"United" No More

     235 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was sent to the King of England. It outlined a long series of grievances that the colonies believed were so oppressive that our only choice was to declare our independence as the united (small u) States of America and drew a line in the sand that resulted in 5 years of bloody war and an uncertain future when the fighting ended.
     During the course of the war for independence, the Continental Congress advised each of the colonies to draw up plans for State Government and by 1780 (4 years later) all 13 states had adopted written Constitutions. The Continental Congress of 1776 began to work on a plan for a central Government. The first "Constitution" for the United States was called the Articles of Confederation and were in effect between March 1, 1781 and March 4, 1789. The newly formed Republic (weak as it was) had an outline of government and there were 10 (yes 10) Presidents elected between 1781 and 1788. George Washington was not the first American President, although the first 10 were "Presidents" of a Congress without much federal authority. George Washington himself was very much in favor of a strong central Government. The system failed because the Articles gave little real authority to the federal government due to the fears of the individual States. The United States of America were far from united.
     By 1786 it was apparent that changes needed to be made to the Articles of Confederation and on September 17th, 1787 a convention of delegates convened in Philadelphia. They were authorized to amend the Articles but instead held secret meetings and over the course of 4 months came up with an entirely new Constitution. This process was a desperate attempt to save the United States from splitting apart due to the individual interests of the States. There was much debate but in the end compromises prevailed that created a strong central government with 3 distinct branches and overall authority over the States. The hope was that we could indeed function as the United States of America then and forever. However, many critical items were put off in order to insure ratification which later led to our most stunning example of the "un-uniting" of America in the form of the Civil War. The "war" between those for or opposed to the power of the federal Government has continued since. A note to all those "Constitution" folks who go around blasting the Federal Government it was though the efforts and beliefs of many of our "Founding Fathers" that our current system exists today. Read the document!
     The United States of America has faced many tests during her 235 years since first declaring her independence but I won't list them here. The "un-uniting" of America that has been taking place in earnest for the past 50 years is about to bring the United States of America to an end.
     This is not happening because of foreign invasion or ghostly terrorists or natural disaster but rather because Americans themselves have determined that their fellow citizens are the real enemy and both sides of the political aisle have grown so far apart and have become so filled with hate for each other that any hope of maintaining the United States of America is all but lost. There is virtually no subject that isn't contested along political lines. If one side is for something the other side must be against it regardless of the merits or dangers involved.
   
HAVE WE EVER BEEN TRULY UNITED?

     We have been and are a warring nation. At times of our own choosing and at times due to world events but the end result is that the "Military Industrial Complex" is in full control of the game and the enormous amounts of money involved. "We the People" continue to be sacrificed for this agenda and wear the flag of death proudly as patriots. Along the way, we are the largest seller of arms in the world as we have created defense and weapons facilities throughout the country to provide jobs and economic dependency on the system. Our politicians have been bought and paid for by this powerful group and as long as fear and threats (real or perceived) keep streaming across our media outlets, we will continue to allow this policy.
     Many of our citizens claim that America is, at her core, a Christian nation. Really? Our Constitution certainly wasn't written to reveal that idea. The continuous display of intolerance and prejudice by so many of these "Godly" citizens make a mockery of the biblical teachings of Jesus. Religion too, has become nothing more than a business and a political tool for spreading hatred and of course provide the money. Go to your Church or Temple or Mosque this week and search your heart and mind to decide if all the hate is truly "God's will". Then ask for forgiveness for your lack of compassion to your fellow humans.
     Our political bickering has turned Americans against each other in an ugly and shameful way and those feelings continue to become more hostile with each passing year. At this pace, we will commence a second civil war within the next decade or so. It has never been difficult for we Americans to start shooting and who better to attack than our neighbors, right? After all, anyone who has a different political view, or is a different "color" or religion or is too heavy or too thin, doesn't deserve to live in your America. you know, the America that used to known as the "Land of the Free". A closer look at our history reveals a long pattern of attacking and shunning anyone that didn't fit a certain profile so what we see today is actually nothing new.
     The fact is that we haven't been "united" for a very long time (if ever) and the prospects that we ever will be are slim at best. The choice is ours. It always has been. The quest for power and control has so corrupted our sense of nationalism and humanity that contrary to all logic, we seem willing to allow this nation to sink into the chaos that is infecting so much of the world now.
     Special interests of the Military Industrial Complex, Religious groups, the medical and drug industry and of course the media and its pundits relentless tactic of keeping everyone in battle mode, combined with the money at stake threaten the very union that so much blood has been shed for during past generations. A main problem is that both sides of the political aisle "talk" of having the best interests of the United States of America as their platform while refusing to "act" (in any manner) to secure those interests. Everything comes down to opinion and compromise is not an option. In the end, unless we find a way to stop the mindless bickering, America will become a tragic footnote in the history of failed nations. Of course, America may very well become a nation completely controlled by corporations (we're on that road now) and then the pretense of liberty and freedom will be lost as well. Based on current observations it appears that not enough of our citizens are willing to work together to unite their country.

IT IS; TIME TO THINK AGAIN!!!