Lost in America

“If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” These are the words of Founding Father Samuel Adams. While spoken over 200 years ago, they echo the truth of today. How did we get here? Our division and mistrust of each other and our government has put us in the hands of a man that reflects the worst in us. Truth and facts are no longer a sure thing. The people in charge can’t even get history right. Trump saying Andrew Jackson, who died 15 years before it started, could have settled the Civil War. His Press Secretary saying even Hitler didn’t use chemicals on his victims. These are just two examples of the ignorance that we have come to expect from the people in charge. Misquoting and not understanding history often makes us repeat mistakes, and blinds us when we need to see clearly.

America has always been the leader through the most trying and changing times in history. But now we see our place in the world threatened by the speed of globalization and even the look of the country. Many white Christians feel threatened by the rapid growth of the Hispanic and Latino population and the immigration of Muslims. The country is a collection of immigrants, but our history has been scared by our intolerance and fear of people who didn’t look and sound like white, Anglo-Saxon, Christians. The country almost destroyed itself over the barbarism of slavery, and that stain will always linger over the soul of America. But we also have discriminated against the Irish, Germans, Italians, Chinese, Jews, and now Muslims have joined the list.

We have dissolved into a country of fear, and yes, even hate. Our intolerance has diminished us in the eyes of the rest of the world which always looked to us as a beacon of hope and opportunity, despite our flaws. Abraham Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Trump’s doctrine of “America First” not only has us shrinking from the rest of the world, but it has made us paranoid about our neighbors who have different political beliefs. Now, seeking common ground is seen as a sign of weakness. Bluster and bigotry on the world stage shows weakness, and allows the leaders of Russia and China to fill the vacuum which just makes us more fearful.

Comedians has always feasted on the foibles of our politicians, but their observations have become nastier and sharper. They hold up a mirror for us to laugh at ourselves and cringe. It seems like we are cringing more than ever. I have often disagreed with political leaders in the past, but I’ve never been so concerned about their judgment and temperament. Trump just said this about the Civil War, “People don’t ask that question, but why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not been worked out?” Trump shows a profound misunderstanding of history and an overinflated sense of competence. He compares solving the issues of the Civil War with making another real estate deal.

We are stumbling through a time of uncertainty, dangerous leadership, and doubt about who we are and what we stand for. History tells us we have found our way back home before. Let’s hope we will not be lost in America forever.