Monday, February 1, 2010
One Nation
It's tempting to look back on these moments and assume that our progress was inevitable -- that America was always destined to succeed. But when the Union was turned back at Bull Run, and the Allies first landed at Omaha Beach, victory was very much in doubt. When the market crashed on Black Tuesday, and civil rights marchers were beaten on Bloody Sunday, the future was anything but certain. These were the times that tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of our union. And despite all our divisions and disagreements, our hesitations and our fears, America prevailed because we chose to move forward as one nation, as one people.
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I think we are definately exponentially stronger when we work as a united nation. We've witnessed this in our own lifetimes when we came together after 9/11. I think to ultimately find that strength, we have to have a balance between individuality as well as finding unity with others. This is the basis of our nation. We have a federal form of government with both national and state governments, and it's the balance between them that furthers our strength.
ReplyDeleteWhen in reference to the party system, I believe that it is nice for us to be individuals, but in some ways I feel we're uniting with the wrong party. Too often I feel people separate themselves as Democrats or Republicans; conservatives or liberals. It creates a strong division within our country. I think too many people see the other party as, "the enemy" instead of simply another point of view. I think that too often people connect more with their political party than with their country. It is those times when we are united and are strongest that I hear, "I am an American," rather than, "I am a Democrat/Republican." For progress and for us to be that strong nation we claim to be, I believe we need to put aside some of our differences and labels, compromise, and be a part of these United States of America.
A. Scheidt
I agree with Alex on the 9/11 idea. Sen. Daschle told us that after Sept. 11, 2001, congressional leaders met weekly at the White House for six weeks and it was a good thing. He thinks the Obama should find that rhythm. Our leaders need to suck up their pride and start coming together on a regular basis, not just when disaster strikes America. America will begin to function better the more we begin to communicate and and discuss ideas on how to fix problems America has. We should focus more on being one, not divided into parties and groups. We need to focus on whats best for America and not just your party. When people join together there's no telling what can be done. Just like after September 11th and Katrina are nation grew closer and work more efficiently, why not be like that all the time?
ReplyDeleteWith tens of millions of people without healthcare, billions of dollars going to the war, and people losing their jobs/homes its hard to see how this national unity Obama speaks of is even possible. How is a parent of three children who lost his job a year ago supposed to put aside his resentment for our country's economy and become an optimist for national outcomes. America has moved on, but in my eyes not as 'one people', take a step back and look around, we are as divided as the CEO who recieved the largest bonus of his life last year and the unemployed parent from 2009.
ReplyDeletecvillalobos p4
Unity, it's definitely what America needs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex and Kyle, we have the ability to come together as a nation and fix this. What else can we do? Continue to be separated while we are going through hardships? Where will that get us?
Nowhere, thats where.
We have to stop being divided. Whether it is because of our political opinions, our race, our religion, or our sexual orientation, we have got to stop acting as though we aren't all in this hard time together.
Then again, what would we do once we do become united? I don't have an answer to that, nor do a lot of people. But if we don't try, we can't accomplish anything. That's one thing I'm sure of.
K McCoy. Period 4
Yea America has come a long ways. Issues have been overcame that at the time seemed impossible to fix. I feel that in order for this country to keep on running, they really need to face the facts. I do not have much faith in my country. The govt. keeps too much information from us that we just need to know. Why cant homosexuals get married, why cant they die for our country, what are we still doing in the middle east, why is marijuana illegal, why has the health care bill not been passed?
ReplyDeleteI believe that right now, the United States is in desperate need of unity. But I believe that, as of now, we are incapable of truly achieving it. Yes we did come together after 9/11, but to do what? To put flags on our cars and say "God bless America?" America is so selfish that we are beyond the point of truly unifying. They say we are in a bad economic state, but we still have an entitlement attitude. We think that just because we are in America we deserve to live lives of excess (I am guilty of this also). We are much to comfortable to agree with each other. Unity will not happen until calamity happens. Not that I want calamity to happen, but unification won't happen without it. All the examples that president Obama gave of unifying happened during times of extreme calamity, such as civil and world wars, and depression. Calamity is serious and would affect me too, so I don't feel that I can ask for it, but I don't see how we can keep living lives so focused on ourselves.
ReplyDeleteB Wiens. Per. 4
America is not moving forward as a united nation, but digressing as a split one. Politicians are not trying to do what is best for the people of America, but doing whatever it takes to get reelected, and keep their political party happy.
ReplyDeleteDeficit spending was supposed to help America, but it only made problems worse. Each political party blames the other for the problems that America faces.
J Kratz per. 4
In response to what Ben Wiens Posted:
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post, that calamity CAN promote unity.
However, I do not think that it's completely necessary to have a calamity to have a sense of unity.
With the election of President Obama, we were able to witness on national television, just how unified people can become in a cause..People came together and sported a benign term, that I'm sure everyone here has heard of. Change.
To sum it up, what America needs is a cause, if not a calamity. To promote the unification of a country, a cause or calamity is necessary.
President Obama is very correct in his claim that The United States is "One Nation"...But with very diverse and opposing opinions.
[It's like an individual in a mental asylum, aka U.S. with schizophrenia =D]
The deciding factor is the dominant personality and in literal terms: the people.
Yes, party leadership matters, but who elects the leaders? Us, aka the United States, aka we the people.
At Jon Kratz:
It's true that political leaders are doing what they need to do to be reelected, but to get reelected don't they need the peoples vote? That would in turn mean that at least some of the politicians actions to get reelected are in line with the peoples will.
If they weren't, why would they still be in office? [Speaking in general, since terms of offices differ]
The people blaming the politicians doesn't help, we can only try electing the proper people.
America will always be unhappy with its politicians, this negative attitude towards politics can never be changed. If it is, the positives towards a politician last only for a temporary time. This is a result of being human.