LETTER: America’s dream fades with Obama

To the Telegram:

This year’s election is one of consequence. It is not about Barack Obama’s future. It is about our future. It is about what we want America to be.

My Dad was ahead of his time in telling his daughter to “be an engine not a caboose”. He taught us that we could be anything we wanted to be and to strive for excellence. America was the place of opportunity and limitless horizons. I grew up with the idea that one’s status in birth was not a permanent condition and that self-esteem comes from achievement rather than from false praise.

I feel that this idea of opportunity, hard work and excellence is not the America my grandchildren are growing up in. Rather than inheriting hopes and dreams, they are inheriting our debt. Rather than being challenged to achieve, politicians are telling them that they are worse off because someone else is better off. And rather than applaud success, they are encouraged to be envious of other’s success.

The mantra seems to be: “It’s not fair.” We have become a nation of grievance and entitlement.

In his acceptance speech in 2008, President Obama stated he wanted to fundamentally change America. I do not approve of this slant toward divisiveness, jealousy and despair. As Americans, we need to remember our God-given uniqueness. We need to unite and celebrate our exceptionalism. We need to promote opportunity, hard work and individual responsibility.

I want a president who supports and is an example of the American ideal rather than one who wants to fundamentally change it.

Sandy Johnson,

Lake Nebagamon

Tags: opinion, letters