Whether Obama or Mc Cain wins, America is in for a rude awakening. Here's what I see. There are harden beliefs on both sides. Everyone is talking about change. A movement toward unity means that we cannot get drunk with the idea of change, but we need to actually change. America, as we like to think of it, doesn't exist folks—don’t believe the hype. If Obama is elected, it could be the beginning of the healing that needs to take place and it won’t be easy. If Mc Cain wins, in my opinion, it could have the affect of either people rising up in various sorts or rebellion, or total apathy, neither of which we can afford. In Truth, healing is available in either scenario, one night be easier than the other.
Many scabs have been yanked off and there are more to come. America needs to wake–up to being true to our Constitution and to become participants in our democracy. There has been much talk about Bill Ayres, and nobody can condone his methods, but his motives, in my opinion, where just. In these times we must be mindful of our methods and motives for change. I am tired of hearing that disagreeing with our government is somehow unpatriotic. If you read the Declaration of Independence, you can see what being patriotic really is. Much light can be brought to the dangerous ignorance of many citizens by simply going back to what was intended in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. At the very least, it gives us a foundation upon which we can agree. Since civics it no longer taught in most schools, we are terribly ignorant about what our rights are and what our responsibility as citizens are. Freedom ain’t free people! But freedom doesn’t cost nearly as much as bondage. Think about it.
We might be in for some very rocky times whether Obama is elected or not. I believe the, or not, is the most discouraging scenario, but whatever the outcome of this race, we must all be more active in our democracy, not just by voting, but daily activity. We must become the change we wish to see, as Gandhi so aptly put it. If ignorance is the problem, we need to learn more. If irresponsibility is the problem, then we need to take more responsibility. If intolerance is the problem, we need to love more. If the economy is a problem, then we need to be better stewards. If war is the problem, we must offer peace. If security is the problems, then stop threatening and engendering fear. Thomas Jefferson said, “The man who would choose security over freedom deserves neither.” We must hold our elected officials, legislators, and the media accountable to speak the highest level of truth that they have available. The fate of our county is not up to Obama or McCain, it is up to us.
We are in another civil war—let this not be a literal description, but only figurative. There are a lot nasty terms being tossed around, and groups being pitted against each other. This figurative civil war didn’t just begin, it has been going on for years, but it is time to STOP. As Barack Obama says, these are the United States, not blue and red states. The fabric of our country is being torn apart from within. As citizens, we must take our power back. There is no greater enemy outside of this country than the enemy within. I am reminded of the Gettysburg Address, which was written in another time when our country needed to heal and remember that this is The United States.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Quick reads. If you want to read these important documents go to
http://www.mindfulresolutions.net/id7.html
Posted By: Barbara Dixon
Wednesday, October 22nd 2008 at 2:52PM
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