America Changes – What is the real debate?

Over the last year I have explored the changes that the United States is undergoing. Rampant unemployment (while official data indicates the lowest unemployment in history), inflation at third world country levels (while the government’s Ppi indicates less than two percent), 1 % of the population homeless, 33% of the population food insecure, 50% of the population that cannot afford a major illness, University costs inflating at 50% a year while young college graduates see salaries decreasing when adjusted for inflation, identity theft rampant, public budget deficits at historically high levels while national infrastructures fall apart, and personal freedoms completely usurped by corporate America and the big brother style of government.

When speaking with people I know well I am often surprised at the position they take on the issues. I am not surprised because of the views are strange instead it is because I know their stated values. The ones who surprised me the most are members of my own family. Actively religious they grew up with the same teachings and values that have defined my defining principles yet they easily do what is financially advantageous instead of what is ethically right. I am always thrown by the statement, “I am not doing anything illegal.” They knew well that ethically their actions were very bad but the fact that law did not prohibit it made everything ok.

All of the issues are merely symptoms. They are the result of the way Americans see right and wrong. The debate that is raging, without a single word spoken about this specific topic, is very simple. It is our vision of the future. The opposing and contrasting views are:

1. The individual is more important than the whole of humanity
2. Progression of the whole of Humanity is more important than the individual.

As I was a child I was inspired by the words of John Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you instead ask what you can do for your country. “ and Martin Luther King’s dream of the equality of mankind, and, even, Startrek’s Spock sacrificing his life for the crew with the words, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” As a child I read avidly books recounting the heroic actions of WWII. I am an Eagle Scout with respect for flag and country.

I thought the principles that guide my actions were a result of my family’s strict religious adherence. I could not understand how religious people could be individual oriented in their reasoning. Recently I realized that who I am is not a product of my religious upbringing instead I was influenced by those leaders who spoke of unity, by the selfless actions of soldiers in difficult times and public service contributing to our nation.

Often I have been ridiculed as the “idealist” looking for the Utopian existence. Other times I am labeled as a socialist, populist or even pinko commie fag. What can I say? I believe the progression of humanity, the future of our children is more important than me having a newer, bigger, better car. I believe that long term stability is more important that instant gratification. These basic principles guide my every decision

This is the basic discussion in the US political debate yet candidates are fighting over the symptoms. Fighting over the symptoms will simply divide our nation. We need candidates who will talk about the real issue. We need candidates who can unite Americans around the future. This is leadership. Where are the leaders who can honestly talk about the future? Where do they stand on these basic issues? Dear candidates, please tell us, where do you stand on the basic principles that I was taught are, the who America is?