Originally Posted by Guest

I believe America to be the greatest country ever to exist.

I never believed America to be perfect for sure, but I believe in America.

I believe in our ability to overcome whatever confronts us by talking and listening.

I believe America is made stronger by every new person who comes here with a dream.

I do not dilute myself to think America is perfect, but I believe America is made up of people who believe in freedom, understand how that freedom can at times seem an impediment, but also know we raise ourselves to greater things when we understand how blessed we are and the hard work of understanding that is needed to maintain that.

America is, despite those who want it to be about labels, is still the great melting pot of history.

Originally Posted by Guest

I agree with you that America is the greatest country to ever exist. My concern is, can we keep it that way? So much has changed, especially where ambitions are concerned. Past generations believed in hard work and making your own way. I am so thankful that I was raised in a family where that was not only taught but modeled. No one in my family would have even considered a handout, no matter how down on their luck they may have been.

Today that mentality has greatly changed overall. Many feel entitled to be taken care of and others just lack the motivation to work that hard. I see it all around me in dealing with the general public in my workplace. I know the times have been harder over the past years, getting a job and making ends meet compared to when I graduated from college, but if we continue the trend of more and more people on the government payroll, our country will not continue on the path of greatness.

A great and inspiring leader is a start as the OP suggests, but much of this comes from teaching and role modeling IMO.

Originally Posted by Guest

I agree, except I have a different twist on the subject.

I believe we need someone in the White House who truely and sincerely believes in this country.

You are correct that attitudes have changed. In my opinion, our economy is the reason. People do not come out of the womb wanting you to pay their way. It is an attitude that is nurtured over years. Why ?

We need employment, and we need to get it by a positive means. I oppose Trump, the man, but I do believe we need to make our economy vibrant again. NOT by mocking other countries, but by our leaders working "together" to find ways. Sounds very simple and bland, doesn't it ? Well, I think it that simple. I certainly have no answers because I do not have that skill set.

Here is where we separate. Instead of a leader who can provide leadership to bring our leaders together to solve this problem, we instead of a person who has zero interest in that. What he calls making America great...I do not and will restate something I quoted before.

"Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first."

Instead we have the opposite. We have a person who is not willing to put in the work to listen to others. The solution is there...we simply need to stop talking ABOUT others and listening to them.

Attitudes can change. It takes time and hope, not accusations and chanting. It takes work, not rallies.

Oh, and since you quote the OP, this is the same poster who posted a day or so that Trump should have been elected well before he was, and who feels revulsion for those who,oppose Trump. I oppose Trump because he is simply the worst possible person to have that job. He is not and will not "do the work". As I said....rallies, accusations are not the answer, especially once you have been elected and are President.

Those on this forum who like to indulge in maligning me and my standards say, for some reason, that means I am whatever name or syndrome they come up with that day., but , IN MY OPINION, I recognize we are going in reverse, and Trump, as many of his close friends have said....does not want to do the work required. His interests are self, and in my opinion, that is clear. The quote I shared about loving our own "people" means ALL our people. Political differences are one thing....from the Oval is totally different.

Originally Posted by Guest

I can hardly believe it, but we're going to agree to AGREE! Good post - you make some excellent points. I can honestly say that I am not all that thrilled with Trump, the man, myself. My vote for him was more a vote for a movement in this country in another direction. My hope is to break up the cronyism that is Washington and outside interests that seem to influence what happens in this country more than the influence of we the people. By voting for someone who was more of an outsider, that is what I hoped for. Whether that will happen or not, is yet to be seen.

I like your quote and it rings true. Unfortunately, it seems that there is a lot of hate around us at this time and it is coming from both sides. I don't feel this started with Trump's presidency though. It seemed evident to me that it was building throughout both W. Bush and Obama's presidencies and has escalated with Trump's. I tend to think the reason for the escalation is 2-fold however. One is obviously Trump's lack of good communication skills. I am still not convinced, as you are, that he is only out for himself and not wanting to make America great again as he states, but again that is yet to be seen. The other factor is that the silent majority finally has a voice to combat the disregard that many of us have felt over the past 8+ years where our beliefs, faith, etc have been repeatedly trampled on. Unfortunately, that voice is far from perfect in speaking for all of us, but it's a start.

Originally Posted by Guest

Every great society is doomed. The thing that accelerated demise was poor borders.

History is just repeating itself.

Originally Posted by Guest

Reckless reproduction by those you can't control their urges or purposefully reproducing for religious dominance must be addressed.

Originally Posted by Guest

Indeed you describe the America of our youth. In my town free loader were scorned. On the other hand people falling on hard times were helped. People of bad character were shunned. In today's world it has all been turned upside down . I just cam across an advertisement where they recommend getting in on marijuana stocks. that is what this nation needs more inebriated jerks driving our roads working in our businesses teaching our kids.

Personal Best Regards:

Originally Posted by Guest

America was the greatest because of sacrifice which is in damn short supply today. It's all about me and something for nothing. IMHO