I have read bits and pieces of world history and the failure of nations/societies and I am afraid we are going in that direction and faster than any before us. The process of information and data is so much faster now and therefore so many "things" happen faster now.
I do not believe we will be able to change the outcome with one exception to that belief. This nation has the "free-est" transfer of information amongst its citizens that "maybe" the citizenship will finally stand up and "re-acquire" their government and the nation.
But I doubt it. The citizenry of this nation is, on the average, politically stupid. I have had supposedly educated people tell me they voted for "so-and-so" because he promised he'd get the troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. They said they felt sorry for the troops over there and wanted them home. What these supposedly intelligent people did not think about is, first off, they never were in the military and have no clue as to how the military and political outcomes occur.
There is supposedly a great wealth of natural resources in Afghanistan...I don't think we will leave. Iraq we will, someday, but look at Bosnia, Serbia, Germany, Japan, Korea, Okinawa...we're still there. So these people wasted their votes for the wrong reasons. The U.S. needs to get out of most of these places but won't.
Most citizens today do not read history, and do not follow politics much past the question of: "Will he/she outlaw my drug use? abortion? gay marriage? etc., etc." Which to me are "diversion issues". They divert people's thoughts from what the government is really doing.
And that is our BIGGEST problem. The Congress and at least EVERY President since FDR has sold this country down the creek. THAT is our biggest problem. The social issues are minor.
Our nation was set up to have the people control the government. It is now the other way around and not enough people care. They are too busy taking the kids to soccer, and yes, collecting S&Ws (i.e. too busy with self-interest) to take the actual, physical active work that is going to be necessary to turn things around.
The government has slowly been "cooking-the lobster" for a long time. Their policies have incrementally infringed on our rights to the point that most people are not aware of it. Look at it this way. How much of the current "law"(feces) that the government hands out would your great-grandparents have put up with?
And yes, the government has wisely seen that the more people on the government dole the more there will be people that will allow the government to "call-the-tune". This is both of the dominant political party's viewpoints.
I worked for the Federal Government for 35 years. Four as a Marine air traffic controller and 31 as an FAA atc. You are getting a heck of a lot of "bang-for-your-buck" with the current FAA ATC system. Even if it is not as good as it was prior to and shortly after the PATCO strike. Hence we do need GOOD government programs. But there are a lot that need to be revamped, downsized, and all out eliminated. However that won't happen I'm thinking.
To me, as I view history from my small seat, it is going to take a "benovelent" dictatorship to get this country back on track. I don't see that happening.
Currently I continue to vote, and I may actually get involved in the next round of campaigns as a volunteer for a candidate that I like. But quite frankly I am afraid we are going downhill and my only hope is that I will be gone before it gets worse.
Phew!!
Ya'll really got me on a roll here. Sorry 'bout that.
