I was just wondering, do you think that this country, of ours, is too far-gone to be saved? I find myself thinking that sometimes. I know it doesn't sound like me. I'm a big patriot, always have been. Not only because of what my mother and father's families had to do to get us to America, but also because of what this great country has given to me and my family.
I am proud to be an American but I am also so grateful to my country. So it worries me when we can't have an honest, civil discussion about something that affects us all. I thought that if we got a smart, hard working, honest president, who could identify with the problems faced by ordinary Americans, who would talk to us like adults and try to bring us together, the animus would diminish. We would, after electing this president, know that his intentions were good and even if we disagreed with any of the policies he was pushing, we could at least be civil. Listen to some of the language we are hearing from the president's opponents. The fact that I call them opponents, alone says something. They call him a liar. The president is a liar! They say he is trying to change the country, as we know it. What bull duty.
A fairer America would be a change, but I think, a change for the better. I thought we were all Americans. We don't question the intentions of our leaders because we know they want the best for us, and that we are all in this together. But we are now living in a weird world. For you comic book readers, a sort of bizzaro dimension. Where Sarah Palin, ex-governor of Alaska, because she can draw a crowd and raise campaign contributions, the right excuses her obvious short comings and tells us how great she is and how viciously she's been attacked in the press. As far as her treatment in the press, you reap what you sow comes to mind. She quits, and they tell us it's because she's a hard worker and fighter. What? When she can put two words together and make a bit more sense, I promise to take another listen.
The president invited the cop and the professor over for a beer, to try to work out their incident. I heard one of the shmoes, I think Scarborough, saying it was bogus and so staged. Why the cynicism? My friend always says that an evil thinker is an evildoer. Maybe so, that's why I choose to wait and see what happens before I condemn.
It seems to me that it's not the policies or anything the president wants to do. It is the fact that if president Obama were successful, that, and the simple demographics of the country today, would doom the Republican Party to minority status or worse. They won't even repudiate the wing nuts that say the president wasn't born here. Talk about desperation. Unfortunately, it is at the expense of the country. Then there are the groups that are so worried about their guns or a gay couple marrying. Single-issue people. I am not denigrating anybody's cause but one thing should not trump anything and everything else. I did a show once where the priest in the confessional told me to, "lighten up", that might be good for all of us.
On a good note, in spite of the budget debacle, California was able, voluntarily, to cut about 26 percent of our water use. We can get things done for the good of us all when we get together and not let the scare tactics of either side make us fearful of trying to make things better. The status quo is very strong. Wait until the avalanche of anti-healthcare reform adds hit our TV's. That is one of the reasons there was a rush to get it done before the congressional recess. Now the insurance companies, big pharma and every other agent of not changing anything will be throwing money around like water, so to speak. They don't spend money for nothing. The numbers they spend to influence policy are extraordinary. Imagine what they make by keeping things the same.
I will be adding some other things that have me worried in future blogs. Some are environmental, some geo-political, some local, petty and grand. For instance, we are not the only ones who are changing. China and India and other the developing countries are coming.
So to answer my question, we will see.
T
Interesting question. On September 21st, 2007 I was pondering a similar question. I wanted to know if American could help other Americans, would they? I put America to the test by launching www.wishuponahero.com. People were now empowered to help each other. In less than 2 years Americans granted more than 38,000 wishes. Including wishes as significant as donating a kidney. So to answer your question, "CAN AMERICA BE SAVED?" The answer is YES and it is happening every day. Check it out and make a difference.
Tony:
You are a good person,a good citizen who gives
a damn about this country.Thats what a REAL
patriot is-its not about whether you are on
this side or that side-its about giving of
your time and talents to larger issues,just
because it is right.
Keep talikng!!!!!
-Steve in Aurora,CO
Thanks Tony for the great info! We do need to give the President some slack because he is trying and everywhere I turn people are badmouthing him and saying he is trying to ruin our country and control us all. I think that is bull and you are right about Sarah, because she did quit and could not handle the name calling. I am glad California helped handle the water usuage now I believe the country, no the world would be 100% better if each of us did just one thing for our environment...think about it, just one thing we could do different and with billions of us on Earth could change for the better. We need to stop fighting, killing and whining and do that one thing whatever it is that you want to do for our planet...we would probably get rid a lot of diseases like Aids, Alzheimer's disease and many others. Could we just imagine that instead of fighting and killing. Thanks Tony for letting me think what a difference we all could make for changing one thing at a time! Can't wait to see you teaching...you will make a magnificent teacher! Love Al;ways, Crystal
TBone:
As usual, you are pure money - tax-free and highly fungible. Your blog posting immediately reminds us of the designated hitter rule. Whether your league invokes it or not, you need to suit up and play the game, bitch. And when it's over, sit down with your opponent and drink several beers...even if you are a vegetarian!
-TBone Clone
dear mr danza, i apologize if you dont like to be called "mr" but im 22 yrs old and was brought up to refer to anyone significantly older than myself as "mr", "mrs", or "ms".
my entire life i have heard from my mother, my teachers and my professors that my age group is "the future of america" and that we are supposed to be the generation that will begin the cycle to change things in this country for upcoming generations. i dont know exactly what this is supposed to mean but it seems to me that if my generation is supposedly the generation of change, then shouldnt we have positive role models to teach us, mentor us if you will, and to lead us in the right direction? we are a generation of kids...yes kids because when you consider all the americans who are now living well into their 100's thats exactly what we are...who are now college graduates faced with huge student loans to pay off and wondering if our education has been enough to pull us through a better way of life. i, personally, have looked to our president for hope, and i get through each day with that hope. but when something like this racial issue comes into play, i begin to doubt the trust i have placed in our country's leader. and with the way this meeting at the white house today is supposed to be publicized, i cant help but wonder the sincerity behind it all. is it all political with obama trying to score points? i dont know. and older americans are so divided on this one issue that its really hard for us younger americans to form our own ideas. pretty much we follow the ideas and thinking of our parents, and other adults close to us. so let me ask you this. if this is the kind of thinking that we are following, then how are we supposed to be the generation that changes things when we are just continuing the same thoughts from one generation to the next?
i honestly dont know if america can be saved. there are just so many issues that appear to be dragging us down into a deeper abyss. and while most of the adults in my life tell me that im a part of the generation of change, i still get the occasional idiot who tells me that im just a kid and that i have my entire life ahead of me to worry about my "world". truth is, my generation does worry about our futures. we just never say anything to all you older adults because we know that you are worried enough. truth be told, we dont KNOW how we are supposed to change things when adults themselves dont know the answers! and its a pretty scary world for us when you know that people are relying on you to put into motion the change for upcoming generations.
i do log in to your site just to watch your videos because i love your conversations on political issues. i know that there are chatters that get tired of it but im a young man thirsting for knowledge, and looking for something that will help me to understand the mess this country is in, and guidance as to how me and my generation can begin to change things. i listen closely to what you say, and i try to understand and remember and learn. i live in malibu and i see you around and you dont know how many times ive wanted to walk up to you and ask you to sit and talk with me about what you say on your videos. but im usually with my buds who just want to get to the beach for some surfing. yes i live for surfing but im also scared as hell about what is happening to this country and i need an adult like yourself to just talk to. my mother is clueless. my former teachers and professors tell me im smart enough to figure things out on my own, and my boss does not discuss anything political. my buds parents are all so divided on the issues facing this country that i cant sort anything out in my head. at least you appear to be honest in what you say, and in your thinking. and i find its what i need.
i am a 22 yr old who is just so confused and scared and i just dont know what direction to turn. should i follow my mother and remain clueless? should i follow teachers and professors advice and figure it out for myself? or should i just do nothing and trust that your generation has all the answers and follow in your footsteps? so many varying opinions and no one to help me sort through it all. anyway i just wanted to let you know that i do listen to you, and i really do try to understand. maybe next time i see you around malibu, i will ask you to sit and talk with me. shaun metzger, jr.