"Take Our Country Back"

[Ben Mokaya]

Hello SI,
This might be a sensitive topic. I need to understand this PHRASE: TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.
We live in a great democracy and one gift the Founders of this nation left us is the freedom of speech that is also enshrined in the constitution.

Primary elections just concluded in IN ( MAY 4th) PA & KY (May 18th).Yet, I heard the soundbite "we want to take our Country Back" use by very carelessly and irresponsibly by politicians and their surrogates.

Sara Palin, has used it more than 6 times, Chuck Norris of Walker Texas Ranger and the President of the National Rifle Association. (can't recall the name-- :) I believe Rand Paul, the new GOP Congressional Candidate from KY also used it and many more........

First: these individuals are referring to what and whom exactly? Who took their Country from them and who are those who do not deserve to have IT?. If they are referring to Barack Obama and the Democrats currenltly in power, is this not radicalism and and a senseless misuse of language and opportunity?

2nd: What is wrong with anyone being in the White House or congress if they won a democtratic election?

3rd: About the economy, how was the economy at Clintons' exit (a democrat) Vs the exit of 2nd Geoarge Bush ( a GOP). Please do a comparison.

4th: Do the people (PAlin, Norris etc--etc--) who use such Phrases represent YOU? What is you personal take?

5th: How can we Practise mature politics without being irresponsiple and unnecessarrily imature?

Let us have a mature discussion. Remember, SI is a family. We agree to disagree.

Good Luck.

Zach.

[Blake Ensign]

Awesome questions Zach. The answers can only be found by engaging the most brilliant and compassionate minds in America as our leaders. And these folks will only be found by when regular Americans take back their interst in the running of our nation. And when we also look to the many nationalities making our great nations for the answers or to other countries in the world who have already solved some of the problems we still have. All the solutions to our problems are available, but they will only be found when individual agendas and egos are replaced by data driven community needs.

Something that I think needs major discussion is the ancient phrase raised in this discussion--"AMERICA as A MELTING POT". This phrase is part of the "Take Back America" problem. While I'm not a chef, I do live with one. And have several other lay chef in my family. A "melting pot" implies things that simmer together blending, taking on one another's flavors, into one meal. AMERICA seems more like A Smörgåsbord (Scandanvian word) or the more popular French term, BUFFET. People can pick and choose the beliefs, business, politics, religions, life styles and life practices, etc. that they want.

[Marita Topmiller]

Good points, Blake. I am third generation American of German origin and married a Jew. In our case,
it's a melting pot. But I love the diversity of our neighborhoods, ethnic foods, different dress, diverse
outlooks and cultures. That obvious community and cultural pride is one thing that makes Chicago such
a fun place to visit. So, your use of the Scandanavian term and French term to describe what we
have here in America seems perfect.

BTW my understanding of Native American origins is their arrival here over 50,000 years ago. So,
I guess in that sense, we are all children of Africa, where science tells us the human race began.
And according to Western and Mideastern spiritual theologies, we are all children of Eden.

[Blake Ensign]

One of the most beautiful lines about humanity can be swiped from the 1991 version of Robin Hood. Morgan Freeman plays Azeem, a Muslim, who reminds an inquisitive little girl that God likes variety and paints everyone a different color. For those who missed it: Azeem: Salaam, little one. Little girl: Did God paint you? Azeem: Did God paint me? For certain. Little girl: Why? Azeem: Because...Allah loves wonderous variety.

As humans try to explain the divine in simple and even boldly push for it to be recognized into discriminating laws, they need to remember this point. What's intersting is that most Native tribes are anthropologically know to accept the various flavors...and research would reveal we're not just talking about paint by numbers.

[Derek Cloar]

We are all diverse in our cultures, but in my personal opinion we are ALL one race....HUMAN!

[Leah Johnson]

I once heard America described more as a tossed salad as opposed to a melting pot. Different cultures come together to make a new whole but are still able to retain their culture, beliefs, etc. I've always like that comparison.

[Blake Ensign]

Leah, that's a very good and healthy description of the nation. As someone not terribly adventurous with salad creation, I just think a buffet offers far more nourishment options.

[Steve Stuck]

And Progressives used it as a slogan for a conference in 2007 called "Take Back America". Political slogan used by all.

[Ben Mokaya]

Take America back from......whom or what exactly..... and take America where...?

[Marita Topmiller]

Rabble Rousers definitely use explosive language to incite people to join their agenda and vote for them and unfortuntaly there are still racists.  ( Birthers should have known the Dems would have vetted Obama.)  But above all, I think the Tea Party and the "Take America Back" advocates are reactionaries to the politics and policies of "Change" that engulfed the last presidential election, especially since the most obvious and reported on change for the average voter since 2008 has been the loss of jobs, homes and capital of so many people.  So, I think it was just a sound bite designed to compete with the 'change' sound bite. 

The majority of voters want better lives, more control over their lives, sound and responsible governance.  Other elections in the past have been full of the same kind of rhetoric.  And remember, the level of greed, expoitation and dishonesty on the part of major banks and Wall Street that brought down our economy made average Americans feel helpless and angry.  (why I am an advocate of regulation)  Anger like electricity seeks the easiest channel. 

Or perhaps they just want to "take the country back" from those who are governing now because they believe they can govern better - that's probably the gist of it. 

[James Spriggs]

Great discussion. I think "Take Back Our Freedom" should be the call to action for every American.

I'm not a well versed debater when it comes to politics and ignorantly voted in the past. I think we as a nation should be focused on eliminating ignorance and hate.  It is my belief that the media and political parties tend to embrace and breed ignorance.

Even at corporate level the saying is heard "treat them like mushrooms - keep them in the dark and feed them sh**"

It is too bad we can't re-educate people using the Internet in subject areas like government and economics so individuals that want to make a difference and contribute can do so from a firm foundation of un-biased knowledge. Couple that with the strength of social media and the wisdom of respected leaders engaging them, you would have an informed force to be reckoned with.

Just a few thoughts...

Peace & blessings,

James Edwin

[Marita Topmiller]

Nice, James Edwin.  Thanks for adding to the discussion.  During a discussion about the budget debate on FB last week, Jim Morgan suggested I check out the Drudge Report for sane, practical info. I check out www.congress.org and Bnet, Mauldin, WSJ, and others.  For last week's discussion,  I also googled 'us federal debt as a percentage of GDP' and found a wealth of info and charts. 

Of course we know stats can be just as confusing and mis-informative as an op ed and are often coaxed and massaged like Anderson CPAs working on Enron books. 

Somewhere in between the devil and the deep blue sea (read the angry mob and the wall flowers) , is the truth about the best way to proceed.  Much easier if all the truth tellers and whistle blowers were at one site.

 

BIG THX to ZACH for restarting this discussion.

1.  the Dems; trying to create opportunities for themselves in a different direction

2.  nothing, that's why we have checks and balances

3.  Clinton left office with a surplus, no war, balanced budget, higher taxes

4.  No, though they sometimes get my attention, people who don't know history and mis-state facts don't represent me, no matter how funny, and/or frustrating they are.

5.  impossible without total, planetary spiritual awakening