The New Un-American

America, like many other developed countries, is a sinking ship. The economy is still in nosedive mode, the differences between the rich and poor grow more profound, and politicians are deadlocked over how to best salvage the situation. There are no easy answers in this complicated mess--or so it seems.

The solution to this crisis lies in the understanding that our destinies are intricately tied together. Aesop, echoed by Patrick Henry during the American Revolution, perhaps said it best. "United we stand. Divided we fall." We cannot continue to fight among ourselves and expect our problems to be solved! (As my teenage children would say, "Duh!!!")

The thing is, we expect our politicians to solve our problems. That is not going to happen! Our politicians are the problem! As a people, we have allowed our politicians to make decisions based on what will keep them in power instead of on what will truly benefit the whole. Sure, they try to convince us that what they are choosing is best for the whole. Politicians can say what they want, but end results speak volumes. They are not any closer to solving the crisis than when it first began. In fact, financial problems are just compounding.

First of all, we need to assess what we truly have as Americans. We are smart. We are resourceful. We have infrastructure--much of which we are allowing to decay because of the fighting. We have the ability to use our gifts and talents to come up with products and innovations which will create jobs and opportunities. We don't need big money interests to do this! They tell us we do! They have passed laws (compliments of the politicians we elect) which hinder us from pooling our money together to invest in small businesses. In case you haven't noticed, the vast majority of jobs created in recent years are not coming from big corporations. Big corporations are shipping jobs overseas! The point is, you should not be relying on big corporations to employ you! They are not for you! And the politicians work for them! Where no job exists, create your own! We all have talents and skills available which we can put to use for the benefit of all!

If you are not working with your fellow Americans (or fellow human beings), you are not a true American! If you are working for yourself at the expense of others, you are not American! Anything that is done which does not unify the whole is decidedly un-American. It doesn't matter if you are a politician, head of a big corporation or special interest group, or a lowly worker. If you possess the spirit of division, consider yourself the new un-American. United we stand. Divided we fall.