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Gender: male Member Since: May 27, 2008 Last Signed In: November 19, 2009 Profile Views: 800 Blog Views: 8088 FSG Thanks All Who Serve Our Country Words From a True Patriot Multiple Gunmen shoot and kill at least 7, wound potential dozens at Fort Hood Louisiana Judge Refuses Interracial Couple a Marriage License Friday Morning Shocker - Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize There's a reason why we have a shortage of Doctors... One Reason Why I'm Proud to be a Christian We Need a Henry Clay Do You Want to Help America? Boycott Walmart Sarah Palin Just Announced That She Will Be Stepping Down As Governor of Alaska June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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We Need a Henry Clay
As the past number of weeks have dragged by, it has become apparent that our country is becoming more and more polarized. From the economy to the health care debate, it seems that most Americans have formulated an "us versus them" attitude. I obviously have my own personal opinions regarding each major issue currently plaguing our nations leadership, however I really have been trying my best to keep my own discourse civilized and intelligent. I have not been perfect in these efforts, but in dealing with such anguish, I've realized that Americans really have forgotten some of their roots. On April 12, 1777, during the American Revolution, the beginnings of our American identity, a baby boy by the name of Henry Clay was born in Virgina. He was the son of a Baptist minister who unfortunately died when Henry was only four. Raised by his mother and step father, Henry would become a successful lawyer, and later, become one of the most influential politicians to grace our nation's young Capital, where he would be hailed as "The Great Compromiser." Throughout his service as both a Senator and member of the House of Representatives, Clay would be known for his common sensibilities which gave him the ability to bring opposing viewpoints together into union. It was Henry who bartered such deals as the Missouri compromise - allowing for Maine to become a free state and Missouri a slave state. Though he was constantly in disagreement with many of his peers and even superiors (the Andrew Jackson Administration is a prime example), Clay seemed to always keep his composure, and was hailed by many as a man of great character and intellect. Even today, Henry is hailed as a man whose arguments in court some 200 years ago set precedent after precedent, many of which are still upheld today by our Supreme Court. Where is our Henry Clay? Where is someone that despite his own preconceived notions and beliefs, can still look for common ground? Then again, why should we only look to one person to pick up the banner of negotiation that Clay once proudly held? Why can't we look for some Henry Clay within ourselves? We need a Henry Clay. Tensions continue to mount upon our country as people from all political perspectives either agree or disagree with what our current and even past administrations have done or are doing. Instead of looking for common ground, we yell and scream at each other, spreading rumors, lies and misdirection. We need a Henry Clay. Instead of listening to alternative points of view with an open mind before we come to a conclusive opinion, we berate our opponents and stick our fingers in our ears. We need a Henry Clay. Instead of working together to make our country a better place to live and work, we hope for failure and support actions which derail our opponents. We need a Henry Clay.
Let us look not to a continuance of tension, but instead to a new beginning whereas we can honestly come together in an attempt to actually listen and learn. We will all have our strong opinions, however, as Henry Clay once said: Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.
9 comments from 7 users
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posted by
sagefever
on Sep 5, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Balm to my eyes. Well said~ and something I will keep in mind when the tables are turned. This is our country. All of us. posted by
Ray_Harwick
on Sep 5, 2009 at 02:16 PM
My GGG grand father was named in honor of Henry Clay. That's a nice protrait of him FSG. Uplifting. posted by
drilnliftcrude
on Sep 5, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Maybe people need a "drinking conservatively" group that would bring everyone together in peace and harmony. Did Henry Clay have anything like that? posted by
sagefever
on Sep 5, 2009 at 03:44 PM
You should start one dril~ I have yet to attend the drinking liberally one. Maybe yours will inspire me to attend? posted by
ronmexico
on Sep 5, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Where is our Henry Clay? John McCain. He voted with the democrats more than any other Republican Senator...It certainly wasn't BObama who voted with the Democrats 99% of the time in his short tenure... posted by
Shwaine
on Sep 5, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Drinking moderately would seem to be a better name for a group commited to political compromise. posted by
FloridaStateGrad
on Sep 5, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Ron, as usual, you miss the point entirely. posted by
donmason
on Sep 6, 2009 at 05:41 PM
I share your sentiment, but wonder if the spirit of compromise is possible when fear of personal economic loss has become the main driver of the dialog. A “What’s in it for me?” overview, in other words.
I’ve been rereading my newspaper archives from the 1933 to 1939 time frame, and the shrill political arguments are disturbingly the same. Fear and anger become the norm it seems when the people see themselves becoming less secure with each passing month.
There is an important difference between the 1930’s and our present era.
The 1930’s represented the failure of classic Capitalism. We sat in the most resource rich and advanced industrial society the world had ever known, surrounded by massive primary capital, yet over 25% were out of work because of the dismal failure of unregulated capitalism. Back then, we had what we needed to work our way out.
Now, unregulated capitalism failed once again. No surprise, and expected by those that looked forward.
The difference this time is far less primary capital remains for a nation with four times as many people to exploit and share.
This doesn’t leave much chance of a positive outcome based on the old normal.
Most will fail to recognize a simple fact. More people at the table, and the feast is shrinking. The land is already in full cultivation, but the well is running dry, and we sold off the tractor 20 years ago for one last party.
The result is anger toward whomever is viewed as the leadership, regardless of circumstance. Most of the people have little comprehension of what the future holds, and even perfect leadership cannot change that reality.
Without a lot more pragmatic cooperation, the situation will continue to decline.
Right now, we need at least a thousand Henry Clay’s. posted by
ronmexico
on Sep 6, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Right now, we need at least a thousand Henry Clay’s.
Actually, what we need are people that have a clue what capitalism is.. .Unregulated capitalism failed. Pahleeeze.... Do you have any idea how many regulations companies have to deal with?? You know who doesn't have to deal with regulations?? Our leaders.. Like Turbo Tax Timmmy. Like Barney Frank. Like Charlie Rangel. Capitalism only works if companies are ALLOWED to fail. Companies that do not provide the services people want SHOULD BE ALLOWED to FAIL. But because we regulate capitalism so much, poor companies are not allowed to fail. They are proped up with government money. The problem once again is overregulated capitalism has once again failed.
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