To what do we owe our present condition? The devolution of democracy into despotism, or socialism, or whatever evil that may manifest from the aforesaid, decidedly transcends the purlieus of the political to provide adequate explanation as to why our present condition is so perilous. I don't feel the need to enumerate these sufferings, nor advocate the abolition, nor the revolution of our government, as mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. I will, however, in my noblest attempt at lucidity, provide one example before I solicit this issue for an answer. Causes are rarely less than multi-faceted in the context of societal discussions. Be that as it may I find this cause is sufficiently explainable without exploring its enigmatic complexities.
We may choose, as it has been the conventional action, to select one person or event upon which to exhaust our collective indignation for the purpose of some generic human amelioration. The full bitterness of our invective has been customarily centered around this object of animosity; and perhaps rightly so as there can be no honest argument against accountability. However, we may easily prove ourselves guilty of being the origin of our quandary. When Barack Obama appeared on the political spectrum, we, and I use the word 'we' loosely in reference to the majority principles of democracy, centered around him our affections and in blinded faith ascribed to him a propensity for the future betterment of our nation, in stark contrast to its then present ailments. In him was the vista to the greater future, and the evanescence of the status quo. This was in the greatest spite of his history, associations, and the collective warnings from those who showed, by his own words, that he did not possess the predilection for our future success as we had always held as the American way. Rather than a proclivity for this, he demonstrated a glaring dereliction. The timeless wisdom of Paine proves itself to be such: a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it the superficial appearance of being right. Time makes more converts than reason. Unfortunately, time is what we got.
This is one example easily related to the grander cause. These causes, as I've said, reach the ambit of politics not only to elucidate, but also to remedy. In order to capably understand and explain them, we must avoid the compartmentalization of the political from the spiritual. I have outlined my philosophy of this essential indivisibility here.
The cause is simple: our hope, even our faith, was put into a man, who looked to be able to right the wrongs of the past, and secure the future blessings for our nation. We found ourselves in need of an absolution, in need of a savior. When we find ourselves in a desperate situation, to whom do we turn? Where is our hope? Where is our trust? Do we trust that the world can fix itself of anything? Obviously we have believed this, and in this mindset we have become far from what we were founded on. Who did our founders hope in? To whom did they appeal? “...Appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence...” Even our money is a daily reminder of this perfect hope: inscribed boldly on every coin is the intentional declaration “In God we trust.” But how often we elevate that money to godhood, relying on its power to fix what we have destroyed in our negligence. How far we have wandered from the paths of God's blessings. I have often wondered why God chose to bless the founding of our nation and why our hopeless war for independence was won. Perhaps it was because these great God-fearing men decided to bless Him, surrendering all of themselves to His ability to rectify their desires in His will that all may freely hear the message of His salvation. Instead of hoping in this world, its manifested evils, and its imperfect reason, we should instead trust the God who has proven Himself time and again. He promises healing to to all: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” But the choice is ours. Choose this day whom you will serve.
