One vision for America values family, a Christian God and
hard working, successful citizens. They are successful because God rewards
their hard work with wealth and the good things in life. Lazy people, the poor,
gays, lesbians and people in this country illegally have no place in this
vision. They do not fit. In this vision, America would tolerate nothing less.
What a person earns through their sweat and hard work should not be shared by
taxation of the most fortunate in that society. Everyone should get a job and meet
their own needs for themselves and their families. In this vision of America, a
federal government would not be responsible for the sick, the aged and the
disabled in society. Churches and families would provide for the care of those
who could not be productive. In this vision of America, the government’s main
function would be to provide for the defense of the nation by maintaining and
deploying its military forces around the world when our interests are
threatened. There would be no government to get in the way of corporations,
banks and big business. There would be no federal government regulations. Each
state would be responsible for enacting and enforcing a patchwork of rules and
regulations that would vary from state to state. Each state would be
responsible for their own healthcare spending and educational standards. This
vision of America would be very exclusive with a simple model of operation that
rewards those who help themselves. Slackers and people who do not believe in
the vision…need not apply.
The other vision for America would be more inclusive.
There would be room for the poor, the elderly, different faiths, colors, sexual
orientation and beliefs. In this vision of America, there would be social
programs and safety nets for all citizens that would provide affordable public
education and healthcare for all of its citizens. There would be public works
programs for those who cannot find work and programs that would retrain workers
for new jobs. Federal and state governments would work together to insure and
maintain a cohesive national infrastructure of highways, bridges and
transportation and interstate commerce. In this vision of America, there would
be room for innovation with ongoing research and development. We would seek to
find alternative sources of energy to cut our dependence on foreign oil. There
would be regulation of the environment, energy, banks and big business. In this
vision of America there would not be a wealthy 1% and the rest of America.
There would be 100% of American citizens contributing their fair share to help
pay for these necessary programs. Pain and sacrifice would be shared across the
nation by all of its citizens, rich and poor alike. Our military might would be
used in conjunction with other nations of the world, if conflict and war are
called for. But diplomacy and sanctions would be the first card played rather
than bombs and boots on the ground. We would remember that we are one of many
nations in the world and that actions have consequences. In this vision of
America, our country would be a diverse, tolerant, welcoming place once more
where those yearning for freedom and opportunity would always find a home.
One vision comes from a world of not enough resources
which generates greed and fear. Like a massive game of “Musical Chairs” a few
gather up as many chairs as they can when the music stops because they know
each round will reduce their resources. A few plan to have more than enough for
themselves, their families and friends. Tough luck for those who come up short.
I’ve got mine… you go scramble for yours. People unwilling or unable to work
hard have no value, in fact, they become a drag on society, a threat, in a
world where survival of the fittest prevails.
The other vision comes from a world of plenty and
potential where each person has value and a part to play. Each person
contributes to the whole for the welfare of the entire village. It comes from a
world where ideas, thoughts and discussion are not seen as a threat to the
status quo, but rather as a means to grow and evolve as a society. Staying put
is not an option. This vision comes from open minds wondering how to make
things even better and what lies just beyond the horizon.
Realizing that our world is caught somewhere in between
these two visions calls for a choice. It calls for change. We must either go ashore or drift out to sea.
To remain among the rocks to be dashed to pieces is not an option for progress.
Which vision then?
Remember to vote in November.
Food for THOUGHT…
