Which nation does not do what it’s supposed to do until it’s too late? Answer, ProcrastiNATION. A cute joke, yet a real issue, and it has become worse with America and Americans. Our elected representatives delay, deflect, and dilly-dally on almost every issue and we, the American people, have allowed them to do so. On any public policy at the federal, state, or local level politicians kick the can down the road and blame the bureaucracy they created for these festering problems. This reminds me of the story of an old man sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch on a hot summer’s day. His old hound dog is wagging his tail back and forth, yet his rhythm is off and every time the old man rocks back the dog’s tail is caught under the chair rails, and the dog HOWLS. A young man walking by hears and then sees where all the howling is coming from. He approaches the old man and asks why his dog doesn’t move as he rocks over the dog’s tail. The old man says, “I guess it doesn’t hurt bad enough yet.” Too many Americans howl and complain yet procrastinate about doing anything about the problems we face because they think the challenges are too overwhelming, or my favorite, “I don’t have time;” or “I don’t know enough about the problem.” All good examples of pointing a finger forward and not aware there are three fingers pointing back. The problem is not out there; the problem is us. We are ignorant, lazy, and not willing to fight for what our founders gave us. Which reminds me of another quip. What do you call a country full of lazy people? Answer, a procrastiNATION MISSION Laramie Energy’s mission is to maintain an excellent reputation as a Rockies oil and gas producer committed to environmental protection, safety, and regional community interests while prudently investing its capital in high potential unconventional oil and gas resource plays that will generate an above average return on investment. How do we get out of the morass of the fundamental issues we face, like keeping our nation free and prosperous? You, as a citizen, have a responsibility to be better informed and more active. I recently gave a speech on Civic Knowledge. I asked a simple question. What are the five liberties of the first amendment? Most of the audience could give two or three examples. Most could not give all five. In case you are curious, they are the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Every American should be able to roll these five ideas off their tongues as easily as they know what is on Netflix. Sadly, they do not. If we are to remain a free and vibrant society, we must be engaged citizens. We must know the foundational ideas of citizenship, which are to be self-reliant, self-assertive, and have civic-knowledge and self-restraint. If these foundational ideas are not taught and practiced, the principles of human equality, natural rights, government by consent, limited powers, rule of law, and equal protection will mean nothing and the house of freedom, built by so many, will continue to rot away. Yet, I have hope a few good citizens can make a difference and stand at the vanguard of liberty. Their fortitude, prudence, temperance, and sense of justice will encourage others of character to stand up and stand firm on the bedrock of our Declaration of Independence. This is the apple of gold Abraham Lincoln spoke about in his “Fragments on the Constitution.” Yet he also warned, “…we must study, and understand the points of danger.” It is essential to start today to overcome the distractions we have faced and take action now. Do not procrastinate. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/procrastination/?vgo_ee=lONR%2B7Na63%2B0XxEpIEulhV2u82Bm7jXkAiHzIIjFKMjXhMMEWSY8mA3k%3AQgzaJHBItdVXpFoLLMWldRb4TDNdZzwQ