Seeing the beautiful autumn colors and enjoying cool crisp walks in the woods helps me reflect on how blessed I feel for life itself and the blessing of living in a country, that by law, recognizes my rights of choice and speech. These freedoms are not granted by the government but are recognized by the government as being inherent. Therefore, they cannot be taken away. Any attempt to take away these rights would violate the law as outlined in the first amendment of the constitution which is the law of this land.

I am so thankful, every day of my life, that I can help people with their health concerns because I have the inherent right to free speech. 

I am thankful that congress, unanimously, thirty years ago, passed the Hatch Act allowing herb companies to say what their products were used for. Prior to this action, the Food and Drug administration had illegally taken away free speech by regulation. 

I am thankful for the National Health Federation and many other health groups that have constantly fought to keep government from forcing drugs on the population. The fourth amendment guarantees us of the inherent right to be secure in our persons, houses, etc. The government recently tried to mandate vaccines for everyone, but the constitution requires the Supreme Court to rule against such violations of the law and the Court wisely stopped the abuse.

I am thankful that finally, for the first time in my 75 trips around the sun, that a very brave man spoke out about the abuses of the pharmaceutical industry and ran for President of the United States. Unfortunately, he was denied access to the primaries, not allowed to debate, was tied up in court over proven signatures, his free speech was stymied on the internet and in publications, and denied required Secret Service protection. He was polling over 25% and had proof of the damages being caused by pharmaceutical drugs. Dirty politics crushed his platform, and he withdrew from the race. Perhaps it’s for the better for his safety, since both his uncle and father were assassinated. His uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and his father, former US Attorney General and Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy, were brutally killed by the powers that be.

I am thankful that we who still support the cause of freedom of choice in medicine and health still have a glimmer of hope that Robert Kennedy Jr. might be chosen to oversee these despicable government agencies that should be regulating dangerous foods and drugs. 

I am especially thankful for the inherent right that we all have to choose our leaders, and I pray that we may all be inspired to vote for those who will ensure our safety and happiness. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to vote.   

David Christopher is a Master Herbalist, director of The School of Natural Healing, and son of our beloved Dr. John R. Christopher. He is continually helping others improve their health and that of their family members. The School loves having him as the director.