Ricology: A nation of greatness?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation under God, indivisible …

There are moments in history when one should put aside their political compass, look around, and take in the climate facing their nation. The verse – If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand (Matthew 3:24), is apropos for America today. Our nation currently stands at a critical juncture, its future. The country, intentionally divided through politics, both parties politically motivated to remake or construct a new order, the anthesis of design. Truth is being discarded by those who had no part in its building, but prevaricated the purpose to tear the system apart, a sad testament to the nation as a whole. A multi-faceted problem, worsened by those who’ve sworn to uphold and protect, while they denigrate and destroy.    

So, as I look around and someone asks if America is great, but has no idea of the past, both good and bad, or a comedian denigrates the greatness of America, and his audience gives him a standing ovation, I’m perplexed. Why would any citizen of any nation not believe their country great? Their leadership might be questionable, even morally bankrupt, but their country? Think about those who died defending what they believed in – for others to dismiss, or laugh at?

Say their country is the longest running uninterrupted constitutional government in the history of the world. Wouldn’t that point alone make their country great? Being American, I would think so. But, if I wavered, I’d want to ask anyone involved in British America becoming the United States of America. Those who fought and gave us - their posterity - their lives. They stood against countrymen unwilling to stand against an oppressive king, those too cowardly, and fought. Think of Nathan Hale - “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” He was twenty-one when he supposedly spoke those immortal words on 22 September 1776 before hanging, sacrificing his life for our yet to be formed country – his freedom dream.

Then during the Civil War, when the country tried to tear itself apart, I’d ask those who sacrificed their lives trying to hold the nation together how they felt. My thoughts would be if the nation wasn’t great, why not just split the country up? The same thought when the Articles of Confederation failed; break the country into smaller confederacies. Then, two factions fought – Federalist/Anti-Federalist, one side forgetting those who’d already paid the asking price. During the Civil War, Lincoln, amongst others, felt differently. He, along with hundreds of thousands paid with their lives to keep the nation whole.

Moving further into the future, I’d like to visit with Winston Churchill. He pushed FDR to involve America in WW II because he believed the Allies could not win unless the greatness of the country partook. I’d also ask any liberated country, and the survivors of the German concentration camps, liberated by American servicemen, if they thought America was great.

If possible, I’d ask Grissom, Chaffee, and White if America is great. The three Apollo astronauts who burned alive from the inside out while sitting inside a capsule, unable to get out. They sacrificed their lives hoping to do what no other country has done – put a man on the moon. Three men forgotten by a country desirous to change itself into a design it was never meant to be.

I’d ask every Vietnam vet who returned to shouts of baby killer, murderer, and being spit on, or shown the bird by fellow citizens if they feel their country is great. Most being drafted, the average age of those killed-in-action was twenty-two. In all, fifty-six thousand plus paid with their lives, although, those who survived suffered the indignities of hate their government provoked. Worse, the foreign government who believed America had their back suffered the humiliation of our government’s abandonment. But our government is not the Constitution, the foundation of what should be the impediment to the government.

Then I’d ask every Vietnam draft dodger who was given a free pass and returned home to hugs and kisses, while their brothers in arms who didn’t run, went to a war their President forced, yet didn’t return, or came home in a box, or live with nothing left emotionally, while those who ran, defying the government, if their country is great. And I wonder if now they vote for the party they ran from when it put the nation into a conflict it wasn’t willing to win.

I’d also ask any immigrant who is vying to get into the country, legally, or illegally, if they think America is great. If not, why come? Or those already here, looking for handouts. But I wouldn’t stop there?

I’d study the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, to understand America’s greatness and where problems emanate. If things were still obfuscated, then I’d read the Federalist papers, and study history, so I could see what else made America great, and who is actually at fault for her mistakes. If the answers were then not blatantly obvious, I’d look inside my heart.

After every avenue travelled, I’d know citizens make the nation great. Those who give instead of take, see a problem and make the change, see needs and provide solutions, produce instead of looking for government to provide. Our government was meant to be fed, not feed. And lastly, the ones who’ve sacrificed so others can live. Although, one question presents - Is America perfect? No, but not because of the Constitution, the foundation, or its history, but man. His pride, his moral compass – too much thereof, or the lacking thereof! The Framer’s devised the greatest government ever. However, not putting heads and hearts together in action created disconnects.

As I write, a neighbor across the street flies an American flag 24/7. At night, a small light cast its glow, highlighting the red, white, and blue. Today, as the wind blows, the outstretched ends appear tattered, starting to unravel, like I see our nation. I was raised America was great, a bastion of freedom, the flag the symbol of that freedom. Except, it’s now become a symbol of oppression, my brain unable to put the pieces together.

With national turmoil erupting, and the drumbeat today of democracy being threatened, and all are blinded by party politics, one question begs, can I be a Nathan Hale? Before long, the nation may be full circle back to its beginning, especially if intent outweighs design. I do wonder though, when my neighbor decides to replace the one worn out, will he dispose of it properly, or trash it, like some want to do with our country, forgetting; with liberty and justice for all.