I am unhappy to report that the “scam” business in America is alive and well. My wife Janis has a credit card company that she has used for several years, and lately she has had to be on the phone several times asking them to remove charges that she knows were not hers. They usually take care of her, but lately she has been asked to call a number, and when she gets them on the line they have an “accent” that is not English. A while back she was talking with a man and could hear a rooster crowing. She said, “Is that your rooster crowing?” He said “Yes” so she asked, “Where are you located?” He said, “The Philippines.” When I mentioned this to a friend, he said, “Everybody in the Philippines has a rooster.”

          Now a more serious word about this matter. It is easy to see why some companies employ people who are in the Philippines, China, and other countries in Asia. For starters, most of these countries are not consumed by sports, and their educational systems are superior to our own. The real reason is that they will work for a lot less money, they are competent, they are not unionized, and they must provide their employees with all kinds of benefits, such as a four-day work week. The big question in my mind is “how did we get in this situation?”

          While this column does not have a logical beginning and end, it is something that we all need to think about, talk about, and even do something about. We need to talk with our legislators, as they are the ones we pay to represent our interests. Having been around for a long time, I know how these things work. One or more people see a need, often self-serving, and contact a legislator friend who drafts a bill and then proposes it to the legislative body. Unless the body encounters a lot of opposition, its members will pass the proposal into law. You would be amazed at how many of our laws are approved in this manner.

          To be sure, the United States of America has the best system of government in the world, and while it is not perfect, we are so blessed to have the freedoms that we have. But we must be careful to elect people to represent us who have a Christian value system of truth, honesty and decency. Hopefully, I have given you something to think about. In my humble opinion, which is shared by millions of Americans, our nation needs to return to God and the truths contained in His word. I am happy to report that we are making progress, as our “Keep Your Fork” book is being placed in the hands of leaders who can make a difference.

          While this column, as I am writing it, will not run for several weeks and our 2024 election will be history, my prayer is that those elected share the same value system our forefathers had when this nation was founded back in 1620 when the Puritans came to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower. To God be the Glory.

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(Jim Davidson is an author, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. For a personalized copy of “Keep Your Fork” send $25 (includes P&H & TAX) to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Dr. Conway, AR 72034)