America, It's Not Too Late to Save Yourself

I am not a politician nor do I desire to be one. I am no activist either. I am a husband and a father, a retired military vet, a cop, and a patriot.

Not patriotic in any loose interpretation of the word. A die hard, love America with passion, will defend her at all costs, flag waving, fanatic of a patriot. I still believe in truth, justice, and the American way. Superman, The Duke, Captain Kirk, and Dirty Harry are my heroes. My enemies are anyone that opposes our country, and those that would feed upon her without pledging loyalty to her.

I am saddened now that this country hardly resembles the great America I grew up in. If you listen to the news, it would seem that America is falling apart at the seams. I seldom read the papers or watch news anymore, because I am sick of hearing about our nations decline. The failing economy, rising crime rates, how we are losing the war on drugs and not supporting the war against terrorism. It pains me to say it, but I believe Americans have lost their way. The nation has become ill with the sickness of indifference. It is infected with greed, prejudice, and mistrust.

For a long time I wondered how we got into the shape we are in. Some people would have us believe that a lack of leadership is to blame. Others would say that corporate giants created an environment of reckless spending and financial irresponsibility. I have recently come to the realization that while those issues may have contributed to America's poor state of health, they are only the smallest part of the problem. There are more important issues than tax reform, stimulus packages and green energy.

The real problem with America today is Americans. This has become a nation of lazy, self serving hypocrites. If there is a problem with the leadership in America, it exists because a majority of voters decided to elect a man completely unqualified to govern a nation. In my opinion Barack Obama is hardly qualified to manage a Seven Eleven store.

Before you hate me for that last comment, think about this. When you went to the poles on Election Day, what were you hoping to accomplish? If it was change you wanted, it's coming in spades. No pun intended. Already we are being forced to pay for the failings of others. Bailing out banks, auto makers and lending institutions that squandered their earnings. Earnings gained in the first place by hiking up inflation, over charging interest rates, and lending our investments to companies and countries incapable of paying back the debts. In its infinite wisdom, this newest administration thinks the answer lies in giving these people more tax payer money to mismanage. Having never run even a small business, am I to believe that Obama is the right man to solve a national financial crisis? I hardly think so.

Before punching your ticket that day, did you think about national security? Did you ponder for even a minute the events of September 11th 2001? Obama spewed some "Over the rainbow, yes we can, we are the world, fairy tale, and you bought it. Now we have a Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America that has never served a day in the military. How can he be qualified to command the defenses of our entire nation when he has never even led a squad or a platoon?

The last President we elected with that lack of experience made quick work of weakening our armed forces. The Clinton administration ignored warnings of an impending terrorist plot that later culminated in the deaths of over three thousand citizens. If this is kind of change you are hoping for, you will probably get it. Obama has gathered into his cabinet, many of people employed in the Clinton administration. Are these the people you really want making decisions on issues of national security? We are only talking about the safety of your children and grandchildren. Pulling troops out of volatile areas and making allies of our enemies will not make us safe. Maintaining a powerful fighting force and taking the fight to those who mean us harm is the only way to keep our future generations safe and free.

Fortunately, the real power in America is still the people. It's not too late make things better here. Accepting the fact that in this last election, we made a grave error is the first step. If we act now, while we still have a government, of the people, by the people, and for the people, we can start healing what ails this country. In order to do so, many Americans will have to make some adjustments.

I am not proposing a revolution, but I have had a revelation. Let's act like Americans. All of us, together. Let's get back to basics and watch a real and tangible change occur. Change that we can all be proud of.

We have so many issues that establishing priorities may appear difficult. So many things need to change and you might be asking yourself where to begin. The answer is much simpler than you may think. Start by changing small things in your own day to day life, in your own home, and in your neighborhood.

For yourself, change the way you think about your country. Remind yourself once a day how lucky you are to live in a country where freedom is valued above everything else. Compare your life to someone less fortunate. The citizen of an oppressed nation led by a dictator whose self serving ways leave the masses in poverty. Imagine living in a place where your very survival is dependent on the relief efforts of outsiders. Be thankful that here in America that kind of life is the exception and not the rule. I am not encouraging you to run out and join feed the children. If you are anxious to give to the needy, there are starving, and homeless here in our own country that could use the help as much if not more than anyone abroad. If you absolutely feel that sending aid overseas is what you need to do, send a care package to an American soldier serving in the war against terror. He is there for you, defending your right to live free and safe.

Take some time out of your schedule to talk to your children. Nurture their pride in America. Don't leave the responsibility of passing on our great heritage to their teachers in school. Demonstrate your own love for this nation by flying the American flag from your porch rail or on a bumper sticker on your car. Show everyone that you are proud to be an American. Stand with your hand over your heart and face the flag when you hear the national anthem being played. Encourage your children to do this as well, and explain to them that you are honoring the symbol of the greatest nation on earth, and expressing gratitude to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom. Talk to you children about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tell them that the service members fighting that war are real heroes facing danger every day to protect America from evil. Say hello to a policeman and thank them for the job they do. Make sure you children see this and teach them to have respect for the laws of our communities and our country. They will pass this on to their children. This is change that costs you nothing but means everything.

Take control of your personal finances. Pay yourself a little something before you pay anyone else. Put a little money aside in your cookie jar instead of the bank. You won't earn interest on it, but you won't pay taxes on it either. The government won't be able to borrow it from you without your permission as they can with your savings and investments. I am no financial guru, but to me it just makes sense to take control of you money away from institutions that have proven to be irresponsible with it.

Don't wait until July 4th to have a barbeque with the family next door. Becomes friends with the people on your street. Theme your gatherings with a patriotic spin. Show your new and old friends your pride in America. When a new family moves in down the street, welcome them with a housewarming gift of a new American flag to display at their new home. One house at a time we can make our neighborhoods and eventually our towns and cities, Red, White, and Blue. Once we start looking like we are proud we'll start feeling proud. We will come to expect it from those around us and our patriotism will spread. Then, empowered with a sense of pride in our American values we can start taking a stand on other issues.

Become involved in town hall meetings. Let your voice be heard on issues of education. Join the neighborhood watch and give something back to your community. Share your views about national issues with these groups. Express your desire to have a strong, safe and secure place for our kids and grand kids to grow up in. Help others you know and those you will meet understand the need to get back to the basics of American living. Start thinking today about how many people you can influence in the next three and a half years, so that when the time comes to once again choose a leader for America, we choose a strong leader as opposed to an eloquent speaker.

It's not too late to save America. Do not let the current climate divide us any further. Only together will we be able to restore this country to its former glory. Our voices need to be heard as one strong chorus. Not as individual screams. Together, with the right attitude, with respect for one another, and with a strong love of America, we can bring about real change. Change you can see and feel. Change that we can all be proud of.

I appeal to you now. If you love America and want to see her endure for future generations, pass this article on to your family and friends. Help me help America. It is my hope that by publishing this, and by practicing myself the changes I wrote about, that I will be able to influence enough people in the next few years to make a difference. To right a few wrongs, and hopefully help this country become healthy once again.