For America on its 250th birthday
The America I once knew believed that all people are created equal.
The America I once knew was founded on ideals.
The America I once knew believed in basic human rights and dignity.
The America I once knew cherished individual liberty.
The America I once knew believed in government of the people, by the people, for the people.
The America I once knew believed that voters should choose their politicians, not that politicians should choose their voters.
The America I once knew believed in the rule of law.
The America I once knew believed that no one is above the law, and in equal justice under the law.
The America I once knew respected the independence of its courts.
The America I once knew believed that public office is a public trust, not an opportunity for grift, corruption and self-agrandizement.
The America I once knew understood that power exists to serve the people, not the other way around.
The America I once knew believed that leadership carries responsibility.
The America I once knew believed that great power came with great responsibility.
The America I once knew believed that democracy depends on compromise.
The America I once knew defended freedom of speech, even when that speech was unpopular.
The America I once knew respected a free and independent press.
The America I once knew valued truth over propaganda.
The America I once knew believed that facts matter.
The America I once knew understood that patriotism is not blind loyalty or nationalism, but love of country.
The America I once knew welcomed disagreement without treating opponents as enemies.
The America I once knew valued kindness, decency, and good works.
The America I once knew believed that freedom carries obligations as well as rights.
The America I once knew believed that opportunity should depend on talent and effort, not birth or privilege.
The America I once knew revered innovation, expertise and education.
The America I once knew believed that diversity is a source of strength.
The America I once knew welcomed immigrants and refugees—a haven for people fleeing violence, persecution, and oppression.
The America I once knew measured strength by character rather than military power.
The America I once knew believed that alliances made America—and the world—stronger.
The America I once knew believed in free and fair trade.
The America I once knew believed in competition on a level playing field.
The America I once knew believed in the dignity of work.
The America I once knew believed in an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.
The America I once knew protected the vulnerable and gave assistance to the needy.
The America I once knew kept its word.
The America I once knew stood against totalitarianism and fascism.
The America I once knew believed it could be a force for good in the world.
The America I once knew believed that every generation had a duty to leave the country better than it found it.
The America I once knew believed that hope is stronger than fear.
I miss the America I once knew.
It's dark days for America for sure, but, well, I'm not sure the America you "once knew" ever really existed. I have been an American patriot my entire life, but the nation has been just a little bit rotten from the get-go. From slavery to segregation to the mistreatment of Native Americans to the prejudices against immigrants (including, but not limited to, Jews) to the abuses of capitalism and the rift between the haves and have nots to the abuses of political power (including, but not limited to the CIA and the FBI) to the scourge of gun violence, to the rape of the environment ... just to name a few things ... it's never been a completely pretty picture.
ReplyDeleteTrue enough. Our memories are gilded. We tend to romanticize the past and be nostalgic for what has been lost. And yet, compared to today, America did represent certain values and aspirations. The constitution was cherished and regarded seriously. We grew up at a time of great prosperity and security with strides made toward civil liberties and social justice. A genuine attempt to reckon with the history of slavery, racism and discrimination. And for our people, and so many oppressed others, America was a haven, a chance at creating a new life. No picture is completely pretty. But it was certainly a much prettier picture when we were young than it is for our children. America has lost faith in itself and so has the rest of the world in America. The future is uncertain and looking messy indeed.
DeletePS: As proof that times were better, I can think of one example. The resignation of Elliot Richardson during the Nixon administration. When men (and they were almost all men) of integrity and character, holding offices of public trust, would defy the president who appointed them, to do what was constitutional and right.
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