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MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE, WHO?

By Roger Johnson

 

gagged_medPoliticians are clamoring to tell us how we need to change the way we are being governed and that we should pick them because they know how to do it. It’s not of course just a United States problem. Just what is a good country?

Some countries are or have become complacent about the poor, the homeless and the low income, the immigrants, the retired folks and here come the middle class. Of course, some countries have never been able to make these basic things a priority and in countries where there has been assistance available to those in need, the inability of countries to adjust to more challenging times and maintain the level of support and not lower it, is rare indeed. More people than ever are concerned and some level of fear has begun for those who have counted on the government programs to supplement their needs for things like health care and a minimum quality of life.

So, some of those people who have said, “I love my country” may be asking themselves, “What is happening in my country?” “Why can’t I afford to live there and why do I feel like I want to move?”

Unsuccessful attempts or no attempts by governments to ensure a minimum quality of life are beginning to cause fear or at least concerns in counties that have been very good examples of taking care of their citizens. Isn’t it interesting that a country can force its citizens to fear so that they feel they need to take some personal action to ensure or protect their quality of life? Isn’t it equally interesting that people cannot be forced to “love their country.”

Is there a prescription for a country to become a loved country by its citizens? I think so. Try this.

The leaders of any country must be strong in sincerely wishing that it does not want any of their citizens to fear the government. Any country’s greatness in years ahead will come from providing their people with a way of life that assures health and prosperity. The country’s streets must be safe and their legal and government institutions stocked with truth and confidence. For those super powers and super power wannabees, it matters not that a country can annihilate the world a thousand times over. What matters is that a country can feed its people, can cure their sicknesses, can provide for their comfort, and it can assure a prosperous nation for generations. Only then can a country move forward.

Did I see a hand raised that you can name such a country?

These thoughts are extracted from a speech in a fictional novel by a person who wants to be the new tsar of Russia. I think that perhaps the author could add a footnote stating, “I do not have a problem if this speech is plagiarized by anyone attempting to provide leadership to their country.”