My fellow Americans

By Emily Hendricks

There's a movie called "My Fellow Americans" that I highly recommend to anyone who'll listen to me. Starring James Garner and the late Jack Lemmon, it follows the story of two former (fictional) presidents as they try to save the White House and American citizens from some corrupt government officials. The jokes and the humor are what make the movie; the world of politics is very amusing in this film. It's light-hearted yet carries a message. Why can't real politics be like that?

There are so many problems, so many platforms, so many things the government is involved in. The two ex-presidents were bitter rivals in the beginning but friends in the end. Even though they made it clear they were trying to stop the corrupt people so that they themselves could lead, they were able to put their differences aside to save a nation.

I believe that our politicians need to put aside their bitter rivalries and try to save our nation. I'm not saying the United States is going to hell in a handbasket ... not by any means. However, a few days after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, my civics teacher said that yes, we're a powerful nation, but we're still a young one. The teacher's point was that our country could fall easier than we think.

This is not a column for me to rant on about my own political views -- there isn't enough space, for one thing. This isn't a column to bash the government. I'm not trying to do that. But I will say that I believe that our country should be run like it was run in the movie. In the film, there is justice. The corrupt officials were sent to prison, where they belong. That's not what happens in real life -- a corrupt government official, from what I've read in the news, is an everyday occurrence.

I know that real life isn't as easy as it is in the movies, but the question is, why not?

Emily Hendricks is a student at Central High School.