I have witnessed many times when I was ashamed of my country’s government and feared for its future. Somehow our nation always survived and continued to exist, although at times it was questionable. Today I am more fearful than ever. I am afraid that the dream which was the United States of America may suffer its demise.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

Abraham Lincoln

I am certain that Lincoln’s words were not only a fact, but that his prophecy is near. Politicians are desperate to achieve their single goal; obtaining a seat in Congress. They use any and all means to accomplish their ambitions, and have greatly damaged our nation while doing so. A nation once united is now more divided than at any other time in our nation’s history since the Civil War.

George W. Bush learned in 2004 that by keeping our nation’s people in a constant state of fear elections could be won. No longer do the candidates campaign on the issues which face our nation, they attack not only the politicians who oppose them, but those who support those individuals. Anger has replaced discussion and compromise. Eventually hatred becomes the norm.

In a nation which is intended to be free and democratic there should be no ‘red or blue states;’ we should be the United States. To save our nation, we, the people, must defeat the politicians and take our nation back. While those we elect wish to create a nation of slaves, we must reject their goals. They must be stopped from destroying our personal freedoms and free thought.

Make no mistake about it when you listen to the candidates, they are not truthful and have no concern for America’s future.

Logic forces me to ask the question, ‘why would anyone spend millions of dollars campaigning for a job which pays $174,000 a year? Analysts expect the presidential candidates will spend upwards of one-billion dollars this year. Why?

We know that it is not a desire to serve the American people, because they have proven by their inaction that they do not have our best interests as their prime directive. After two-terms in office all of our legislators have become millionaires, and it’s not because of their salaries. Lobbies and individual supporters who seek influence in Washington fill the pockets of our Congressmen. In addition, they receive the best health care and retirement benefits taxpayer dollars can afford. They don’t want you to have the same opportunity.

How do we stop this? It will take courage which I sadly believe no longer exists within the American people. We must reduce the bloated wages they have voted for themselves. Their benefits must be the same as the majority of the American people; social security and Medicare. No more than two terms in office must be allowed.

How do we achieve this? We must vote against any incumbent. We must cease voting for a party, and elect the most qualified candidate who will serve the majority and not special interests. If an elected official refuses to perform the job for which they were elected, they must be impeached. We can no longer accept refusal to deliberate and compromise.

I fear for my country. I fear that democracy is forever vanquished. I fear this because I doubt that my words will be accepted for what they are; the truth. I fear that the last words of the Pledge of Allegiance I recited every day in elementary school no longer have meaning; “with liberty and justice for all.”

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Scott A. Wright

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