This week, I am honored and blessed to be celebrating my 70th birthday. I am so grateful to God for giving me a happy and interesting life, filled with a bountiful amount of wonderful memories and experiences. My loving family, supportive community, and opportunity to become a public servant mean more than I can express. It is also a blessing to live in the best country on Earth.
Ours is the best country because of our historic role as a refuge and defender, and now as an example of liberty for the world to see. The Declaration of Independence affirmed that all are created equal, endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our constitutional system — limited government, separation of powers, federalism, and the rights of the people — is one of the oldest and most revered in the world. Our political and economic freedoms have ensured that people from around the world continue to flock to our shores.
Despite our successes, our nation faces peril. Our leadership is weak and leading us down a path that must be corrected soon.
With the combination of rising prices and economic recession, our economy is in the worst shape since the disastrous administration of Jimmy Carter. People living paycheck to paycheck are struggling, sacrificing and suffering. Americans have earned and deserve a strong and healthy economy.
The Biden administration and his Democrat allies in Congress refuse to control our borders but try to control our schools, farms, businesses, and even our religious institutions. They have directly attacked the production of American energy and the industry-related jobs that have sustained families and communities.
With the Dobbs decision, the lives of our precious unborn were assured some measure of protection by the judicial system. Nevertheless, the Democrat Congress is attempting to impose nationwide abortion rights on states that have chosen to protect the most vulnerable among us. Furthermore, with the Democrats having filed “court packing” legislation, and a Democrat president backed by a Democrat Senate, a future pro life majority is far from assured and the decision could very well be overturned.
I am so thankful for all the cards, letters, presents, and well-wishes for my milestone birthday. However, one of the greatest gifts I could receive would be change in our nation’s leadership and direction come Nov. 8.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.