This subject came up on another thread (albeit off-topic) and it deserves it's own thread.
In 2017 both Left and Right, Democrat and Republican, offer what they believe America should be. Most Americans don't agree with those visions which explains why so many Americans think we're headed in the wrong direction (26% Satisfied vs. 72% Dissatisfied), why they chose to elect Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton (rather vote for an unknown than more of the same crap). IMHO, one reason for the dissatisfaction is because both parties continue to market fear over hope, authoritarianism over freedom. President Obama was elected on a promise of "Hope and Change" but allowed the Democrats to jam (and try to jam) programs down the throats of Americans "for their own good" whether they liked them or not. Even though it's been less than 2 weeks, it doesn't appear Trump will do much better even though I think he's better than Hillary.
IMO, the America most voters want is the one envisioned in John Wayne's 1973 " "America, Why I Love Her" album. Yes, it's a lot of rah-rah, but as the words in the text link below prove, it really is what our nation should be. Not fearful or oppressive, but in Ronald Reagan's words, a "'shining city upon a hill." Compared to the current vision of the Republican America, much less Trump's America or the Democrat's America, I prefer John Wayne's America. IMHO, it's where I think most Americans want to be.
Text: The Pledge of Allegiance Lyrics - John Wayne
"Whose bright stars are fifty states...each bearing its own stamp of individuality. People...two hundred million strong...people who have come to her from all corners of the earth....A land of laws...with an ingenious system of checks and balances that allows no man to become a tyrant...and lets no group prevail...if their power is not tempered with a real concern for the governed...A land where the right of dissent and of free speech is jealously guarded...where the ballot box is the sword...and the people its wielder....A land where freedom of worship is a cornerstone of her being...A land graced with temples and churches, synagogues and altars that rise in profusion to embrace all the religions of the world....A land forged by the hot steel of raw courage...and formed forever...by the awful crucible of civil war....Where man in pursuit of an honest life will not be denied his chance...where her citizens move freely within her vast borders without hindrance or fear...A land brimming with opportunity...where freedom of choice is the guide for all.....The courts of our land are open to all. Its wheels of justice grind for all causes...all people. They look to every avenue for justice...every concern of the law...and they temper their reasoning with mercy..."
In 2017 both Left and Right, Democrat and Republican, offer what they believe America should be. Most Americans don't agree with those visions which explains why so many Americans think we're headed in the wrong direction (26% Satisfied vs. 72% Dissatisfied), why they chose to elect Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton (rather vote for an unknown than more of the same crap). IMHO, one reason for the dissatisfaction is because both parties continue to market fear over hope, authoritarianism over freedom. President Obama was elected on a promise of "Hope and Change" but allowed the Democrats to jam (and try to jam) programs down the throats of Americans "for their own good" whether they liked them or not. Even though it's been less than 2 weeks, it doesn't appear Trump will do much better even though I think he's better than Hillary.
IMO, the America most voters want is the one envisioned in John Wayne's 1973 " "America, Why I Love Her" album. Yes, it's a lot of rah-rah, but as the words in the text link below prove, it really is what our nation should be. Not fearful or oppressive, but in Ronald Reagan's words, a "'shining city upon a hill." Compared to the current vision of the Republican America, much less Trump's America or the Democrat's America, I prefer John Wayne's America. IMHO, it's where I think most Americans want to be.
Text: The Pledge of Allegiance Lyrics - John Wayne
"Whose bright stars are fifty states...each bearing its own stamp of individuality. People...two hundred million strong...people who have come to her from all corners of the earth....A land of laws...with an ingenious system of checks and balances that allows no man to become a tyrant...and lets no group prevail...if their power is not tempered with a real concern for the governed...A land where the right of dissent and of free speech is jealously guarded...where the ballot box is the sword...and the people its wielder....A land where freedom of worship is a cornerstone of her being...A land graced with temples and churches, synagogues and altars that rise in profusion to embrace all the religions of the world....A land forged by the hot steel of raw courage...and formed forever...by the awful crucible of civil war....Where man in pursuit of an honest life will not be denied his chance...where her citizens move freely within her vast borders without hindrance or fear...A land brimming with opportunity...where freedom of choice is the guide for all.....The courts of our land are open to all. Its wheels of justice grind for all causes...all people. They look to every avenue for justice...every concern of the law...and they temper their reasoning with mercy..."
