Vote but don’t ask what your country can do for you

On Jan. 20, 1961, newly elected U.S. President John F. Kennedy said in his inauguration speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

I am distressed this philosophy has made a complete 180-degree turn.

I follow politics fair closely, but I follow life and what is important much more closely.

What I have discovered during my lifetime is most politicians and people are interested in what is best for them, not the majority. This year’s political mud fight has made this clear: Who really cares about the good of the many?

If you are on the right politically, the left thinks you are an idiot and only have your interests at heart. If you are left politically, the right thinks you are an idiot and care only for what you desire. I have voted for Democrats and Republicans over the years because I don’t feel either side has a corner on intelligence. I have chosen to look at what is best for our country and not be a single-issue voter with emotion and bias determining my vote. What is best for our country is best for me.

It is very sad the most powerful, generous and wealthy nation on earth appears to be heading toward financial ruin. Power, generosity and wealth may become things relegated to the history books. Any time there is a disaster anywhere in the world, who is the first to respond? Which country is the most charitable in the world? Which country has the most wealth in terms of resources — human and otherwise? It is the United States.

Who jumps to help us when we are in need?

No one.

With the upcoming presidential election just around the corner, there appears to be stark differences in the candidate and their platforms.

Regardless of your beliefs, and I am not telling you for whom to vote, I do have some points, I would like you to consider.

There are terrorists around the world, and at home, that would like to do us harm. Why is this?

There are probably a million reasons, but one that I feel is valid is the freedom we all enjoy and the luxuries we possess.

The rest of the world sees us as decadent.

Well, it is what it is. If others are not able to accept who or what we are, we should not apologize.

During the past four years, we have become a debtor nation at levels never seen before. China owns us.

Check out what is happening in Greece, Portugal, Spain and France. Are we naïve to believe we are too big and successful to fail?

I would wager the Greeks felt the “Cradle of Western Civilization” could never fail.

When half of our people pay no taxes, we have a problem. If this trend continues, our country will bankrupt.

Many are on well-deserved and earned social security. However, there are many who want to work to get off the public dole.

Jobs are the only answer to this problem — not higher taxes for the rich. (By the way, this is not a biased opinion since I am not rich.) Until this problem is reversed, Greece gets closer and closer. Higher taxes in Greece and an exorbitant welfare state are leading to violence in the streets. More people working would solve this problem.

Why we do not tap into the vast energy resources within our own borders is beyond me. The price of energy is the most influential factor affecting our way of life — the number of jobs we don’t have and the amount of tax dollars we aren’t collecting. Energy is the “lubricant” necessary for our economic engine. The lower the cost of energy, the more discretionary income we have, the better it is for economic growth, investment and jobs to enhance tax revenue while decreasing government assistance.

Maybe lower prices at the pump and at the store aren’t important. I don’t know, maybe I’m ill-informed, but I don’t think John Kennedy would be happy with our politicians, those who engage in class warfare (show me a poor person who has ever hired employees and taken personal financial risk), and those more concerned about themselves than others.

Remember, Kennedy did not say, “Ask not what you can do for your country; ask what your country can do for you.” His inaugural address is timeless and should not be forgotten today, or ever.

I know there is no simple fix, but providing jobs and lowering the price of energy are vital to our survival. Spending must get under control or our standing as the best the world has to offer will go by the wayside. Our very survival is at stake.

Vote for whomever you believe will improve our country and our way of life.

Look at the big picture.

I will.

Opinions and/or story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com or wgranlund@centurytel.net.

Tags: opinion