfish ways, remembering, again, Jesus Christ died to set all mankind free from bondage to slavery of the spirit of man and in mans own flesh. Revival is the renewing with all honesty in mans spirit, mind, heart and in his physical actions to do What saith the Lord God thru the Teachings of Jesus Christ. All belongs to God the Creator. He has already given the seed of Abraham the roadmap to deliverance, healing and freedom. By free will man is allowed to choose, this day whom does man serve..God or mammon and then the next chore is to clean up the mess caused by rebellious children and the evil deeds of the corrupted souls. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Be afraid... for that fear can be the calapote to push believers back in the The Way of Freedom or be pulled by the nose ring into the gates of Hell here on earth. Fight for what is rightfully ours or be surcumbed by evil and die in every sense of the word. History always repeats itself because man doesn't learn in the Big Picture of Life. All are called and few are chosen. Are you one of the chosen to use the gifts of God to stand up for Jesus Christ, for the temple of the Holy Spirit , and for the generations yet to come? Remember there is One who died for YOU so YOU could be free to live the life God desires His own to live ......The Rose
Keith A Fournier
10 months ago
I will be the first to respond to William Foster. I write as a private citizen: First, I do not know if your "quotes" are the official teaching of the LDS Church. Nor do I know if Mitt Romney endorses such offensive, false and irrational positions against my Church and my Savior's redemptive act of love on the Cross. However, I do know I will not vote for the alternative. To do so is to allow the continued moral, social, cultural and economic collapse of the nation I love and threaten the very infrastructure of ordered liberty. I want to pass on to my children and grandchildren the greatness of the American experiment. Mitt Romneys positions on the Right to Life, true marriage and the family and society founded upon it, authentic human freedom - including religious and economic freedom and the fundamental moral values which must undergird a truly free and just society comport more with what I believe will serve the common good in a pluralistic society. There is no "religious test" for public office in this country. If he is elected, I will work to ensure that he exercises his office for the common good. I will also as a Catholic Christian continue to proclaim and live the fullness of Christian truth. And yes, that means praying for him and all other members of the LDS Church to find the splendor of truth that is Catholic Christian faith.
abey
10 months ago
The Bible in Genesis 18 speaks of the "Cry of Sodom, to their sin being very grievous". Which through their physical liberty unto gay relationships & its panderings, caused their Spirits to become enslaved & thus came out the Spiritual Cry unto God called the "Cry of Sodom". As stated, where there is the Spirit there is Liberty & to this God utterly destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah to liberate the Spirit, from the enslavement & its cry So let the freedom talked about be off the Spirit, unlike the liberty projected by Obama & gangs through gay promotions which is nothing but to Sodom, which again is Prophesied. The lesson to learn from "The Cry of Sodom" is that going against God & His word is going against oneself in the Spirit for God is Spirit.

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