GEORGE CLYMER 1739-1813

George Clymer was born in Philadelphia in 1739 but left an orphan when seven years old.  William Coleman, his mothers brother, who was a wealthy business man in Philadelphia raised him for the business world.  Treated him to a good English education and prepared him for the business world.  George really had more interest in science and  literature.
At age 27 he met and married a Miss Meredith and entered the mercantile business with his father-in-law and brother.  About the same time George's uncle died and left him the bulk of his fortune.  He continued in the business world until 1782.
Even before his marriage George was an outspoken advocate of the Republican cause and voiced his opinion loudly and often.  He was active in public meetings and when the Stamp Act was passed by the British he rebelled loudly spoke often in opposition to it.
In 1774 when military groups began to form he accepted command of a force being formed.  After the "Tea Party" he was placed at the head of the first Council of Safety of Philadelphia and then in 1775 appointed one of the Continental Treasurers.  When two of the Pennsylvania delegates to the General Congress refused to voted for the Declaration of Independence and withdrew from their seats, he and Dr. Rush took their place.
George Clymer became such a thorn in the side of the British that he had to move his family out of harms way while the British destroyed whatever property of his they could find.
In 1782 Robert Morris and others formed a bank and George Clymer became one of the first directors.  That same year Mr. Clymer and Edward Rutledge were sent by Congress to the Southern States to impress upon them the importance of helping the new Republic by paying their fair share of the expenses of Government.
He is credited with putting together a penitentiary system that much improved the system of punishment.
Clymer, at great peril, led in the putdown of the "Whiskey Rebellion" in Pennsylvania and then went on to be a part of the group to treat successfully with the Cherokee and Creek Indians in Georgia.
George Clymer, an important part of our history...if we just taught history again...Medicineman! 

"STIR CRAZY"

The term "stir crazy" comes from old Black and White movies of the prisons back in the days of the "Mobs" and the Gangster era.  I was in High School before I ever knew more than one President.  And that brings me to the point of this message.
Washington, Congress in particular, is like an old time Federal prison.  They arrive there, get set up in on office (cell), get fitted out with all the trappings of the office (sell-block), and then begin to learn the ropes. First of all they must learn that there is a chain of command, you know, someone in charge who tells you where to sit, when to stand, when to talk, etc.  That peron is usually one who has been there for a long time, some a very long time.  Some are "lifers" (or seems like that).
John Dingle just died and managed to stay in his seat (cell) for 56 years.  Pelosie is back in the front seat with the big hammer and in charge of the "Cell-Block".
Now these "Inmates" learn things while "incarcerated", things like how to get reelected and reelected and reelected---well you get the picture.  All these seasoned cell-mates have outside helpers that see that their influence with the "ole gang" back home remains sound and content, and all is "cool" and those on the inside can just go on being "Stir Crazy"!
Of course this is all just a gag but it does seem like this at times.  Perhaps we are all a little "Stir Crazy"!...........Medicineman!

ARE WE A CHRISTIAN NATION?

For a number of weeks I have been writing about the signers of that most important document we as a nation have ever came up with!  No argument there!  And we will continue to talk about those smart, honorable and dedicated men until we mention all 55 signers.
But today I want to swing a little off track and talk about some issues that many of you may not be aware of, or have forgotten.  Our nation was founded by Christians.  We are a Christian Nation!  All the signers of the Declaration Of Independence were committed, practicing Christians or believed the Bible was the word of God.  The early colleges were founded to teach the Clergy.  That same Continental Congress voted to import 20,00 bibles for the people of this nation.
Children learn in school the story of Patrick Henry and his famous statement, "Give me liberty or give me death".  But they only hear part of his message.  The entire statement is this; "An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us.  But we shall not fight our battle alone.  There is a just God that presides over the destinies of naions.  The battle sir, is not of the strong alone.  Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it almighty God.  I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."  
Those who think that Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian, please note what he wrote in the front of his well-worn Bible: " I am a Christian, that is to say a desciple of the doctrines of Jesus.  I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also."
In the words of George Washington: "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the bible.  Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are indispensable supporters.  Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.  Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that our national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
You may remember that in the '60's our "leaders" turned their back on these teachings and began the long slide to where we are today when they "kicked" God out of public schools.  And where has it taken us today?   We are a nation unschooled in the basics of our nation's founding and standing on the precipice!....Medicineman!

AH--THE DREAM--WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN!

He was convinced he could do it.  Yes and what's more he was determined to do it.  After all, it was his birthday, his 90th.  Yes, there were many other things he could have done to celebrate that memorable date.  He could have swum the English Channel(but he was not that good at swimming).  Or he could have run the Boston Marathon ( but it wasn't th right time of the year).  He could take a cruise, hang glide, climb Mt. Everest or even run for President (everybody else is).
With all those ides flying around in his head he suddenly had an amazing idea.  One that would make the history books while, at the same time, shock his friends and scare the daylights out of his children.  Yeah, that's it; I will Sky-Dive. Yes, Sky-dive.  Of course he was not certified to go it alone, so opted for the "Buddy Jump" where one is strapped tightly to a professional Sky-Diver and you go when he goes (whether you are ready or not).  If you scream nobody hears you.  Think about that???
Did our subject enjoy the ride?  Must have, he said he would be back when he reaches 100 yrs.  Stay tuned!...Medicineman!

WAY TO GO OR WACKO?

The banners are everywhere---MEDICARE FOR ALL.  Free health care for those who need it (and those who THINK they need it) sounds like something we all could use.  "Boy that would really save us a lot of money" is the common response when the question is asked.  Take a look at facts.
It is estimated to cost the people of this country 2.4 trillion dollars a year to fund such a plan.  That is a lot of greenbacks in anyone's neighborhood.
Think about what would happen to insurance companies.  they would be out of business.  The people who work there would be out of work, unemployed that is.  But they would be taken care of when they became undernourished.  And for free!  We would need to train more physicians, nurses, ambulance drivers, paramedics, etc.  Oh yes, almost forgot---need to build more hospitals, clinics etc.  How about the emergency rooms?  They would be overflowing (worse than now) with snot-nosed kids and head colds and coughs, etc.  Because if care is free why go to the drug store and buy cold medicines?
If what I am portraying seems a little extreme just look around at those countries that have tried socialized medicine;  every one is a disappointment.  Waiting times for treatment prompt people to come to the United States from Canada, and even pay, because they get treated now.
Socialized Medicine is a bad idea whose time to fade away has come!....Medicineman!