On a suggestion

In regards to the supposed "grey-hair brigade" email I received from my grandmother and on a suggestion from my uncle:

I wonder who this author is going to offer up as a "take back the nation" candidate? Someone who will slash social program funding and increase military spending? Or someone who will also offer up our National Parks to polluting companies, and destructive recreational uses (it is in the name of Freedom after all). We don't need those natural wonders, we need resources, and we need them now. The best way to "peace" is through blowing people up too, and crushing them with an iron fist of military might so keep spending.

I am no fan of Obama, but this type of rhetoric sickens me. The candidates that are running for president are no better, and if anything may be worse. What we have now is not a socialist state, I hate to break it to people, we don't even have a socialist democracy. We are a Republic focused on Capitalism as the end all goal (yes we have social programs that promote the "lower class", but we also have huge amounts of upper class welfare). Believe it or not, Obama is a part of that force. It baffles me that "socialist" programs work (extremely successfully in other countries side by side with (get this!) capitalism (gasp). There are very few politicians I will actually cheer for or marginally back up, I see a continuing failing of our government as a combination of the fallacies of the perceived political realm and our apathy and contentment with excessive material goods. Work to get the things you want, but to maintain them you have to work more (an endless cycle). 

We are a wonderful nation of individuals, creative thinkers, and "freedom" loving people. We also have our downsides. Just like everywhere else, but we are one of the brightest examples of unity (and one of the worst) and success. There is no shame in modeling ourselves into new ways. Ways that work with other people (say like the Nordic countries?), or working with other nations who are rapidly joining the powerful international scene (say like China?) and not fearing them.

We live on this planet together. We may be the "greatest country" on this planet, but we share this space with billions more. I remember a song that I think is more than appropriate for ourselves and the world. Granted it might be a little childish, but it can't be anymore childish than the bickering I see on television between so called "Conservatives" and "Liberals" (don't make me laugh you wolves in sheep's clothing). Co-operation what shall we do? Co-operation I'll work with you.

I apologize for the long winded email, but seriously, this type of rhetoric just annoys me. My generation is to blame? Us young whipper snappers? Who voted Nixon in? Who voted Reagan in? Who voted Carter? Clinton? Bush 1 or 2? I know we're crazy kids with our xboxes, long hair, and rocknroll music, but really I think we're all to blame. Maybe we all need to go back to kindergarten.