I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way.
It was just the other evening, the night before Bill Buckley’s passing was announced, and I had found myself entering a depression because I couldn’t answer a question. How is it that after 232 years of struggle, sacrifice and enterprise, triumph and tragedy, our fair and beautiful Republic has come face a choice for President between a couple of closet communists calling themselves Democrats on the one hand, and a doddering old fool on the other, who’s one claim to political fame is his so-called ability to reach across the aisle and make deals with the likes of the aforementioned Democrats?
Its all the worse as my father’s generation is coming to pass as well. Is this really what we want to come of the great legacy of the “Greatest Generation”? That many of them, like my father, are still with us to see how the fruits of their great sacrifice are being laid waste in a new wave populist naivety, demagoguery and imminent war, leaves me with a deep sense of shame. Shame on us as a nation, as a generation, and as individuals. And shame on me, ensnared in my own busy days, for sometimes thinking that the American people would wake up in time and do the right thing, and for not doing more myself.
Then the next day came the word of Buckley’s death and that he had died peacefully at his deck in Connecticut. I couldn’t help but wonder if the old boy had asked himself the same question as I, and the view into the future it presented in a mind’s eye far keener than my own, was more than he could take.
Any one have a comment?
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LCT,
February 28, 2008 - 19:46 ET by tracheostomyI think the greatest generation gave birth to another generation that fostered or surrendered to their own sense of entitlement.
I heard our grandparents say this countless times:
"I will raise a child that will know none of the hardships I went through during the depression and during the war."
They did so well that many went totally overboard with it. My own grandfather would look at me funny and say, "What, do you think the world owes you a livin'?"
And the number of times I thought to say back, "Have you met your daughters, Denise and Mindy yet?"
But I held my tongue on this awful irony and (soon to be) bitter tragedy.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
My parents were too young
February 28, 2008 - 22:54 ET by HermanoMy parents were too young to fight in WWII (b. '35 and '37) but they raised 5 children born between '57 and '66. They somehow instilled in us that it is our responsibility for our own lives and our own security. I remember mom clipping coupons and saving diligently. If she had not, none of us would have been able to go to college. Fiscal responsibility was taught to all of us. We are all Conservative.
My wife's parents and their siblings (b. '42- '46) all have the attitude that the government owes them. They are all Liberal and Democrat. I wonder if they were raised with a similar goal as your grandparents - no hardships.
We, as a nation, were raised to rely on our own skills. We broke from Mother England in order to make it on our own. We new there were risks, and that failure was a possibility, but we fought for what we believed in - our own life, liberty and happiness. Before bedtime this evening, I was watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" with the girls. On the DVD is another film on the Mayflower. Perhaps it is because I am becoming hypersensitive to things concerning the future of our country, but looking back on those brave souls and the difficulties they faced, I am repulsed by those out there who want more and more but don't think they should have to work for it. These were people who could barely feed, clothe and shelter themselves, and they had to work for everything just to survive.
I want to work for what I get. I want to earn it. Without struggle, humankind cannot grow. We will shrivel up and die, or at best (or worst depending on your view) will be a shell of what we could, and have been.
I think it is still in us,
February 28, 2008 - 23:47 ET by general companyI think it is still in us, problem is cutting through the fog. We are all here to try to get a better perspective on the truth, because we know the media does not deliver it. They help the same do nothing politicians get elected, keeping easy to fix problems full of nonsense. They corrupt the young with unreal programs. They lie about most everything with impunity.
We need investors to compete with the MSM and Hollywood, they would win too.
I do see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see it when they show the MSM ratings, I see it as liberal newspapers stocks tumble, I see it when my State that was completely dominated by the Dems just 15yrs ago is more Conservative then I ever dreamed they would be.
We get a handle on the Lawyers, get rid of the dead weight in DC, Term limits, Tort reform, Fair Trade, and we will be Rocking. I have a ton of faith in American people, just not career Politicians.
BTW we are working, more then ever, we are working, more hours as a whole. We all have so much more to do then our Folks did. Ever wonder why? I do.
Get involved in discussions about politics, health care, child care, work environment, religion, all of the topics people hate to discuses. Be patient keep your cool and talk about solutions, I think you will be surprised by how many folks you will enlighten.
We have to get back to the "be a good neighbor" attitude. We don't communicate with each other much anymore, or very well. Sorry if I sound critical, as I don't know you, nor mean to, but I had someone suggest these things to me after venting my frustrations, I found he was right.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
Awakening
March 1, 2008 - 01:47 ET by Jerry MackI believe that this election will be an awakening for many people that elections really do matter. I am happy to see all this hoopla about Obama and Hillary. Ballot punchers that I have known for years are now asking me for sources of information. Not just on all of the presidential candidates but info on the differences in the parties.
One thing that really bugs me is that voters have so many sources of information and do not use them.
Back on!
March 3, 2008 - 02:00 ET by HermanoWell, I am back, thanks to a successful visit to the emergency room on the 29th. By successful, I mean I did not have to go under the knife. The staff got to me quickly, took good care of me during my stay and got me back home in time to catch a flight to New Orleans. Thank God we do not have Universal Health Care.
Back on topic. I am here in NO at the largest analytical sciences conference in the world. I was looking at the booth I will be spending most of the next four days in and I marveled at how far my company has come in the eight years I have been a part of them. I took a chance with this company because of one name, and had faith in myself to know I could be successful jumping from a comfortable position to the complete unknown. My company and I have become what we are today because of hard work - nothing was given to us. We had to fight for everything we have gotten. We would never have progressed so far if we had just cashed it in and let someone else do our work for us. This is the key, and I truly believe that most Americans believe, at least deep down, the same thing. I agree with you, General Company, that it is our responsibility to help others bring that realization to the forefront.
I will be talking to a lot of people about the direction our country is going and what course I believe it should take. My life, my well-being, my future and that of my wife and children all depend on us taking the Right steps. I have faith in America. It stands for all that is good and right in the world. Are we at the end of an era? Is a revolution at hand? I do not know. I do know we have an important job ahead of us. The enemy is us. We have factions that believe in the "redistribution of wealth." The USA has the most generous people on the face of the planet. The government gives away billions more to help others. We are able to do this because we work hard. If we don't, someone else will come along to take our place as leader. It has been demonstrated over and over that a socialized society is less prosperous than societies with more limited government controls. This is key - less government, more prosperity. This is my talking point.