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What Prospect for a Better Future
When you have lived long enough to experience the windup Victrola and icebox you were raised with become “collectibles” or used for “décor” you have lived through a lot of changes here in America. The changes in just my own lifetime have been so dramatic as to cause me to be in awe of them at times. But while language and clearly defined and secure borders are the glue that holds any nation together its traditions are of nearly as great importance as Tevye made clear in “Fiddler on the Roof.” And while some traditions may give place to better ways I have cause to wonder what of American traditions may have been forsaken for things that have worked to the detriment of our nation. There is a need for both “new wine” as well as not removing “the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” However, to distinguish these requires leadership with the wisdom to know the difference and prioritize accordingly. But without such leadership a nation will fail. This is why I do not believe America will be a factor in the End Times, but is that nation described as “Babylon” in Revelation. We have a failure of leadership in America, and none on the horizon possessed with the kind of wisdom that would deliver us from the path of destruction we are now on. But we are in this position as a nation because for a very long time now we have been without leadership that had the wisdom to guide us; on the contrary we have been ruled by politicians, not those with vision and character to chart another course. Much like the Prodigal Son our inheritance has been wasted on things that have not benefited the good of America, but rather things that have been destructive of the moral base of our country, things allowing the importance of family for example to be eroded with nothing of any lasting value as a substitute. If there is no moral “anchor” for a government or society it is impossible to rightly distinguish between the new wine and the ancient landmark, what should give way to better and what must be retained, a balancing act that cries out for the very best of wisdom and leadership. But who among us really believes the path of wisdom is where our government leadership is taking us? And I for one see nothing better for us no matter who becomes our next president. The tiny nation of Israel has been a success in balancing secular and religious views, balancing new wine and the ancient landmark and has managed to be an example of how the right leadership can best serve the needs of its people. But it has been nothing short of miraculous Israel became a nation once more, and has managed to not only survive but prosper in the face of so many enemies determined to destroy it. And there should be no mistaking Iran’s mad mullah actually intending to “wipe Israel off the map!” And it is here where I am more than willing to credit the Biblical view of Israel in the scheme of history. That this tiny nation should be so prominent on the world stage would be considered ridiculous had anyone said such a thing in time past, but here we are in the present and so it has come to be. Because I recall the windup Victrola and icebox as “luxuries” of America past, and then these giving way to improvements and becoming a standard of living in so many homes with promises of a better future I am too old now to worry about what may become of me. So I look about and consider the events taking place here in America and globally with a certain amount of detached interest, more as a spectator than any longer a participant. It isn’t that I have become detached from suffering humankind; far from it. But I have accepted there is little I can do to change the course of events. I will continue to be involved with politics and will continue casting my vote hoping for the best, not because I believe my vote will change anything but because it is both my privilege and duty to do so as an American, just as I believe it to be the privilege and duty of every American. But there is something quite melancholy about living long enough to look back so far and still having the mental faculty to vividly recall so many things of the past, especially the things that gave us so much cause for hope of the future. There was a time when people were not so confused about new wine and ancient landmarks, and having lived it I miss that time in America past. It was far from perfect back then, but what prospect is there now for a better future. The friction of greed, corruption and incompetence threatens the machinery of government at all levels and it seems only a matter of a short time when it will be quite beyond being able to function at all but will self-destruct. And should that happen, where is there a friend in the world to offer help and would be both trustworthy and capable to help putting America back together. But it is now this generation’s turn to try and do better than my generation did.
17 comments from 7 users
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posted by
samheath
on May 12, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Politicians both Republican and Democrat have mortgaged America to the hilt. I wouldn't expect "Mexifornia" to be an example of how the bills are going to be paid. posted by
TSM
on May 12, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Gas prices open up Anwar if this had happen in 1998 under Clinton Gotta love those rightwingers who don't know how their own country operates. Congress is responsible for getting a bill to the president which would open up ANWR for drilling. The president doesn't have the power to unilaterally approve such a thing. Which party was in power in 1998? The Republicans. Why couldn't they get a bill to Clinton? Because in every attempt there wasn't enough support by their own members to get a bill passed. The Congressional records are public. You will find in every ANWR vote from 1995 to 2001, there wasn't enough Republicans who supported drilling to get a bill passed. And Red, this state has the 5th largest economy in the world. Liberalism must be doing something right.
posted by
allRED
on May 11, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Sam Chico Ron Old Blue Nancy were here but not enough of us left Liberalism is winning and all we can do is sit around and complain We live in a State that is the leader of Green Peace Tree Huggers No Refinery No Cars Illegals No nuclear Power Laws that protect the Crimmal No Rifle/Hand Guns This is a short part of our weaknesses Ron posted by
NancyII
on May 11, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Gas prices soaring. People complaining about it. And NO one is willing to cut back on driving. Slow down. Get rid of gas guzzlers. As long as the public demands it, the gas companies are happy to supply you with all you want..at THEIR price. Where's the spirit of the people who rebelled and made this OUR country? Entitlement, comfort, ease, greed, laziness. What have we as a people become that we won't take responsibility for a lot of our current misery? If you don't want $5.00 a gallon gas, stop buying it. Car pool, walk, crawl, scooter, bicycle, skateboard, rollerblade. Instead of going out for lovely evening drives, take a long walk. Drive to the bike path, PARK, and walk. Just stop standing at the pump for the 4th time that week and complaining about the prices. Once again, it's people wanting the government to "fix it" instead of working on the problem themselves. posted by
NancyII
on May 11, 2008 at 09:07 AM
"rental prices falling, neighbors/friends/family walking away from their homes, bankruptcies erupting, FDIC closing banks" While it's handy to blame the country for all the housing crises, it's more realistic to blame the greed and the stupidity of the consumers who handed their lives over to more greedy lenders expecting to have NO accountability for that greed, stupidity and gullibility. Sorry folks, but as long as I have fingers and toes even I can count well enough to know that if I make $3000 a month I can't afford a mortgage payment of $2000 no matter what a lender tells me. There's a ripple effect going on here...... of course the banks and mortgage companies will suffer. and they should, they created it. (of course thats simplistic but Henny Pennyiers drive me bonkers.) posted by
samheath
on May 11, 2008 at 09:05 AM
It's our dependence on computers among other things that is worrisome. Remember in "Independence Day" when they had to resort to Morse Code to save the planet. posted by
NancyII
on May 11, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Heh...Starbucks. Now there's a good example of the country going to hell in a handbasket. People wiseing up that 5 bucks is a tad high for a cup of designer coffee. What a revelation. Their downfall couldn't be because there's a coffee house on every corner now and that even McD's is getting in on the action could it? posted by
NancyII
on May 11, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Just a question out of curiosity. How many of you still use a lot of postal stamps? How many of you pay bills on line, email friends and family instead of writing and sending through the postal service? How many shop and ship directly to a friend or relatives house rather than send it yourself through mail? How many of you send electronic money? (You can do that you know) I mail ONE item a month and that's my rent. I got into the habit of stopping at the post office on my way home and buying a few stamps from the machine to send the rent check off. So lets see, I might spend 5 bucks a year on stamps...stretching it, call it 10 bucks. When postage goes up, how much will my postage increase per year? posted by
samheath
on May 11, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Most of us with the years of experience to guide us know something could be done. But I don't see anyone onstage to take the reins. posted by
NancyII
on May 11, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Lets start with just one of the above mentioned Henny Penny statements. Rice shortage. http://money.cnn.com/2008/0...
posted by
allRED
on May 11, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Gas prices open up Anwar if this had happen in 1998 under Clinton we would have an endless supply by now Food cost Ethanol corn for fuel truckers same Diesel cost more truckers charge more Nuclear France a very liberal country lead in the most nuclear plants USA nothing new for 20/30 years We can solve all these problems we eliminate all Liberals ; They have a mental disorder and need to be dealt with soon I agree with Sam Babylon the cities of Los Angles Frisco NY Chicago Seattle DC and all Senators from these States We could help save this country if the slient marjority would wake up and of course Illegals posted by
samheath
on May 11, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Does make it difficult to maintain a positive outlook for the future. posted by
Maggiepoo
on May 11, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Gasoline prices skyrocketing, complete and utter disbelief running rampant, food prices through the roof, electric bills exploding, job losses mounting, housing crashing, rental prices falling, neighbors/friends/family walking away from their homes, bankruptcies erupting, FDIC closing banks, complete and utter disbelief running rampant, people killing eachother for rice, Countrywide imploding, sams club/costco/etc putting purchase limits on rice, storage facility auctions due to delinquencies doubling - don't you think that is a little odd in itself - storage is cheap, complete and utter disbelief running rampant, did you know postal rates are going up again monday?, consumers are pulling credit card debt at record levels (15 billion in march alone), stimulus rebate checks, Bear Stearns implosion, truckers going on strike, fannie mae and freddie mac raising money to fight insolvency, record lows for consumer confidence, complete and utter disbelief running rampant, Wendy's bought out, WAMU imploding, AIG/Citi/Fed Fraud, AIG sees no end to writedowns, Starbucks states worst consumer environment ever, inflation-inflation-inflation, SEC going bonkers, PRIME foreclosure rates have DOUBLED, Encap filed chapter 11, the city of Vallejo files bankruptcy, even casino's are filing BK,losing a phony war overseas,goverment lying to us daily,..... posted by
samheath
on May 11, 2008 at 07:56 AM
The Prodigal was fortunate having such a forgiving father. As to chaos if enough eggs are broken maybe a better omelet will result but I'm not counting on it happening to America. posted by
catpaw
on May 11, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Well, Sam, there is the math axiom that order emerges from chaos. I can't say that this means a better world but I'd bet the farm it will be a different one. The parable of the Prodigal Son had a happy ending--he was reconciled to his father despite the son's folly. If there is a possibility of America being Babylon, I hope the jury is still out on that issue. posted by
samheath
on May 11, 2008 at 06:42 AM
A strong leader that would put America first is a song I've been singing for years. But we have a system that seems to give us nothing but politicians that shame America. I'm embarrassed for my country just watching this present debacle playing onscreen for the whole world to see. posted by
okbrooksby1
on May 10, 2008 at 08:43 PM
While it true that Israel has survived It is also true that we americans have had our nose envolved in the termoil of other peoples politics for so long tha we don't have a clear daily agenda anymore. While we spend our resourses prrotecting other people we have depleted our own to the point that people like you are giving in to the theory that we are predestined. In the words of Hillary Clinton it is not over til its over. Godpeed and hope for hope. If I die tomorrow at least I still have faith in humanity when people refuse to give up when there is too much work to be done. One person can not posibly do it all but we lack a Samson to come in and clean house. We still have a few lion fighters out thert and hopefully there will be a future for them. In essence we have sacrificed our pawns repeatedily for secular secegments instead of trying to collect our global support and bringing ithem home and saved some for a rainy day. Well it raining cats (global unrest) and dogs (Global unequal oil reserves). It't time to castle and bring out the bishops. nights and rouks to the front.
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