Freedom is not free.

This is a truism that has resonated through the ages and particularly in recent times have the events in America and around the world reminded us that we must be vigilant to maintain our freedoms.

Do you ever get the feeling that the America we have all grown up in and loved is slowly but surely slipping away from us?

I know that I do.

Apparently there is a sense of concern about our future that is shared by many Americans because I see more and more people becoming vocal about their fears for what is happening throughout our land.

I read earlier this week about a new organization called the Center for Reclaiming America.

Its mission statement included such things as informing the American public and motivating Christians to defend and implement the biblical principals on which our country was founded, as well as structuring information and programs to impact the culture and renew the vision set forth by our Founding Fathers.

That is about all the information I have on this organization at this point, but I believe I could strongly endorse this mission and I hope it will have a positive effect on the leadership of our country.

Although we live in what has been traditionally called the bible belt of America, our region is not without blame for some of the negative things that are happening to the American culture.

Alabamians, like many Americans, appear to be taking our freedoms for granted and many of our public office holders are turning off constituencies by their personal conduct and public records.

It is embarrassing to me to see our state consistently in the national spotlight in a negative way.

The recent indictments of high ranking public officials leave a bad taste in the mouths of outsiders and even positive subjects like the Ten Commandments issue somehow get turned into a negative nationally.

Alabama’s court races are among the most expensive in the nation and often times they turn into partisan political fights.

Judges on all courts should be impartial, unbiased and committed to applying the law as they find it on the books.

It is not the role of the court system to make new laws.

That is role of the legislative branch of government.

All of these thoughts are prompted by the emphasis on patriotism that comes about every July 4 holiday.

It is true that we by far and away live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth, but we, in my opinion, are slowly allowing our foundations to be eroded and I for one am somewhat frightened about the future of America.

It is my wish that each of you have a wonderful holiday week and as your State Senator I will continue to devote my public service to renewing the vision set forth by our Founding Fathers.

Senator Wendell Mitchell can

be reached at 334-242-7883, or by writing

to P.O. Box 225, Luverne, AL 36049.