Sunday, September 27, 2009

A message to a friend

Mary:

I want to strip away all the hype and spin. Our country, yes OUR country, has lost it's way. We, you and I, conservatives and liberals, Americans...must fully understand that we want the same thing...what's best for our nation. We want good schools, and safe homes, and good jobs and opportunity for all of our citizens. We both want a nation that we are proud of and that others will look to for the standards that should guide all nations. We want our elected officials to not only represent our interests but to provide leadership. They need to be honorable and humble at the same time standing strong for ALL Americans. We need businesses that not only make a profit but do so with the understanding that they exist because of this nation, not the other way around. Business can be successful and still care about their employees and customers and the environment. Over our 230+ history, we have amended our constitution many times...this is necessary because the one thing that remains constant is change. Our future depends on our constant ability to adapt, change, innovate, and move forward....to be "progressive". At the same time, we can and must "conserve" those traditions that matter...liberty, community, self sacrifice, loyality, these are the rocks that the founders used to build this country. Mary....we both want the same thing. We may choose to support different paths to that goal, but that is why we must come together and debate those paths so that we are finally united as a country on how to solve our problems. As Americans, we must reject the hype and spin...we must call out those who choose to divide us...we must embrace each other as Americans as we have done in the past....then we can overcome anything. If we continue to fight each other...if we continue to ignore our real problems as we discuss trivial issues and trivial people, then we will miss our opportunity...we will allow those who have power to keep it and the rest of us will go on thinking "If only...."

I embrace my conservative American brothers and sisters. I long for another voice like William Buckley....or Teddy Roosevelt, or Eisenhower, or Lincoln. Where are the conservatice leaders who boldly stood above the fray and shouted against concentrated wealth and power? Where are the liberal leaders who marched for the common American? Where are the real union leaders that died making sure working Americans were given a fair wage for a days work? Where are the GOP leaders of yesterday who stood up and supported the voting rights act and the marches in Selma? Where are the Republicans who walked up to Nixon and said "you have to go" for crimes against the Constitution? Where are the Democrats who stood firm for Social Security and Medicare in the face of accustions of being communists?

Mary...we both want the same thing...our country to be strong again for ALL Americans. We can do it together...you and I. At least that's what I want to believe.

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