DO AMERICANS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA?
LET’S JUST LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE—AND THEN CONTEMPLATE ITS SIGNIFICANCE
The evidence suggests that Americans have lost faith in America to the point where they consider any attempt to fight back as being futile. Regarding the latter, I merely point to the lack of any widespread nationwide move to reform the country despite a pretty miserable time since 9/11. Terrorism, wars (largely of choice), recession, and the pervasive negative effects of ever increasing income inequality—linked with a toxic political environment—have dominated the headlines and much of the reality.
Well, of course, it hasn’t necessarily been miserable at an individual level—but it is hard to deny that the American Way of Life has been decidedly stressful for most of us for the last decade and a half. The ultra rich tend to be insulated from such pressures—though doubtless they have their own insecurities.
Frankly, I would (at one stage) have expected a decidedly more spirited response. Instead, we are heading towards what is increasingly looking like yet another Clinton/Bush encounter—with the political agenda continuing to ignore the real issues this country faces.
From a writer’s point of view, all of this is fascinating. However the game plays out, it is all material. From a purely human point of view—and writing as someone with great affection and regard for this Great Nation—I will freely admit that I am disappointed, saddened, and deeply disturbed.
These trends are beyond ominous—and I never expected to see the Great Experiment end with scarcely a whimper.
By the way, I got these Gallup graphs from www.fabius maximus.com –a consistently provocative website in which some friends of mine are involved.
Let me comment, in conclusion, that I find it particularly worrying that the military—about which most Americans know little – is regarded so highly.
The fighting military should always be supported—though you can debate whether we should be fighting in the first place—but the Pentagon centered MICC (the Military Industrial Congressional Complex) is deeply corrupt.
Blindly worshipping the military—without either differentiating or understanding its complexities—is not only unhealthy in itself, but sets the scene for a de-facto coup.
Or has that already happened?
And would we notice if it had?
Sadly—would we even care?
VOR words 326.
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