I don’t consider myself to be an expert at anything in particular. I’m fairly educated, (I think) and pretty good at teaching about things I’m interested in. That being said if there’s one thing I’m an expert at, it is being a Great American. How is that? Because I appreciate this country and don’t take my freedoms for granted. I’m familiar with the Constitution and why we declared our independence from England many years ago.
Every day I see our political leaders on both sides of the isle drive this country in to the ground as their politically uneducated sheep trail behind them like a hoard of zombies. It seems like a good part of America is brain washed or just too lazy to learn on their own about how awesome this country is and why it is designed to run the way it does. It seems like — just because a certain athlete, popular celebrity or a slick politician they “connect” with, said this or that, it must be true. EEEEH! WRONG!
As I sit by and watch this train wreck, I get frustrated and feel like there’s nothing I can do about it. Well, as the old saying goes… “You are either you’re part of the problem or you’re part of the solution.” Which are you? How do you become part of the solution? Start by reading about the history of America. Educate yourself! Doesn’t even have to be a lot, but enough that if Kimmel or Fallon walk up to you on the street, shove a mic and camera in your face to quiz you, you won’t look entirely stupid because you think Benghazi is a man not a place, or who won the Civil war? The East or the West? ;-)
Many Americans don’t really understand or bother understanding how great this country is and how it got that way. Many citizens take for granted the freedoms they have and often care little about how our ancestors fought hard for them. Instead they dabble on their cell phones, play on their XBOX or watch silly TV shows. Add to that dozens of websites, blogs and common news outlets that pretend to be legitimate new sources. Can you say Colbert, Kimmel and Trevor Noah?
Those who don’t take current events serious or ignore the things that are important are part of the problem, not the solution. As an American, you have an obligation and responsibility to know what’s going on in the country and around the world (to some extent). No one says you have to be a news junkie like me, but you should know at least who the Vice-President of the United States is instead of what celebrity wedding is coming up or the latest app for your phone.
You have an obligation to educate yourself on the leaders of the country and vote for the right politician based on YOUR VALUES, not someone else’s. This is the only way our country will get the leadership it needs. Americans need to wake up and really listen for themselves to the people they are voting for and insist the politicians earn their vote based on experience, integrity and character.
Comments
Great sentiments to have provided they go along with an awareness that it may already be too late
How is it that you’re part of the solution? After all, education for the sake of education will get you nowhere.
Has anyone who clicked on this article received a "redirect" warning from their browser or virus protection software?
It happened to me twice, but I can't get it to happen anymore since the first two occurrences.
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Has anyone who clicked on this article received a "redirect" warning from their browser or virus protection software?
None here, Bill; you might want to try a re-start. Could either be a temporary glitch or someone trying to bypass your security software.
Curiously, i just got an on-point citation to add to my collection:
"The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe."
-- John Walter Wayland, 1899
"Tis the upright mind that holds true sovereignty."
-- Lucius Annaeus Seneca(4 B.C.-A.D. 65) Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, "Seneca the Younger"
Source: Tragedies, Thyestes, line 380; (Chorus)
(the extra one was a bonus.)
Politicians follow the money. Some hate it and would rather be governing for the masses. Other politicians love it because of all the bennies that will be bestowed upon them. Can you say Nancy Pelosi.
The rights we have are the result of a long fight. They need defending.
Don't trash the planet.
Don't destroy wildlife.
Treat nature well.
Be tolerant and compassionate.
Be distrustful of leaders.
Think, learn from history and be true to your ethical stance.
Help others when you can.
Teach the truth.
Stand up against violence, cruelty and nastiness.
Be fair.
Treat all people equally well without prejudice or malice.
I could go on and on.
That might not make me a good American but it might make the world better if everyone adopted the same attitude.
If we cooperate, we all benefit.
If we fight, we all lose, just some more than others.
War doesn't decide who's right, only who's left.
-Bertrand Russel
Great words, Oph!
I think it's important to know your history, regardless of which country you are from. We all can learn and grow from it, even if it wasn't our country we are learing it from.
Thanks to all for the comments, you will all make me a better writer.
If we all did 4 free habits, our nation would turn around in no time.
1) ban porn
2) get rid of televisions and avoid Hollyweird like the plague
3) avoid psychotropic drugs
4) Read and study extensively of history and the Bible.
It seems the Republicans are far closer to the Constitution than the Democrats. The Democrats are prodigious liars and are supported by the liberal media and liberal schools.
Ryan was a Spanish knight from the 10th century in another life. don't mind him.
Flying Junior is our resident Marxist. He can't intelligently discuss it though. That's what makes him easy to beat, like a drum, by the liberal media. He not only doesn't understand the Constitution, he runs around here with his leftist friends, Opher, Bill H., Jeff Michka and about 10 others, preaching Marxism to the rest of us.
I don't know squat about Karl Marx. I hardly care.
To be educated one must know the law, there is a reason why university and school programs teach only compliance (statutory law) and not actual law. They don't even teach attorneys about law, only compliance.
If you want to understand the States, start with Greece 2500 years ago, read the NT, Roman Jurisprudence and the enlightenment.
Being a good American is being wise to this.
Bankers.
Education is a personal journey nudged this way and that by the hard rocks of truth. Information, without the ability to analyze, is useless. Genius without information, likewise.
I studied science at Uni and became a sign painter because I enjoyed it. I read history avidly. I've made my living for over 40 years in visual arts while studying history and many branches of science just to know more.
Have been digging deeply into finance and taxation for many years.
Critical thinking is a skill that is not taught in school, for some odd reason, neither is the truth of finance.
Makes you think!
When you pay $250,000 to my worker you are committing a crime.
Raise children who share your values. Give them the resources that they need to succeed and enjoy life. And get out there and ride your bike!
I agree that we need to preserve history and be responsible while we do it. I can only imagine how our current history will look 2000 years from now.
Kindly hurry up. I have dreamed of seeing it since May 4, 1970.
It seems like a good part of America is brainwashed or just too lazy to learn on their own about how awesome this country is and why it is designed to run the way it does.
Start by reading about the history of America. Educate yourself! Doesn’t even have to be a lot,
Many Americans don’t really understand or bother understanding how great this country is and how it got that way. Many citizens take for granted the freedoms they have and often care little about how our ancestors fought hard for them.
The theme of your article is how ignorant Americans are. As you know it was not like this. America's education system began well and produced literate people with inquisitive minds.
The education system also de-emphasized the old world of Kings, Emperors, and Empires, and instead put a great deal of emphasis on the short history of America, carefully tailor cut to omit great wrongs.
The purpose was to create an American nationalist, proud of America with a certain destain of the old world.
That system worked fine till the Cultural Marxists got hold of our education system. I believe the dumbing down of America, which began around the 70's was essential for the Elite to take control.
An educated population would not tolerate the massive shift of power and wealth into the hands of 1% unless they are controlled by dumbing them down'.
Once dumbed down, it is next to impossible for you to ask them to become responsible free thinkers with an inquisitive mind. The mind has been corrupted and simply 'dumbed down", an essential recipe for a Plutocracy.
Thanks for your input. As I learned quickly, there are quite a few marxist here. When you call them out, they tend to get a little aggressive.... In fact, you don't even need to call them out. They are always there to find something to say to remind you how everything you write is not marxist. They sound educated and use really big words, but after the first few sentences of their long dissertation on how non-marxist you or your post is, I scroll down to the next one - thus making the time they took to write it a waste of time.
Back to you.... I like your angle. I agree that the dumbing down of America has occurred within recent decades and the education system has slowly been eliminating significant historical events from teachings. As an avid history buff with a BA of Military History it is quite frustrating. I am currently deployed overseas to Africa and will be taking some time off to tour the beeches of Normandy in a couple weeks. When I told my kids this (they are 12 & 14) they asked why I was gong to the beech in February as it's going to be cold. Although they know about WW2, they didn't know what June 6, 1944 was and the significance of Normandy France. At 12 & 14 for crying out loud!!! So I can clearly see this dumbing down first hand. Fortunately I will be bring my kids up to date as needed. If the elite politicians, media moguls and bankers can keep the masses uneducated, they can easily do what they want.
AL
As an avid history buff with a BA of Military History, it is quite frustrating.
Remember what George Orwell said:
"Who controls the Past controls the Future. Who controls the Present controls the Past"
One of the best ways to dumb down the population is told lies about history in order to control the future of the nation.
One thing about America today, nothing happens by happenstance.
One of the best ways to dumb down the population is to tell lies about history in order to control the future of the nation.
The Bible is a law book, not a history book. Not a single event in the Bible has to be true for its message to be true. The NT is a genius kind of work, espousing the common law and the doctrines necessary to hold onto it was its purpose.
AL
If you have the nerve to label me a Marxist because I am a liberal democrat, you are unequipped for rational political discussion.
Nice try with the both parties do it thing.
C-Ya
Has anyone who clicked on this article received a "redirect" warning from their browser or virus protection software?
YES I got that notice a couple of times
Facepalm
Noted you advice to Bill
Doug
To be educated one must know the law, there is a reason why university and school programs teach only compliance (statutory law) and not actual law.
So who won the war ? The USA ? What did they win ? More debt, income tax, and the Administrative procedures act.
Being a good American is being wise to this.
So absolutely true. Wisdom wisdom wisdom.
Logical Man
Education is a personal journey nudged this way and that by the hard rocks of truth. Information, without the ability to analyze, is useless. Genius without information, likewise.
Critical thinking is a skill that is not taught in school, for some odd reason, neither is the truth of finance.
Makes you think!
Logical Man + Doug = Brilliance
Doug
I agree with you that a holy book does not have deal with history, it can deal with myth and yet impart its message.
Allen
Coming from a nation who did write its history and wrote in continuously for 2500 years covering 3 thousand years, I do not agree that age diminishes the work of a Chronicles
Hmmmmmmmmm?
I am taking Facepalm's advice. If you hadn't brought it up I wouldn't have given it much thought. My little computer is not powerful enough to deal with super hackers and government probes or whatever.
Allan, Getting the people informed is key. Getting past the will full ignorance stage we are now in is a must. The nauseating politics has to go.