I am deeply saddened when I look at this great nation. She is still great, but a pale comparison to what she once was. America was once a sanctuary, a place of many freedoms enjoyed by its citizens. It was a place of high ideals and a moral code that could not be duplicated anywhere on the globe. Not too far in our distant past, there was a sense of pride that could be felt deep down in your gut, just to tread on her soil. Those nations that hated us did so out of envy, because of the loyalty and love of the people who held America high in their hearts. But things have changed in our beloved nation. We have slipped into a downward spiral of moral decay. Once we breathed the sweet smell of compassion and integrity, we smell the putrid smell of moral corrosion.
I think this nation could be compared to the many great societies of the past. The one that comes to mind is the great Roman Empire. Like the United States it was the leader of the free world in its day. It enjoyed much wealth and prosperity. But its moral decline became its own undoing. Geared by their own passion, the people of Rome put pleasure and self above all else. They lived for the moment and forgot about their neighbor. They filled their appetites with sports, sexual improprieties,and feasts. There was no time for principles of decent conduct.
This is the place that our nation is arriving at today. We fill our hearts and minds with pleasures of the here and now and take no time to follow the golden rule. Tragically, we are taught that this is the way things should be. By following this type of logic, we take care of what is ours and neglect provision to our fellow man.
What this philosophy does is to erode the harmony of this nations people. When we focus on our needs only, and to feed our indulgences, we show only concern for ourselves. We remember the speech that President Lincoln gave at Gettysburg, "a house divided against itself cannot stand"
When it comes to things that are of grave importance in this nation, things that require stamina, intelligence, and self control, will we be ready to make the sacrifice? Or will our immorality win the fight.