Thanks for fracking — and chocolate

Typically on this holiday we give thanks for family, friends and the good things in our lives. Perhaps this year it might be appropriate to expand our gratitude to those things in our society that contribute so much to the good things in our lives.

The Constitution. Yes, our governing document is under stress from a president who believes his ends justify his means. But our Constitution is bigger than Barack Obama. It survived Richard Nixon, it will survive Obama, his immigration diktat, his rewriting of the Affordable Care Act for political gain and the IRS harassment of his political foes.

Term limits. Our first president, George Washington, wisely stepped down after two terms to prevent creation of an exalted, all powerful executive, something Obama admirers seem to crave. Washington’s precedent was observed until Franklin Roosevelt’s four terms. His breach can be defended by the exceptional service to the world FDR made in preparing America for the great struggle of World War II. But Americans wisely institutionalized Washington’s precedent in the 22nd Amendment. It’s only too bad term limits don’t apply to Congress.

The armed forces. The service and sacrifice of men and women in uniform constitute a level of commitment to country to which the rest of us mostly don’t rise. The “thank you for your service” comment so frequently made to them should be repeated in Thanksgiving prayers.

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