Our
Republic
By Tammy
Derouin
I was
blessed to be a student during the 1980’s. My junior and senior high
school days took place under the watch of the Reagan administration. I
remember hearing how patriotism was reborn under Reagan. The country was
still healing from Vietnam and Reagan helped to mend some of those
wounds. The country was also recovering from the Iranian Hostage Crisis
and an oil crisis. The Cold War continued but its days were numbered. We were in need of a strong leader.
Getting
our country back on track has been a reoccurring theme for far too many
years. Although there will never be another Reagan, there is renewed hope
that steps will be made to turn us back in the right direction. The United
States is a Republic. We took a wrong
turn and allowed our country to travel down a path of self-destruction. Our Republic began to fade as the tyranny of
a dictator began to emerge.
A
generation watched as hate and hypocrisy took center stage. This was the
new role model for young, impressionable Americans. Entitlements were pushed
as rights. Theories became truths. Our history and traditions began to fade and
were even re-written. Love of country
turned to hate and disrespect for our symbols of freedom was encouraged,
especially among the young people. Our
Constitution never seemed to have a moment’s peace as a continuous assault on
our rights and freedoms became a prime objective of this administration.
Of course,
years of cuddling didn’t help prepare this generation for the reality of the
real world. Trophies and ribbons, which were not deserved, were handed out like
candy. They were falsely told that everyone is a winner. Failure
was too harsh. Bubble wrap replaced the much-needed reality check that
bruises and Band Aids have to offer. The Left continues to prove that
they have shaped and molded a generation of weaklings.
As I
continue to watch the post-election, childish behavior of our young Americans,
I fear for our country. My very first thought, upon seeing such
toddler-like tantrums, was what if we were invaded or there was a sudden need
to take up arms and defend ourselves against, oh, I don’t know, maybe the enemy
which has illegally entered our country under this administration. What
if there was a crisis? How does this generation react? Play-Doh and
coloring books will not keep us safe.
My
next thought was, oh no, they’re going to run to a campus safe spot!
Well, much like those imaginary borders that they have tried to erase around
our country, the enemy does not recognize safe zones. If anything, they
will seek them out in an attempt to get more kills and casualties. I
wonder just how important border security will become if there ever is a crisis.
I also wonder just how important the Second Amendment will become when or if
the lack of security of the outgoing administration becomes an issue.
Life
Magazine has captured many great moments in time. It has captured our joy and our sorrow. There have been so many moving photographs
which have captured the strengths and accomplishments of our nation. Think about those pictures which show our
servicemen. They fought and defended us
against evil. They sacrificed their
personal lives to keep the rest of us free.
Those that returned in a flag draped coffin gave the ultimate sacrifice
for our freedom. What photographs will capture this generation? Will the cry-ins and self-soothing techniques
from the inability to accept the outcome of an election win the photo of the
year award?
In all
honesty, my heart goes out to this younger generation. They were not
taught the importance of our history. They have become cynical with some
skewed idea that America is evil. They truly missed out on an education.
Knowing your history, your rights and freedoms allows you to be independent. So, I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that
the Left distances itself from the Constitution. If they encouraged people to read and
understand it, their ability to control would come to a sudden end.
“They
define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men.”
John
Adams
