Monday, June 29, 2015

I Miss America

I grew up in America.  The country where I now reside goes by the same name, but bears little resemblance to the America I knew and loved.

My America was a place where a person could speak their mind.  A place where opinions could be voiced without fear of being labeled "racist" when those opinions did not toe the government line.  A place where folks could agree to disagree without it becoming a headline.

My America was a place where God was not only worshiped but respected.  A place where prayer was allowed anywhere.  Heck, I probably would never have made it through high school had it not been for prayer.  But now it seems that any reference to God is being eradicated.  Christmas nativity scenes cause some to hyperventilate.  The ten commandments can not appear in any government building.  And churches are expected to go against the teachings of the Bible in order to be "politically correct."  I am expected to bend over backwards to respect others religions or their lack of same, but I don't see much respect for mine.

My America was a place where kids were taught the basics of reading, writing and math.  They were taught so that when they left high school they were either ready for college or a job, depending on what they wanted to do.  Now they leave high  school without being able to read.  They can't even figure out how to make change.  They are being dumbed down under the guise of fairness.  And if they choose college, they wind up with so much debt that chances are pretty good they will be paying for those loans for many years to come.  And most still will not be suited for real work. 

My America was a place where government welfare was considered an absolute last resort.  We now have millions jumping onto that gravy train, encouraged by our leaders in Washington.  In the town where I grew up there were maybe one or two families who had the reputation of being career welfare recipients.  They were scorned by the rest of the population who believed that working for a living was honorable and right.  In my family, if money got tight we did not stand in line for a handout.  We stood in line at the employment office, looking for a second job.

My America had two genders - male and female.  And yes, there were gays and lesbians among our friends and relatives.  But nobody thought anything about it, for we believed that whatever happened within the privacy of one's home was nobodys business.  Now kids are being taught that it is perfectly normal to choose from several different genders.  Bathrooms are for whatever gender they think they are.  I have to wonder what the reaction of my son would be should he discover that hormone driven teenage boys are allowed to use bathrooms or gym showers with his daughters.  Guess I don't have to wonder.  The resulting explosion will be seen for miles.

My America was a place where a kid could just be a kid.  We rode our bikes all over town.  We walked to school without parental supervision.  We climbed trees.  We built forts.  We had snowball and water balloon fights.  And we were not wrapped in bubble wrap topped off with a helmet.  Yes, we had skinned knees and we got dirty playing in the mud.  But we were kids.  That's what kids are supposed to do.  Today we are raising a generation of wimps who are so afraid of anything gun shaped or of getting dirty or of getting a scratch or bump that by the time they reach adulthood, they will be afraid of their own shadows.

How did we get to this point?  Were we so wrapped up in television and video games and cell phone apps that we didn't see it coming?  Or are we so self centered that we just don't care.  The part I don't understand is why so many are content to let the government dictate how they live their lives.  Maybe I have just turned into a grumpy old lady, but I resent the hell out of some joker in Washington telling me what I can say and what I can eat and how I should think.  And if I am offended, so what!  Nobody said life was fair and nobody said that feelings would not be hurt.  Get over it. 

I really do miss my America.

17 comments:

  1. Totally agree with you. I am to the point where I will not comply. I am saying what I think and if you don't agree, you can not listen or leave. We all must stop playing the liberal game and stop being afraid of being called names. C'mom people....stand up for your country. Push back with words of your own..... recall all the wimpy liberals at the local level and then go on to the state and national level. Boycott companies that try to impose their beliefs on us. Speak up! If we don't act now, America will be gone forever.

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  2. Tewshooz...I have little or no patience for the lack of common sense that is so widespread today. How on earth are the kids of today going to deal with the problems of tomorrow if they are being spoon fed so much hogwash. They need to toughen up, like my generation did and my parent's generation did. And I am just too old to tolerate being told what to say, what to eat or how I should be tolerant of the intolerance all around me. We need to collectively grow a spine and stop this insanity.

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  3. We've seen America at its best; I fear that bwe're soon to see it at its worst.

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  4. Gorges...I fear you are right. Things just seem to be spinning out of control, faster and faster each day.

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  5. Amen Amen Amen!! We were just talking about this very thing. America is NOT the same as when I grew up! Even I h a d a job to help the f a mily eat!

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  6. Mary...The world has gone bat guano crazy. I find I just have a hard time keeping quiet. Doesn't do any good, but it makes me feel better.
    We have kids who are growing up so warped that I really fear for them. We are spied on all day every day. We have gun-free zones. We have people being offended at the drop of a hat. We have people who won't work but will sign up for every handout available. We have college students who have to be warned when something unpleasant is coming up in a book. We have a list of words and phrases that we shouldn't say because someone might take offense. It just goes on and on. I won't even get into the events of the last few days at the Supreme Court Level. And I really wish I had a Confederate flag I could wave out my window!!! When will it all just stop so sanity and common sense can once again be recognized.

    Kicking her soapbox back into a corner now. :)

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  7. I totally agree with every word. that is way we live in a small town. I see folks outside walking daily, kids on bikes and running in their yards. In the city you wonder what nut will try to rape your kids or even you. When we first moved to a small town we had someone almost break her neck, by trying to walk into our apartment thinking our door was unlocked. We now sometimes lock our door when we are all home, but when its just the ladies its locked no questions asked. After all the city driving I did last week with my MIL funeral, I will stay in small town America, as big city America is in the crapper.

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  8. Rob...I just think it is so sad that my grandchildren will never know the kind of freedom I had as a child. Seems like everything that made America such a wonderful place to live is now sliding downhill at a terrible rate. So many just either don't see it or don't care. I guess all we can do is to keep on preparing and hope we survive the fall.

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  9. Like I have said before...tic, tic, tic, time is running out.

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  10. Amen Mom.
    Well said.
    We are teaching our kids that they can express their opinions and they don't have to be politically correct. God knows I'm not politically correct!
    David.

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  11. That was very articulate. I was reading newspapers and magazines on line today, and when I had finished I felt exactly how you do. How did it ever come to this. There seem to be few who hold the same values that were once common, and those who do are subject to redicule and even persecution. I would never have believed this country could sink so low. But in reflection, I can see how it was brought about, by people who have intentionally engaged in social enginering to inculcate their own sick lifestyle in the general populace. From cereal advertisements to school curiculeum, it's all about propagandizing people into being good little drones for the ruling elite.

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  12. Thank you, David. I am so pleased that you are raising my grandchildren to have original thoughts and opinions that don't always conform to the government lie. You know that I don't often offer advice on how to raise your kids, but this time I will say, teach them to question, question, question. The minute they believe every word that is told them by anyone but you and Staci, they are in trouble. I think they all are smart enough to resist becoming compliant little worker drones. And I have faith that you will see that doesn't happen. And if you were completely politically correct, I would be sorely disappointed! :)
    Love, Mom

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  13. Thanks, Harry...You are spot on with your analysis. When I, like you, was wondering how on earth we got to this low point, where America now is unrecognizable from the America we grew up in, I started thinking back. As far as I can tell, there have been a series of abominations thrust upon the population. Things like TSA groping children and old people. Things like being spied on 24/7. Things like "You can keep your insurance." Things like demonizing the South over a nut case murderer and a flag. Things like trying to take our guns. Each and every time, we get all bent out of shape and rant and rave for a while and then most go back to their favorite TV programs or football teams or whatever they think is more important. There are a few of us who understand just what we have lost. Trouble is, there aren't enough to do anything about it. Wish I had an answer. I don't. All I know is, even though I'm a chubby, gray-haired granny, I will not get on the truck and I will not comply.

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  14. Victims of tyranny used to have America as a refuge. Where can we go?

    Grace and peace.

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  15. Pumice...As I'm sure you know, tyranny is world wide. And as far as I can tell, there is no place to go. In spite of our leaders best efforts to to turn America into a ruler/serf society, they have yet to completely succeed. America is not the great nation it once was. But it could be. I have no ready answers as to how to bring this about. I am not well versed in economics or politics. I just know that the America I love is worth saving. And I will stick around to see how it all plays out. And fight for her any way I possibly can.

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  16. I live in England and it is just the same here. Perhaps everything will turn around again, perhaps not. However, you are not the only one thinking these things I grew up in fifties England. You walked to school; you helped at home; your Christmas presents only half filled a pillow case, but Oh how precious were they; we honoured our father and mother and were polite to all. Love Andie xxx

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  17. Andie...Welcome and thanks for stopping by. The days you describe in England are so similar to the days here in America when I was growing up. We had our problems as I am sure you did, but we weren't so afraid. I really fear for what my beloved America has become. I pray that everything will turn around for both of us. I want more than anything for my grandchildren to know the kind of freedom I had as a child. We need to get back to the mindset of the fifties, where living moral lives meant more than being politically correct.

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