I was raised by Democrats; by people who saw the need to cure many domestic and international societal ills. Abroad, a manifest German psychotic HAD to be tamed, and at home, the American economy threatened to create a permanent sub- class of citizens, citizens of intelligence, of enormous promise, of unfulfilled dreams; enough dreams to benefit us all. We beat Hitler, and created an environment in which a revitalized Germany assumed it's rightful place within a society of civilized nations. Roosevelt, as a parting gesture, spearheaded the United Nations; and regardless of today's American reservations of that international institution, it remains a living monument to what man should be. It was flood tide for America; enlightenment for those with eyes to see.
Roosevelt died, time passed, but a recreated America moved on; building upon the advantage the ravages of war gave it. Domestically, America continued it's endless, internal revolution. Racism began it's long death, women began their climb to sexual equality, and an energetic middle class, ever growing, bestowed a confidence upon the nation. Regardless the Cold War, the anxiety, fear, and possibilities of an extinguished world, America continued a steady advance, filling a void Plato would have applauded.
But it didnt last. America became involved in issues and places it did not belong. The darker side of international power cast America in an unfamiliar role; a role at odds with it's citizens.
Why?
Because the American education system began its inexorable decline; until the average American became as uninformed as a blunt instrument. Reading skills declined, year after year. And with it? The ability to think critically or restrain the excess of unjustified societal hubris.
Domestically, the decline in critical thinking led to malaise, to self absorption,to economic decline and to an inability to realize that every succeeding American generation became more ignorant, less able to deal with an increasingly complex world.
And to the present, regardless of the accomplishments of a relative few, the overall picture of American remains dismal and invites pessimism. The promise, and enlightenment of Franklin Roosevelt is not even remembered by generations struggling with basic cognitive skills.
What does my rant on the decline of American cognitive skills have to do with the confesions of a Roosevelt Democrat?
This.
The steady decline in leads to politics as entertainment, to governance as blood sport; to ancient Rome at it's absolute worst.
Unless a radical change in American education becomes a reality, the future leads to a frightening prospect; to an era where Americans become as malliable as Pavlov's dogs, and informed dissent, is an historical whisper.
Ignorance equals societal destruction. Iti s not the first time this occured. But very few of us read deeply enough to understand it's significance.
I will vote the Kerry- Edwards ticket, for my own reasons. However, it will NOT be because it represents the Roosevelt tradition of unbridled American excellence. I will vote the fears of my grandfathers, and the dreams of my father.....
Best Regards,
Ookrana
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