It seems that with every holiday, we are told that America is “At A Crossroad”. These “At A Crossroad” commentaries come in all shades and shapes. Some are hopeful, some an urgent call for action. Some are resentful, others regretful and at their worst declare that America was doomed from the start and the only answer is to wipe the slate clean and start over.
I take these “crossroad warnings” seriously but always with the belief that we Americans will figure it out. It won’t be perfect. It never is and never could be because human beings are involved. The freedoms that allow some of us to take the wrong turn allow others to right the ship.
Our history is one of sins and salvation. If one chooses to obsess over the sins of the fathers, they will never see the good things, the confessions and self-corrections. They will let their image of the nation’s dark past blind them to the progress we’ve made and the underlying goodness of America. Those who choose to only celebrate our success and are unwilling to admit our failures are in danger of becoming like the parents of a child who “can do no wrong” remaining uncorrected and over-indulged.
America is changing. It always has and always will because people are changing, some for better and some for worse. The American system of government remains the best humans have come up with so far. But if by way of our freedoms or by force we abandon it, others will surely take our place.
