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The Puzzle of America's Future

What we are doing today determines the future of America


The future of the United States is uncertain and worrisome

How events of today will affect our fate is a puzzle that is not easily deciphered. But we know that today's attitudes and actions of will be critically important in determining our posterity. On these pages we will examine and attempt to understand some of the signs that are visible in our social and political lives:

Signs that are clues to the future: Patriotism

Patriotism, above all else, is the foundation on which the American dream is built. Patriotism is “love of and loyal support of one’s country.” Most of us, except possibly some of our more “sophisticated” classes, really do love and respect our country. However, without the loyal and active support of all of us, our national survival is at grave danger.

Signs that are clues to the future: Unity

Over the centuries, we Americans have established a unique nation with a set of shared values that shape our view of a just society. Although our  ancestors came from many continents and nations, our deeply held common values are much more powerful than the relatively minor differences among us. With much hard work, many sacrifices and ample good-fortune, our country has become possibly the greatest nation to ever exist, and we are blessed to be its citizens. It may be “smart” or “cool” to be unpatriotic, but such attitudes reflect a serious delusion about real life.

Unfortunately, greatness is not forever guaranteed, but must be nurtured and constantly supported. If history is a guide, the best we can hope for is to maintain our unique nation well into the future. The essential key to survival of the “American way of life,” is to protect our country and its ideals at all costs. Patriotism is the willingness to do whatever it takes to preserve the United States and protect our precious freedoms.

Signs that are clues to the future: Independence

Some Americans apparently care little for the survival of the U.S. and prefer to depend on an umbrella of internationalism for protection.  This is an unreasoned and very foolish idea. It is true that increasing globalization cannot be ignored. But, as we become ever more economically dependent on others, we run an even greater risk of losing our national sovereignty. Foreigners now possibly hold more of our wealth (in dollars) that we ourselves do. We are already abjectly dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil and China and other countries for most manufactured goods.  These foreign countries do not share our ideals and have no concern for the United States other than as a market for their products.

Will international organizations arise to supplant nations? Let’s look at the record:  Imperial Rome was the last really effective international government, and its “Roman peace” was maintained by almost constant war to conquer and control its territories.  The price of the Pax Romana was very high as the empire was robbed for the benefit of Rome itself.  In more modern times, after WWI, the League of Nations was ignored out of existence and today we have the U.N., which has deteriorated into an ineffectual, costly and often corrupt tool of an entrenched bureaucracy. Just how many of the 192 UN countries have any interest in the welfare of the U. S.?

Signs that are clues to the future: Strength

A unified United States has been able to do what no other country could have done.  America used its power to end (not start) both WWI and WWII. I do not slight the bravery and horrendous costs borne by our allies in both wars, but only point out that we were the only country left standing that had both the means and willingness to bring the wars to an end. This was also true of the Cold War, the Korean War and the First Gulf War. (We could also include Vietnam except there our strengths were ineptly applied and our willingness finally collapsed.) Our military and diplomatic activities have helped to stabilize the civilized world; at the same time, they have protected us from the assaults of Nazism, Communism and, now, Islamic terrorism.

Patriotism is love of our country, its people and our way of life