Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The American Spirit is Not Dead...But It's on Life Support

The reason I know the American spirit is not completely dead is because of a report I heard today. It seems the government, due to the shutdown, informed the Air Force Academy in Colorado that it would have to cancel its next game because there were no funds to transport them there. United Airlines, in a great PR move, contacted the academy and offered to fly the team to the game and back....on the house. Kudos to United Airlines and I hope they make a squillion dollars a year in profit.

You see, in a capitalistic society that is built on high ideals and a sound, moral center; such as ours used to be, neighbor helps neighbor. Families reach out to strangers in their time of need. Communities unite during hard times and see to it the whole remains intact. What United did today is just like that. No matter the motivation, it is a 'cost' to them in the short run to make such an offer and carry it out...if they are allowed to. But it is a personal cost. United isn't just throwing money at the problem like our government does, believing that's all you need to solve problems. It's putting its own time, material, personnel and resources into the challenge.

Therein lies the rub. If the American spirit was truly alive and well, strong as ever and ready to rumble; the report today would have mentioned more than one airline. And don't try to tell me the airlines are still suffering. All that means is you haven't tried to fly anywhere in a long time. The fact that only one is mentioned is why I do believe our spirit is on life support.

I read a story on FoxNews.com today about hikers up in Idaho that are missing and there aren't any federal funds to send searchers in to find them, since it's a government park they are in. I'm thinking, "Okay, so don't send anyone in to get them." I know that sounds harsh, but this particular area is not for the hiking squeamish. If one is not experienced in that kind of terrain, not in excellent shape and not prepared for emergencies, they have no business in that area to begin with...if they care anything about their own well being. To always expect the government to be on hand to save you...in every situation...is to surrender your self worth, your individuality, your very freedom....to a thing that cares nothing at all about your liberties.

The wussification of this country is mind boggling. Oh yeah, we've got all these guys and gals who want to be involved in all these extreme, outdoor sports (mountain climbing, snow boarding, rock climbing, parachuting, racing, hunting, hiking, camping in wilderness settings, boating et al); but when they inevitably get hurt, there better be a helicopter equipped rescue team, a doctor a nurse and an ambulance at their side in less than five minutes or the lawyer is on speed dial. When did this happen to us? When did it become the government's responsibility to be our savior every time we decided to do something dangerous, ill advised or just downright stupid.

Stop putting warning labels on dangerous things! It will weed out the stupid people who marry stupid people and raise stupid kids to keep the insane process alive.

I've touched on this in a past blog, but it bears repeating. Aren't you glad the first pioneers, when they looked to go past the Appalachian Mountains, didn't retreat because there wasn't a government rescue squad there to get them out of trouble? I am so glad someone didn't say to them, "Hey, mister! They's be wild injuns on that uther side. Youze crazy to go on out there by yore-self. It's toooooooo dangerous." If it were today, the guy would look back at the man and say..."No rescue team? No government assistance? No government supplied rest stop where I can tinkle? Well, that's pure madness!!!"  And, we wouldn't go.

What kind of country would this be without that pioneering spirit from yesteryear? Look at what it's become with it withering on the vine.

This is how it should have stayed. Family taking care of family. Neighbor taking care of neighbor. Community taking care of community. Nation standing strong, together. Government protecting us from foreign invaders, and leaving us the hell alone, in every other category, to take care of ourselves. Yes, the American spirit today is only a whimper of what it once was.

And, do you know what the worst part of it is? We let it happen with eyes wide open. So, we have no one to blame...but ourselves.

1 comment: