Yesterday’s words still ironically apt
While leafing through a book of newspaper clippings in search of a column I thought could be re-purposed, this one caught my attention. Given the times in which we are all now living, it struck me as terribly ironic. And for that reason, I am putting it in the category of “The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same.”
Headlined, “First of all, Americans,” the column was published Feb. 26. 2010, in The Sentinel-Record. The lead paragraph began as follows, “Regardless of the season in which the Olympic Games are held, Americans seem to summon the full measure of their collective spirit in championing the cause of the “’red, white, and blue.’”
And continued …
Be it summer or winter, U.S. citizens, no matter their origin, come together to cheer on the athletes who represent our country in challenging competitions.
Before the eyes of the world, highly trained and determined Olympians give their best in pursuit of individual goals, but also in honor of their homelands.
For these few days and exhilarating moments in time, politics and factionalism are subordinated to national and international goodwill.
How nice it would be if more unanimity and honest discussions were possible among the men and women elected to tend to the people’s business at every level of government and among voters who put them in office.
It’s naive to suggest that there could be absolute consensus on every issue that arises. But, hopefully, the rancor and accusatory rhetoric that is now commonplace in society have not splintered us beyond repair.
Debates on health care, taxes, bailouts, and jobs, have become increasingly shrill — so much so that facts get lost in the process. Average Joes and Janes, frightened and frustrated, are inundated with mailings and surveys that provide more propaganda than helpful information.
Democrats, Republicans, TEA Party supporters — many in these different camps purport to be good patriots who put their concerns of all above the interests of a few.
However, their words ring hollow when their self-serving actions speak volumes.
Liberal, conservative, left-wing, right-wing, socialists, “do-gooders” and “no-gooders,” believers and nonbelievers — individuals are segregated according to labels assigned to them by all-knowing strangers who make assumptions about “this” or “that” group.
We seem to talk at or about one another but not really to each other, Despite the oft-stated intent to remain patient and civil, our disagreements have become, well, decidedly disagreeable.
Many references have been made to this country’s Founding Fathers and to the “signers and framers” of the Constitution. Consider what unity of purpose came from the hearts and minds of such diverse men who were merchants, politicians, soldiers, diplomats, physicians, educators, financiers.
We can’t give up on trying to fix the problems that beset us and we can’t go back in the gatehouse because the slope in front is indeed a slippery one.
Olympians face down their biggest fears and continue onward.
Americans must do the same.