Do you think we could simply all agree to accept the 'sins' of our Founding Fathers? After all, they were just 'men of their time.' Can we acknowledge the wisdom of the wording in the documents they left for us?
We can't afford to point fingers at them. Sixty years ago the South was still burning crosses on lawns, forty years ago some of us were marching for Civil Rights, and we still don't have it right! So how can we find fault with the Founding Fathers, who gave us language far beyond what any of our college professors can write today. I, for one, have no trouble giving them the benefit of the doubt. I can accept that by 'men' they excluded no one. It is general enough for me to agree that 'men' includes all of humanity.
I don't mind if the country wants to refine it, add to it, make it more inclusive, but I rather like the language of it and that language is sweeter than anything I'm hearing these days. Besides the 'general' nature of it permits us to include others, whereas if it were too specific, anyone not listed would be excluded.
These are tough times. As a New Yorker, I can't even describe the sick, hollow feeling I still get when seeing the space where the World Trade Center once stood. Could it happen again? Probably. Will giving up our freedom guarantee our safety? Not very likely! Do we need heroes? You bet! But 'Heroes' are just very ordinary people doing what needs to be done without the promise of reward, without a golden parachute. They are simply men and women of all backgrounds who have a strong sense of themselves and their fellow man, who do the right thing because it has to be done! This kind of character begins early.
I may be hopelessly old fashioned, but I have always felt that there were a few main ingredients every child needs before they reach majority in order to become good citizens of the world.
One is a good, very broad education. If the school isn't supplying it we have to supplement it at home by discussions, by travel and by experience so each child knows there are others in the world, different in color, in language and religion, BUT they are the same in their needs regardless of the continent. Kids all over the world need meals, a place to sleep, clear air and water, books to read, doctors, and a chance to dream of a future.
Then there is the matter of mental health. Every person should be encouraged to understand themselves, their strengths and their weaknesses. It saves time in the long run to correct the bullies when they are young. Even the youngest can benefit from understanding why they lash out, how to control inappropriate behavior, why they smashed the other kids truck. People don't need to put others down in order to make themselves feel better, or belittle someone in order to feel powerful. Those who suffer from 'greed' are just not very healthy people and should be required to seek a mental health professional for treatment.
And everyone has to learn to do the right thing, even when no one else is looking! We all know what the right thing is, even when we are ignoring it, so there are no excuses.
We as citizens must be responsible for raising our families. Politicians can't, won't and aren't even good role models. Our children learn from our behavior, so it is up to us to research the candidates, know what they stand for, what their records are, know what they accomplished, NOT what they said!
Giving up freedom is NEVER a wise choice. It puzzles me that the 'Godly' men of our government seem to have so little faith that they feel they must legislate it. Doesn't that seem strange to you?
Let's not blame others, Jefferson, Adams, the men who left us beautiful gifts whatever their motives. We can work with those gifts and make certain they include everyone, not just the elite. It is up to us to keep at it until we get it right and we get the chance every election day to correct our errors.
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