Can Do to Why Do... In Half A Century

May 1961, John F. Kennedy declared that an American would safely land on the moon within a decade, a little over 8 years later on July 20^th, 1969 Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon’s surface, truly ‘Mission Accomplished’.

This feat was the result of a massive cooperative effort between private industry and government with broad nationwide support from the citizens of the USA. It was a defining moment for our country. A country that was widely admired by the vast majority of the earth’s population as a nation that would achieve anything it put its mind to.

marks the end of NASA’s shuttle program, half a century after JFK’s speech we quietly walk away from being the world leader in space technology to becoming a country that must rent a ride into space. This act is unfortunately indicative of the change our nation has gone through in the past 50 years.
Kennedy was a globally admired charismatic leader, people heard his dream believed and willingly faced the challenge thrown at them as a nation to overcame the many obstacles and achieve the seemingly impossible.

Coming out of World War II the United States was without question the strongest and most admired nation on earth, we were the manufacturing leader our goods shipped to virtually every country on the planet. Our nationwide prosperity was the envy of all other industrialized nations.

I believe that Kennedy marked the end of that booming post war America and the beginning of the decline to where we are today.  

We’ve declined from a country with a diverse population and a single national pride and the can do spirit; to a nation split into a multitude of factions all with little desire to cooperate and a ‘won’t do attitude’.

“I’m right you’re wrong” at every level, polarization of the nation encouraged by self serving politicians and media clowns, facts aren’t necessary, just sound bites that is all an increasingly apathetic population wants and repeats as gospel.
Is it possible that we could pull together as a nation again? Is there a challenge or a leader that could end the bickering and actually create a single great nation again?

I’m pessimistic – I don’t see a great nation in the future. Our leaders represent only themselves in a continuous effort to be re-elected with no respect for the people who do the voting. The people who vote; vote based on name recognition rather than issues. 

We gave away our might to countries that were once low cost producers. Our population has no will to sacrifice anything for anyone, we’re involved in 2 ½ wars - who feels the pain other than the young people who serve and their families?

We are without leaders we can respect; most of us have a roof over our heads and food on our tables, so we’re happy, comfortable and have no ambition for our country. 

I’m an immigrant, I came here over 30 years ago for a reason, I had a dream of improving my family’s standard of living – there was only one place I believed I could do that, so I came here, to The Land of Opportunity. 

I don’t like the changes I’ve seen in our political system, I don’t like the partisan bickering and posturing, I don’t like the ranting and raving of the media clowns, but I still love the country and want it to get better. 

Is it wrong to want an elected official to honestly represent all their constituents and not just the, generally 30% - 40% who vote for them? Is it wrong to expect an elected official to keep their promises? Is it wrong to expect everyone to be treated fairly no matter how many dollars they have in the bank?

I don't think it is wrong and I sincerely hope that you don't either.