When we think of the patriotic tune, “God Bless America,” those of us old enough to remember her, immediately think of Kate Smith’s belting version of it, once elevated to National Anthem consideration. “America the Beautiful” also seems a far more befitting and peaceful tribute to our nation that may either hopefully wield more influence over our perpetually encouraging, …”the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air…” and other warring mentality that we seem to take such pride in.
When we hear the lyrics of God Bless America we are reminded of how immeasurably God has blessed America during her brief history–when compared with others, some thousands of years her superior in age! But the evidences of her confused history clearly reflect that more advantage has been taken of people than opportunities made available to her general population, dating back to her original occupants.
History clearly records that this “land of the free and home of the brave,” was built upon land extorted from Indians and labor from imported Blacks. And when the cry is made that plenty of White labor also went into the settling of this great nation, the key missing word here is volition–the big difference between servitude and slavery! Should one choose to voluntarily work to whatever extent for whatever purpose it is servitude. If compelled to do so against one’s will it is slavery!
Also in this “land of the free,” those fortunate enough to enjoy the most freedom are the ones most likely to abuse them and/or infringe upon the rights of others. Our guarantee of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness “ does not stipulate (at the expense of others.)” which too frequently occurs. In this youthful land of plenty God has blessed us through the years with enough social programs and funds to eliminate poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and other societal ills afflicting the needy that have been drastically weakened because of the greedy as poverty is big business! Likewise an unbelievable number of unscrupulous individuals, agencies and special drives have profited through misuse and abuse of various drives for seeming honorable causes through which $multi-billions are often raised through dedicated, hard working honest workers and donors–with little or no credible accountability of such huge sums accumulated.
I am among those old enough and involved enough to remember when the United Fund (as it began) concept began and was presented to the American public as “consolidation of solicitation” of major agencies and organizations into one single drive. To date not only are all major soliciting organizations not United Way members but many of those who are still continue their own independent fund-raising activities and campaigns now including some big league partnerships. Add to this the endless ocean of religious and individual fundraising activities. compounded with the maze of civic, social, cultural, political, humanitarian and every other conceivable cause and it all adds up to a richly God Blessed nation of beggars–not to feed or care for the poor but to pacify the general population.
Of grave concern also is the dwindling attention afforded our nation’s promise to veterans and other military personnel who were assured upon enlisting that the nation would forever have their backs with medical, educational and other necessities. That promise has been repeatedly altered upon many contingencies. Couple this also with the “complete and unconditional pardon” granted to draft-dodgers and others who refused to go during the Vietnam “conflict” and add to this the known and unknown $-Billions funneled to soldiers and regimes of other nations and it could all adds up to inevitable mass rebellion–which actually seldom occurs! Yet one observer defined the nation by simply stating: “I see now why the Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor with outstretched arms toward Europe instead of in a Florida Harbor–facing the territories of darker skinned inhabitants.
Yes, God has indeed blessed America–and “to whom much is given, much is expected of! Those with the least however, are traditionally the ones most willing to share it with others. Instead, the more we acquire, the more selfish we seem to become. Must this great American “experiment” be brought to its knees before acknowledging the existence of God and His blessings upon it? Is humiliation the only way we can learn humility?
In this great “Government of the people, by the people and for the people, is it not high time that we the people assume our rightful place in it and in making it more responsible and responsive–“with Liberty and Justice for ALL!
