Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Nation Committing Suicide
Townhall ^ | Mar 29, 2023 | Star Parker

Posted on 04/01/2023 11:32:54 AM PDT by george76

Historian Arnold Toynbee observed "an autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide."

It's hard not to think about this reading the results of the latest Wall Street Journal-NORC poll, appearing under the headline "America Pulls Back From Values That Once Defined It."

Only 38% of Americans now say patriotism is "very important," compared to 70% in 1998. Thirty-nine percent say religion is "very important," compared to 62% in 1998. And 30% say having children is "very important" compared to 59% in 1998.

The results that follow from these attitudes are not surprising.

Marriage rates are way down. Birthrates are way down.

In 1990, 67% of American adults between the ages of 25-54 were married. This was down to 51% in 2021.

In 2020, there were 56 births in the U.S. for every 1,000 women ages 15-44. In 1990, there were 70.9.

And, among the births we do have, in 2021, 40% of our babies were born to unmarried mothers.

Not surprisingly, our population is hardly growing. In 2022, the U.S. population increased 0.4%, a modest increase from the 0.1% increase in 2021, the lowest annual population growth since the founding of the nation.

Looking at the same polling data results among the youngest sector of our population, the picture looks even more dismal.

Among those under 30, just 23% say patriotism is "very important" to them, 31% say religion is "very important," and 23% say having children is "very important."

What is important to Americans today?

Although 70% say marriage is either "very important" or "somewhat important," 65% say belief in God is "very important" or "somewhat important," 73% say patriotism is "very important" or "somewhat important," 91% say self-fulfillment is "very important" or "somewhat important," and 90% say money is "very important" or "somewhat important."

...

The devaluing of marriage, children and patriotism, and the focus on "self-fulfillment" and money are, of course, signs of a culture sunk into egotism and materialism, with a loss of a sense of being part of something larger than oneself.

It is not an encouraging picture for a country that hopes to have a future.

Our health care and retirement systems depend on a growing population. Stagnant population growth means more and more retirees per each individual in the workforce. It's why our Social Security system is bankrupt.

Zero population growth means an aging population and increasing health care costs. In 2019, 56% of all health care costs were in age groups 55 and above. The overall burden of health care costs will continue to increase as the percentage of the population over 55 increases.

There are also implications on national security of attitudes that devalue patriotism and national service.

We now have a volunteer military. This can't work with a population of young people who feel no sense of identity and obligation to their nation.

Again, the results are predictable. In 2022, the Army fell 15,000 short of its recruiting goal.

National defense spending is 3% of GDP, very low by historical standards.

The Wall Street Journal reports our Navy's fleet of ships will shrink to 291 by 2028 from 297 today. And the number of aircrafts in the Air Force is diminishing.

Only 21% of those surveyed say that our country "stands above all countries in the world."

But our country is only the product of its citizenry. A free nation under God becomes less free, and less great, as the Creator is traded in for materialism and egotism.

We have elections coming in 2024. President Joe Biden, assuming he runs, will run on more of what is destroying our nation. It is up to Republicans to run on principles and ideals, in hope that we can mend our rapidly sinking ship of state.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: america; culture; deathofthewest; society; suicide; terminator
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last

1 posted on 04/01/2023 11:32:54 AM PDT by george76
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: george76

bttt


2 posted on 04/01/2023 11:38:24 AM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

Article says it all!!
BUT the Bible says it even better.
We are now in such a moral decline, God will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah if HE doesn’t punish America!!


3 posted on 04/01/2023 11:39:29 AM PDT by pollywog (" O thou who changest not....ABIDE with me")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

If you want to avoid the judgement of God Almighty, you have to trust in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior! He alone is the way, the light and the truth, nobody comes to the Father except through Him!


4 posted on 04/01/2023 11:42:09 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

This can all be turned around but sadly probably won’t until after the next big war.

Why would we expect a nation of foreigners to be patriotic?

We ask nothing of them and tell them it’s a terrible country.

I think Obama should rot in hell for ushering in Marxism and degeneracy.


5 posted on 04/01/2023 11:44:08 AM PDT by Williams (Stop Tolerating The Intolerant)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

Bookmark


6 posted on 04/01/2023 11:46:03 AM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

THE LEGACY OF ALL THOSE PARTICIPATION TROPHIES


7 posted on 04/01/2023 11:46:10 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Williams

I don’t get the fixation on foreigners. The most destructive people in America today are affluent white dingbats.


8 posted on 04/01/2023 11:46:36 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("I've just pissed in my pants and nobody can do anything about it." -- Major Fambrough)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: george76

Yep.


9 posted on 04/01/2023 11:46:45 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (Celebrate Decivilization)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76
Our health care and retirement systems depend on a growing population. Stagnant population growth means more and more retirees per each individual in the workforce. It's why our Social Security system is bankrupt. Zero population growth means an aging population and increasing health care costs.

Standard progressive-left garbage. Even "conservatives" have swallowed this nonsense. Must protect the nanny-state at all costs!

We have a completely fiat, printed, manipulated monetary system - which gives all power to money creators and government to create massive debt.

Why must we have ever-more people? To support ever-more government debt.

And ironically, we have reached a point where that bloated government and bloated debt is literally making the next generation impossible. People have given up on the future of the nation by not reproducing Its not just happening here. Just look at Japan - or even China

10 posted on 04/01/2023 11:49:32 AM PDT by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

No, marxist communists are murdering it.


11 posted on 04/01/2023 11:50:48 AM PDT by joma89 (Buy weapons and ammo, folks, and have the will to use them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

When the democrats declare one party rule it’s done


12 posted on 04/01/2023 11:54:57 AM PDT by butlerweave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

Yup.


13 posted on 04/01/2023 11:58:12 AM PDT by Rural_Michigan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Carriage Hill

Friday ping.


14 posted on 04/01/2023 12:03:03 PM PDT by lightman (I am a binary Trinitarian. Deal with it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

“America Pulls Back From Values That Once Defined It.”

It’s not suicide it’s murder by the Marxists democrat party and the MSM finger prints noted.

It takes unity form it’s citizens to prevent it.

Know what you vote for


15 posted on 04/01/2023 12:03:20 PM PDT by Vaduz (....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

Star Parker needs to run for something!


16 posted on 04/01/2023 12:04:53 PM PDT by Campion (Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father's love - Little Flower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child
I don’t get the fixation on foreigners. The most destructive people in America today are affluent white dingbats.

It’s because in order to keep the growth happening to pay for social programs the article mentions it requires an ever increasing population. Politicians recognize that so the #1 priority of our ruling class is to import foreign workers to keep the growth happening. They’re insulated from the results but in middle America we’re watching our country turn into Estados Unidos. I look around and see fewer and fewer Americans but tons of people physically located in America who have no interest in being American. In 100 years the land mass might still be called the United States but it won’t be America because there won’t be any Americans here.

17 posted on 04/01/2023 12:08:19 PM PDT by GaryCrow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: george76

I witnessed the rise of modern feminism (then called women’s liberation).

Men were hissed at on screen in theaters for displaying masculinity or pride. I heard this even at an Errol Flynn movie at a university campus. They were booed on shows like Dick Cavett.

I later on heard women say “I would have gone to the class reunion but I stayed at home to raise our kids and they all had careers and jobs so I felt embarrassed.” So
worthless, being a loving and caring mother and wife.

One key line I remembered from my ongoing reading of women’s viewpoint magazines in the 1970s (Ms, et al) a woman complaining “So I said to myself what am I doing here changing my baby’s diapers when I should be devoting myself to my career?”

And
“A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.”

Decades later people wonder why there is a population decline of native born citizens. And women who bemoan “Maybe I should have given some of those guys a break. They weren’t so bad. Now I’m never married and nearing 50.”


18 posted on 04/01/2023 12:09:07 PM PDT by frank ballenger (You have summoned up a thundercloud. You're gonna hear from me. Anthem by Leonard Cohen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Taxman

ping


19 posted on 04/01/2023 12:09:58 PM PDT by Taxman (SAVE AMERICA! VOTE REPUBLICAN IN 2023 AND 2024!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: george76

Too much illegal and legal immigration. Too much literal worship of the 13% millstone around our necks. Our cities are ruined. Our suburbs are ruined. Our values are ruined. The nation is its people, and the people got worse and dumber and more secular. From fat, dumb and happy to obese, retarded and miserable.


20 posted on 04/01/2023 12:11:19 PM PDT by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson