Remember America?

Do you remember America? Do you remember a strong leader who made you feel good about being an American? Do you remember the inventive and independent spirit of Benjamin Franklin, the determination of George Washington, the wisdom of James Madison, or the resolve of Abraham Lincoln? Do you remember a time when American men and women volunteered to fight for America and their countrymen supported them? I remember, and I miss my country, and I want it back.
When I was growing up, our teachers would take us to the library to watch the space shuttle launches on television. The thought was, "Wow, look what we've accomplished," not, "Oh, well, there goes another seven." We had a president, Ronald Reagan, who saw Libya acting up and said, "That's enough out of you, pipsqueak," and they got the message. Rambo got us out of our Viet Nam funk, Michael Landon was reminding us that God is involved in our lives, G.I. Joe was "A Real American Hero," and I looked up to my big brother, the Eagle Scout.
Of course, I was blessed. Mom and Dad got married and stayed married. Neither of them were drunks or users. They taught me as much as public school did. They encouraged me, but never gave empty praise. They reminded me that the only reason people don't get what they want out of life is the unwillingness to make the proper sacrifices, and that hard work and patience matter as much as talent. They fostered a love of God, family, and country, as well as the need for critical and independent thinking. Others out there probably remember growing up in America a little differently.
Look at the Union from my perspective, though, if you can, and then look at America now. This is more than nostalgia, people. Our kids are under attack by spies who live next door, people who think of themselves as good Americans, not terrorist sleeper cells. If they even hear a baby crying, they automatically suspect abuse. Home-schoolers are attacked by the teachers and politicians because, "Good gracious, maybe the kids aren't being indoctrinated! What if they're not tolerant enough, what if they learn that competition is a good thing? What if enough emphasis isn't put on slavery, or the environment, or how cruel we were to the Native Americans?" Heck, I might even slip and accidentally tell my son that America is a good place, and that sometimes war is necessary.
It goes for those of you who don't have children, too. Yeah, I'm talking to you, too, Joe the liberal Bartender and Judy the feminist restaurateur. You think you're safe? You're not. Remember the sixties activists and hippies who told government that they should be allowed to do whatever the heck they wanted, whenever they wanted to do it? Yeah, they said, "Screw you, man, we'll do any drugs we want, and we'll sleep with whomever we choose, and we'll even walk around naked! You can't tell us what to do! Don't impose your morality on us!" They said that...and then they became the government. Now they want to restrict you. They already have. They've successfully banned smoking in most places. How do you like that, Joe, the government telling you people can't smoke in your bar? Guess what, Judy, the New York City grease police says you can't eat trans fats anymore! Next will come the fat tax.
They say it's for your own good. They know what's best for you, for your children, for your car. Not you. They think you're too stupid to know these things. You need them to tell you. You need them to legislate your lifestyle and mine, too. They'll tell you if you disagree that you're a homophobe, or a racist, or a greedy person who doesn't care enough about Africa, or about your kids' health, or global warming. When will enough be enough? When they legalize post-birth abortion? When they take away your right to free speech because it might be considered hateful? When they pass a law that makes it illegal for men to urinate standing up? Or will it finally be enough when they legalize murder? After all, everything is relative, right? Who are we to judge murderers and thieves? I don't want my children to have to remember America that way. Do you?