Evil is not any greater than it was a thousand years ago.
People's morals are not worse; nor are they much better.
It's a really frustrating time to be an American right now. This is still a great nation, capable of great things. We can commit great evils against each other, or we can act with great valor, prudence, and dignity. We may convey our power through "soft power" as Chomsky defined it; which is through dialogue, economics, and capitalizing on the value of speech and wealth-creating systems. Or we can convey our message to the world through "hard power" which is another term for force that is accomplished through military intimidation and might.
I was born in a Christian home and raised with Christian values. I was homeschooled my whole life until the age of 18. I said the pledge of allegiance everyday, and believed America was the finest, and most noble country on Earth. I believed this to be God's country! I truly did.
Then came the Monica Lewinsky affair. Then came 9/11. Then came the infamous speeches from the worlds most powerful man claiming "war is over" while it is still underway and just gaining steam. Then came revelations that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were based off lies; no. They weren't just based on lies; they were lies. From the WMD's in Iraq, to the power and influence of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. These were events that would forever change the current attitude, and future course of the United States. The implications of these wars would live on forever, and stand as the writing on the tombstones of each citizen of this great nation.
Freedom of Information Act amendments. The Patriot Act. Warrantless tapping of citizens phones. Classified citizen details and detainment's. Covert operations and spying on tax-paying citizens, all because they said the word "Allah", or "terrorist".
TSA, Homeland Security, increased national defense budgets where no platter was too big, and increasingly militarized city police. Increased watchfulness of citizens speech and demeanor. Increased regulation on free-speech and rightful protest.
Wasted tax-payer dollars in the billions... wait... in the trillions. Increased percentages of Americans imprisoned (25% of world total).
And then...
The recession and government handouts to banks who's business model was supposed to be one that promoted business and free-market capitalism, but instead, ran with a business model that leveraged such high amounts of risk that governments viewed them as entities or agencies, not private, or publicly-traded organizations that were ran by uncaring, and cold-hearted men and women.
Boeing, JPL, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Haliburton, Exxon, Chevron, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Motors, and countless others all used their influence through lobbyists in Washington to convince our senators and representatives that we are a nation in danger, and through their services, and theirs only, would we be safe and secure.
Bank of America, UBS, Wells Fargo, and how many others received my... our money... to fund their business model that inevitably leads itself to bankruptcy?
We've all been had! Muslims are not terrorists! Banks do not need our money! Lobbyists do not need to be in Washington! Corporations are not people! Companies should not be allowed to finance ad infinitum politicians who care nothing for the people they were elected to represent.
Iran will not nuke us! China will not invade us! We have no legitimate enemy anywhere in the world right now! So why are spending nearly a trillion dollars a year on national defense?
Wal-Mart is both good and bad. They provide us with cheap goods that we all love, but poor working wages. Why do we subsidize them and other like Cabelas?
How can two liters of Pepsi cost me less than 24 ounces of bottled water? What are the market forces behind this?
How can our government spend itself into such a large amount of debt that we are no without any end in sight?
People of America: You have been had! Your government has lied to you, and you have lied to yourselves!
By making uninformed decisions on political candidates, you have allowed the poorly educated, and geo-politically uninformed to run your country! You are at as much fault as them!
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