This year however the ideology of patriotism has taken on a different and sometimes divisive feeling. Half the country seems to view this idealogy as wanting to go back in time to the great period of deregulation and manufacturing prosperity. Technology has replaced much of our society and progressed towards a more service oriented and global economy in the span of my career. Much of the old manufacturing jobs no longer exist.
As I watch the America of today and hashtags like MAGA "make America great again" the meaning behind this idealizes for some a conservative less unified United States of America than I remember growing up with. In fact, some of these rants and statements actually make me cringe at the thought of what patriotism doesn't mean to many Americans. I find it sad and it makes it difficult to share the same space with many who under this philosophy do not stand for the same meaning of patriotism that I grew up with.
I grew up in a different America. The world I knew wanted to take care of those less fortunate and have always worked hard to make the world a better place. In the Jewish tradition this is called Tikin Olam "repair the world". The America I see ,particularly, since January has seen a much more self-centered America where people just want to take care of themselves.
The proposed health care plans are made to make the rich richer, environmental protection regulations are being forgone by lobbyists to the likes of the Koch brothers and the energy populist base to make those investors in many oil and commodity companies richer , see EPA de- regulations, regulations on education and private schools are dividing instead of bridging cultural understanding for our youngest citizens ( See Education reforms). The public school was a place where we all learned and grew from each other. We worked to cooperate with others and to have a society where we learned to become inter-dependent.
Freedom of the press and government transparency are gone. In fact as I began writing this blog on Tuesday, Trump had just asked the press to leave a meeting he was having with just Republican senators to discuss the health care bill . This is a bill that was created behind closed doors by 13 white rich men that will impact all Americans. Our country should represent all Americans not just the rich agenda. See Dark Money. Shouldn't we all be included in the conversations . It seems most of the rights and freedoms that we should be providing to our citizens appear to be dissipating.
I feel that since the start of the new administration we have started to become much more independent with each man out for himself. I don't think this is the America that our ancestors dreamed of. Most of us were immigrants and came here with common goals. See Lin Manuel remix . I think our ancestors wanted us to work cooperatively together globally and in a unified manner with a set of the values that we don't often see now.
The proposed health care plans are made to make the rich richer, environmental protection regulations are being forgone by lobbyists to the likes of the Koch brothers and the energy populist base to make those investors in many oil and commodity companies richer , see EPA de- regulations, regulations on education and private schools are dividing instead of bridging cultural understanding for our youngest citizens ( See Education reforms). The public school was a place where we all learned and grew from each other. We worked to cooperate with others and to have a society where we learned to become inter-dependent.
Freedom of the press and government transparency are gone. In fact as I began writing this blog on Tuesday, Trump had just asked the press to leave a meeting he was having with just Republican senators to discuss the health care bill . This is a bill that was created behind closed doors by 13 white rich men that will impact all Americans. Our country should represent all Americans not just the rich agenda. See Dark Money. Shouldn't we all be included in the conversations . It seems most of the rights and freedoms that we should be providing to our citizens appear to be dissipating.
I feel that since the start of the new administration we have started to become much more independent with each man out for himself. I don't think this is the America that our ancestors dreamed of. Most of us were immigrants and came here with common goals. See Lin Manuel remix . I think our ancestors wanted us to work cooperatively together globally and in a unified manner with a set of the values that we don't often see now.
Further since starting this blogpost there has been a national epidemic of bullying starting from the top. see Cruella and this doesn't even approach the policy issues that concern me. I am honestly not sure I can say I am proud to celebrate our Nation's birthday if this is how we are becoming represented throughout the world. There seems to be a total meltdown of respect and ethics stemming from our leaders. In addition, there is talk of repealing the ACA act without a replacement thus uninsuring millions of the sick and vulnerable. What is going on here? Just turn on the news.
I don't have all the solutions but in my world to make America great again we all have to work together and have respect for those who share and will converse to discuss our differences. I hope all Americans will take this holiday weekend to reflect on the core values that have made us a great nation. I hope the America I grew up with will be the America of my children's tomorrow.
Wendy is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham. She enjoys writing about local events and issues near and dear to her heart. Please visit her website www.wendybcb.com or visit her Facebook page @wendybcb.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.