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Edited on Thu Nov-02-06 06:19 PM by Fabio
and blaming us for all the worlds ills...
The promise of america is embedded within the eternal concepts of the republic lay down in the Constitution and abided to, with varying levels of success, throughout most of our history. If looked at objectively, that promise, and the success of the founding fathers' initial mission, is fading.
First, let's talk history here. The country from the outset was a melting pot of castaways, bonded powerfully by a single commanility in that most of its residents were fleeing religious (and economic) persecution. Emphasis on individual rights was a hallmark of that initial vision. As was a right to privacy, due process, etc. Let's be honest -- there were some flaws along the way -- slavery foremost among them. Yer our 230 year history has always been marked by progress and self improvement. Lincoln did end slavery, separate but equal was repudiated, and woman got to vote. These were mighty and just advances of which we can all be proud. Even as a society of entrepreneurs and capitalists, we did start taking care of our sick and elderly, and our environment. Both parties, it seemed, moved us forward. Hell, Nixon started the EPA. Lincoln signed the emancipations proclamation. Kennedy got us to the moon. America was mighty enough to determine the outcome of two world wars. Yet it was powerful, wise and graciousness enough to rebuild its biggest adversaries from those conflicts.
Where has that America gone?
Today, despite history, some in our country would identify the flag with a single god. We live in a world where our written thoughts, habits, and phone calls can be monitored with no warrant, no cause. We are pulling back on Medicare and Medicaid, and selling our habitat to the highest bidders. We have proudly become a society of uber capitalists and believers in american ingenuity, yet we educate our children poorly amd unequally....Some of our leaders would even have us teach intelligent design...in biology class. Where once there was the Marshall Plan (and its execution) we now have Katrina (and a still devestated New Orleans). And, of course, there is seminal issue of the Iraq war. To see the country you love start an unnecessary war in the name of concepts espoused by the founding fathers (freedom) and based on lies couched as certainties is the ultimate perversion. To see young americans and iraqis of all ages dying is devastating. To watch another series of generations -- both here and abroad -- exposed to the hatred and violence of war and to feel its numbing impact on those societies' value of human life, well, that is just plain heart breaking.
All of these things are happening in and to America. I love and am proud of my country's history, but I must say that I am beyond concerned about where things are today. It's clear to any objective viewer that we, as a country, have lost our way these last six years under the President's leadership. America the concept is still strong, but American society today is not, and the country is no longer self-correcting. Something in the system has changed. It is no longer balanced as intended. We could talk for hours about what or who is responsible for this -- but the net effect is that this country no longer strives for a unifying ideal (besides $ and fame). We are no longer progressive in the purest sense. And that is what I hate. And I blame George Bush, and the narrow agendas of the coalition that got him elected. Twice.
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