I've been hearing from all sides how America is failing. Depending on your point of view it could be blamed on: single parents, big corporations, China, gays, President Bush, terrorists, economy, the left, capitalism, the poor, President Obama, immigrants, Wall Street, the middle east, the rich, socialism, pundits, Japan, the right, war, media, and so on. I have issues with some of these, but I don't believe any will result in the failure of America. But I am starting to feel alone.
I think it really boils down to the recession. If it hasn't effected you personally, it is probably effecting someone you know if not a lot of people you know. It sucks when friends and relatives lose their jobs and aren't able to find another; hearing about retired or soon to be retired relatives with dwindling retirement packages or lost pensions; seeing people struggle to make mortgage payments or just give up and sell or let the bank have it; bankruptcy; unemployment; medical bills piling up; etc. Damn straight we are depressed. I just wish people would stop thinking that means it is the end of America.
The Great Depression should have taught us something about perseverance and hope. I completely believe we have our own '50s generation coming. Yes, what goes up must come down (I tried telling people that about the stock market back in the late '90s). But the opposite is also true. Our economy, and us, will rise again.
I'm not saying we aren't going to lose some things along the way, but I refuse to call it quits when we don't even know what we are to gain yet. In 1900 they could not have conceived of the lows and highs we experienced in the 20th century. It is only 2009. We have so much to experience yet in this century. Sure, America probably won't be the new, big man on campus anymore, but I do believe we will continue to be a powerful country and a driving force on this planet for many decades to come.
What the people of America need is hope. It doesn't matter where you find it as long as you get it. If enough people believe America will fail, it will. We have to believe in ourselves, work hard and find hope. Don't think about governments or media or celebrities. That is such a small part of our population. Don't think about politics or differences. We have so much more that we share in common. Don't dwell on what you don't have or will never have. Celebrate what you do have and what you have always had.
My own mantra, and I hope it helps America, is to find beauty in every day. Now stop moaning and smile.
