America the beautiful is still a proud nation

Once again, I listened earlier this week to the utter frustration of a good man who is wallowing in despair over what he sees as a systemic collapse.

This fellow is no kook. He is, I think, representative of millions of Americans during this campaign cycle. His dismay over what he sees happening in the world of politics has spilled over in ways that tarnish just about everything he holds dear.

Before I list some of his grievances, let me tell you up front that I disagree with him on almost every point. This is, for lack of a better label, an example of the divide between those who believe America has succumbed to the powers of Hades and those who believe that it is still the greatest, strongest, ablest nation on earth.

Here is part of the man's litany of worries about our country:

"What are we going to do? Our country is a joke! Our politicians are corrupt, our economy is a mess, our health care is out of control, we are the laughing stock of the world, our schools are failing, our military is weak and the country is so far in debt that we will have to declare bankruptcy. The only hope we have is in God, because it will take the Almighty to pull us out of this mess."

He said this to a group of men gathered around a table for lunch. One of the participants calmly interjected: "Let's not talk politics."

It's easy to point out weakness. It's far more difficult to offer positive ideas for change. Too many of us have fallen into the trap that ensnares whiners.

Let's look at some of the dismayed man's concerns.

Is our country a joke? We still exert an enormous -- maybe the biggest -- influence on world affairs. Other nations certainly have their share of worries about the economy, politics, health care, education and national debt.

Are our politicians all corrupt? It seems that label has been all too easily applied to anyone with whom we disagree. But here is the plain truth: All officeholders, good or bad, are in office because we put them there. Did we really think, as we marked our ballots, that our choice among candidates was crooked -- but less of a criminal than the others? What a terrible way to participate in an election. And make no mistake; the U.S. system of free elections is the envy of the world.

As for the economy, there has never been a certain path that would guarantee a smooth passage. Economic expansion, which fuels personal wealth, has always experienced highs and lows. But the soundness of the U.S. economy continues to be the bedrock of the world's financial affairs.

If some schools are failing, particularly those in inner cities, it is not an indicator of a failed education system. Rather, it is a complex stew of taxation, accountability and parental expectations. U.S. schools still churn out elite students who fill our universities and search for cures to the deadliest diseases.

Our military is equipped with some of the most sophisticated tools ever, allowing key military objectives to be met with a minimum of human casualties. Our enemies know our strength.

Our nation's health-care system is a glaring reflection of supply and demand. As long as outrageous increases in health-care costs are absorbed by the ability of patients and insurance systems to pay, they will continue to escalate. At some point, the payments will reach their limit. So will the outlandish rise in costs.

The national debt is a consequence of spending for all the things Americans say they want. If we really want to reduce the debt, we must face the hard facts about what we can have and about taxation.

And now we come to the fallback position of so many who despair over our nation: In God we trust.

That's what it says on every bit of U.S. currency. But what do we expect God to do? Really?

So many of our religious institutions have become mere cultural organizations that bend to the whims of social currents rather than provide a moral anchor. Too many of today's religious debates are framed in pop jargon.

If God is part of the equation in this discussion, it is because we humans -- not just Americans -- possess an innate dependence on an ultimate being. Hence, we look for divine strength in times of confusion and despair.

It would be wrong to think God has an abiding interest in who wins elections. Or who serves on the Supreme Court. Any divine interest is in our souls. If we adhere to any religious or moral standard at all, it can only be hoped that it reinforces our desire to do what is best for others as well as ourselves, and that this momentum will guide us to help those among us who least can help themselves.

This said, America is a great nation, one that instills patriotic pride and one that continues to lead by example as a system that recognizes the worth of every individual.

That's a mighty fine nation in my book. I am proud to be an American.

Joe Sullivan is the retired editor of the Southeast Missourian.