Pride and uniqueness. Lost forever?

[Mo_Gearhead]

I am presently reading a book on Israeli / U.S. history.

Here is an interesting passage that struck home:
(Quoting Moshe Arens, Israel's Ambassador to Washington under Begin, circa 1982)

"I am an Israeli. I have more friends in Israel, where we have a frankness and freshness that derive from our collective experience. Our national pride over what we have achieved is something you rarely find in other countries. It reminds me of something you used to find in the U.S for many years; the pride of doing things together. In that sense the U.S was a unique country like Israel still is..."
________________________________

Italics added are mine, to point out the awful truth that Arens saw as early as 1982.

It becomes quite apparent, (especially during heated, political campaigns) that the U.S.A. is VERY divided. No matter whom is elected as POTUS, HALF the population will be unhappy/dissatisfied.

I am not convinced ANYONE can put Humpty Dumpty back together again? Even another terrorist strike on our soil I think would only bring back the bickering between parties of how to react, who's to blame, did we bring it on ourselves, ...blah, blah..blah.

Thoughts?

Humm... Italics didn't work?

[kach22i]

In the Michael Moore movie/doc-u-drama about healthcare he described a similar "we are all in this together" mentality which existed in the UK after WWII.

[The Gaijin]

They have security concerns that drive this "collective experience". That thankfully we do not have. Besides the 5000 years of history and cultural traditions... (A long time.)

[legion]

We may all be in this together, but that doesn't give you the right to stick me with the bill for your bad choices. (Socialism.)

Instead, it means that we should all make the choices that benefit ourselves the best, and as a nation of better people find unity in our common individual struggles and each individual's abilty to overcome adversity on their own. (Capitalism.)

[Mo_Gearhead]

My point (hoping for further discussion) was this:

I grew up in the 1950's-'60s. After WWII the USA had tremendous growth and yes ...Pride. But the 1960's (Viet Nam War, hippies, protesters, draft dodgers, etc.) were a sort of 'turning point' which I witnessed. Pride in the U.S.A. has faded since (IMO).

As far as uniqueness, who can deny that the young (200+ years) U.S.A. (as compared to MUCH older countries, with much longer histories) had surpassed ALL of them and became the economic and military 'super power' of the world.

SO, is our uniqueness also fading into history?

Can we recover the pride and uniqueness ...without becoming just another common, world player?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by legion

We may all be in this together, but that doesn't give you the right to stick me with the bill for your bad choices. (Socialism.)

Instead, it means that we should all make the choices that benefit ourselves the best, and as a nation of better people find unity in our common individual struggles and each individual's ability to overcome adversity on their own. (Capitalism.)

When this country was founded all the hope was in freedom, democracy, the republic.

Now we look to capitalism to save us.

[scottmandue]

I should add that I don't have anything against capitalism... it has historically shown to be the best way to do the business of a country.

I just don't think it is the do all be all that is going to save this country.