My Country Right or Wrong, My Country

In our growing pains as a new country on this huge continent, there were many times when grievous actions were taken for which we cannot be proud. I ask you to put your negative thoughts aside and ask you to be proud of your heritage. The experiment in believing that “All Men are Created Equal” was unique in the world in the 1700’s. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with the 10 Amendments added to protect individuals was and still remains the best effort towards creating a free society. I fully agree and understand that slavery as an institution was not compatible with these ides but even here there was intense discussion to end it. The fact of the matter is there never would have been a new country if slavery was abolished at that time. The Southern States would not have joined and England could have easily put down the rebellion if the Northern States were alone. I am writing this as my effort to get at least a few to consider the steamrolling across the country today, tearing down Monuments, efforts to rename streets and cities. What started as Confederate monuments to Southern Generals has now expanding to Grant, Jackson and where will it stop. Must we erase all vestiges of our past to satisfy those who hate America? There is a petition to rename Columbus, Ohio. Parks and military bases as well. I can see there is no end. The State of Washington must be renamed as well as Washington, D.C. Will Washington and Jefferson be chiseled off of Mt. Rushmore? Will their memorials in D.C. be destroyed? Even Lincoln who hated slavery did not believe the Negro was the equal of whites. It is reasonable to accept since they were kept in ignorance at that time. It is unconscionable to take today’s knowledge and infer that it should have been the thinking in those early days. Once the whitewash job is completed and our history replaced or distorted to where there is no longer a country worth fighting for, it will be all over. Lincoln once said we cannot be defeated externally only internally. That still holds true. Our struggle upwards was never pretty but I for one thank my lucky stars that I was born an American. If you do not feel this way then you are part of the problem. Fix the problems aggressively but don’t throw out the baby with the bath water.