By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — “Imprisoned lightning” was the theme of U.S. Sen. Todd Young at the 2021 Kosciusko County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday evening, June 3.

Young referred to the phrase from the poem, “New Colossus,” by Emma Lazarus, that appears on the base of the Statue of Liberty, saying it’s his favorite.

Young focused on that phrase through much of his 40-minute keynote address.

“I think imprisoned lightning represents the reason so many people, generation after generation come to America. Lightning focuses on the importance of what fires the pursuit of our common happiness, imprisoned lightning is that human potential God gives each of us and America is where that potential can be unleashed … ensure lightening be unleashed for future generations of Americans, as long as that remains our national project … We will remain the greatest nation on earth. The greatest nation of all time.”

Sen. Todd Young talks with Jane Miller and her son Rick Miller at the Republican Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday evening. InkFreeNews photo by Deb Patterson.

But he noted this lightning is under threat as institutions are posing a threat to family, community, civil society, not for profits, free enterprise, businesses, philanthropy and government.

“When you have a party of governments, too much government … suffocate other things important to us.”

Young said as he travels around Indiana he encounters stories from “remarkable people who have somehow figured out, against seemingly all odds, released their lightning, realized potential in this country.”

He shared three of those stories.

He stated the imprisoned lightning is why he is seeking re-election, “so we can unleash untapped human potential in every human being … regardless of the color of their skin, political affiliation … everyone deserves a fair shot at success. That is what America is about…”

Young did talk about why Americans should trust Republicans, pointing out the economic growth under Republican leadership, that Democrats are now working to undo. He noted under the Republicans, across America there is “more opportunity to dream, innovate, invest and work hard so they to can realize the American dream.”

His address touched on 2020 and the global pandemic, dishonest opponents and a sometimes-complacent media. He stated when President Joe Biden, in his inaugural address, noted unity, he thought he would give him a chance. Yet that changed. Young and several others asked to talk with the President after a $1.9 trillion relief bill was proposed. They met and went over the package, line item after line item.

“The plan as we left there that day, it was semi triumphant, was to have more negotiations at the staff level,” Young said. However, Sen. Chuck Schumer instead announced he would initiate a “workaround” where Republicans wouldn’t get a say. It would take 51 votes instead of the required 50.

“They changed the rules to ram this $1.9 trillion distended package down people’s throats. Bipartisan? Healing of the country? Well, we haven’t gotten it and I don’t think we’re going to get it.”

Young noted the serious challenges facing America — Iran in pursuit of nuclear weapons, Israel on the end of unprovoked attacks, China stealing away workers and wages, robbing people of their dreams. He stated he is proud to return to the Senate next week and work on the Endless Frontier act, saying it will pass out of the Senate and become law, “by hook or crook.”

Additionally, Young said he was fed up with more restrictions, regulations, taxes, mandates and debts. And he’s fed up with illegal immigrants coming into the country and mentiond a recent visit to the border last week.

He had a first-hand glimpse of people entering through a hole left in the unfinished wall.

He is also fed up with the efforts to erode the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

“If you don’t like it, you need to amend the constitution. Each of us has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States – that means the entire Constitution. I’m fed up with relief bills, infrastructure bills, American family plans that don’t do anything to help our families.”