Hard not to be pessimistic, but...?

It is certainly difficult not to be pessimistic, as the supposed political leadership of the country bandies about statements about the present and looming fiscal problems; foreign powers seek nuclear weapons and long range delivery systems; the EU is in shambles; the middle east continues to fester and threatens to erupt; American liberals want to use regulations to by-pass the legislative process; free speech is denied on college campuses; and hyperbole reigns supreme on the cable news programs.

Damn!  What happened to hard work in pursuit of what is good for the nation?  What happened to sacrifice for the good of others?  What happened to temperance and humility?  What happened to principal based on values, rather than political survival?

Hard not to be pessimistic.

But, it is also not a time to give up.  Too many people give up, on matters large and small.  I'm aware of a youngster who wanted to be a U. S. Marine, but when the time came to put it out there, he gave up.  Though angering me, it was better that he gave up, here in the states, prior to being a battlefield somewhere and giving up on Marines, causing them harm.  I also see politicians giving up, surrendering values in favor of political survival.  All the while taking the reputation of the political bodies down a notch. 

There must be men and women of character somewhere.  Men and women of courage, willing not to give up and take the easy, politically convenient path.  Men and women with the backbone to stand up for what is truly right, not the manufactured definitions spewed by the political machines, unions, extremist cable programs, etc. that are only interested in their retention of power.

There must be men and women of the moral fiber necessary to stand up to the arrogance of power exhibited by others.  To stand up to them, with facts and right in hand, to defeat those who play with the welfare of the nation.

Not men and women who claim we must pass a 2,000+ plus page bill so it can then be read; not men and women who refuse to put forth a budget for a simple up or down vote; not men and women who send sexually suggestive texts to one another; not men and women who claim diplomatic protection as "honorary counsel;" not men and women who knowingly misrepresent information to the nation; not men and women who avoid responsibility and act disreputably; not men and women who lie, cheat, steal, and otherwise act abysmally with the arrogance of those in power.

I am convinced there are men and women who can lead this nation out of the politically garbage pit that most of our currently elected officials have created and are wallowing within.  With the stakes extraordinarily high, these men and women will come forth. 

Just as on the battlefield, when the situation is at its worst, the best people come forward.

So while it is hard not to be pessimistic, I remain hopeful that there are men and women who will not give up, will find their backbone, and take on and defeat the challenges before us.