Is that the question? Every individual must make their own choices. Seems to me, it would be most keen if one could arrange a second residence in another nation that has favorable conditions (decent economic growth/future, reasonable public health and healthcare available, good schools, healthy food supply/good water etc...). A sort of vacation home (modest would be okay) that could act as a refuge should it become necessary.
Will it become necessary? Who knows, the point is that given the rise of totalitarian thinking in this country (right-wing facists/corporatists, theocrats, neocons), and the increasing collapse of our governmental structures (Congressional apathy and failure to perform Oversight duties, the perverted Conservative domination of both the Supreme Court/Federal Courts and Congress, NeoCon control of the Executive/abuse of power/seeking "unitary" powers, dissolution of Separation of Church and State, Loss of Civil Rights and Legal Protections and the weakening of the Rule of Law, increasing resemblance to a Police State, etc), it's just possible that we will face a real decision in the coming decade. That decision may well be involve either facing a terrible struggle (potentially involving violence) for restoration of our Republic/Democracy/Freedom or enduring an indefinite period of darkness, oppression and abuse.
In either case, from the perspective of the individual, it may very well be preferrable to be elsewhere--to avoid either the hostilities or suffering (really, both in either case).
Obviously, we can't all run; if there's to be hope for America, most must stay and join the struggle. It's also the case, if these anti-Democratic forces do retain a more permanent hold on power, that many other countries will no longer be safe--as imperialism seems to be a component of the mindset of those who would take power.
I'd like to think that since our military is composed primarily (more or less) of regular citizens who are well (enough) educated and cherish American ideals and our Democracy, that they would refuse orders involving making war on their own fellow citizens. However, stranger things have happened. They are trained and conditioned to follow orders and the psychology of groups, of belonging to an exclusive or preferred group which prides itself on discipline... well, if our economy well and truly collapsed but the nefarious leadership ensured that the military was relatively immune and treated preferrentially, it's just possible that pragmatic concerns could lead soldiers to do whatever they had to to keep their positions (and thereby feed their families or in the more shallow cases, feed their egos and retain their privileged situations). Even so, I would predict things won't devolve to that point. We're going to face truly serious and intolerable encroachments on our rights and probably have to endure what amounts to economic collapse/universal poverty (excepting the wealthy) which will try our souls as never before... but we will recover.
Civilization has it's ups and downs, but Democracy is an idea that works better for more people than any other approach to governing--and we're basically addicted to it. We're not going to stand idly by when it becomes painfully evident that we're about to lose it. The operative word there is "painfully". We're going to need some pain; a bit of a shock to the senses and the suffering that will provide the motivation to keep going when it gets hard.
Would it be better to sit it out and watch it all happen from a comfortable, safe place? Maybe so. Is it the noble, corageous way? Probably not. Would it be the best thing for one's family? Perhaps; then again, such trial by fire often brings out the greatness in people and/or creates the greatest people. It imbues people with a real respect for life and reverence for peace and in the end the people will truly appreciate their freedoms and Democratic form of government. Then again, there will be great suffering and if the struggle involves violence, some won't survive. While it may be said that "people are never so alive as when they're facing death", it's a difficult existence. Simply put, though, if you consider survival and/or comfort to be of primary importance, the obvious choice is to avoid the situations by leaving. I suppose it could be said that if you instead value courage and sacrifice for others and want to save America because you cherish her ideals, freedoms and form of government, you'd choose to stay and accept the challenge whatever it may involve.
As for making that decision for your children, it should be pointed out that the goal of saving our Democracy very much is as much for the future of our children as it is for ourselves; that, of course, is if you are considering all of America's children as opposed to just your own. However, your child is likely to be relatively happy wherever they are; children adapt to their environments--if anything--easier than we do. They'll be happy in some foreign country and oblivious to what they're missing or avoiding back here, just as they'll probably find a way to be happy enough here--even facing some privations and hard times. Then again, if it's truly bad here, and truly bad means things like starvation, violence or death--then they might survive elsewhere while they wouldn't here. Under such conditions they wouldn't be very happy here and probably be scarred by the experience if they did survive; and that's if they don't face the loss of you, their own parents. Escaping/avoiding such as that would have to be considered wisdom, if you can manage it. Remember, though, had many Americans decided to leave the country for the sake of their children back in 1775, we might still be speaking English! ( :grin: ) The point there, if there is one, is that patriots didn't avoid the struggle for freedom for the want of their children's comfort and safety. Families are probably made all the stronger for the shared hardships and danger (again, those that survived).
We probably face far greater danger from nuclear or biological war or even more likely the Bird Flu, in terms of lives lost, than from some revolutionary or civil war for restoration of Democracy. Admittedly, though, it is deeply frustrating and profoundly fatiguing to witness our current political regression--especially when by virtue of ruthless politics (with outright vote fraud) we're the effectively helpless minority in our own government.
What bothers me the worst is the simply unbelievably large percentage of the population that is apparently so ignorant, so selfish, so intolerant and misguided. How could they have come to be that way? Isn't this the United States of America and isn't this the 21st century? Are we not beyond such stupidity? Apparently not. Alas, the wealthy are in power and care only for their own privilege and "the People" are merely fodder to be used and abused according to their whims.
In any case, we're nowhere near the point we should cut and run if such a time is even possible. Even so, it would seem wise, however, if you're personally able to, to at least consider your options and think about your preparations. Any decision involving a move, though, should involve some long, hard reflection. You may well regret it if you leave, even if you do enjoy relative safety and comfort. You and perhaps your children too may experience a sense of guilt or shame for the rest of your lives for having taken the easy way out--especially if you leave, the struggle is played out and works out for the best and you then return. Other kids will ask "where where you when...", and the answer will be "we moved away before..."; hopefully they will understand. But even if they do, and even if they wish they had left or been able to leave, it seems likely they're resent the fact that they suffered and you didn't--or even feel pride that they withstood the challenge and you retreated. Who knows.
Still, the thought has a certain appeal; I'm not sure even whether I would choose to stay and fight if I had the option to avoid it all. I know what the wealthy would choose. I suspect I'd be stupid enough to stay, but even if I didn't use it, I'd have to say I think it would feel very good to know I
could leave (had a place to go) if it became most necessary (even recognizing that leaving might be difficult or impossible if things go really bad). Funny how that works.
As for cowardice, 'twould seem there's but a fine line between cowardice and wisdom. So long as you're true to yourself, you really do have the freedom to do whatever you find most appropriate/desirable. Those who value ideals such as courage, patriotism would probably feel they've run away and let down their friends, family and country; they should probably stay. Those who prize the safety and quality of life of themselves and their families above such considerations as Democracy, nationalism and community should do right by their concerns and relocate. So long as you do what you believe is best for yourself and those you care about; whether some would consider themselves superior (according to their own values) and so consider your actions cowardly, is not a matter for real concern. So, "to thine own self be true" and be satisfied with that.
Hmmm... I seem to be trying to write a book or something, going on and on and on like this. Oh well.
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