PATRIOTISM

As we approach an election here in the United States, I am thinking more about what is good for my country and less about what is good for me.  Today I realized they really are one and the same. What makes MY life better more than likely will also make my friends and families lives better and therefore, by extension, the country better. Now, I could talk about the economy, but that would be a sad and dreary blog and it’s fall, I can’t let myself go there. I can’t wallow in the prospect of solving our national debt and balancing our national budget. I have my own under control and that’s all I can handle right now. So, I’m going to the more lifting and cheerful side of patriotism.

I fly a flag 365 days a year 24/7 with a light above for illumination (as required to fly one 24/7), because I am always lifted emotionally a bit when I look out my kitchen window and see it waving or standing out straight or even resting against the poll. There is something that feels like pride or camaraderie that fills you when you fly your own American flag or your own country’s flag, I should say. The men and women who have served in the military come immediately to mind along with every man (all men, to date) who has called the Oval Office his workplace, serving to protect freedoms and defend our constitution, which translates to serving the population of the United States.  Serving. Standing in our stead, working to bring the people what that people want, or the majority of them.  A united country of states means at some point we have to have one ideal and one goal. We get there by voting and the majority rules. Therefore, I always support and respect the holder of the office of Presidency because that is patriotism to me. I may not always agree with him, I may not EVER like him, but I will always respect him and call him my President.

Our flag, flying this past August.

      

Believing my country can be more than it is, is not unpatriotic. Isn’t it just the opposite?  If I believe in my country as a strong and growing community of my fellow Americans I have to believe that just like me, WE can be more and better tomorrow than we are today. I believe together as a united group, we can reclaim our rightful place on top of every list, including the greatest financially secure economy on earth. We have what it takes and by making changes at the top, we can make changes here in my world. Those changes require we stop thinking like it is 1950. We can’t do what we’ve always done, it doesn’t work.  New ideas are called for. New co-operation is called for. New tax code, old programs that are outdated removed, re-written and replaced!  Our electoral system is very outdated. Time for a new over haul or maybe even passed time.  The Electoral College was necessary for a timely count of votes once, now it is not. We know within minutes what the vote count is now, the actual voters ballots CAN now be counted and sent in within minutes of voting throughout the night.  We could easily be electing our leaders by popular vote and actually putting people in office that were chosen by EVERY voter who exercised their right. I believe that would greatly increase the number of voters because many feel their vote doesn’t count anyway. The Electors would be done away with as were many outdated ways of doing business our here in the real world. Our government needs some modernization and the rules need amending to allow for us to really have the say of the people heard!

The party system could be done away with and no one would mind except the millionaires who get richer by running and organizing and pandering during every election.  What if anyone really could be President?  What if money wasn’t the biggest requirement? What if you could run on an equal basis with anyone else? What if x number of TV hours were given to each candidate at no charge?  And what if instead of pointing out all the negative attributes of their opponent, they were only permitted to talk about themselves, their own history and their own plans?

Yes, I know you are all thinking that no one would ever allow that to happen because too many billions of dollars are spent getting the “RIGHT” person in offices of power. Sadly, I believe that is true and it makes me very sad and very disillusioned about our future as a country of free people. Our democracy could be improved upon and our economy right along with it. If only all the money spent to re-elect or elect every 2 years was spent on our budget, it’s millions and millions of dollars spent to put a puppet or at the very least, someone who owes someone something, into a position of power. Doesn’t feel democratic to me.

I am a proud American who exercises her rights in life every day. I say what I want. I write what I want. I vote. I drive. I praise good works and I call out the ones I see as less than they could be. And I also willfully speak out on issues that affect my life, my community and our future.

Patriotism is alive and well in the U.S.A. and I am a proud participant! GOD BLESS THE USA.

Jo