An Un-United States of America?

The recent correlation of information for a World War II exhibit was a real and unexpected eye opener. America back then and America today not only have little similarity to one another they could be mistaken for entirely different entities. What happened to us and what’s wrong with that picture?

Perhaps attitude is a strong contender in the list of variables. Prior to WWII, America, although severely damaged by the Great Depression, was nonetheless united and determined to recover. Before that recovery had even turned the corner the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the nation’s cohesiveness became necessity rather than choice. Survival of these United States, in the face of great adversity, became more important than anything else and a united America stepped up to the plate.

There were still Republicans, Democrats and a few Independents but political convictions were put aside in the interest of the greater good of all. A good example of all for one and one for all is a small, central Texas county bought an airplane, a ship and more war bonds than the combined income of all it’s 15,000 residents to support the war effort. At that time the income of any one of those residents was below the poverty level and yet they gave.

The same tiny county proudly claimed over 1,000 young men and women in America’s armed services; some came home but many did not. Those on the home front did without gasoline, tires, sugar and many creature comforts in the name of victory and the elusive gold ring of peace during WWII. Every American citizen, whether residing at a wide place in the road or a metropolis, supported the war effort and gave until it hurt.

How have we, as Americans, drifted so far apart and away from unity? What happened to self-sufficiency and pride both as individuals and collectively as a nation? At what point, and why, have our elected officials turned a deaf ear to our attitudes, opinions and rights as citizens of these United States? Is our Constitution still valid or has it been watered down, ignored and reduced to idealistic dogma?

Freedom of speech is undoubtedly one of the most important rights held by any American yet daily attempts to muzzle the press, talk show hosts, and any one presenting a dissenting view on the way this country is run is now viewed with a jaundiced eye by many. A different viewpoint often results in one being labeled a rabble rouser, uninformed, dissident, dangerous, heretic and more times than not "unamerican." Being able to state a differing viewpoint is proof positive the dissenter is American by virtue of the simple fact he/she is speaking out. Voicing an opinion is not only discouraged but dangerous in many parts of the world.

Believing common sense will kick back in of it’s own accord, at some point in this country, is a dangerous assumption because it won’t. A government that’s bigger and more powerful than it’s people, if left to it’s own devices, will become an incurable cancer that spreads and becomes more dominant as it grows. Our forefathers knew this and did everything they could, constitutionally, to prevent it. They led with the idea that freedom loving Americans would follow their lead with conviction, purpose and unbridled determination and some Americans do just that. Those Americans are easily identifiable; as previously stated, they’re now labeled dissident, dangerous and rabble rousers!

Are there answers to this nation’s collective dilemmas? A little common sense and objectivity on the part of it’s citizens would be a good start. Simple economics prove when we owe more than we make, or even hope to make, our financial future is grim. Secondly, continuing to lavishly spend while in dire economic straits is not only stupid but unacceptable. Being in debt to another, be it a finance company, bank or nation, gives that entity power over us and we must bow deeply and show undue and unwarranted respect because of our indebtedness.

Ideally, if each American, rather than voting from a "what’s best for me" viewpoint instead voted for a "what’s best for my country" stance; improvement and unity would follow. If we vote out career oriented, professional politicians that ignore the wishes of their constituents and vote in those with common sense, care and concern for fellow citizens and deep and abiding love for this country, without reservation, it would all add up to a big first step in taking back America for Americans.

The statement "united we stand and divided we fall" is more true today than at any other time in the history of these United States and the current free-fall we’re now in, is at best, frightening. Perhaps the pertinent questions for every American’s consideration are: How much farther is it to the ground, what happens before we bottom out and what awaits us when we hit?