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My America
Originally published 10/02/06 on Cadet Spiff's Deep Space Log
Friday afternoon was a struggle.
My mind was racing with ideas, yet I couldn’t seem to get a single one pinned down. President Bush had just been in town, and I wanted to write about that. Congress was passing laws on immigration, treatment of “detainees”, and more money for the war in Iraq, and I wanted to write about that. The novel I’m working on was crying out for attention, as well was a comic review I’m working on for submission to a local fanzine.
But I couldn’t get any one thing pinned down. My head spun, partly from frustration at being unable to get anything written, and partly from the disgust I felt the more I looked at what our elected officials were doing.
For example, President Bush’s speech was hailed in The Birmingham News as a “strongly-worded” defense of the Iraq war. But from what I read, it was nothing more than Democrat-bashing rhetoric designed to get more votes. And then there was the Congressional action of the week; passage of a bill defining the treatment of terrorist detainees, as well as appropriations for a fence along the U.S. - Mexican border. Both of which, to me, seem like nothing more than fodder for the GOP campaign trail, so that Republican candidates can profess their tough stances on terrorism and illegal immigration.
So my head continued to race. So I just began writing. What I was feeling. What I thought about the park. What I wanted to write. And then it finally came to me: I wasn’t upset with what Republicans or Democrats were doing; I wasn’t even upset with the American people who continue to allow this to happen.
I was upset with America.
Today’s America is not the one I grew up in, nor is it the one I’ve ever envisioned. For example, my America doesn’t spy on its citizens. My America doesn’t look for loopholes so it can torture prisoners. My America isn’t an international bully, forcing its will on those who oppose it.
My America isn’t after a quick buck, or a quick fix. My America isn’t about poll numbers or what is politically expedient. My America isn’t about “spin” or hardheaded stances on divisive issues. My America isn’t driven by corporations and special interests.
No, my America protects and stands up for itself and its citizens, but with honor and dignity.
My America respects cultures and traditions.
My America does what’s right.
My America listens to its people.
My America looks toward the future.
My America is a melting pot.
My America pulls together to get the job done.
My America finds a better way.
My America, and the America we all strive for, is a beacon on a hill, shining its light for all to see. My America is an example for the rest of the world to admire and emulate because they see what a wonderful place America can be.
I think there was a time that my America was the real America. Unfortunately, I don’t think that time is now. And I‘m afraid we‘ve gone too far to ever get it back.
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