Helvig's Helvitorials

Hang the spies

Unpublished - Hang the spies, by Alan Helvig

Short and simple:  The traitors who recently released classified information to the New York Times need to be tried, convicted and sentenced as spies.  The traitors at the Times who knowingly published the classified information need to be tried, convicted and sentenced as spies.  A failure to do so will simply result in additional espionage within the borders of the U.S., leading to more terror attacks and more American deaths.  We are at war, and it is high time for our government and our citizens to start acting like it.

For a more detailed view of Alan's opinion on this matter, check out his article, The Media and National Security by clicking here:  http://www.helvitorial.com/weblog/2006/06/the_media_and_n.html

Bye Bye Debbie Stabenow

Unpublished - Bye Bye Debbie Stabenow

Six years ago, Michiganders felt they needed a change of representation in the U.S. Senate.  They were not happy with what they had and so they got rid of Spence Abraham and voted in some new blood, Senator Debbie Stabenow.  I am proud to live in a state that not only recognizes the need for change, but is capable of exercising their vote to make change happen.  Once again, it is time for a change in Washington.  It is time to say, "Bye bye," to Debbie Stabenow.

Since her arrival on the hill, Stabenow has done next to nothing as a U.S. Senator.  Her primary objective is not to represent the citizens of Michigan.  Rather, it is to be a fly in the ointment of Republican politics.  All too often, we see Debbie standing in the background of our extreme left-wing leaders, as they pump their craziness into American televisions.  When Senators Harry Reid, John Kerry and of course, Ted Kennedy rant, there too shall you find lil' Debbie.  When Representatives Kucinich, Rangel, and Pelosi rave, lil' Debbie is typically nearby. 

I don't know about you, but I don't vote someone into the U.S. Senate for the purpose of being a wrench in the machine.  I expect my senators to do their absolute best to represent me as a citizen and to represent the majority of their constituency to the best of their ability.  I expect my senators to write bills into law that will serve the citizens of this great state.  I expect my senators to vote for bills which will make this great nation even better than it is.  I expect my senators to protect my interests by being strong on national defense, tough on crime and hard on illegal immigration.

Debbie Stabenow is not what I expect a senator to be.  She does not represent me or my beliefs.  Stabenow does not represent the views or the needs of the citizens of Michigan when she casts her votes on the senate floor.  She has not shown herself to be strong on national defense, crime or illegal immigration.  And worst of all, in 5 1/2 years, lil' Debbie has only had one bill passed into law.  What was it?  Some federal building has a new name thanks to our most useless senator.  Which building is it and what is it's new name?  Who cares?

It is time for Michiganders to stand up for what is right and call for a change on Capitol Hill.  It is time for Michiganders to exercise their vote to eliminate a problem.  It is time to do away with 'Do Nothing Debbie'.  It is time for Keith Butler to enter the ranks of the U.S. Senate. 

Keith Butler is Michigan's best solution to the lil' Debbie problem.  Keith Butler was elected to the Detroit City Council in 1989, making him the only Republican to serve on that council in 50 years.  He is the founder and senior pastor of the Word of Faith International Christian Center Church in Southfield, MI.  Keith Butler also runs a successful elementary/middle school known as the Faith Christian Academy.

Although he is not a career politician, Mr. Butler has been active in politics since the Reagan era.  In fact, it was Ronald Reagan who helped Keith realize he was a actually a Republican, not a Democrat like the rest of his family.  Imagine the conversations at that dinner table.  Keith Butler carries the endorsements of people you know, like Jack Kemp, J.C. Watts, Candice Miller, and Fred Upton.  He is highly respected by the leadership of Michigan's Republican Party and yours truly. 

Unlike the majority of the Democrats running for office in '06, Keith Butler has a solid platform.  His vow is to protect American families, to fight the war on terror, to create jobs for Michigan, to improve education for our children, to defend our rights under the 2nd amendment, and to stop illegal immigration.  Mr. Butler also has an eight point pledge to stop earmark spending in Washington.  Most of all, contrary to the ways of our current senator, Keith Butler vows to represent all of the citizens of Michigan.

I have met the candidates and have heard them speak.  There is no doubt in my mind that Keith Butler is Michigan's answer to our lack of leadership in the U.S. Senate.  So stand tall and raise your voice.  Let it be known that it is time to say, "Bye bye," to 'Do Nothing Debbie' and to say, "Hello," to Senator Keith Butler of the great state of Michigan.

Illegal immigration hits home

Published June 19, 2006 - Illegal immigration hits home, aka:  Jobs and the Economy

If you ask any of the political candidates who are running for a state seat in this year's election, "What will be your top priority if elected?" they will tell you, "Jobs and the economy."

While the song remains the same, the dance differs from candidate to candidate. Each candidate has his or her own opinion as to what is wrong with the economy and what is needed fix it. However, I have yet to hear even one of these Lansing hopefuls say, "Illegal immigration is a serious part of our jobs problem here in Southwest Michigan."

Some people in this country would have you believe that the illegal aliens are good for our national economy. Some would have you believe that illegal aliens are all just "good people" who are not hurting anyone. Some would have you believe that illegal aliens only work in the fields or take only trivial jobs. Anyone who believes the far left when they say "illegal immigrants are only taking the jobs that American citizens won't take" is living in the land of dementia. The situation is significantly more complicated than they want you to believe.

The fact of the matter is that there are a great number of illegal aliens working right here in Southwest Michigan, preventing American citizens from supporting their families. Not only do we have illegal immigrants picking our crops and trimming our lawns, we also have them working in our stores, in our restaurants and yes, in our factories and plants. Every local job being performed by an illegal alien is one more job your out-of-work neighbor cannot have.

Why would a highly successful, local company hire such a person? The standard reasons vary from greed to ignorance. There are the disgruntled employers, who disagree with the policies of our government and deliberately hire illegals as their personal act of rebellion. There are the deviants who hire illegal aliens and pay them substandard wages, typically under the table. And of course, there are always the "don't ask, don't tell" business owners, who prefer to look the other way.

There is another reason that our highly respected, local companies hire illegal aliens. The majority of the illegal aliens in our workforce have either purchased/forged their papers or have overstayed their work visa, misleading employers into believing they are legal residents. These men and women are con artists and frauds, who have lied and cheated their way into our job market. These "good people" are literally stealing the food off of your out-of-work friend's plate.

While your neighbor is applying for unemployment and food stamps, these illegal aliens are working next to you at the local plant. While your good friend is selling his house and searching for a job in another state, these thieves are standing in line next to you at the local market. While millions of illegal aliens are being imported to the United States every year, millions of dollars are being exported from the United States every year. That's right, while Michigan sits at the bottom of the jobs scale for the entire country, these criminals are making good money and sending it back to support the economy of their native country.

Legislators in Lansing need to focus on every aspect of our jobs crisis and do a better job of protecting our law-abiding citizens from fraud in the workplace. Stiffer laws need to be written and enforced to punish employers who are deliberately or ignorantly hiring illegal aliens. Additionally, better systems should be made available for Michigan employers to conduct more thorough background searches on potential and existing employees, so as to flush out these stealthy criminals who are fraudulently stealing our jobs.

American citizens and legal residents should not have to compete with illegal aliens for any job here in Michigan. Next time you talk to a candidate for the state Legislature, ask them about their position on illegal aliens in the workplace. Next time you contact your current representative or senator, tell them how you feel about the negative impact of illegal aliens on Michigan's job market. This is not a time for procrastination. It is a time for action!

An image of my father

Unpublished - An image of my father, by Alan Helvig

It is Father's Day, 2006 and I am daydreaming about my youth. 

When I was about 6 or 7, my father took me on one of our many fishing trips.  We were on our way to a pond, somewhere outside of Wichita, which was known for its rather large bass.  As we were walking down the trail, dad was telling me about things to watch out for, like snakes.  He told me that if I ever saw one, I should freeze and wait for it to slither away.  It couldn't have been but another 100 yards up the trail, when I suddenly had to freeze. 

I did not see the crafty creature; I felt it.  In fact, it was climbing up the inside of my pant leg.  I let out a slight whimper, "Dad" and he turned around to see what was wrong.  Shaking frantically, I told him that there was a snake in my pants.  He looked and sure enough, he saw something moving around down there.  "Hold still", he uttered, with concern in his voice.  "If you move, it may bite you!"  Needless to say, that is not the most encouraging thing to tell a little boy who has a snake in his pants. 

As I trembled with fear, dad put down all the gear and carefully began to open my pants and look inside.  "Hold on bud, I am going to grab it", he whispered.  With tears running down my cheeks, I simply nodded, as I was no longer capable of speaking.  He lunged his hand down my pant leg and grabbed a hold of the beast.  One of us screamed; I can't remember who.  Then dad looked up at me with the biggest smile on his face, as he pulled a cold, slimy, green frog out of my pants. 

After we were done laughing about the whole thing and after someone got a clean pair of undies, we continued onward to the pond for a wonderful day of fishing.  For the rest of my childhood, one of dad's favorite phrases to me was, "If it were a snake, it would have bitten you".  Although he used that phrase when he found something that I had been looking for, it sure takes on a new significance here.

Return to Sender

Unpublished - Return to Sender, by Alan Helvig

Congratulations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) on the success of Operation Return to Sender.  In less than three weeks, they have managed to track down and arrest approximately 2100 illegal aliens with criminal records.  Many of these illegals were violent criminals who had been previously deported.  There were also a number of convicted sex offenders and gang bangers, including members of the dreaded gang, MS-13.  Combined with the numbers from a similar operation in April, DHS and ICE have now captured some 3200 illegal alien criminals, many of which have been deported.

While it is great that ICE is getting these criminals off the streets of America, it is also sad that we are debating the rights of illegals to stay here, so they can continue their criminal activities on our soil.  Many of the Americans who are mourning the loudest for victims of violent crimes are the same people who believe that illegals should have the right stay here and even earn their citizenship.  They cannot have it both ways!  You can either be an advocate for the victims or you can be an advocate for the criminals.  Which are more important, the rights of the illegals or the rights of the victims?  Allowing these thugs to stay here will only result in more American victims.

Contempt for the law can only breed more contempt for the law.  Illegal aliens do not respect the laws of this country.  They do not respect the authorities of this country.  They live a life of contempt for our laws and disrespect for our authorities.  There can be no respect for the law without first having an appreciation for justice, which illegal aliens obviously do not have. 

So, keep up the good work DHS and ICE.  Don't stop until the entire criminal infestation has been eradicated.

Sex Offender Sweep

Unpublished - Sex Offender Sweep, by Alan Helvig on April 27, 2006

Kudos to Attorney General Gonzalez and the entire law enforcement task force which rounded up over 1100 violent sex offenders in one week.  My hat is off to everyone involved in this huge, nationwide operation.  This type of initiative is exactly what is needed in this country if we are going to get serious about violent crime. 

Now if we could just get the courts to put them away and keep them in jail where they belong, we could all sleep more soundly at night.  We are still in dire need of some form of Jessica's Law here in Michigan, where violent sex offenders and child molesters receive minimum 25 year prison sentences.  Don't be afraid to give your elected officials in Lansing a call to tell them to get on it!

Choices and Consequences

Unpublished - Choices and Consequences, by Alan Helvig on May 3, 2005 in response to Hope College students protesting the school's administration.

We all have rights which are guaranteed us by the Constitution. However, we also have responsibilities. For one thing, we are responsible to our employers. When a professor signs on at a college, he/she accepts responsibility for their actions. In choosing to exercise his first amendment right to free speech, the professor abandoned his responsibility to the school. In doing so, he triggered a response by the administration to exercise their right and their responsibility to protect the institution. The choice to exercise your freedom of speech does not excuse you from your responsibility to the organization of which you are part.

Freedom is not free. All freedoms come at a price. A member of the President’s staff has the “right” to speak his/her mind, even if it is contrary to the President’s policies. However, if they do so, they could surely be asked to resign or even be fired. The CEO of a major organization may have the constitutional right to say whatever he/she wants, but they still have a responsibility to bite their tongue.

In this funny little thing called life, we all have certain rights and certain responsibilities. In fact, with our rights come responsibilities. Many in our community have accepted the responsibility of funding a College they believe to be teaching invaluable life lessons to our youth. What do they get for their generosity? They are the subjects of protests and verbal abuse from liberals in the press and from the very mouths that they are feeding. You don’t bite the hand that feeds you. How many of the Hope protesters would still attend the College if their tuition was doubled due to a lack of financial support from donors. Where do the students who enjoy all the free amenities offered by the school think the money comes from to keep those amenities free?

I salute the donors who put pressure on the school administration and I commend the College for taking a stand. It takes great courage to stand up for what you believe in. Subsequently, I am glad to see that a number of students had the courage to take a stand for what they believed to be right. Although I disagree with their position and question their course of action, it is good to know that they are willing to fight against what they believe to be wrong.

In this game of choices and consequences, we have to pick our battles. We have to weigh the potential reaction against our options. We must decide if the end result will benefit or hurt those we care about. Why should the professors have the right to say what ever they want, but the donors are to just shut up and send in their checks? How arrogant, disrespectful and unappreciative can a class body possibly get?

When you live in a free society, such as the one we have here in America, your choices in life seem unlimited. However, with these unlimited choices come unlimited consequences. If you choose to eat fast food everyday, your body will suffer the consequences. If you choose not to complete high school, you will very likely suffer in the work force. If you choose to invest in the lottery instead of a savings account, you jeopardize your financial future.

I am appalled at all of the attacks on Hope College and any other institution which stands up for its own rights. It would appear that part of the liberal philosophy is that everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, so long as your freedom doesn’t say anything negative about them. John Kerry took a number of shots at the President, but when shots were taken at him, he whined like a baby. A number of celebrities took great offence when people voiced their opposing opinions regarding their political rebellion. Sarandon, Robbins and the Dixie Chicks, just to name a few, are examples of people who can dish it out, but can’t take it.

Freedom of speech is not only the right of an individual here in America, but it is also the right of organizations, companies and institutions. I applaud any individual or institution which has the courage to say and do what they believe to be right. Hope College exercised their rights when they took a stance and they should be acknowledged for taking a stand. Hope College handled the protesting students with dignity and respect, while the students exercised their right to be disrespectful toward the School’s administration. Anyone who has the courage to voice their opinions in the public forum should have the courage to face the consequences of their actions.

Whining about gas prices

Unpublished - Whining about gas prices, by Alan Helvig on May 18, 2004

The price of gasoline is on the rise and will undoubtedly remain above $2.00 per gallon for quite some time. American support for the war in Iraq is dropping and will continue to decline. Instability in the Middle East is growing at an alarming rate. More and more Americans believe that we should pull out of the region and bring our troops home. Those same Americans are the ones whining the loudest about how the price of gasoline is hurting them.

When is America going to grow up and realize that you can’t have your cake and eat it too? The United States has maintained a significant force in the Middle East for decades. Many Americans have lost their lives while serving in the gulf region since well before the beginning of the first gulf war. One of our biggest battle groups is the fleet that patrols the Persian Gulf. Why are they there? To protect the oil that is being shipped out of the region so that these whining Americans can eat their cake.

The threat of terrorism in the Middle East has continued to grow and the actions of terrorists are escalating. If it were up to the terrorists, and frankly the majority of the Arab people, we would have to pay them outrageous prices for oil. In truth, if it were up to many in the region, we would not even be allowed to buy our oil from OPEC. Anti-American sentiment in the Arab world is so bad they would sacrifice their profits to see us go without oil.

If we don’t get a grip on the situation, we will lose our footing in the Middle East and subsequently lose our influence over regional stability. When that happens it will be too late for Americans to take back all of their whining. It will be too late to fight for regime change in terrorist states. It will be too late to win the battle for peace and stability in the region. It will be too late for us to buy our oil at an affordable price. The price of oil may not be the main reason we have maintained a significant force in the Middle East, but it will be one of the biggest casualties of an American withdrawal. If we want the price of gasoline to stay low, we have to win the war on terror and the battle for peace in the region. We also have to win the hearts and minds of the Arab people.

America needs to embrace the good that is happening in Iraq and make sure the rest of the Arab world sees the positive side of our involvement in Iraq’s recovery. Americans need to do their part to win the hearts and minds of the Arab people. America needs to see the world as it is and make a choice to either live with it “as is” or make it a better place for all. We need to quit whining about the war and quit giving our enemies fuel for their fires. We need to quit whining about the price of gasoline while there is instability in the Middle East. We need to get unified as a nation and focus on victory. This victory will only be obtained when there is stability in the Middle East. We need to accept the fact that global terrorism will only get worse if we don’t defeat it where it lives. We need to recognize the courage that it takes to make things right in the world, support our leadership and be strong as a nation.

Christianity vs. the ACLU

Unpublished - Christianity vs. the ACLU; a letter by Alan Helvig

If more Americans were devout Christians, the ACLU would have no power.  The problem is that our country is walking away from God about as fast as it can.  There is this false stigma surrounding the so called "Separation of Church and State".  There is a call to remove God from the schools, government buildings, public officials, and yes, even groups like the boy scouts. 

The ACLU may be the hand of the devil, but it is just part of the problem.  The bigger problem is the average American.  He refuses to go to church regularly.  He refuses to embrace God's Word as the ultimate authority in his life.  He refuses to put on the armor of God and to take a stand for the Lord.  He refuses to tithe to the Church.  He loves the world too much to put God first in his life.  He refuses to make his personal relationship with Jesus Christ the number one relationship in his life.  Because of all of these things, he is ill prepared to face Satan's attacks.

America is on the same path that the Israelites were on between the time of the Judges and their 70 year exile.  Even though they were warned what would happen to them, they still turned their backs on God until God finally had enough of their worldly unholiness.  He allowed the Assyrians and the Babylonians to rout their country and to take their people into bondage.  This was the penalty for their disobedience.  Why should America believe that we will not suffer the same result?

As for my thoughts versus my prayers, I can only say this:  Jesus did not ask His apostles to think about Him when he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  In fact, he told them to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation".  In Paul's letters he always spoke of prayer and called for prayer, "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now..."  and "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." 

The point of the lesson was not to just think about someone, but to actually get down and pray with them or for them.  Simply thinking about someone is a worldly trait.  Praying for them is a Godly trait. 

I recently received a revelation regarding prayer.  When we say prayers such as "God is great... or Now I lay me..." who are we praying to?  We refer to God in the third person.  Our prayers are not just thoughts that include God.  They are a direct, personal communication with the Lord Himself.  It is a two-way communication between a person and their Savior.  A thought is not a prayer.  It is a one way line of communication, much like a radio signal.  A prayer expects a response from the listener, God.  A person who truly prays listens for that response.

Gun control is not the answer

Unpublished - Gun control is not the answer; a letter by Alan Helvig written shortly after 9/11/01.

I have said it before and will say it again.  Gun control is not the answer to our problems.  Living by established morals, accountability and responsibility are what we need in this country. 

The events of September 11th and again today go to show that guns are not the problem.  People are the problem.  Not one gun was present; not one shot was fired; and yet, our great nation suffered it's worst single attack against human life on September 11th.  Today, a man used a knife on a bus and cost 6 people their lives.  Neither incident involved the use of guns and yet, many people suffered and lives were forever changed. 

The bible clearly established the rules and morals we should be living by.  If we, as a nation, would return to a lifestyle which is governed by the word of God, we might yet survive.  We must be responsible and be willing to hold people accountable for their wrongdoings.  We must abide by the law and be willing to treat criminals as criminals.

Our legal system is supposed to serve as a deterrent against criminal behavior.  Instead, we have taught our children to fear and disrespect the law.  We teach people how to "Get Off" in court.  We have made heroes out of criminals who have gotten away with heinous crimes.  As long as we continue to allow this type of activity to flourish, we will continue to have the problems which destroy our way of life. 

Some criminals may use guns, but guns don't turn people into criminals!  The problem is people.  The problem is attitude.  The problem is a lack of respect for others.  The problem is a lack of respect for the law.  The problem is a lack of respect for God. 

The SOLUTION has been here all along.  The SOLUTION is people.  The SOLUTION is attitude.  The SOLUTION is respect for others.  The SOLUTION is respect for the law.  The SOLUTION is GOD.  Let's work together to SOLVE our problems.