We are in the midst of a terrible recession. Thousands are Americans are losing their jobs, homes, savings and self esteem. Putting politics to the side for this discussion; I ask you how did this happen in the United States of America? I don't care what party affiliation you represent, the question is still the same, but the answers I keep hearing don't address the questions posed. In fact, most answers are terribly inadequate to the point where I fear for the future of our country. The future as it relates to my children and grandchildren.
The reasons, in my opinion, for the demise of the American economy are a direct result of us losing sight of the principles and values that this country was founded on. Lets be honest the credit crisis is at the center of the recession. Greedy, unscrupulous, and powerful Americans saw an opportunity to make billions by offering back loaded sub prime loans to individuals who for the most part did not have the financial resources to own the home they were allowed to purchase. Again, I go back to the principles and values that America was founded on.
Some may argue that home ownership is the American dream and everyone should have the opportunity to own one. I say home ownership is a privilege not a right. When I purchased my first home a little more than five years ago, I had to produce detailed income records, my credit report was scrutinized, income to debt ratio was calculated and my credit score played a large role in the whole process. That process didn't occur in the majority of the defaulted loans that have us in such a mess.
On September 11, 2001 all of our lives were turned upside down. I remember it just like it was yesterday. On that day all of our lives changed forever. On September 12, 2001 Americans of every race, faith, and political affiliation vowed that we would come together as a nation and never, ever forget. Sadly, I believe the majority of Americans have already forgotten. For nearly eight years now there has not been another terror attack on American soil. Some have come close, but we have remained safe. Today, Guantanamo is being closed and dangerous terrorists are being released.
What most people don't understand or choose to ignore is that these terrorists have ONE goal. That goal is to kill Americans. That's it...it's what they live for. They train in terror camps to kill us and if they die trying they become "mortars". How can we allow this to happen. Again, I point to the principles and values that our Founding Fathers used to build our great country.
Let me pose some questions and statements to you.
Do you believe in God? Is he the center of your life?
Is America a good place to live? The best country in the world?
Do you place a high importance on honesty and integrity?
My family is sacred to me?
If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness and not a guarantee of equal results.
I work hard for what I have. I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
It is not un-American for me to disagree or share my personal opinion.
The government works for me. I do not answer to them. They answer to me.
If you answered yes to most of the questions above and agree with most of the statements posed, then you stand for the same core principles that our country was founded on. It is time for you to step up and make your voices heard. Time to get our country back on track. I believe that the future success our our country depends on those same core principles!
I don't care if you agree or disagree with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what's important is that a generation of 18 - 25 year old kids have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of our country. Thousands have been killed fighting for you and me. Hundreds of thousands are returning home after multiple tours with severe mental issues. Depression, traumatic stress disorders, and suicide to name a few. The facilities and resources to treat our heroes are either severely strained or non existent. All of these kids gave it their all for us, but now America is letting them down?
My father worked his tail off for thirty plus years and retired about four years ago with a nice and well deserved "net egg". This was acquired through hard work, sacrifice, savings all in preparation for the "golden years". Well in the last 6 months my dad has seen that "nest egg" lose over a third of its total value. He is not alone, millions are in the same situation. What are they to do? We are spending trillions on bank bailouts, automotive bailouts, and stimulus packages, none of which seem to be working as of yet. But what about the little guy, the regular everyday "Joe" who has lost everything they've worked so hard for. Do they get a bailout? Is someone going to provide them with a stimulus plan? I think not, and it all goes back to those principles.
God is being excluded in our schools, in city, state and federal government. What happened to "In God We Trust"? Laws and legislation are are eroding religion and church. Instead, evolution is being taught to many of our youngsters without opposition.
The unemployment rate in the US is approaching 10% and that does not include those people who have been unemployed for more than six months and have basically given up! History tells us that during a recession, and times of high unemployment that crime rates increase. This makes sense because people are desperate. Families still need to buy groceries, pay rent, get medicine, pay a car note, etc. At some point the money runs out. In many cases these circumstances can lead many to turn to crime as a way to try and make ends meet.
By no means do I claim to have all the answers, but I firmly believe that we have lost track of the big picture. We have taken our eye off the ball, we no longer allow the values that this great country was founded on to guide us. We have to get back to this. It is the only way to turn this thing around. It is the only way to revive America.
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