I chose to start a blog rather than post on Facebook since I mainly want to speak my mind and not stir controversy as is sometimes the case when I do, since I have such a diverse group of friends in that forum, some of whom can be somewhat argumentative and contentious on occasion. ;-) I am writing this not as any kind of political statement or endorsement, but just something that's been on my mind, and I am saddened by the direction our country is headed.
When this country was founded and our constitution subsequently established, America was known throughout the world as "the Land of Opportunity." Yes, people worldwide migrated to the USA for the OPPORTUNITY to work hard and become successful entrepreneurs, teachers, laborers and such so that they could raise their living standards, care for their families and give them a better life than they could have elsewhere. They and their families then gave back to the country that allowed them this freedom by whatever means was available to them, whether simply being good productive law-abiding citizens, helping the needy, even serving in the military, thus making every effort to become a true American. They appreciated the fact that without the opportunities afforded them by the powers that be in their new home, their hopes and dreams for themselves and their families may have been unattainable. Sadly, though America is still the Land of Opportunity, for a very large number of people, unfortunately the opportunity is to come here and take advantage of everything our government is too willing to give them for free, despite the fact many contribute nothing, and then show their appreciation for the freedoms they are given by verbally degrading and disrespecting this new home that they have CHOSEN and one of the few countries where they would even be allowed to do so. Some merely take and give nothing in return and instead of being grateful, instead of assimilating and attempting to become a genuine American and proud to be called so, they want to CHANGE this country to be more like the one they chose to leave! Help me figure that one out!
Let me clarify that I am very much in favor of people coming to my country to better their lives and have all the advantages that living in a free country has to offer. I would hope, though, that they have a desire to become Americans and are willing to pay on some level for that privilege, starting with being productive members of society as well as having some degree of loyalty to my country and appreciation for the opportunities extended to them by virtue of living here.
Sadly, in my opinion, ours is gradually becoming a nation of entitled ingrates (certainly a large percentage of whom are not immigrants, but that's a blog for another day...), enabled and perhaps even encouraged by gradually failing government leadership on all levels. The gap between the principles upon which America was founded and those on which our present day government are operated is ever increasing. I don't have the solutions, and this is not something that happened overnight or under one particular administration. I am not at all interested in debating that issue. Using my privilege as a voter, however, I will vote for a government that I believe promotes the best interests of the nation as a whole, not trying to divide it into minority or special interest groups who seek only to promote what they deem best for themselves. There is far too much focus on the things that make us different and divide us as a nation rather than on our commonalities and things that should unite us. This is very dangerous for our country. I cannot say with any degree of certainty that the party I vote for will fulfill my hopes for this country, but I will vote and pray for the best outcome and that a couple of years from now our country will have benefited from today's election results. God bless America!
