The American Dream

If you have ever wondered where the national debt originated from this will be enlightening:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infographics/us-national-debt

It’s amazing to me that many Americans are willing to toss away many values they were taught from their youth.  Most learned from their parents that hard work, honesty, caring for others, along with biblical teachings, would be the tools for a better future.  Somehow these teachings have been watered down, twisted, and morphed into an entirely different picture of “The American Dream”.

Today’s American Dream is winning at all costs.  School sports are a fast track to public acceptance and have replaced education as the most attractive aspect of our public school system.  Studying for mandatory testing has replaced a normal curriculum and has become a full-time task for school teachers. Parents are no longer able to discipline their children; however, they assume the blame for problems or issues that arise.

Caring for your neighbor or fellow Americans is now labeled as “weakness”.  In some churches the “prosperity gospel” has taken the place of the word of God.  Another sermon common today is the notion that if you’re ill, you’re not living a good Christian life.  The mega church and your neighborhood church have become social organizations or political platforms for planting seeds of personal fortune and gain.  It’s all too common today to see newspaper or television commercials inviting the public to an investment seminar or to a political rally for a local, state, or federal political candidate. 

I miss the old church congregations and the dedicated preaches and pastors who didn’t have political aspirations.  Every morning would find my pastor visiting patients in the local hospital.  His political involvement was getting on his knees for a close talk with God.  Sure, we had members of the congregation and parishioners who came to church to socialize and maybe, perhaps even share some gossip, but they were the first to bring over a hot dish if someone lost a member of their family or had an illness in the family.

A prosperous America is a good thing; however, the way you arrive at a healthy government and economy isn’t by stacking the deck so that the wealthiest and most powerful can make all the rules.  Our country is supposed to be committed to liberty and justice for “All”.

Once all the political leaders work together for the welfare of all the American people, then maybe God will bless our nation again.

I'm Just Sayin'

This is something I would never have imagined myself doing.  Writing a blog never crossed my mind until the current political climate began to wiggle it’s way into my everyday life.

The impact of the Washington scene playing out in the media has dominated the airways since 9/11.  If you are an American, alive, breathing; regardless of gender, age, religious or political preference, this atmosphere has had an effect on your life.

Since I’m one of those invisible and silent Americans who preferred to not meddle into any one else’s business, my opinions and voice have not been heard until now.  I’m sure there are millions like me who feel alienated, forgotten and ignored.  America has always been my home.  It is still the best country in the world and is filled with mostly good and caring citizens.

 From a young age, I was taught that hard work, honesty, caring for others, and managing my finances wisely would result in a good life for me and my family. Our United States Constitution and The Bill of Rights guarantee freedom of religion, expression, to vote, and many other unalienable rights for American citizens.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html.

How did America find itself in such a dire predicament?  We are now a nation with opposing political parties that are so polarized that it’s almost impossible to conduct business as usual for the good of the American people who elected these individuals to office.  One party appears to be on a mission to elevate the wealthiest to a position of total power at the cost of the middle class.  Additional parties have been organized and hijacked by radical individuals who are advocating discrimination and violence disguised as, “we’re doing what the people wants”.  Another party is struggling to protect the rights of the working people and middle class; however, many of them are demonized, labeled as Socialists, Communists or worse.  There’s no middle ground; you’re either for one party or another.

The truth, in regards to what the American people actually want; I believe, is so much more substantial and sensible that it should be apparent to all of us.  We want an America with a good economy that will enable everyone to have a chance to exist, raise our families, and have a decent life. 

The answer for America’s economy today won’t be resolved by the uncompromising actions of Congress against raising the debt limit.  America’s economy didn’t deteriorate overnight; in fact, it was a train that was fueled many years ago by greed, headed down the wrong track. 

Congress, the Senate, and the American people need to come together and support the current administration in resolving the issues to repair America’s economy and rebuild for the future.