We will never be a great country again, until we start looking forward

[maxrandb]

It's as clear as the nose on our face, and as hard as a cat covering poop on a linoleum floor. As long as we hand power over to the folks that want to take us back to the 1920's, or further, we will continue to be mediocre...at best!

If you look back at history, the times that we were at our best is when we, as a country, decided to invest in the future.

Even during the height of the Civil War, the Federal Government helped build the Continental Railroad. Soon you had towns, hotels, restaurants, distribution centers, manufacturing centers and tourism meccas opening all over the country. In addition, the great migration and development of the west began. AND WE ALL BENEFITED

After World War II, we decided to invest in education through the GI Bill, and an entire generation had the doors of advanced education opened to them. Great universities were formed and historical ones expanded as the great minds that would be the future entrepreneurs were enriched. Suddenly, large businesses that needed an educated workforce, had that workforce to fill their factories, business offices and research and development departments. AND WE ALL BENEFITED

In the 1950's, believe it or not, a Republican President who saw not only the economic impact, but the national defense aspect, invested in a national highway system that was the envy of the free world. Soon, all across this land, hotels, restaurants, service centers, auto repair shops, distribution centers and all manner of industry grew along these highways. AND WE ALL BENEFITED

In the 1960's a President challenged us to go to the moon and invested in the development of a Space Program. Soon, the research and technology that was needed began to sprinkle throughout our country. GPS, Micro-chips, Computers, Rocket Fuel, electronics and communication equipment, engineering design and scientific advancement are just of few of the things we take for granted today, that got their start through the research and development invested in the Space Program. Remember, some technology was developed for the Space Program, and even though it eventually played no role in the space program, AND WE ALL BENEFITED FROM IT. In fact, if you look at the current explosion of "private" space exploration, they all owe part of their success to the investment that we, as Americans, made.

I think this is precisely the message that Elizabeth Warren is promoting, and it's the right message. America was great because of the forward thinking investments that we made, and some people became remarkably successful along the way.

That is how you truly "Raise All Boats!"

[Harmony Blue]

1. This is why we need to embrace green energy

Look at what Germany and China are doing, and the industries popping up as a result. :dem:

[maxrandb]

7. I'm active duty military

and I'm beginning to turn the heads of some "conservatives" with that precise argument.

I want America to lead the next great innovation in energy, not follow.

Not only is this the right argument to make, but it appeals to America's sense of pride, patriotism and industriousness.

[Fumesucker]

2. We could stand to do a little looking backwards too..

Not to disagree with your point but "looking forward" has become a bit of a sore subject with some of us.

So many phrases are becoming loaded with meanings beyond the immediately obvious, unfortunately this is one of them.

[maxrandb]

4. I think that is what I was doing

I was "looking back" to how we had invested in the future.

As Yogi Berra once said; "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future"

[Harmony Blue]

5. So true

America was the land that had bold vision, and a plan to benefit all of our society.

[maxrandb]

6. Greed, selfishness and instant gratification since St. Ronnie

came along and convinced Americans that it was their next door neighbor who was getting a free-ride on the back of their hard work.

Middle and low income Repub voters fall into 2 categories that pretty much overlap. They are either:

a. Racist idiots still fighting the Civil War

or

b. Americans making between $38-42K a year, who are convinced that their enemy is their fellow American that makes between $40-44K a year.

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "me generation".

[get the red out]

3. Only the 1920's?

That's a relief. I thought they wanted to take us back to the middle ages, as theocratic as they are. Maybe even make most of us serfs to the top 1%.

[swilton]

8. I agree that the investments in Green Energy are necessary

but we also can not be a truly Great nation until we look back and examine our too numerous crimes against humanity starting with the Native Americans and Africans and continuing through the many conflicts for Empire to include but not limited to Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Central America, the list goes on....

It is not looking at our nation's history that is problematic, it is looking at our history through a lens of male white supremacy.

Germany afterall acknowledged its participation in the holocaust of the Jews to the extent it continues to make reparations to Israel - it is still a great country.

Maybe when we examine our history with a critical, contemplative, contrite and compassionate lens, we can then move forward to our future....