I know, the ideals and basic principles are still there, and there are many good people who still know them, hopefully enough people so that someday they will be revived, dusted off and set up for all to see (and abide by).
I don’t think you can kill it, because freedom is always the basic human longing.
But my emotional reaction to the flag is no longer the same, because having seen how quickly they can take our freedoms away - even though our freedoms are not theirs to take - I can see that our very orderliness and law abiding nature can be used against us by an out of control government and end up completely perverting the American project. And because we were the leaders of the West, all of the other countries immediately fell in line and became tyrannies themselves.
We’re going to have to fight hard to get our country back. But the ideals will never die.
I remember as a kid in the 70s, feeling like America was done....inflation, recession, hostages held for 444 days, the Soviets looked unstoppable, and murderers like Ted "lifeguard of Chappaquiddick" Kennedy were presidential candidates.
We often think It's Over. And then It's Not, by the grace of God. I've seen some incredible buzzer beaters, Hail Mary passes, 9th inning plays, and overtime goals that have proven that point. Indeed, one of my favorite lines ever came from the 2016 election - "I went to bed feeling like I had terminal cancer, and woke up as if I was in full remission."
As long as people of good stock and Deplorable character are breathing, hope springs eternal. I agree, it's dark...but it's always that way before daybreak.