Once Upon a Time in the West....

 

 

"Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades, has been a history of replacing what worked with what sounded good"

Thomas Sowell

Once upon a time, in a world broken by war, depression, and misery, there arose a country in the West that would change everything for millions of freedom loving people. It was a country born of a bloody revolution, founded by freedom loving visionaries, and settled by a people whose imagination was as broad as the country itself. It was a country which became a beacon of liberty, of hope, for all to see and follow. This country, our country, continues to be unique and exceptional. However, powerful forces are now at work to reduce the extraordinary to ordinary, and maybe even less.

Years ago on a business trip to the United Kingdom, one of the men I was working with told me something very interesting. He said "I really envy you Yanks. Sometimes I wonder if you realize what you have". Not really expecting this comment, I asked what he meant. "You have freedom. I can travel to America, and if I wanted to, hop in a car and just drive. You can't do that in Europe because we don't have the land". He was right. We have an extraordinary amount of land with a wonderful highway system to explore it with. We have enough rest areas, motels, eateries, and gas stations to go as long and far as desired. But the driving was not his point. His point was we had the freedom to do it. We are a free people and our freedom is daily on display for the world to see.

All the way through the 20th century, when the world was in trouble, America was looked to for help. From both World Wars to severe economic turmoil, when the call for help came, the response was decisive. When people are hungry, America supplies as much food as needed; when a natural disaster of any type strikes anywhere in the world, America supplies relief and aid; when a country needs financial assistance, America often gives loans or gifts.

For many decades, America was the place where things were invented and then made. People had the freedom to imagine, and then turn that imagination into products. America's wanderlust continued even after the country was settled. The seven seas were explored, the poles were crossed, and then in 1969, using just spit, a promise and a big dream, America landed on the moon. America's victory became a victory for all of mankind as people on every continent became part of this milestone event. Yes, America is the land where people could dream big and do big. It is a place many wanted to come to visit or live.

As we enter the 21st century, our great nation is under stress like at no other time. In the past, we have survived many catastrophic events and have come out stronger. However, we might not be able to survive our own complacency. We are drowning in a debt created only by us. We just had an election where over 60% of the people that voted did not know our Constitution was the prevailing law of the land. That should be no surprise as we no longer teach the Constitution or civics in many of our schools.  The authority in our Constitution and the Holy Bible are questioned daily by some who are consumed by change and moral relativism. Our dreams have become daydreams as many are more interested in taking from this country than giving back to it. In short, this great country, a country like the world has never seen before, is one the verge of becoming irrelevant, maybe even obsolete. 

It has often been said if America sneezes, the world catches a cold. The world needs a strong America. It is time to take our country back from the forces of evil and complacency. This country is gift given to us, to the world, by the Most High. Time is running out. Time to wake up. Time to once again to experience "Morning in America". We owe the world and our children no less.