Remembering Thomas Paine

There are a few people in the history of America that are often quoted but not really remembered. Thomas Paine is one of them. I was reminded of that last week in a DAV meeting when my friend Terry mentioned him while lamenting the current state of politics in America. Probably my favorite quote is this:

"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." These words were printed in The Crisis on December 23, 1776. No truer words have been written.

Politicians are these summer soldiers, patriots only when the sun shines favorably on them. They live in the shadows of fear, not willing to put the moral courage into their convictions.