Entrepreneur, farmer, vintner, outdoorsman,
former professional athlete, and now author,
Joseph Kulbacki is living the “American Dream”. Born in 1938,
the proud son of a small, rural community in Northwestern
Pennsylvania, Kulbacki remembers a time of moral imperatives and
defined values, of commitment to family, and a strong sense of
community. His early years were idyllic. He swam in the back
wood streams, fished, trapped and hunted, tracked deer, hiked
through the valleys and over the mountains of his native state.
Kulbacki received his early education in public schools. He
remembers, vividly and wistfully, that classes each day began
with recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, the pledge of allegiance,
and a spiritual hymn. This daily regimen reinforced the values
espoused by his family and his Christian faith, which today
continue to be the supportive and compelling forces in his life.
Kulbacki was a star running back in high school, and his prowess
on the gridiron earned him scholarship offers from several of
the top universities in the nation. Enamored with the prospect
of playing in the Big Ten Conference – and with a keen interest
in engineering – he entered Purdue University in 1956. He
graduated with a B.S. degree in Industrial Economics, combining
curricula in both engineering and economics, including advanced
studies in marketing.
Upon graduation, having successfully completed the ROTC program,
he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S.
Army.
Kulbacki was a high draft choice of both the Washington Redskins
of the NFL and the Boston Patriots of the newly formed AFL.
However, it was the Buffalo Bills, who had obtained his draft
rights from the Patriots, for whom he would play. After one year
of professional football, Kulbacki interrupted his career to
fulfill his service obligation to the U.S. Army. Following his
2-year stint as an officer in the military, he returned to the
Bills in 1963; he later formed his own engineering consulting
company, specializing in the integration of manufacturing
systems for industry.
Some may call it an epiphany; those more secular might prefer
another frame of reference, a moment of self-realization,
perhaps. Kulbacki, however, is unequivocal when referring to his
spontaneous decision to write America, A Nation That’s Lost Its
Way, calling it “divinely-inspired.” Suddenly awakened from a
dream state in the early morning hours, he was urged to rise, go
to his desk and write. His “dream” posited 10 major crises
confronting the United States, each and collectively of enormous
import. Fearful that any delay would cause him to forget even
one of these critical issues, he immediately began to document
them.
While Kulbacki has long been concerned about the all-consuming
political self-interest of America’s leaders and their patent
lack of courage, he was also deeply upset by the nation’s
economic mismanagement; a growing abandonment of America’s
founding principles, popular disinterest in governmental
affairs, and moral malaise. He found himself called to do
something, to change America’s direction, and to help refocus
our national energy toward solutions to these seemingly
insurmountable problems. Kulbacki believes strongly that
discovering and implementing those answers will determine
America’s continuity, as we know it, or more significantly, our
survival as a nation. To help recapture those ideals, which
America alone in the world once embraced is the central intent
of Kulbacki’s work.
http://joekulbacki.com
PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a
part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?
Joe Kulbacki: I grew up in a small town in the
foothills of northwestern Pa. The great outdoors and sports were a
big part of my earlier years. That interest continued as I went to
Purdue University on a football scholarship and later played
professional football with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL
PageOneLit.com: Why do you write?
Joe Kulbacki: Writing never occurred to me
until I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so approximately (7)
years ago. Some might call it an epiphany as I indicate in my book,
however it was divinely inspired when I was given (10) issues of
what is wrong with America, which are (10) chapters in the book.
PageoneLit.com: Entrepreneur, farmer, vintner, outdoors man, former
professional athlete, and now author -- Which do you like best?
Joe Kulbacki: I have spent most of my adult
career as an industrial consultant working with many of the top
industries in our country. Most of my work involved cost cutting
measures through automated handling systems. Most of my other time
has been developing our farm in western New York, where we grow
blueberries and have grape vineyards. I have recently enjoyed my
journey with the book. It has enabled me to learn different avenues
of journalism and has given me the opportunity to learn about
writing. I like them all.
PageOneLit.com: Tell us about your new book America: A Nation That’s
Lost Its Way. Why did you write this book?
Joe Kulbacki: The book gives a concise and
startling view of what our nation is facing today and how it is
dramatically different from that intended by our Founders. I wrote
the book because the Lord gave me the commission and who argues with
God.
PageOneLit.com: Let's play the name game - I'll toss out a subject
and you voice your opinion --
Joe Kulbacki:
1. The Illegal Immigration: I fully address
this on my blog, www.joekulbacki.com
2. Taxation: Necessary to run the business of our nation, but
never intended to finance the elite lives of career politicians
and special interest groups. Entitlements and taxation if placed
in the hands of few could jeopardize freedom for all. This is
why Congress was not given this responsibility until 1913.
3. The Constitution: Our nations compass to maintain our
freedoms, rights and prosperity
4.Pelosi and Reid: A perfect example of what our Founders most
feared. They are career politicians who want to change America
into the nation they want to create while ignoring our citizens
Constitutional rights.
5. Off shore Drilling: Oil exploration is necessary for America
to sustain its high level of security and power. We have become
too dependent on other nations. I believe we have sufficient oil
reserves in Alaska and the Rocky Mountains, which should be
addressed first and then offshore drilling as a secondary
option.
6. Guns: The reason for the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.
It is the right of the people to keep and bare arms if their
rights should be infringed upon. The 2nd Amendment is in place
in case the politicians of this nation ignore the other
amendments. If you remove the citizens right to bare arms, you
create a state of slavery or bondage. Revolt against such a
government would be justified.
7. Burning of the flag: Our flag is an emblem of the history of
our nation. It represents America and the lives lost to preserve
this countries freedoms. The flag like any historical symbol
should be protected against any flagrant act.
8. Social Security: This program was originally a means to
guarantee a pension program for senior citizens. However, like
many government programs it has turned into a monetary fund that
greedy irresponsible politicians have used to reward their own
agendas through earmarks and entitlements.
9. Social Medicine: Has not been successful anywhere in the
world. Our medical programs have worked for over 200 years, so
why change now. If interstate medical policy competitors were
allowed and tort litigation limited, or medical insurance costs
would be greatly reduced.
10. The Iraq War: The war on terrorism does require the need to
keep the enemy occupied in their own countries rather than in
America. If this requirement means safety to our national
security, then it is necessary.
PageOneLit.com: In your opinion what do you think America needs to
do immediately to turn back in the right direct?
Joe Kulbacki: To reclaim America is to return to
God, our Constitutional Republic and Capitalism.
PageOneLit.com: Explain what today's politicians are ignoring that
our founding fathers put in place.
Joe Kulbacki: Today's politicians no longer go to
Washington with the purpose of improving the makeup of our nation.
Instead these career oriented politicians have an agenda which is to
establish whatever is best for them personally and for their party
rather than to represent the electorate. They make self-serving
decisions that often are centered around power and money. All of
which the Founding Fathers feared most.
PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with America: A Nation
That’s Lost Its Way?
Joe Kulbacki: This book could be called "a book
of awareness". Many Americans are not aware of how our government
has blind sided our nation. Its a handbook for grass-root
Christians, Conservatives & Independents who want to reclaim their
Constitutional Freedoms
PageOneLit.com: Discuss your career and how it has effected your
political views.
Joe Kulbacki: My career has followed my youth as
I grew up under conservative and Christian beliefs. Proverbs 22:6
says, "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he
will not turn from it".
PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?
Joe Kulbacki: Michelle Malkin, "Culture of
Corruption"
PageOneLit.com: What's next?: Perhaps a book that is a sequel to
this one might be appropriate.
Joe Kulbacki: My current book points out as to
what is wrong with America, a follow-up book might be how to
resurrect America.
PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they
enhance your writing?
Joe Kulbacki: My hobbies include hunting, fishing
and a little golf. We own a 50 acre farm with blueberries and
vineyards, which takes a huge amount of time to manage. Wine making
is also a favorite hobby of mine. In many ways these hobbies do
allow time for self evaluation and thought creation.
