"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy, 1961.

This is Independence Day.  To many, this day has become a day to celebrate family, friends and neighbors.  To enjoy time together in the sun, to take the boat out for a spin, or to barbecue.  We join together to share in our American bounty.  We can, because of those who have gone before, sacrificing their liberty, their pursuit of happiness, even their very lives on our behalf.  We must, because of the future generations yet to bask in the glory of this greatest nation ever to grace the face of the planet.

But we must also remember that this is a day to celebrate the very dream of independence. 

232 years ago, the greatest collection of minds in a thousand years gathered together to declare on behalf of a new nation that the dream of Liberty should never pass into the annals of history.  Never would tyranny relegate freedom to the footnotes of the past.  And these eleven score and twelve years later, we still hold the truth of liberty aloft as a light to guide us through these treacherous times.

Across the world, billions yearn to share in our dream, while brutally suppressed by those who fear the very idea of American freedom.  The torch of liberty casts a glow which reaches to the darkest corners of the globe.  And our greatest souls, those heroes in uniform fight onward to deliver the most precious gift of liberty to those who suffer, all the while often making the ultimate sacrifice to preserve ours, just as those patriots laid down so many of their lives those 232 years ago, and throughout the years hence.

Celebrate this Independence Day for yourselves, your families, and your friends.  But remember on this July 4th, this 232nd birthday of our United States of America, that there are so many across the world who cannot.  Remember those who laid their lives down to make this Day possible for you.  And together, dream of the many Independence Days to come for those yet to smile in the sun of God's glory in this dream realized: Our United States of America.

God Bless us all.  God Bless America.

Posted by Ben in Ben Crystal on 7/3/2008




Dear Friends,
 
The dream that is the United States of America is a torch of liberty which has lit the world for 232 years.  That torch has been held aloft, the dream kept alive, by the many men and women of our armed forces, so many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might all bask in liberty's glow.  No matter our differences, we are united in our debt to they who have laid down their lives in defense of this land and this liberty.  Even  the most ardent critic of this great nation of ours must admit that their very right to offer such criticism is guaranteed by those for whom this and every Memorial Day is offered as tribute.  Would that every day in America could be a Memorial Day for these many heroes.
 
On this Memorial Day, let us cast aside our differences and pay respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that we might live on in these United States.  For it is because of those whom we honor today that this is truly the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.  God Bless us for their honor, and the privilege they have bestowed upon us.
 
 
Ben Crystal
 
Candidate for Congress, GA's 12th District

Posted by Ben Crystal in Ben Crystal on 5/29/2008




Ben led the charge at a forum hosted by the Bulloch County GOP at RJ’s Steakhouse in Statesboro.  Ben quickly cemented his position as the front runner for the GOP nomination in the 12th with passionate and eloquent statements on support for the FairTax, a national retail sales tax; offshore and domestic oil drilling and their necessity in relieving the gas price crunch and U.S. dependency on foreign oil; and an end to amnesty for illegal aliens coupled with real and determined immigration reform.  Ben also voiced his support for American farmers with his endorsement of an extension to the current farm bill, while suggesting that protections must be given to American farmers against preferential treatment to foreign growers.

Team Crystal enjoyed a delicious meal at RJ’s and appreciate the time Bulloch GOP leaders Allen Muldrew, Lisa Muldrew and Lawton Sack put into hosting the event.  

The Ben Crystal for Congress team will be the guests of Island Grill in Port Wentworth on Thursday, May 15th from 6 to 9pm.  We are excited to be traveling to Columbus, GA on Friday, May 16th for the Georgia GOP convention and the Georgia Federation of Young Republicans convention (www.gagop.org and www.georgiayr.com).  We hope to see all of you there and talk with you about the issues you are concerned with in Georgia’s greatest and most diverse district in the state!

Posted by Ben Crystal in Ben Crystal on 5/12/2008




Welcome to the Ben Crystal for Congress Campaign Blog.  Follow along with us as we travel around Georgia’s 12th District campaigning and meeting voters.  Feel free to drop us an email or give us a call to tell us your concerns and interest in sending a CONSERVATIVE to represent you in Washington.



Posted by Admin in Ben Crystal on 5/12/2008