I know, I should have some great cop or dog or family stories to share but nothing new really there. Everyone is well & adjusting to the new schedule and routine, so no complaints.
I will share a bit of a thought that's been percolating lately - hope to get some comments back & maybe it will help me think it through further.
As a nation, the U.S. has become deeply divided IMHO. Label & call it what you will - Republican/Democrat, Conservative/Liberal, East/West Coast & Flyover states - the point is, there seems in my observations to have become an incredible gap in our outlook as a nation towards what is right & proper in society and in government.
No, the point of this post is not to argue any one particular side, just looking at the gulf in general.
As the past few elections have demonstrated we are split pretty much down the middle. The Reagan landslide was the last real strong electoral win, since then it has almost turned into a fight on either side of "who am I voting against?" But despite what either side professes, neither group has held a clear majority mandate in terms of public opinion and votes.
A great many people view us in the middle of a number of Constitutional and other crisis. Again, this is from both sides - whether you look at fears of the Second amendment supporters under the Obama administration, or the Patriot act and other Bush administration anti-terror initiatives. Again, both sides feel that the other does not see things logically, and there is no room for compromise.
Add to this the fact that our elected representatives seem to generally not care what their constituents are saying, and are either just voting the party line or channeling some unknown evil (look at the Congressional approval ratings, as well as the financial bailout packages being passed despite overwhelming public opinion against them to reference the above).
We have a growing number of residents of this country, legal and otherwise, who have little interest in acclimating to or blending with our culture, our language or our society. Arguably in fact you have large elements who are more interested in establishing a different nation and or religion where this one now stands.
Finally, again on both sides, you have people who are more than willing to take to the streets and use violence to push through their agenda -- more so on one than the other it seems, but that is again my opinion. Should their candidate, their legislation or their interests not advance they are ready to intimidate, shut down businesses and use any other means available to reshape things as "they" feel is right.
Now, to go along with this - there are even foreign intelligence agencies and analysts preparing for a possible collapse of the U.S. not just economically but socially. Some more serious than others but the mere fact it is being looked at at that level is an interesting change.
So... my question/thought is:
How much longer does the United States have as a viable, single entity? Have we reached our peak as a nation and are we ready to go our separate ways? And, if so, will the split be an amicable separation or an ugly, violent divorce?
I am of the opinion that the country my children see twenty years from now will not be the one I grew up in - but beyond that I am not sure yet...
I welcome your comments and thoughts for my reflection.
2 comments:
It's and interesting question, and there are no good answers. While I would argue that this country is not the country either you, or I grew up in - it IS still the United States, and for all its faults we still managed to hold elections every two years - and there is no violence in the streets between opposing parties after it's all decided.
What worries me most is that the government of our forefathers no longer seems to listen to its people, be it on the left, or the right - as you've mentioned. Instead it seems to want to grow itself, the only question seeming to be how fast, and how far.
To which I can only say, the founders of this nation are likely rolling in their graves.
If indeed this Union fails, it will most likely not be bloodless, and infact, the only question I have is - how will the cards fall? Will we see a great successionist movement as we did in the 1800s during the Civil War? Or will it be a radical uprising that must be viciously suppressed that finally breaks the Union's back?
In the end, I firmly believe that if this does come to pass, its halmarks will be the ingorance of the masses of the things Government is allowed to do, versus the things it would like to do - and forgetting this countrys great history. For those that forget are but doomed to repeat.
Hi Sean,
Is there any chance you could drop me an e-mail at richard@feverbee.com. I'm working on a police online community project and we could really benefit from your expertise.
Thanks anyhow, sorry to approach you in the comments.
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