Divisive Certainly Does Not Mean Decisive

For some time now, I have been pondering the paradigm we as a country have created. Throughout political discussions, religious segregations, business relations and social separations it seems we have segregated ourselves so significantly that we can hardly walk the streets without classifying each other with words that end in -ist: you're a nationalist, you're an extremist; you're a religionist, you're an atheist; you're rich, you're poor. Or worse, especially during seasons of voting, you're a narrow-minded, unlearned, non-observant, impossible Republican and you're an amoral, guidance-less, overly open-minded, senseless Democrat. Why do we segregate ourselves when we should be putting as much effort into uniting our cause as we put into the most important efforts of life? May I suggest a few reasons why?

The current trend in society suggests that your diversity is what defines you, gives you character, strength and appeal or what gives you uniqueness in this world of mainstream tendencies; suggesting that certainly, someone with commonplace principles in society has nothing to offer the world. And so, we tend to highlight our significant differences, "I'm better because..." or "I have accomplshed..." or "Nobody has ever done what I have..." when in reality, doesn't the lifeblood of liberty reside in the foundation of who we are together? Doesn't it seem that with all of this overexprssion of segregation, there comes an unhealthy dichotomy?

Perhaps one of the greatest Presidents of The United States is Abraham Lincoln. He was a man who knew firsthand the significance, even necessity, of unity. One of his teachigns applies perfectly here: "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better." Can we even begin to imagine the good that would elute from this world if we were to follow that dictum? Yet, despite the overwhelming knowledge in each of us that says we should understand, respect, work with and love one another, we don't. We continue to separate ourselves.

Now, this blog is not meant to suggest that individuality is unhealthy. Yes, were we all to become a single, monotonous network, the world would not go forward. But it seems to me that there is at least one thing that would help us as country. As the political process goes on, we consistently hear men and women say, "When I am President (or Senator, or Congressman, or whatever), I am going to..." and far too often, what they said they would do is not done, or what they said they would not do is done. This reminds me of President Lincoln's saying, "If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem."

However, instead of allowing this ridiculous trend to continue, we should set goals as a country, as a people, as friends, neighbors and societies. We now realize, no matter what political persuasion you may follow, that 1) the United States is in an astronomical amount of debt, 2) there are no long-term solutions in place to address the future of our energy sources and 3) nobody has a plan to address our problems effectively. Sadly, politicians are far too often concerned with their next election to sincerely concern themselves with our well-being. Sure, people with power stand up before us and tell us to vote for them, but in reality, they are not the only ones who are going to make the ultimate difference--we are! And so, we must concern ourselves with where we want to be in 10, 15, 25, 50 and even 100 years. We cannot just sit back and say that some leader will rise up and save us. Using Christian tradition as an example, the people of Jerusalem had been waiting years for their master, the Lord Jesus Christ. When He finally did come, they were ready to take up arms one against another and at last overcome, but Jesus taught them just the opposite - "Love your enemies" - and many other doctrines that required them alone to make a difference.

I've been ranting on too long. Let me make my final suggestion. Take the beautiful Constitution and Declaration of Independence in your hands and read them. Following the outline they have given us including dependence on the God of this country, world and universe and elect a leader. Then, with all of our convictions, let's work together as commonplace people, friends, neighbors, countrymen, citizens, businesses, groups, sects, organizations, gatherings and United States to accomplish specific goals. For example, no matter who our President will be, by the year 2025 let's get the country out of debt; by 2020, let's have a solution to our energy needs; by 2040, let's have enough reserve in Social Security for those who will not have it if today's trends continue. If we have goals in place, we know where we are and what we will or will not have accomplished. May we do so using kindness, understanding and respect for one another's diveristy that could very well bring us continuing liberty, and, I propose, will give us unity.

America the . . . not so beautiful

I wanted to post a little blip I wrote earlier this year:

America the Beautiful

It has always been easy for me to marvel and bask in the wondrousness of the America we call the Beautiful. Her history, her gregarious nature toward other countries, her mercy and desire to aid those in need have consistently made her the model of a nation under God. Alas, there is a gnawing pain that has been seeping slowly into my heart for the past several years, being nurtured by an America that is, well, to say the least, not so beautiful. That America’s beauty seems to be tainted by the endless chaos of criticism, inequality, heated debate, misunderstandings of freedom and directionless decisions of many of today’s politicians and misguided individuals.

It is becoming commonplace, in the ugly America, to disguise indulgence as freedom of speech and promiscuity as individuality—acts that suggest we are becoming a nation that is not interested in being under God, but rather a self-sufficient society swallowed up in the valleys of our self-centricity. Then again, perhaps my internal gnawing is increasing more so because as I grow older, the realization that my belief that there are still the likes of men in this world similar in nature to Benjamin Franklin and George Washington is being vehemently challenged by the eccentricity of modern man.

Moreover, it seems that men and women should be willing to either decline positions of importance if they come to the realization that they lack ability and present a sub-par character, or endlessly and publicly develop themselves for the betterment of mankind. Today, however, too many men and women simply seek to hide their idiosyncrasies in order to amplify their opportunity of obtaining position with no thought of how their me-centricity might affect the future.

Nevertheless, I still dream of America the Beautiful. I dream of her day when equality overpowers disparity, when credit is given when credit is due, when achievement awards are given to those who consistently try without ever reaching their goal, when there is a firm, fair and consistent court system. Indeed, I dream of the fulfillment of every man and woman’s pursuit of life, liberty and happiness steadied by the moorings of this country’s foundation that proclaims In God We Trust.

Sincerely, with this year’s approaching 4th of July celebration, I wish to raise my voice of humble pride in thanks for who our founding fathers were and for working so diligently to make a Beautiful America; as well as raise my voice in prayer that this country finds the likes of such men once again. Finally, may we celebrate this beautiful time of year in remembrance of the lives of those men and women who fought for our freedom and may we not take it for granted and thus disgrace the work they accomplished. Yes, let the fireworks fly, the noise makers sound forth and the skies be filled with lights; symbolically suggesting that we still, even today, Let Freedom Ring!