I used to live in a country, where hard work, dedication, loyalty and honesty were the keys to success. If practiced they would assure you a degree of pride in your accomplishments, both socially and spiritually. I used to live in a country, where a woman was respected because she was, a woman and deserved proper deference for that fact alone.
I used to live in a country, Where the differences between Men and Women were celebrated as complimentary and not adversarial.
I used to live in a country, where having a child was cause for joy and celebration, not the anguish of whether or not to abort it. I used to live in a country, where if such an event took place without the benefit of the traditional two parent family being available. The family that was available would take the child, love it , raise it and cherish it as their own. That’s not a supposition, I lived it.
I used to live in a country, where everyone who watched the flag pass by on the Fourth of July swelled with pride. I used to live in a country, where burning the Flag was unthinkable until our Congress and Supreme Court said it was OK. I used to live in a country, where our military was held in the highest esteem and where families with sons and daughters who had made the ultimate sacrifice would be comforted by their fellow countrymen.
I used to live in a country that spawned new ideas on a daily basis, spurned on by the knowledge that one of those just might be the next huge step into the future. With the knowledge that the fruits of ones labor was their own and not the property of others.
I used to live in a country, where being a Congressman or Senator was a position of the highest order; not one held in scorn by 91% of the American people. I used to live in a country, where the indictment of a public official was treated with shock, not with resignation. I used to live in a country, where self reliance and Freedom were most treasured; not the hand-out mentality we seem to live by today.
I used to live in a country, that was governed by common sense. Not politicians making medical decisions or the same people talking of taking over energy companies or telling farmers to grow food for fuel.
I used to live in a country, where in a time of war, all the countries leaders would forget differences and support the effort that our service men and women were fighting for. Not vocally cheer for the defeat of their own troops for political advantage.
I used to live in a country, that I was sure my Children and Grandchildren would be proud to live in. I fear I will not live to see that country again.
Bob Mitchell