I
don't want to sound like some crusty old geezer – I'm actually a
pretty upbeat guy who looks at life as a half-full glass – but I
like to look at life in a practical manner. And what I have been
reading, hearing, and seeing over the past six months has been pretty
annoying.
It
seems as though too many people in this country have forgotten what
it means to be an American. Hey, it's only sixty-two plus years since
the end of World War II, but if weren't for those of us who lived
through those days, nobody would appreciate what this country could
do.
Our
national frame of mind – the American spirit as it called – was
tremendous. Except for a few exceptions, we all believed that we
lived in a country that could accomplish anything, and the efforts of
our people – in both the civil and military sectors – proved that
we could. Along with allied countries, we were able to lead and win a
war against totalitarianism.
Of
course, that success didn't make this country loved by everyone –
oh, maybe for a short time, but eventually, because of the effort
the United States put forth and the help which it gave to both our
former enemies and friendly countries, a feeling of resentment grew
in Europe and the Far East. Of course, that was not unexpected, since
people often resent the fact that they need assistance, and therefore
resent the one providing the assistance.
But
America was the strongest power in the world – in manufacturing,
agriculture, education – everything countries need. Of course, as
we have seen over the past few decades, that has changed somewhat.
Now there seems to be a feeling that our great days are behind us,
that we have to begin considering the power of Asian, Middle Easter,
and Latin American countries, and understand that we will no longer
be the dominant world power.
I
shudder to think what would happen to us if our countries leaders
followed that line of thought. We have already reached the point
where we produce less and import more – seeing clothing or
electronic items without a label reading made in Chine, Jordan, Taiwan,
or other countries is a rare thing indeed.
Agricultural
production is turning to bio-fuels, beef cattle production is down,
import of grains is up – and we used to produce enough food to feed
the world, as well as ourselves.
Trade
agreements often work to our peoples' detriment, all in the name of
maintaining a level playing field. Other countries attempt to
influence our political system – not for our good – but for
theirs, and too often our vox populi goes along with what those
countries attempt.
Whatever
happened to the pride we once took in the accomplishments of this
country? There is too much talk of “nobody loves us”. Of course
they don't. They are not going to love us if they fee we are too
powerful, and we are certainly not going to be loved if they believe
we are too weak. Besides, why do we need to be loved? The need to be
loved is a sign of weakness for a political entity.
I
remember being in Europe a few decades ago, where I had the distinct
feeling that I knew, as an American, what the Romans must have felt
when they walked they lands they captured – the power to be feared
and at the same time, respected. I don't believe those same feelings
would be evident today.
Reclamation
of our national prestige should be a major task of our current and
future country's leaders. The United States needs to reassert it's
dominance – otherwise we will sure-as-shootin' end up as someplace
else.
