What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing America Today?
First of all, let me say thank you to everyone who comes to this blog and reads it regularly. I am sorry that my posts have not been as frequent, but with a full time job, and the holidays this month, free time has been a scarce commodity. That being said, like everyone, I do the best I can.
Last week, I heard a statistic, that this year America is facing the largest deficit in the entire history of our nation. We have over extended ourselves in Iraq, both monetarily and from the point of view of loss of lives, and the devastation from Katrina continues to plague this country each and every day. When we couple these issues with the rising gas prices, the dependence on oil from other countries, and now the theat of nuclear weapons being developed by Iran and North Korea, we are indeed in difficult times. Of course, there is the Foley scandal, which seems, at least to me, to be minor by comparison, but I believe it speaks to a general conclusion that exists in this country: America has a failure of leadership. Of course, this is just my opinion, but when I look at where we have gone, the fact that we continue to fight a war that is not really ours, and have a Secretary of Defense, Mr. Rumsfeld, who refuses to budge, this conclusion, at least from where I sit is indeed a reality.
Here is the question of the day: What do you think are the biggest challenges that face America today? How can we improve ourselves, as a nation, and our image to the world at large?
Thank you for your minds.
Last week, I heard a statistic, that this year America is facing the largest deficit in the entire history of our nation. We have over extended ourselves in Iraq, both monetarily and from the point of view of loss of lives, and the devastation from Katrina continues to plague this country each and every day. When we couple these issues with the rising gas prices, the dependence on oil from other countries, and now the theat of nuclear weapons being developed by Iran and North Korea, we are indeed in difficult times. Of course, there is the Foley scandal, which seems, at least to me, to be minor by comparison, but I believe it speaks to a general conclusion that exists in this country: America has a failure of leadership. Of course, this is just my opinion, but when I look at where we have gone, the fact that we continue to fight a war that is not really ours, and have a Secretary of Defense, Mr. Rumsfeld, who refuses to budge, this conclusion, at least from where I sit is indeed a reality.
Here is the question of the day: What do you think are the biggest challenges that face America today? How can we improve ourselves, as a nation, and our image to the world at large?
Thank you for your minds.
23 Comments:
I think we need to address ecological concerns immediately. We won't be around to do anything else if we don't change our ways. I think a better public transportation system is key. Also, I believe that violence against women (sexual, physical) must be addressed instead of always being shoved to the bottom of the list.
Rhea
The Boomer Chronicles
Tab's comment did not post:
It is as follows:
From where I am sitting in Canada..
the challenges are greatly encouraged by your leader.
President Bush went to war in Iraq while many other global threats have now become even greater threats.I am confused of his priorities..money or security?
Then there are the issues at the heart of America.Poverty,Health care,etc.Has much improved lately?
President Bush does not seem too concerned with global warming and other important environmental issues.But many Americans do!
America is still a beautiful country and I am proud to be married to an American.
Maybe the best way to improve yourself as a nation is for each citizen to fight for what they believe in...stand up and share.
The world needs to see not all Americans support President Bush.
And do not let any one make you live in fear..
politically or otherwise ~
This is just my opinion...nothing more.I appreciate all views..
(well..pretty much)
Barbara, One thing that you didn't mention is the drain of the illegal's coming in from Mexico. I read and article the other day about the flood of pregeant women streaming in to the border towns to have their babies in America and not pay a penny. We have poor legal Americans who are paying but the illegals get their deliveries free. There are also stories of children coming across the border in the morning, going to school, and then going back across the border to go home. They come get their free education, that the American tax payer is funding. I know that the things that you mentioned are important, but something has to be done to put a stop to the illegals just walking into our country.
Our biggest challenge is to survive the next two years until the administration changes and hopefully takes us as a country in a better direction. I believe Bush will go down in history as one of the worst presidents ever elected.
Hi there.
I want to expand your question to include Canada as well because I think both countries suffer from the same disease..........and consequently face the same challenges......
Apathy.
the good news it that the republicans are fading away fast i cant wait for election day some polls now show a 2 to 1 lead for democrats
The environment, the issue of illegal immigrants, not just those from Mexico, but those from Asia, Europe and South America are clearly important ones facing our country today as well.
I read that the Repbulcians are facing a difficult race this November. Many Americans are not happy about how our country has been run, and it may be the case, that Bush will indeed go down in history as the worst President. Sadly, he is the President who took American down with him as well.
While on the tread mill, I just heard that CNN reports, that since the U.S. has invaded Iraq more than 3 1/2 years ago, there have been approximately 650,000 civilian deaths.
Couple this with all the American deaths and injuries.
Truly tragic.
All very good points from your readers.
Perhaps we could add voter apathy and lack of voter education. As a collective group, we could have removed Bush and the Republican government a couple of years ago.
For that matter, maybe Bush shouldn't have been President at all. It's hard to believe, but the issue of hanging chads seems soooooo long ago....another place and time.
I don't know why, but this morning I am feeling so much older.
WW
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi, Barbara.. i have been quite busy as of late with school, moving and just life in general... My comment on this subject is that
America needs to take care of America first.. The Government spends a great deal of time nosing around in everyone else's business, but we have poverty, crime and issues here that need to be resolved. The unemployment rate has not changed. Crime is increasing in some neighborhoods but yet we send aid to feed poor people in other countries and ignore our own.. Our country is doomed to fall from the inside out. Because there is still no Unity between the races and the Government simply doesn't give a dam. And for those who are still thinking it is about race... It is not.. It is all about class and money... One final note.. Our president has failed us miserably...
Like it is in England here, immigration is a huge problem, with so many people coming over and claiming benefit, while not intending to work.
Barbara,
The baby, Julian, was born on September 6th. He was 7lbs, 6oz, and is absolutely beautiful. You can see pictures of him at http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/Gletti/
PC,
Julian is beautiful. May be grow up to be healthy.
What do you think are the biggest challenges that face America today? As a nation, finding a new spirituality.
Over at the History News Network they have a chart that they offer that lists the number of Americans killed in the various wars. clcik here.
Look at how many died in the Civil War, almost 1 million Americans. I have to believe that was a more dire time than now.
When I read about WW II it also seems to me to have been a far scarier time.
We went from the Great Depression into a crazy period of time in which virtually every nation was involved in war. We lost more than 400,000 people, but the world lost tens of millions.
I am not minimizing the loss of life now, but I think that we have to place it in context and it is hard for me to say that now is worse than some of the past moments in history.
I agree that there is a problem with leadership. I see very few leaders. I don't like the Democrats and I don't like the Republicans.
I am tired of the mudslinging and the idiotic commentary by both sides.
I am tired of people trying to claim that Bush stole the election.
And I am tired of people using liberal as a perjorative.
But most of all I am tired of the people who moan but refuse to do anything to help.
It really isn't that hard to make a difference. Work locally. Help clean the beach, tutor children, do things to improve your neighborhood.
Excuse me, I have to get down from my soapbox.
I agree that spirituality is lacking in our nation.
Jack, yes, it is definitely better to be a part of the solution rather than the problem. That being said, when a majority of our leaders in Congress participate in chronisism, on both sides, it is difficult to effectuate change, at least in that venue. Of course, individual action is better, if it can be effectuated, and far outweighs making claims alone.
One thing I have to say as an ex-pat american living in the UK is that I hope the war in Iraq does not in anyway dampen the paqtriotism that has always been the hallmark of the USA I love.
Here in suburbia, you don't know you're in England because the british flags only fly when there's a soccer game.
In conclusion, I think the biggest challenge facing the US today is keeping its proverbial chin up and its moral high.
That’s a tough question Barbara, because I find myself asking it every day, but coming back with a laundry list of issues instead of a few key points.
If I had to try and pin it down to a simple concept, I think it would be our sense of identity: I think that Americans face a perpetual sort of identity crisis. Sure, we are a nation of people from many cultures, backgrounds, and demographics, but when I say identity I mean as much our sense of place in the global world as our sense of self in how we relate to one another as Americans.
Sure, America has her share of faults, and she also has her share of strengths. I think that with the path America has taken, it is easy for many of us to go into a self-deprecating mode.
While I would have to agree that America could stand some MAJOR improvement on the homefront and abroad, I fear that the constant and growing self-loathing and disgust with the current administration continue to cloud our view of how things COULD be if we as a people made better choices and made positive changes to BE the identity to which we aspire as a people.
What’s our biggest challenge? Perhaps it’s remembering what the original, idealistic premise of America was: to live and let live... the freedom to pursue our own individual happiness. When we interfere with the free will of others, at home and abroad, we ultimately imprison ourselves.
The biggest challenge is the most immediate one. So it isn't the environment. No one is immediately dying from Ozone Layer Depletion.
Our immediate concerns: Ditto to what Lucy Stern wrote. Poverty and health care are also a problem, in part due to the illegal alien situation that Lucy spoke of. They are taking our social security and our free medical care and our taxes rise to cover what they're getting for free.
The war, of course, is another concern. It's robbing us of our future by robbing us of our sons and daughters, with no real visible ground gained. It's time to get out.
Terrorism should be of utmost importance. That means, no more playing World Policeman. It's time to police our own borders, build that fence, and toughen up our stance on illegal immigrants.
Intelligent, educated Americans are working low end jobs because the high end jobs are sent overseas. All that's left for many of them is either clerking at the local 7-11 or accepting unemployment checks until the time runs out.
Any country with nuclear weapons (or a strong proof of the beginnings of a nuclear weapons program) ...such as Korea and Iran... needs to be dealt with harshly and swiftly.
We have lost our national identity, and with it... our sense of national pride. Until we find ourselves again, and are proud of who and what we are, we can never be effective. We are currently too busy apologizing for being so successful, and trying to suck up to other countries. It's time to stand up, act like real humans again instead of sniveling, fawning cowards, and get the job done. The problem is, no one can seem to agree what that job is.
Hi Barb -- checking in after a loooooong absence. So glad to see that you are continuing the dialogue and compelling conversation. Hope this post finds you well.
Without your prompt, I would have easily said the deficit. Every penny spent on debt lessens the money we have to spend here at home. On top of that, many nations (i.e. China) buy our debt instruments which allow us to spend more than we have. If they stop buying, we'll have a major problem.
Second, immigration. We need to get it under control.
Third, terrorism. We still don't have everything fixed. Why, for goodness sake, were small planes allowed to travel up and down the East River adjacent to Manhattan with no approval? Does that sound sane to anyone?
There's more, but those are my top three.
Our biggest challenge?
Walking the Talk.
We make noises about ethics, rights and morality and then proceed to show our own hyprocisy. How can we expect to pointan accusing finger at Pyongyang and Beijing while we are contemplating gutting the Bill of Rights?
This worries more than anything
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home