crazy person wrote:
This is one of the truest things I have ever read on letsrun. You won't ever hear the politicians or newscasters say this kind of stuff.
Marcus Sommers wrote:There seems to be cycle that repeats itself in history amongst great nations/states that goes something like this...
Young, intelligent, idealistic individuals having experienced prior persecutions thrive for a country founded in freedom and individual liberty... nation is founded with those principles in mind, and initially prospers as those principles lead to a core of people who live righteously... as that country continues to prosper, well intentioned people devise welfare programs to help less fortunate but unintentionally create an entire class of people dependent on the government... at the same time, middle and upperclass who are doing well based on sacrifices and investments of previous generations lose sight of the vision of those that came before them, and settle into comfortable, self-indulgent lives with no sense of introspection or forward thinking... short term gratification replaces long term gratification and imbues itself in middle and upper class in terms of unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, lack of healthy intellectual stimulation, unhealthy sexual practices, seeking popularity, etc... middle and upperclass who had been the bedrock of the country deteriorate mentally, physically, and spiritually... this deterioration is not apparent to those affected, as they shift from being intellectual curious to being fascinated by what's popular... and thus the slow deterioration of a people and nation... a cycle that repeats itself over and over in history...
Where is the U.S. today in this cycle... over 60% of population overweight or morbidly obese, 25% of teenagers don't graduate from high school, only 22% adults complete at least a bachelor's degree, 1/2 citizens don't vote in presidential elections, 2/3 citizens don't vote in Congressional elections, 25% of kids raised in single parent households, 75% of kids raised in single parent households in minority communities, 50% marriages ending in divorce, 1/3 of U.S. citizens unable to pass U.S. citizenship test, $13 trillion personal debt, over $16 trillion national debt...
How can a nation on the arc described above be expected to consider intelligence, hard work, determination, grit, perseverance, character, etc. more important than popularity? Choice and consequence, cause and effect, reaping and sowing seem to have exited the consciousness of a significant portion of our nation's population worried about the next shiny thing... if our country eventually crumbles due to losing sight of core principles, it won't be the first...
Actually, it is a cute story. And very comforting to repeat to oneself if it supports your pre-existing biases. If you want to know how "true" it is you would have to do some serious research on the rise and fall of great nations/states. But then, that would take a bit more than simply sitting back and feeling good that you are so right.