I'm ashamed to be an American (long)

[tnliberaldemocrat]

Frankly, I'm embarrassed to be an American after this election.

I grew up being taught that America was a land of opportunity for all, where we took care of those less fortunate than ourselves, where we as a nation could be trusted to do what was right, not necessarily what was popular.

I now see that the America I grew up in, the America I still want to believe in, is dead.

We now have men in power whose sole purpose is to use that power to help the few at the expense of the many. As the Bible says, the love of money is the source of all evil. The Republicans, and to an extent the Democrats, have become consumed by the love of the offices they hold, and thus, the money required to maintain them. In my opinion, the main difference is that the Democrats still maintain a social conscience. And since only a few have the money, it is those few that those in power support and listen to, not the average citizen like you or me.

This country no longer has the will to help those less fortunate. That has become obvious. As more and more power has collected in fewer and fewer, America has become a place where the goal is to gather all one can for themselves, and to let others fend for themselves. We figure, someone will take care of them? As Ebenezer Scrooge said (paraphrasing here): Are there not workhouses? If we expect the government or the charities to take care of others, we MUST realize that WE are the government. We are the charities. And without the resources to help others, it can't be done.

In addition, popularity has overtaken substance as the most important quality of a candidate or office, be it president, senator, anything.

Candidates now appeal to the basest instincts of humanity in order to appeal to voters. Fear and hatred are actively promoted and used to mobilize people to believe in one side over the other. Appeals to a specific idea of morality are also used in this manner and for this purpose.

Now I do not claim that morality is necessarily a subjective thing. Morality is fine. But each of us has to have the freedom to decide for ourselves, to an extent, what is right and wrong. That is part of growing as a person. As one's own ideas of right and wrong grow, the ideas of right and wrong that we are conditioned with by society equally become enhanced, as we can see for ourselves the consequences of our actions. Forcing one specific idea on society stunts that growth and limits us. America was always a place where we celebrated our differences, believing that they made us stronger. Now we are taught, and teach others, to fear those who are different, those who believe differently from ourselves. And we are lessened as a people because of it.

Instead of aiming for the bottom of the pit, America must strive to attain new heights. What too many have yet to realize, unfortunately, is that you cannot move forward while keeping your eyes focused behind you.

We have also entrusted the power of America in the hands of those who would misuse, and have misused, that power. America has become the neighborhood bully, the biggest, baddest boy on the block who uses his might irresponsibly, without thought for the consequences of using that power. America must realize that with great power, comes great responsibility. The responsibility to use that power wisely and only when necessary. We have failed in that awesome task, and I believe wholeheartedly that we will soon reap the consequences of that failure.

If America is to continue its greatness, we must change as a society. We must relearn to accept our differences. We must put people in power who will use that power for the good of all and not the good of the few. We must elect leaders who know that people matter, regardless of their status in society. We must learn to appeal to the higher instincts of man, the part of ourselves that reaches out to others, instead of those parts that shun and turn away from that which we would not like to see. We must see our limitations where they exist, but also strive to exceed those limitations.

America needa a change. And I'm not talking about one party over another. I'm talking about a way of thinking, a way of living. And while I hope I am wrong, I think we've lost an opportunity to begin that journey. But there will be others. I just pray we have the wisdom to recognize, and take advantage of, those opportunities when thay arise.

Until we do, R.I.P. America.

[darkstar]

1. wow, tnliberaldemocrat

That really sums up world view that has descended on me. Very moving. I want to welcome you to DU and say thank-you for taking the energy to write such a stirring post.

It's so amazing how hard this has hit so many. I didn't think I would be hit this hard in pondering the possibility of a Kerry loss, but boy was I wrong.

I work for an emergency management consulting firm. Been there about 6 months. I commute quite a ways and haven't really made too many chums at work. One day, about a month ago, my cross the hall neighbor was working late. As was I. But he must have thought I was gone. Door open, he was having a personal phone chat in which his politics were clear.

Let me tell you about him. Former Naval Officer. Almost launched a Tomhawks at bin Laden in the Clinton years in one of the incidents in the 9/11 Comission Report where we "nearly pulled the trigger." I knew this about him early on and assumed he was right leaning until that day I overheard him. I left sometime after that and he new I must have overheard.

I made an effort to let him know he was ok by me after that--talking baseball, his family, jazz breifly in the halls. Anything but politics given shared office spaces, others about, etc.

The day after the election my office mate was out. He came to my door. He closed it. He looked like hell. He asked me what I thought about the election, his eyes brimming. Then my eyes got wet. And then we looked at each other, and then down again in the way that men do for some stoopid reason. I swallowed hard and said I was really worried. He said he was too and just shook his head.

And then we hugged each other. Him--former Naval Officer, a black guy raised in Atlanta, 35ish with a daughter, Mahalia Jackson CDs on his desk--and me--late 40s, still a tad too hippified for the workplace, and founder of local environmental efforts in my former home of rural southwest Missouri.


It's not just you, tnliberaldemocrat. And it's not just me. A good part--*the* good part--of America is shaken by this. The only comfort I can find in all of this is posts like yours and expereince like mine and the sharing of these so that we know we are not alone.

Thanks again for your moving post and, if you're still with me, letting me go off here in this space, my first, cathartic, post election post.

Peace to your heart.

[tnliberaldemocrat]

2. Thanks...

Thanks for the kind words.

I'm trying to be as gracious as I can, especially considering virtually my entire family is Republican.

I'm just really disappointed and this was my way or trying to express it in a forum that will understand my feelings in a way those closest to me can't.

Soon we'll pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and start working towards 2006 and 2008.

Good luck to us all.