Former Congressman Gary Franks: Happy Thanksgiving, America – The Advocate

By former Congressman Gary A. Franks

Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays. A time when the nation comes together as one big family to thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed on us, individually and as a nation. Despite everything we have seen and experienced this year we have a lot to be thankful for as Americans. To borrow two symbolisms, I believe that America is on the Mayflower and not the Titanic.

As one of those Bible- and gun-hugging proud Americans who is a recovering politician, I pray and believe that continued blessings will shine on America even if we do not deserve it, as we are the best hope for mankind.

The problem, however, lies with who do you trust. So help me God and In God We Trust had meaning when I was in Congress. However, for a while Democrats removed So help Me God from the oath in our swearing-in proceedings. At times I believe that if some of todays politicians were around during Noahs Ark time, they would probably blame climate change for the flood.

We need good leaders as they are charged with making the key decisions that could determine our success or failure. It does not take a right or left turn to hurt the people on the ship, inaction or if the ship is drifting, can be equally damning especially if there is an iceberg in your path. Remember, during the Exodus the Promised Land was literally only a few miles away but the Chosen People took 40 years to get there and their leader (Moses) never touched foot on the land. God gives us what we deserve on his own timeline.

Leaders need advisers. But advisers told President George W. Bush that there were weapons of mass destruction. Their error has resulted in a 19-year war and the spending of enough money to repair nearly all of our infrastructure major repairs and have money left over to lower the national debt.

And let us remember, the experts said the Titanic could not sink.

I have always believed that following God is the best thing to do. You cannot go wrong. Following scientists or advisers, as important as they may be, does not match following God. After all, God has never made a mistake.

We should try our best to follow the Golden Rule and let love, not hate, dominate you, peace not anger. Be givers not just takers. Let telling the truth, not lies or half-truths, be your doctrine regardless of how painful or embarrassing, and eliminate being disingenuous, all tactics from Satans playbook.

God can not lead the USA unless the USA is willing to follow. For example, nearly every war or conflict we won until we failed to honor the Sabbath (resting/no work and limited commerce), got rid of school prayer, and allowed babies lives to be terminated; 56 percent of abortions are Black and Hispanic.

The goal of bad people is to get you to go in the wrong direction. At the beginning of time, it worked on Eve. For some folks, Satan is easy to recognize, but they will be hated, silenced and ostracized by evil self-centered people when attempting to expose the destructive ways of bad evil people. Good people must help good people regardless of what team they are on.

We will all know whether America is on the Mayflower going toward the New World or if America is on the Titanic heading toward an iceberg. Spoiler Alert one ends incredibly well for hundreds of years and the other, lets just say, does not.

For those, like me, who feel America is on the Mayflower, you know that it is time to celebrate Thanksgiving Day 2020 with joy, and if you feel America is on the Titanic you really should welcome Thanksgiving Day, it can make a difference.

Gary A. Franks served as the U.S. representative for Connecticuts 5th District from 1991 to 1997. He was the first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years and is New Englands first Black member of the House. He is host of the podcast We Speak Frankly. Follow him @GaryFranks

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Former Congressman Gary Franks: Happy Thanksgiving, America - The Advocate