Posted on 11/13/2004 4:11:41 PM PST by papasmurf
A large part of the greatness of this Country has always been our ability, and willingness, to "see" the other guy's point of view. To be fair and just and considerate. From our politics to education, from our finance sectors to our industries, from our Congressional districts all the way down to the placement of our bus stops in our Cities and Towns. Words like fair, equal, good of the people, needs of the Country.. have always been used to help us make our decisions, and describe us and our actions.
We have always been able to find and make "win-win" compromises. Concessions by the opposing parties involved in the process have always been an American staple, and an example to the world, since I can remember. We, as a united people, have always aimed for, if not perfection, correctness. Being correct was the "baseline" for us, being the "best" was the goal.
Being popular wasn't as important as being correct and winning wasn't as important as how you won. Call me naive, blind, or just gullible, those are the value lessons I learned from my Parents, our society, and the world.
In years past, America was known to be a "progressive" nation, that is, before the word progressive was assigned a new definition and indelibly linked with the word "liberal". I just knew, at the end of the "cultural revolution" (approx. 1965-1971), that we would go beyond all that was bad. That we would progress. That we would have clean air, equality and prosperity for all Americans, that we would find a way to make war nearly obsolete, that my children would not grow up fearing the police, would not know the hatred of others because of their color, economic status, political preference, their geography. We would have endless opportunities at our disposal, that our rights would be protected, that America would always find ways to get past our differences and forge a better Nation for all, that we could and would find ways of reducing taxes, limiting government, empowering the individual, that our Constitution would be honored, defended and, upheld.
What a shame that instead of teaching our children how and on what basis to accept, we legally mandate tolerance. What a shame that the old adage "a good lie is easier to believe than a bad truth" has become a National reality. What a shame that our politicians will fight for "party unity", rather than fight for "American Unity". And what an absolute shame that we seek to outlaw, outright ban, the Name of Our Lord in public places. Instead of being America the Proud, America the Home of the Brave, we have become America the Guilty, America the Timid, America the Home of the Shamed.
Shame, shame, shame on us for allowing ourselves to become so divided, so utterly and completely brainwashed into believing that which we know not to be true. Shame on us for placing our loyalties to our party, instead of our Country. To think of "me", rather than "us". If anything, above all else, has been the single largest factor contributing to our division, this "mindset" has been it. If I am wrong about everything else in my life, that's ok, for I am sure I am right about this.
As a politically radical teenager, these are the thoughts that caused me to make the decision to become and support the Republicans. You see, I saw the future, if you will, and I knew then, almost 40 years ago, that the Republicans offered the best hope for it. For advancement of our Country in a world setting, for equality, for economic growth, for justice, for achievement of the individual, for helping other countries and peoples.
I could write a book on who did what to who and the negative results that ensued for us and our Country. But that is not what this article is about. It's not about me or them. It's about being American, in all that-that means. But mostly...being correct. I have always embraced the belief that extremism, from the left or right, from the believers or non-believers, from the rich or the poor, was unhealthy. That a balance is needed and is healthy. Therefore, you can easily see why, I believe that Democrats and Republicans serve a very useful, and needed, purpose. Simply put, the Dem's pull us to the left while, at the same time, the Pubby's pull us to the right, keeping us "centered". Center is good, it's healthy, it's productive. Its equal. Center represents something for all Americans and all of America's best interests. Some give and some take. And the best thing about it all is this when we are too far to the right, the left can pull harder, forcing us back into the middle. When we have gone too far to the left, the right does likewise. What a great Country! Or not?
Sometimes one side pulls too much or for too long. Tilt! That is where we are now, and have been for sometime. Like about 10 years, or more. Political power-mongering, interference from outsiders and a strong and sustained push from the left, caused us to plummet downwards in a spiral towards a place called socialism.
And yet here we are, at the very cusp of reclaiming our "center", our balance, our sanity. How will these current events play out? Will half of us ignore them, pretending true opportunity for real progress doesn't exist? Will we allow ourselves to be further divided, or will we circle the wagons and continue to sling arrows and build further dividing walls?
I'm hopeful, and I Pray, that we, all Americans, can recognize the opportunity, and responsibility, we have in front of us...right now.
So I ask you, does anyone else feel this way or, am I really alone?
:O)
P
We will not achieve the reconciliation we badly need in this country unless we recognize that words have tremendous power and choose them very carefully so as to avoid exacerbating the problem. In an attempt to sound witty and "right" we often write more harshly than necessary to make our point - I have been guilty of it at times, but I'm trying to refrain from it now - I invite you to do the same. If we need to vent, we should maybe do it somewhere else.
We really must learn to accept that many, many people see things differently than we do, no matter which "side" we are on, and yet we are all, every one of us, first and foremost Americans. No, we don't all hold the same values, but we don't always have to. Heck, when I was growing up in east Tennessee, even the Baptists and Presbyterians tended to look down their noses at each other in disdain out of disagreement over scriptural interpretation, so it will hardly help to engage in debate over issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. I doubt either of us would be persuaded.
One of our most precious rights is freedom of religion - you believe as you do, and I respect your right to do so. I respectfully request that you return the favor. We may not be able to understand how someone can see things so differently and consider their POV legitimate, but we simply must accept that they do, that they have a right to do so and learn to agree to disagree in ways that are respectful. If we don't, then we will continue on this very destructive path as a society.
Please remember that in my earlier post I wasn't defending either President Bush or Sen. Kerry as to their military service, I was criticizing those who sought to destroy their credibility by attacking their service record. I rarely take at face value what I read in books that are written by people with an ax to grind. The very fact that they have one discredits their words unless they are entirely documented with uncontrovertible proof.
Did Kerry make some big mistakes? Probably, but he had reasons he considered entirely loyal as an American soldier and veteran at the time. I can respect that. Did President Bush do his ivy-league white-bread best to get out of having to serve more than he did? Probably, but maybe he thought he had done his share already. I can respect that, too. Regardless, they served, and that is worth a lot to my mind. They were both much younger at the time, and neither has been in a position to speak candidly about how they really thought and felt at the time and how that might differ from their position today. I know my point of view has matured considerably since I was a young adult, and I imagine theirs have as well. I'm willing to forgive both for that reason.
Polygirl
Thanks for your kind wishes to my two, I return them threefold to yours, God bless and keep them safe every one.
Polygirl
Oh, now I get it. You aren't serious.
I'm sorry I wasted my time on someone who registered on 11-13-04.
I don't recall that our country was ever so divided until the democrats lost power in Congress in 1994(?). Having been the majority for 30 years, they were extremely angry and determined to regain their majority. What followed was the most vitriolic politics in recent history.
As someone already listed here, it was the democrats who pitted the poor against the rich, the old against the young, the blacks against the whites, etc. Personal attacks against republicans were constant and didn't have to be based on facts, because the main stream media would support them.
It was democrats who promoted the world view that Bush was a simpleton, a cowboy who had stolen the election in Florida. For four loooong years, the headlines in France, England, et al, repeated the democrats' talking points. So if we don't appear to be as respected around the world as we once were, is it any wonder?
As for having a gay marriage amendment, this would not have been necessary were it not for activist judges who had no legal grounds to promote their personal agendas.
For the sake of brevity, I won't elaborate unless someone wishes to debate further.
As for the admonition that President Bush is not representing all of the people, Lincoln had it right. You can please some of the people all of the time. You can please all of the people some of the time --- but you can never please all of the people all of the time.
The center starts with America first, and her Allies who are not on the axis of evils side, nor willing to parley with them, in the sense of lowering the standard of our God given Liberty.
To have the freedom of choice one needs to understand the
basis of this great country, Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In a moslem world, only Moslem men have these rights, women,
children and those who do not follow the Moslem faith, cannot be considered equals.
In a communist world, the government rules what ideology's can or cannot be talked about.
In conclusion, to be free is to be able to live the credo of the USA, LIfe Liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and negotiate with lesser dictates, is selling out on our God Given Rights, and our obligation to spread this good news for modern man.
Ops4 God Bless America
AMEN!
I am a vet. In my most honest and humble opinion, Kerry slaughter the integrity of our service members. Sure he served. He laughed at GW's service in the Air national Guard, yet failed to mention he was a Reservist. GW's Unit wasn't called for service, as Kerry's was. Kerry didn't want to go or he would have joined the active forces. When overseas, Kerry used his rank and position to create a documentary to possibly promote political gain.
My father was in Viet Nam the same time, had my father been captured and tortured, or even killed due to the lies Kerry told to the congressional hearing, I would have a hard time forgiving him.
As a vet, I am appaled at Sen. Kerry's senate record for financing the military. This is the same person the Dems wanted to command the Military. Perhaps we should have let him have the presidency just to see the SNAFU he's created trying to squeeze the money out of it.
Kerry brought Viet Nam into the race because he knew he had no senate record to be pleased with, or an attendance record. Viet Nam covered all of that really well. The Swift Boat vets had to clear up the misinformation Kerry was spreading regarding his very short tour of duty there.
Kerry is smart, but he is too wishy-washy. In the words of Mark Twain, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
Truth is an absolute. It is the same for all people for all places and all time. If you do not believe in absolutes, then you do not have any morals. No morals, no leadership.
Kerry has none of those.
With a son at the age for enlisting, if he chooses to enlist, I am more comforatble he would be under our current Commander in Chief, and so should you, with your children. If it were Kerry, I would be worried.
As far as tactics go, parties need to stop attacking character and focus on issues that fall under the Federal Government. Healthcare, Affordable meds, housing, welfare are not the function of Government.
Kerry's running mate, Edwards is a trial lawyer who has sued insurances, medical practices and drug makers. Because of these lawsuits, the cost has been driven up. Pretty ironic that Kerry is talking about affordable healthcare and it's his sidekick that helped cause the price increases.
Bush hasn't done anything wrong as president. I can name tons Kerry has done wrong as Senator and as an LT in the Navy.
I do agree with you that the democrat party isn't what it used to be, nor is the republican party. There is only one thing to trust in and that is bringing the Constitution back into our government
No, but the Constitution is very clear that what ever the Constitution doesn't cover the individual states are left to interpret.
The States still have thier local governments to handle these issues.
Think traitors don't know when their day is over?
2 Samuel 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Think traitors don't know when their day is over?
2 Samuel 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Close, but not quite.
No, on second thought, it's not even close.
It is easy to "see" the other guy's point of view--Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, bin Laden, for example, but that has nothing to do with greatness.
Greatness comes from the ability to to evaluate and understand that point of view and to accept it, reject it, tolerate it, or oppose it.
It's easy to understand Hitler's point of view, for example. He wanted to murder everybody he didn't like, including handicapped people, and to get them out of his way. He made his intentions clear and his plans known from the beginning. His point of view was not difficult to understand--though many people found it difficult to believe that he meant what he was saying, and the world paid a costly price for their folly.
The rest of these monsters are similar. There's nothing difficult to understand about their points of view.
Bin Laden's is quite clear and easy to understand.
And it doesn't require greatness to reject their points of view.
Greatness is having the courage, moral clarity, and self-confidence to oppose such a monster and his point of view.
Greatness is Todd Beamer and the other passengers taking action!
Greatness is Winston Churchill opposing Hitler and denouncing the cowardly and morally vacuous appeasement attempts of Chamberlain.
Greatness is the Americans--most of them under the age of 21--storming the beaches of Normandie--walking into machine gun fire.
Greatness is George Bush standing up to terrorists and the morally vacuous appeasers of the world!
The Left dominated Media is the main instigator of division.
What exactly does that mean? Does it mean you have no core values? Does it mean you are afraid to take a stand because it might offend someone? Are you saying that those of us who do believe there is a difference between the parties are extremists? In the culture war we find ourselves in as a country at this time, there is no room for fence sitters. You are either with me, or you are with the people who want to force feed our children there aberrant behavior, and misguided philosophy. We are a nation founded on Judaeo-Christian values. We remain great only by adhering to those values. Every time we allow the liberals to tear down another pillar of our freedoms, we lose a little of our greatness as a nation. Choose a side.
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