Throughout America, the lights are starting to dim. Not the electric lights, a much more important kind of light… the kind that comes from within. People are down on what has happened to our country and the future.
All over the country, Americans are losing hope in our basic system including government and opportunity. The social fabric is beginning to fray. The fabric is beginning to tear into at least two pieces. There no longer seems any middle ground.
This is a social change that we should all worry about. When people no longer have common ground, it may be signaling the beginning of the end. If you think about it, and look around you might see what is happening. People no longer believe in the dream.
People used to believe that living with a purpose and with hard work they could reach success. They believed in fairness. But today the word is that is no longer true.
Today splinter groups demand extra credit for doing nothing but rioting. They believe they have not been treated fairly and white people got all the benefits.
The internal light that drove our country to success is beginning to go out. Along with the belief that you are being treated fairly. Work hard and you can be successful and everyone has that chance. And that was true, for everyone in America and the immigrants that came here.
This light that comes from within showed a country where all could have a productive career but you had to work for it. Even if you never reach the top position you could have a real sense of accomplishment and integrity. You and your family could have a good and happy life.
Somehow this is being replaced with a kind of hatred we have never seen in our lifetime. Maybe a few may have noticed the anger and political speech making. Wanting to impeach a president that accomplish more in four years than many others in a lifetime of government service.
Around us we see a rise in the popularity of socialism which has failed every time it has been implemented. It’s soaring popularity rises on the idea of taking money from those that earned it and giving it to people who will vote you into office if you just promise them enough free stuff.
Like payments for a basic income to all citizens and non-citizens, Medicare for all, and free college education. Oh, and of course demands for slavery reparations. Yet, I don’t think anyone alive today was ever a slave or a slaveholder. Next up will be the Indians and maybe the Irish and Chinese and anyone else that had an opportunity but did not take it because it involved hard work.
These things are the things that are dimming the light and dreams from within. Many Americans are losing hope, their sense of independence and their dignity is slipping away. What will we leave our children with?
Joan S Cooperman says
You are 100% correct. I never thought I would live to see the day, when the riots all summer were different than the White house riots. That if 75 million Americans think the voting was not on the up and up, and we just are told we are crazy and nothing is done. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!. No looking into it to even see. SHUT UIP and let the left get away with it as they have gotten away with Hillary and all the rest of the crap that they have gotten away with the last 4 years.. I is a very sad day for America.
Christie Moore says
Spot on. I feel exactly what this column is saying. I am saddened and somewhat scared of what we have become or will become.
J P Young says
Mike,
While not as common in Nevada as other parts of the country, what are your views with respect to farm subsidies?
Donna Pakledinaz says
How many times did they count those votes? How many courts said there were no evidence of fraud? What would make you happy? Who incited that riot? Those groups stormed the capital buildings of Michigan. No one said they were wrong from the administration. What do you want?
What is the left and what is the right?
Jack Rochford says
Those that feel all the slots must be filled based primarily on race, gender, sexual orientation, etc., rather than actual qualifications, are implying that if the best qualified are chosen, anyone and everyone that is in a protected class would be excluded! That indicates a very biased and bigoted view and I reject that logic. The best qualified should be chosen and that in itself will result in diversity and equality.
mike young says
Donna – This is not about vote counting, this is about the sprit of America. When our country was formed people did not expect the government to run their lives just protect them. Included was the right of free speech. Can you imagine cutting off the President from communicating with the people he serves? You might not like his message but tens of thousands died to protect the right of free people to speak and be heard. As President he has the right like all of us to be heard. Big tech companies cut off his right to be heard forever, they decided not the people. You might not like his polices but 74 millions did. Yet, the majority wants the government to run their lives and the lives of others even if the others just want to be left alone. Many want the government to give them a handout and that is what was promised. Take from those that produce and give it to those that do not. The masses in the cities want government control, but with government control comes loss of freedom. Maybe you do not care but many of us do.
The left wants government control the right wants to be left alone
Terry Donnelly says
Mike, Your take is much too simplistic. This is not a zero sum issue. What you call “government control” is really a deep analysis of which services are best provided by government because they are vital to everyone regardless of wealth, or age, and need to be provided to everyone equally; and which services are best provided by capitalism. It takes a lot of consideration and planning to get the balance right. That is why we need to elect knowledgable people steeped in government workings and interested in making people’s lives better. Pure socialism does not work well (as you so often point out) and neither does laissez faire capitalism. Those you say “want to be left alone” are people who are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or Tri-Care. They also pick up their mail, drive on public highways, and enjoy the peace of mind that the USDA offers through their regulations. If you want to discuss individual issues on merits, one-by-one, that is what will clear the inconsistencies in what you write. If you continue to use sweeping talking points, your message will continue to be cloudy. You do get specific when you state that “[b]ig tech” cut off “his” right to be heard. Well, “big tech” is a capitalist endeavor and is exempt from placing limits on freedom of speech. If you want total freedom of speech you’ll have to put government in charge of all communications because it is “Congress” who “shall make no law … abridging freedom of speech.” I’m certainly not suggesting that––I’m good with FCC regulations as watchdog over private, profit-making communication companies. 74,222,958 is indeed a huge number of votes, but 81,283,098 is substantially more and 306 is a solid majority of electoral votes. That too is government in action. Are you suggesting private ownership of our Executive Branch of Government run for profit? That sounds like autocracy. If you want to be left alone, pay your taxes, abide by the laws, make all the use you want of public roads and bridges, go to the doctor or hospital when you’re sick, use the library, send your grandkids to free public schools, or choose to pay. It doesn’t matter to anyone but you. The only government agents who will knock on your door are possibly a census worker every 10 years and the FBI if you choose not to follow the rules.
Ann Ott says
Thank you, Terry Donnelly. Sweeping generalizations are verbally very dramatic without really saying anything of value. I always appreciate the specific clarity with which you write. And, as usual, I agree with the points you make.
Dennis Cournoyer says
Says the rich, white, academic, marxist rube
Jimmy Wike says
The social fabric is always fraying for people our age. As someone who came of age during the 60’s, (driving, drinking, voting, among other things) people in my age group and likely the majority of this audience saw tremendous change. During that period we transitioned from rock and roll, crew cuts and waterfalls, cars and beer, to music from Britain, protest songs, heavy metal, hitchhiking, marijuana, and other drugs. We also wore our hair long and dressed funny. Our parents generation, the group that grew up during the depression, fought WW 2, and are understandably considered the greatest generation, thought we were all nuts and that the country was going to hell. For them it was and their anxiety was real.
The point is that the world and this country are constantly changing. Sometimes it’s due to technology and sometimes it’s social issues. It’s extremely difficult to accept that process as we get older, but easily navigated by younger generations. I don’t think anyone in my age group is happy with the way the country is going, and based on the response’s to the various opinion pieces on this site, that dissatisfaction transcends political affiliation. We can ascribe change as good or bad, and while the real metric for change is whether it benefits more people or less people, it’s still a subjective evaluation. I have opinions, ( I hope that doesn’t sound like Fredo in The Godfather) but I’m aging out and it’s really up to subsequent generations to chart their own course, eventually becoming cranky old people like the rest of us.
mike young says
Jimmy – Well said. Some very good points that us old folks may not see. The worry is that when you make Puerto Rico and Washington DC States you are fundamentally changing the system. Packing the Supreme Court or dump the Electoral College system you can not ever go back to that which worked. It is not quite like long hair where you can cut it and get a job.
Jimmy Wike says
Mike, I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said and appreciate your articulation of a similar viewpoint. I just like to look at things from different perspectives.