Weekly Address – November 25, 2020

From the historic hallways of the most beautiful state Capitol in our great nation, this is Senator Keith Ingram.

Sometimes it seems like there is nothing but bad news when you turn on your television. Even people who are well off, healthy and prosperous can easily forget that we have been blessed as a nation.

One reason for all the bad news is that modern communications systems are so advanced. If there is an earthquake in Central America, we hear about it immediately and our hearts go out to the victims.

If there is a shooting in Atlanta, we get all the details just the same as if we lived in Atlanta.

But there is a positive side to the information superhighway. If one of our loved ones is stationed overseas, we can maintain contact through social media.

Whenever a baby is born in the family, we get to see photos almost instantaneously, even if the baby was born in California or Alaska.

The television talk shows are obsessed with election fraud, recounts and problems with counting ballots. But it’s important to keep in mind that both sides in the argument are getting their day in court.

Both parties have the opportunity to look over the shoulder of election officials. It may take longer than we would like, but at least we are able to observe the process of counting the ballots.

That is a liberty that simply does not exist in many, many countries.

What’s more, if you choose you can run for office or petition to have the laws changed through the initiative process. That is a totally foreign concept to the authorities who control Russia.

If you don’t trust the media you’ve been watching, you have the choice of getting your information from multiple other sources. In China, you have one source for all news. Facebook is not permitted.

In America, you can send your children to the local public schools and they will get the best education we can provide. The governing authorities are parents from your own local community.

If you prefer, you can send your children to a private school or a parochial school.

The ability to guide your children through school is unheard of in many countries. Your children attend school where the authorities dictate, because they want to control the message being taught in the classroom.

There is one particular day of the week when you always remember the blessings of freedom – Sunday morning.

You can worship how you choose, where you choose and with whom you choose.

I hope none of us limits our worship to Sunday mornings, because every day is a day to remember the blessings that God has bestowed on us and on the United States.

May we never take for granted the many liberties and blessings we enjoy as Americans. From my family to yours, I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving filled with love and joy.

From the Capitol, it is always my great honor and sincere privilege to serve you as your state Senator. This is Keith Ingram.