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The America we knew
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Disclaimer:
Thomas Segel is responsible for this content, which is not edited by the Wilson County News or wilsoncountynews.com. |
June 29, 2011 | 1134 views | 8 comments
HARLINGEN -- One of the nice things associated with having more than eight decades on Planet Earth is you have the freedom to speak your mind without too many repercussions. If people agree with you, then you are considered wise and insightful. If they don’t, you should be ignored because you are just another grumpy old man.
There are not many news items about today’s America that I find reflective of a promising and bright future for the country. Almost half of our population looks longingly at Washington and insists our national leadership bow to their every desire. They make up a society of demanding and ungrateful entitlement seekers who feel the remainder of the population and nanny government are obligated to hold their hands and care for them until the end of their days.
Those in positions of governance, by the largest of majorities, pass laws and write regulations that are designed to keep them in power or placate their particular constituencies. Very few stand tall on behalf of fairness or benefit for all.
Our numbers keep expanding at about 3 million people a year. Unfortunately, the vast percentage of that population group is made up of uneducated, unskilled, and unemployed people who continue to draw down the resources of the country without producing quantifiable benefits to either advance themselves or the new land they occupy.
Anyone who can tune in a nightly newscast or read a daily publication knows the country is broke. Because of our inability to elect honest and insightful people to public office, we keep pandering to the “me-more” faction of society and do less than nothing to move the nation in the direction of recovery.
Those who make up the productive side of America are becoming weary of the constant battle they must wage just to care for their families and themselves and defend against the unrelenting attacks against their personal resources and welfare.
This segment of American society feels it is almost without representation in the Halls of Justice or our national government. They feel the vast majority of elected officials are buffoons, bootlickers, or bandits. Most of all, they feel almost totally deprived of a meaningful voice in the affairs of the nation.
How can we correct the many mistakes that have led us to this untenable position in the life of our country? It could be that the thousands upon thousands of people who make up the Tea Party movement have the answer. We can start by demanding both constitutional and responsible laws be written and passed. We can insist these laws be written to benefit everyone or restrict everyone ... equally. For those in need of help, we can offer a hand up instead of a hand out. Those who have an abundance of resources we can ask to share, but not disproportionately because their labors might have allowed them to reap a larger harvest. Above all, we can demand that America live within its means.
We can encourage men and women of faith to assume roles of service in their communities and government. We can ask those who wore the uniforms of our country to fight more battles on behalf of the nation by seeking public office. These are people who understand both service and duty. They have already lived that role being of that small percentage of people who place service above self. These are the patriots we all need to lead us out of the angst and despair, which now seems to almost overwhelm America.
These are but a sprinkling of the complex issues now on the table before us. Action must be taken swiftly if these matters are to be resolved. It is up to each of us who understands we have lost the America we once knew ... to become part of the solution.
Semper Fidelis.
Thomas D. Segel is a twice-wounded U.S. Marine Corps combat correspondent who retired after 26 years of service. Read his blog space “Tell It Like It Is” at http://wilsoncountynews.com. |
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One Voice
Floresville
July 9, 2011 4:28am
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BHObama
DC
July 8, 2011 11:23pm
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July 8, 2011 11:40am
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BHObama
DC
July 8, 2011 11:20am
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July 7, 2011 9:55am
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Dry Tank, TX
July 6, 2011 12:36pm
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Senior Citizen
Wilson County
July 5, 2011 6:44pm
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July 5, 2011 6:39pm
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