To the Editor:
We are told we are making extraordinary progress in technology, the sciences, education, and in general our standard of living. So what is happening to the American spirit and our national pride?
Let’s consider the changes to our culture in the last 60 years. Both the bad and the good. I can remember the Great Depression, WWII, rationing and the time before TV and our present day technology.
When I was young, heroes were an important part of society’s fabric. We had radio and movie personalities like Jack Armstrong (“The All American boy”) and Tom Mix. We had war heroes like Sergeant York, Audie Murphy, and the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima. Then we had sports heroes, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Ted Williams.
I know honest, noble politicians are about as common as the Passenger Pigeon. Harry S. Truman (a Passenger Pigeon) was a common man who was thrust into a most important time in history and had to make some tough decisions. President Truman made decisions which he considered best for the country, not for himself, and he took personal responsibility for these decisions. He was known for his quote “The Buck Stops Here.”
The thing we had then was pride in our country, honor, civility to one another, and truthfulness. To tell the truth was very important; “my word is my bond.” Today some of our most prominent politicians think that if a lie is told often enough it will gain credibility and will be accepted as the truth.
It’s no wonder our young people today think and act the way they do when they have seen the actions of some of our influential citizens, elected officials, and celebrities.
As far as the media is concerned, they are neglecting their responsibility to present the facts in a truthful way. The truth cleverly told can sometimes be as worse than a lie.
Our elected officials said the Washington bureaucrats are motivated by self serving interests and not by serving the people. They start out with empty pockets and end up with full ones. This includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. We need term limits.
I love my country but I fear my government. When our government (the IRS, the Attorney General’s office, the EPA, the NSA, DHS, and others) can target a citizen or group of citizens and then work to destroy them, we no longer have a free society. We have a tyrannical government and a fearful population.
These problems can be corrected, but not over night. We have to have concerned and informed citizens who vote.
The midterm election this November may be the most important election in the history of our Republic.
We are extraordinary people. It’s not just because of our race, religion, ethnic heritage, or social standing, it’s because we are Americans.
