I met with a client today in Grand Junction, Colorado, and he told me a story of his last visit to the local IRS office to get some forms so he could pay the IRS and stay in compliance. He is a local contractor and went there from a job site so he could obtain forms from the rack to pay his taxes and stay in compliance. When he went through the “screening” process he had a utility knife and even though it was in the security basket he was told to put it back in his car. Once he went back into the IRS, and went through the security screening, first they made him remove his boots (steel to work boots), then had a problem with his pants. He had on work jeans with the brass grommets in the construction. The IRS made him go into an interview room and take of his pants. Good thing he did not go “Commando”. He was provided his forms after a 45 minute screening and “Commando”. He was provided his forms after a 45 minute screening and security process. This client feels that the next time the IRS needs money from him they can go to his job site and not treat him like a criminal. He is an American taxpayer and should get more respect.

The Fourth of July is a reminder they we are a free nation, a freedom that comes with responsibility. I was in the Marine Corps when they celebrated their 200th birthday in 1975, and the patriotism shown that day was unbelievable. Where has it gone since that time? We all need to remember that our country was founded on freedom, that we are all Americans, and that we need to work as a nation to maintain that freedom. We all have the freedom to choose our path, whether it be education, employment, marriage, family, and love of our country. We need to remember we are all AMERICANS, and while of different backgrounds we need to work as Americans to love our country and take to heart the potential we have as a nation. We are not perfect, but we are the best country in the world, and we all need to respond to the current times and work to keep our country strong and prosperous. Freedom is not free, and we as Americans need to remember what we will lose if our country does not keep in the right direction.

Sgt. Hale USMC (Inactive)