In times when it seems like our country’s being pulled in every direction, I figure we could all use some down-home wisdom and a reminder of what makes America the greatest nation under God’s blue sky.
I’ve poured myself a finger of bourbon (just for inspiration, mind you) and am ready to share some practical advice rooted in the good old American values that built this nation.
Now let’s dive into your questions and see if ol’ Pete can’t shed some light on your troubles.
Dear Pete, I own a small business and the new regulations are crushing me. I work 80 hours a week just to stay afloat. Is the American Dream still possible for folks like me? – Exhausted Entrepreneur
Dear Exhausted Entrepreneur,
I feel your pain like it was my own backache after a day of clearing brush on my property. The American Dream sometimes feels like it’s being suffocated by red tape thicker than kudzu in August.
But let me tell you something straight: That dream ain’t dead, it’s just being tested. Like gold in a refiner’s fire, this hardship is showing what you’re made of. And from the sound of it – 80 hours a week? – you’re made of the same stern stuff as our forefathers.
First bit of practical advice: Join your local small business association or chamber of commerce. There’s power in numbers, just like the Minutemen knew. Other business owners are fighting the same battles and might have workarounds for those regulations strangling your enterprise.
Second, take a hard look at what’s essential. During tough times on my grandpappy’s farm, he’d say, “Pete, sometimes you gotta cut back to grow forward.” Maybe there’s operations you can streamline or outsource to lighten your load.
Now here’s the bourbon-straight truth: President Trump’s administration has been working to cut regulations and give small businesses room to breathe. Keep faith and keep voting for folks who understand that America was built by entrepreneurs, not bureaucrats.
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” The American Dream is still soaring—sometimes we just need to adjust our wings to catch the new winds.
Hang tough and stay free,
Patriotic Pete
Dear Patriotic Pete, I want to teach my grandkids about American history and patriotism, but their parents say I’m “indoctrinating” them. How can I share my love of country without causing family drama? – Proud Grandpa
Dear Proud Grandpa,
You know what’s funny? When we teach kids to brush their teeth, nobody calls it “dental indoctrination.” When we teach them to say “please” and “thank you,” it ain’t “politeness propaganda.” But teach ’em to love America, and suddenly you’re running a brainwashing operation!
Here’s my advice, straight as a Tennessee fence post: Be subtle as a fox but persistent as a tick. Instead of lectures about patriotism, share stories – your stories. Kids love hearing about Grandpa’s adventures. Tell ’em about your first job, your time in service if you served, or what life was like in your day. That’s not indoctrination; that’s family history.
Take ’em fishing, and while you’re waiting for a bite, casually mention how America’s natural beauty is unmatched anywhere in the world. Watch a baseball game together and talk about American ingenuity and determination.
Keep some illustrated history books around your house – not the revisionist nonsense, but the real deal with Washington crossing the Delaware and pioneers heading west. When they visit, just happen to be reading one and say, “Hey, wanna see something cool?”
Remember Matthew 10:16: “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” You don’t need to plant the flag in your living room and blast “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Just plant seeds of appreciation that’ll grow when they’re ready.
And maybe have a heart-to-heart with their parents, over a small glass of good bourbon if that helps. Explain you’re not trying to turn their kids into political warriors—you just want them to know the blessings of being born in the greatest nation God ever put on this Earth.
Proudly passing the torch,
Patriotic Pete
Pete, I’m a veteran feeling forgotten by the country I served. The VA is a nightmare and nobody seems to care. How do I keep my faith in the nation I love? – Disillusioned in Dallas
Dear Disillusioned in Dallas,
Brother, your letter hit me harder than a Texas hailstorm. A nation that forgets its defenders doesn’t deserve their sacrifice, and I’m truly sorry the system’s treated you this way.
Let me speak plain: What you’re experiencing is a failure of government, not a failure of America. The VA’s been a mess since before either of us was born, and that’s a crying shame. But America herself – the idea, the people, the promise – she still stands tall and true.
First, for the practical side: Have you connected with veterans’ advocacy groups like the VFW or American Legion? Sometimes these organizations can cut through red tape faster than you can say “bureaucracy.” They’ve got folks who know the system inside and out and can help you navigate it.
For the spiritual battle you’re fighting – and make no mistake, losing faith in what you fought for is a spiritual battle – I recommend two things:
Find your tribe of fellow veterans. No one understands what you’re going through like someone who’s walked the same road. There’s healing in that brotherhood that no government program can provide.
Second, look for America not in Washington, but in your neighborhood. In the folks who stand for the National Anthem at high school football games. In the community that rallies when a local family faces hardship. In the sunrise over land that remains free because of men and women like you.
Romans 5:3-4 tells us, “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Your experience has been bitter, but don’t let it steal your hope.
You kept faith with America when you put on that uniform. Now it’s her people’s turn to keep faith with you. And from one American to another, I thank you for your service – not just with words, but from the bottom of my heart.
Standing with you,
Patriotic Pete
Got a question for Patriotic Pete? Send it to [email protected]. Until next time, keep your faith strong, your flag flying, and your heart true!
