straight talk

The American Saga Continues To Unfold, But Where Are We Going?



Posted: Friday, September 15, 2006

by straight talk

I recognize many are of the opinion the train has left the station and we all have tickets for the destination. Yet, many average Americans are wondering just where they are heading. They look at everything revolving around them and in the opinion of many plain regular Americans they don’t see any firm leadership or direction. Lets take a look as to why this opinion has been formed and why I believe many share it. In consideration of what is presented I ask you older people to reminisce a little with me and go back a short bit to before BC - Bill Clinton. This is necessary to put the entire article into perspective.

A few years ago during one of our visits to the famous Hall of Presidents at Disney [I had visited this place faithfully for years with parents and now my children and grandchildren] I noticed a very subtle change in the end of the program, yet a significant one. Many people never even noticed it; it just flew right by them along with all the visual effects. My opinion is many people don’t listen anyway. This program is a great history lesson concerning the birth of our nation and it brings us right up until the present day. The end of that presentation had a closing narrated by a famous old time actor that I just loved to hear. There was something rousing about that ending. It was patriotic and it stirred those who love this great country simply by the power of the words. They replaced this great speech [which I will paraphrase as going like this - no army on the face of the earth could ever defeat us, but that if we were to fall it would be from within] with one made by Mr. Clinton. Needless to say the new version spoke to the world vision and not the nation. There was nothing wrong with this only that in my opinion it degraded the message significantly and it spoke to where the new direction was. I thought that strange at the time but now I understand why when the events of current history bring it more into focus. It is the subtle things that creep up on people and before you know it - bang- you have arrived at the destination.

Here is another creeping example. Here we are in the middle of an immigration debate and what does our Senate give us? Yes, they call it a “comprehensive" solution but not amnesty, earned legalization but not reward and a host of misdirected jargon to keep us guessing at just what it is they passed. It really is simple if you take the time to reflect and look into it. There are millions illegally here and millions more to come. These illegal people have the right to vote in our elections, get every benefit our government can offer and the list goes on and on. Now that’s interesting to us regular Americans who are just getting by each day.

Rhetorically speaking just what does that mean? If you think nothing then in my opinion nothing will help! In my opinion that Senate action really has nothing to do with people or compassion as these Senators profess it is. We should not make that mistake. In my opinion it has everything to do with profits, bottom line, good business, ideology, goals and one other key word- constituency! In my opinion it has everything to do with the culture, ideology and direction of a nation. Rhetorically speaking one asks how these people can stand in front of us and speak to us about God, trust, America and continually place those values they profess behind them when they vote and they ignore current law? This is beyond me unless those values are not foremost in their beliefs?

Try to understand this that those subtle changes in our society mean something that in my opinion we should all be concerned about. Many older people once again know the answer because it was taught in our schools a long time ago. Just ask someone younger what the difference is between a Republic and a Democracy? It is amazing how many people don’t know. You find very people for that matter who can tell you what a Republic is these days.

Now lets talk about power. We are supposed to be the most powerful nation on earth military and economically but are we? You are just starting to hear about this now on the news. Economically, while we have a supposed booming economy, just look at your paycheck and expenses and you can tell me this is not so if you’re just a regular American. Yes, the Storm at the Gate has arrived and many are scrambling to find answers.

Nations are now trying to broker a cease-fire in the war in Israel and for a war that could not be brokered for thousands of years. The head of the government of Iran just stated recently - if I may paraphrase him - we would not accept a cease-fire in Lebanon until we can destroy Israel totally. Well first off one asks why is he accepting anything if he isn’t involved and secondly where are all the liberal, moderate people of all faiths to speak up against this type of rhetoric? We certainly don’t hear much of a Muslim outcry or for that matter our own liberal Democrats, do we?

Of course the world turns to the U.N. for a solution, this major failure of mans creation for an answer. They haven’t solved any problem and like the League of Nations they are as inept as it was. What did the world body do when they gave Iran an offer? If one recalls they stated they wanted a reply ASAP? Iran told the world August and if and when we are ready. The world said OK and then responded with ‘we’ll give you until the end of August" or else! Ok, see what I mean? It is like that commercial where the young man provides a solution and the boss spits it back at him but says it was different because of the hand signals. Do you think the world has the commitment to do anything? Do you really think the world wants to do anything?

The simple fact is the ticket has been purchased and the ride is in progress. However, if we all agree we want change then it must start with us. We all must become knowledgeable about who we vote for and why. If everyone voted there would be change or at least a very definitive signal would be sent! In fact with illegal people able to vote your vote may not be enough anyway. Add in that voting software that doesn’t work and was created offshore and the machines that don’t work and who knows who really wins any future election? If you disagree that is ok for at least we still can for now.

Hopefully you will get out and vote against those incumbents and those they support who have done little to nothing in my opinion for us regular Americans. Stay home and don’t complain, just accept that which you sowed and enjoy the ride.

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. Copyright ©2006 Robert Melaccio





Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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