A Troubled Eagle
I love my Country – The United States of America.
I disagree with more than a few people (In politics and my private life) on various issues. And I think we (all Americans) do have some serious problems to overcome. But we are “free” to do so.
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Regardless of the problems we face today, I still would much rather live here in America (and be free) than just about anywhere else on the planet
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These words I’ve written, that you are reading right now, represent a clear example of my ability to freely write what I think and feel.
To be creative in a free environment whether it be the written word or some other artistic format represents the very best that this country offers to each of its citizens.
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I am proud to be an American even with all my own, my country’s and its citizen’s shortcomings. There is still much good, much love and much caring going on. You have but to see it and become a part of it.
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Being an American is about three things,
Being Free, Being Responsible for that Freedom, and Accepting the Responsibility.
I think everyone of us has the first one down pat. And I think at some level of awareness most of us Americans are aware that there is a responsibility factor in the democratic way of Life (no not the political party).
It’s the third one that’s so troubling. I have never heard so many people – in so many parts of this country – on a multitude of social media – complain about what’s wrong. Pointing fingers, blaming others or talking about what they don’t have!
And many of these problems are true, but there are two sides to the American
Coin. One side is Freedom (as in freedom of expression). The other side is Responsibility. This means accepting responsibility ourselves for what needs to happen to improve things that need improving, or change things that need changing. That means all of us who are able to do so in this country.
It is not about they or them, it’s about me and it’s about you. You can start by voting next month. We will stay free as long as we assume the duties as Americans that are our responsibility.
One of them is voting. The survival for our democratic way of life is dependent on us – our actions, or lack of them. It is that simple – A two sided coin, you cannot have one without the other, Always this is true.
VOTE!
If you haven’t registered to vote yet, go online, an easy thing to do my friends from the U.S.A. ~ Please, your/our country needs you! Thank you.
Once again thanks for stopping by, my best to you this day, Penny
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Penny, I so agree with the call out to vote. I was surprised to see that in 2008, the voter turnout was only around 60%. For a developed nation that is dangerously low.
What amuses me is that the very people who curse America would jump to seize any opportunity to migrate to the US. I admire US for its greatness. Yes, there are several reasons to hate it but the founding principles of the country are truly great.
Thank you Raunak. Yes you are correct! I do have very very strong views on this subject. You may have noticed lol! Freedom of Expression in particular. If you get to voice your opinion, whatever that may be, then recognize the value of your freedom to do so and help make sure it stays that way.
Again I do agree with your comments and notice that in the most important declaration ever, for this country the preamble begins with the words …WE the people… says it all right there I think! Thank you again so much for sharing your thoughts with me, I appreciate you and them. Penny
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Yes, freedom and responsibility. Well said, Penny!
Thanks, yes I do have definite opinions on this subject, I’m glad you agree Amy! 🙂
A gal that I worked with years ago was complaining about a child care resolution that passed ending up costing her a bunch of money. I listened to her rant about the issue and then asked her if she voted. Her answer: No. I told her that by her inaction she had no right to complain. She could have been the one vote that would have changed the outcome and made a difference not only to her but to thousands of others. She registered to vote.
We, in this great country, should accept the responsibility and we should all remember that we have the opportunity every 2-4-6 years to have a peaceful revolution.
Thanks for the post Penny!
Thank you barbara. I like your words “a peaceful revolution” nice. And truthful! I hope your week has been a good one for you my friend! Penny xx
You are welcome Penny! A challenging week and I survive again! Hugs! –B
Hey way to go. Survival of the fittest, yes! 🙂
Amen Penny and how timely this post! I cringe when I get onto Facebook and onto some blogs because the slant is to criticize and lay blame instead of taking responsibility. It is so sad that we cannot look inside ourselves for some of the answers we are seeking. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn. I agree with you re:facebook and a handful of blogs, it does seem like most bloggers feel like we do though. A nice thing I think! Hope you guys have been having a good week so far in your travels. Sending hugs your way today, Penny xx
Yes America is indeed a great nation! Salutes!
Thank you very much, I appreciate your words my friend! Penny 🙂
I’m an Australian and I hope it all goes really well for you. Don’t forget – your vote doesn’t just affect your country, it affects the world.
Thank you Dianne, yes that is so true, very very important to remember how much the actions in this country effect others around the globe, thanks for the reminder my friend! Congrats again re: your book! Penny 🙂
I think a lot of people don’t realise just how free they are. Even in this country they cry that they want more freedom, but the one thing that allows them that – they don’t do. They don’t vote.
As far as I am concerned, if you don’t vote – and you don’t have a reason to complain. That’s the freedom. Choice. Vote or don’t. Complain or don’t.
Your country and mine, we have fought for that freedom, we have fought for that responsibility. People have died for them both. So if so much has been given up for both do people not bother? “I’m not going to vote because I don’t agree with what they are doing” All politicians lie. You just have to work out which one lies the least or which one appears most truthful with the lies.
Sorry, this is something that bugs me too. I will always vote. The only time won’t is when I can’t.
Thanks Alastair. I do think it is important for people to speak out, even if our views vary, that is what makes freedom so very wonderful. We get to exercise our right to voice an opinion. Democracy isn’t easy, no doubt about it, but like I already mentioned it does beat everything else. Minority groups are late comers to the voting (this includes women) process, so we are particularily sensitive on this subject in this country. And yes, sigh, all politicians tend to tell some real whoppers don’t they. I like your rationale for figuring out who to vote for, pretty good one! Thanks for your opinions on this subject. Much appreciated, Penny
You’re welcome Penny. 🙂
I am with you, Penny. Voting is a right, it is a privilege, it is a duty. History is filled with many individuals who fought for our right to vote. Not voting is a passive-aggressive action which merely alleviates one’s self of any responsbililty for the condition of this country. Not voting serves no purpose other than to give away your right and your voice.
Whew, thank you Ivonne, I am not a hugely political type person, but like you I do have strong beliefs on the subject, again my thanks for your opinion, nice to hear a friendly voice. And I like your thoughts on this, very much, again my thanks, Penny
I would vote… but I’m not a citizen and legally can’t. And on the flip side I can count on one hand the number of politicians I’ve truthfully believed in. Experience has shown me that the vast majority will say one thing and then do another. I’m an extremely cynical voter!
I also have to say that I don’t think people must be required to vote because I feel there’s a danger that people will just vote for “whoever” simply because they legally have to vote for someone. I’ve chosen *not* to vote in the past and have had to listen to lectures from people telling me that men have died so I might have the freedom to vote – no, men have died so I might have the freedom to *choose* if I should vote.
And trust me… I’m as respectful as the next person when it comes to honouring those who have given their lives to defend their families, their homes and their countries. I would fight and die to protect the same. My grandfather fought in the first world war and was nearly killed there. My country fought back a Nazi invasion and survived for years during World War II (don’t get me started on those idiots who think it’s funny to say America “bailed us out” of WWII – just light the paper and stand well back!)
But I would be appalled if I thought people were using that as a way to tell others that they should vote as a consequence because forcing someone to vote is, to me, almost as bad as taking away their freedom to vote in the first place.
Freedom is *choice* and, ultimately, whether we believe it or not, no one can take choice away from us… even if we cannot choose our leaders, we can choose to lie down and do nothing or choose to rise up and do something about it.
Okay, ’nuff said… I’ll get off my soapbox now…
Yup that was definitely a soapbox oration Richard. I am pleased that you live in a country that allows you to freely express your thoughts openly. I believed I said that voting is a responsibility, or perhaps another way of putting it might be to say that verbal opinions not backed up by deeds are not what keeps a free country free.
It is the “free people” caring enough to be responsible enough to behave in a democratic manner, which to my way of thinking means to be involved in the political process of selecting and voting for those you think most qualified to speak on your behalf – the American way. Not perfect but so far it does beat just about anything currently out there.
Sitting back and watching others and then complaining and doing nothing does not solve anything, Just makes matters worse. But it is a choice, always a choice. I for one would hate to live in a country where I didn’t get to have a choice – about anything! Thank you very much for your comments! And don’t stay up too late! Penny
I don’t complain. I make my bed and I lie in it… in that respect, I agree with you. If you’re going to complain about those in power, then do something about it. My point is that, as far as I’m concerned, in my experience, one party is no better than the other. It wouldn’t matter who’s in power, they’d say one thing, make promises they can’t keep and then be forced to go back on their word.
I’ve seen it on both sides of the Atlantic; this applies to the UK as well as the US and neither country has been any better than the other.
Give me something I can believe in, a tangible truth that I can see and touch… not bullshit promises and dreams because you think it’ll make me vote for you and sleep better at night.
a tangible truth. That is an interesting phrase. I think therefore I am. Another interesting phrase. Every single person I have ever met in my entire life has at some point or another made promises they didn’t keep, including those I care most about. Political Rhetoric abounds, the media makes it delightfully simple. People who listen to the media make it even more simple. There are no tangible truths that I know of at all, except maybe one…be true to you, if a person can accomplish this than maybe they can even manage to be true to others also.
Yes, everyone has made promises they can’t keep… but politicians make a living out of it. That’s just exploitation. A tangible truth is one where someone tells the truth and the result is something you can see for yourself. Alas, that doesn’t seem to happen very often in politics. And let’s be honest… it’s not unknown for previous Presidents to have blatantly lied to the very people who placed their trust in them and elected them to office.
All you say is true. And having a political discussion is always a fascinating thing because you can really get a feel for the other person through their ideas. Yes a good point, so let me think – a benevolent dictator, A caring King or Queen who “looks after their people, or a Politician (even one who gets caught in lies – the others I’ve mentioned tell lies too, they just don’t care if “their” people know, they can always just, oh I don’t know, execute them, for example). So hmmm, which one should I pick, hmmmm… tough choice. Well there we go again back to choices! Full circle. One of the really great things about conversing this way is that it is an exchange of ideas and that is always a good thing. Thank you very much for your thoughts and opinions. I believe much of what you say to be true, but me, well I stay hopeful because I’ve tried the other road and I like this one better! Take care of you, Penny
A benevolent dictator?? I’m not following your logic…
Um…that was the point, there aren’t any!
…soooo…. I’m not seeing how that relates to my reply…
Sorry Richard. I probably was not clear on that point. I was suggesting that “not voting” could mean we could end up with a “dictator” controlling our iives Women are sensitive about voting. We worked very hard to get that right (especially in your country) it’s been less than a hundred years for us. We think “voting” is important. So we tend to take our freedom to do so very very seriously! Again I apologize for not being very clear on that my friend. Penny
I understand. Thank you for taking the time to explain. 🙂
No worries, I love these kinds of conversations, good for the mind I think, hope your day is being a good one for you Richard! Penny 🙂
Yes I do hear you Penny…. with freedom comes responsibility. There are problems here – as Carl pointed out, but I really do believe we all have to do whatever part we can do to preserve the integrity of our country. The collective is powerful ~ indifference is dangerous. I’m starting to try to pay attention to the issues, so I can make an informed responsible choice in my voting… and so thank you for this oh-so-important reminder ~ And your doodle — what a wonderful flowing American flag you have created … in awe of your talents dearest friend ~ xo R
Thank you Robyn, I am glad you agree. I appreciate your thoughts and lovely compliments very much my friend! loving thoughts you way, sleep well tonight, Penny xox
I could not agree more. We all need to take responsibility for ourselves, our families, and our country. I also feel a bit like Carl, that is does not matter who is in office, that the man himself does make much difference. But we need to preserve our system of freedom, as limited as it is, in order to improve it in the future.
Thank you. If we, the people, feel a sense of despair, then we the people…are the ones to fix the problem, just like ‘we the people’ did at the beginning. It took a lot of people making a lot of sacrifice to produce what we have (and take for granted) today. Just so you know I include ‘me’ in the taking for granted part. It is just so very easy to really forget how much we do have compared to the rest of the planet. Just too darn easy!!!!!!! I appreciate your comments very much! Again sincere thanks, Penny
You know it Penny!
xoxo God Bless America xoxo
I love & appreciate other countries –
but – am glad my family ended up here in the good ol’ US of A!
I wish this election season would be over though. Lots of freedom of speech hate going around seems to be hurting the American soul.
Ready to vote…RoSy 😉
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
Thank you my pal especially for all the hugs and smiles! I can always count on you for that! Of course you’re going to vote, you are after all … you! Penny 🙂 xx
Penny I think our freedom has become an illusion just because we can vote. The megacorps and megabanks control everything and our politicians are bought off. Partisanship has given us nothing but gridlock. It does not matter who is in office. I have become pessimistic and cynical. This is esp anguishing for me as I was a US history teacher for over 30 years.
Carl everything you say is true. But it is a time of change, just like has happened many times in history. We are the one’s who always make the difference, in the long run…lack of willingness to keep on keeping on is what stops us from moving forward. We are always going to mess things up, It’s what humans do, but it shouldn’t stop us from still trying to get it right! Hang on, hang in there. You are a good man, You are needed, you do make a difference. Penny
Penny, I don’t know what to say other than AWESOME support for America. I scooped this one, pinned it, Tweeted and posted to fb! Wish I could reblog to Awakenings but it is blogspot.
I am going to create a post at Awakenings so I can link to your site!!!!! I may be up way past midnight tonight…my adrenelin is on overload!
Thank you so much, yes I do have strong views on what I’ve written about,so I am most appreciative, again my sincere thanks Sharla! Penny
Penny, submitted a post to Awakenings and Scooped it to catnipoflife. Made reference and linked to your site.
Thanks Sharla I am very appreciative, if just one more person decided to vote because of my words I will be well pleased. Again a most special thanks. This is important for our country! Penny
Thank you. It is what I believe. WE owe so much to our country. Our job to take care of it and us! Penny 🙂
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