America is a great nation whose people have strived to do great things. They built the railroad across this nation. We put a man on the moon. It is the nation whose beacon cast the bright light of opportunity and hope. Its' people represent a caring nation that comes to the aid of countries around the world when tragedy strikes. Our nation can be summed up with three little words "We the People".
"We the People" are more then three words on a piece of paper it defines the heart and soul of this nation. When Europe and the rest of the world were facing their darkest hour "We the People" stood up and virtually overnight we transformed our nation into a weapon to put an end to the war. When "We the People" looked around and saw how blacks were being treated we stood up and said no more. When "We the People" have seen injustice we have stood up against it.
"We the People" are who we are. We may not always agree on everything, but we agree on the greatness of this nation and the strength of our hearts. We can all look at the great things that this nation has accomplished, but it isn't those accomplishments that make us great. It's the little things that define our greatness. It's a town looking for a lost child in the woods. It's a neighbor bringing food to a family that's down on its' luck even if that had never even talked before. It's the fireman running into a burning building with no regard for his life to rescue the dog belonging to a crying little girl. It's giving a hand to an elderly person as they struggle to carry their groceries.
"We the People" have persevered during tough times. We have lived through a depression and attacks on our country. We were always able to survive and become stronger because we always walked with our backs straight and our heads held high looking forward with absolute certainty knowing that "We the People" do not collapse under despair. We are of strong will and we work together as a nation.
Our nation is now in one of those periods where uncertainty is raising and hope is falling. Some whose concern is not for this nation, but for ratings, book deals, speaking fees or political gain see this time as an opportunity. They would like to take "We the People" and transform those words from ones of greatness and unity into "Us versus Them". The American people may falter a little and fall into this trap of blaming others for their problems, but we are stronger than that because it is who we are.
There will come a time 10 or 20 years from now when your children or grandchildren will ask you about this time in history. What will you tell them? Will you tell them that a great tolerate nation collapsed into a intolerant nation where the people looked to blame people of color or religion for their problems? A nation that once stood united became divided a nation of "Us versus Them". A nation whose beacon of light that shined bright around the world for those looking for hope and opportunities became a light that grew dim and disappeared. Or will you tell them that yes we walked briefly into the darkness. We listened to those who preached "Us versus Them" but, "We the People" heard those voices of our fellow man that cried out to remember who we are. People who reminded us that yes we have our differences, but those differences are what make us great not less. We don't have to yell and scream at one another. We can talk and discuss our problems like members of a great nation do. Once "We the People" listened to those voices they slowly turned their backs on those who preached division of a nation and walked together again as one great nation. Which story will you be telling?
The clock is ticking America. Before you know it, it will be that moment when your children or grandchildren ask you that question. We can continue down the road of anger and blame and become a divided nation. Or we can begin to tone down the anger and look within ourselves and begin to have the conversations that members of a great nation have. We have to get past the point in the conversation where one side says it is right and the other side is wrong and the conversation is over. We have to look for the seeds of truth in both sides of the conversation. The people of great nations set the tone. It is time to start putting an end to "Us versus Them". It is never too late to talk because if you believe that it is too late then we as a great nation are surely lost.
I sit here as one man looking at our nation with hope and the knowledge of the greatness that makes up our country. I cannot do it along. It is you "We the People" that must begin to put aside the rhetoric and turn down the volume. You can only do this one person at a time. It is time for this nation's people to begin to talk to one another. We cannot wait for the politicians to hear us for they are all deaf.
The clock is ticking. I know what story I want to tell my grandchildren. Which one do you want to tell?
Signed by
One of the People