When Did The Tie That Bind Us Break?

Often I wonder if the United States will be able to recover as the super power it once was. I wonder, Could we win World War II again? Could we withstand the odds of the Revolutionary War? Could we handle an oil embargo or an era of expansion like the Manifest Destiny under President Polk?

Such instances require unanimity and collectivism. We would have to rediscover what it meant to sacrifice for one another and to believe in each other as Americans. After 9-11, we underwent terrorism by our own citizens such as anthrax and the sniper killer. After the financial collapse of 2008, we cannot find enough unanimity to stop stealing from one another (ponzi schemes, corporate raiding, rampant voluntary foreclosures, ruthless lending tightening by banks (government bailed out banks mind you) and energy price speculating.) It seems for every challenge Americans scurry and mutilate one another.

Instead of becoming a nation of one, we polarize. Republicans side with Republicans and oppose anything Democrats suggest, and Democrats side with Democrats and oppose anything Republicans suggest. Regions divide and engage much like rival gangs. Age groups and ideologies harden in their positions.

While our Founders envisioned ideological debate, they could never have imagined such devastating polarization where either side would prefer the Country crumble than lose their position. It is a sad time in our history. Partisans justify even the most nonsensical notions to attempt to satisfy their own greed and self interest. I doubt the Americans of today would have starved in the snow at Valley Forge or had the resolve to take Iwo Jima. More likely the Americans of today would have quibbled, robbed the wounded and stolen the identities of the dead corpses.

Balancing the trade deficit, building a vibrant middle class, maintaining an overwhelming strength on the world forum in voice and respect, and fostering a nurturing Nation of peaceful compassion for our citizens are simple unalienable truths. Yet we cannot agree on these issues. Why is that? I'm not talking nuance, I am talking about things that should be so ingrained in the decency and fabric of Americans, that to resist them would be unnatural. The solution to our woes be it deficits, deflation, inflation, negative GDP growth or international threats is in recognizing what it is that ties us as one and working in unison for the betterment of the Country as whole wihtout regard for demographic, party affiliation or self.

2009 and the Cry for Statesmanship

Beginning today, one will be able to find insight and logical deliberation about current events from the standpoint of a scholarly analysis based in good old fashioned common sense. My perspective shall always be in the spirit of government and policy in favor of the greatest common good and a general spirit of Mills' "Utilitarianism" as a general formula for grading the acts of individuals as well as society as a whole.

As an American, I will not apologize for taking stances that best suit Americans. I will not be ashamed of America being the most powerful nation on the earth, nor shall I ever suggest a course of action that would diminish that title. The ever growing in popularity stance of degrading the American Empire and the opinion of those people that America should be ashamed of its power and prowess in statehood shall find no comfort in my opinions. Whether one believes human rights, morality, equality, corporate profits, markets or just general fairness are ends to be sought before the power and position of the United States of America as a country, my answer is simply no. For no good or concept can be achieved by the power of the United States if the United States is without the sufficient power to achieve or defend such a good or concept.

Americans must realize that achieving any end, from creating a world market for goods to world peace, cannot be achieved in spite of the general power and prowess of America to enforce its will. In other words, a powerful America can impose peace, solve starvation or stem genocide, but an America that is riddled with a dissent of those who put such ends before the power of the vehicle necessary to achieve those goals, reduce the chance of successfully achieving any end.

Over the next year, I will logically write about the importance of statesmanship before any cause, and how government and its citizens should support such an end. I will not hamstring that end by restricting certain means that may be contradictory to the end goal of America's power in the world, a peaceful and abundant humanity. I shall always pursue a course of action that favors Americans and an America that is strong enough to effectively pursue any goal its society should deem imperative for itself and the world as a whole.