Changing America?

Question

Do you think that the reason America is unable to solve any of its greatest problems today is because of the lack of citizen participation? Did those of us who are in our 20's,30's and 40's grew up with to much of a "silver spoon" so that we are unable or unwilling to stand up to our govt. on issues that acctually matter(the war, health care, enviroment, employment).... We missed out on the greatest debates and changes in our countries recent history ie. civil rights, womens lib, vietnam.. because we were either children or unborn.... so has the lack of confrontation with our govt through out our lives left us stagnent in the way we deal with it? thoughts?

1. I never called us "lazy" and
2. being compared to a terrorist it quite amusing and showing how ignorant half this country really is.

As for to much participation from citizens and saying we should stay out of politics..... Where exactly do you think politicians come from... so secret farm where they are grown... The American public is the future of politics.... stay out of it indeed, please heed your own advice.

typing a synonym for change in the answer box is not a real answer, lol.

Answer 1

I think that we face some of the greatest lack of participation by the citizens of this country from any era. Also I think that our citizens are unaware of most of the policical dealings with other nations. I think that this generation is the most inactive & unaware of all the others.

I'm very glad you brought this to peoples attention. Alot of people don't see what is happening to the country.

I think that because we are so unaware of what our "leaders" are doing that because of that we are killing our own country. Because we aren't aware enough we are defeating our own efforts to fix the problem.

Answer 2

As a 62 year old man, I do not think that there is anything wrong with the younger adults. There is more problems that these generations have to deal with than I did at the same age. But I do think that my generation was born around World War II. The shock on the world required people to take a breath. Then came some of the issues that we "solved"??? I don't think that they have been solved. Maybe reduced in volume but Iraq is very similar to Vietnam. (A civil war that can not be resolved by someone else) The race issue is still there as apparent with Imus, rap, and immigration issues.
What I do think has happened is that we have had government leaders that do not want help. They don't want to identify issues and solve them. They want the status quo. They want to let the good old boys run behind the scene. Making all of the pockets full.
There is a new election coming (Someday). The youth need to get behind the candidates that handle their issues. There are enough of you to make a difference no matter which side you are on.

Answer 3

I think you have it partially right. I am 58 and ti me the younger generation are amazing. I own a small business and have had new hires tell me "I am here to get a paycheck not work. I am not going to do that." The Boy Scouts had 15 troops in my home town now we have 2 because it is not cool to be a Scout. Civil Air Patrol was also a great organization for youth now they want nothing to do wit it. The youth groups from several churches held a city pride to clean up the parks and invited every school group to participate. No one from the school groups showed up and the freshly painted bathrooms were vandalized that night. The kids were caught in the act and did not even have to repaint the buildings, so part of the blame goes to the adults running things. If you want to change America then your generation will have to accept responsibilities, get involved, not let those who define what's cool put you off.

Answer 4

Don't be so hard on yourselves.

The rest of the world isn't having much luck solving today's problems either.

The ancient chinese had a saying, "May you live in interesting times,"

This was considered a curse.

WE live in "interesting times" now. The solutions are not readily evident, but we are slowly making progress. The net number of wars is at its lowest point in history, economic prosperity is spreading across the globe (slowly, but progress is being made), we are eradicating some diseases and reducing others and we are gradually getting a handle on the environment issues.

You say you missed out on the greatest debates - Religious domination of America and the environment issues are the greatest tests of this age. What are you doing to participate?

Answer 5

Asalaamulikum
(peace be with you)

very good questions and points. I do see what you are saying.
I believe if people actually start learning, doing more research and question why and not to become obsessed with why, but Also finding answers with clear cut proofs with backing. America is losing it what it was based on and only adding to it's problem by having divisions thought: racism, nationalism, political, etc. I believe this country like others is to be like the rest of the other countries, because it is going down tha same path. I believe that only unity not divisions is the real key to keep world ok. There are many philosophies that people are looking back at and are trying to create more miscues and chaos, but that doesn't mean we should give up. And not just for American does peace belong to alone no, it belongs to everyone and everywhere.

Salaamulikum
(peace be with you)

Answer 6

You have said nothing that has not been said about every generation before you. Even the much ballyhooed "Greatest Generation" fought like the devil to stay out of the WW2. And had the Japanese not attached Pearl Harbor we would have let the Nazi's do as they damn well pleased in Europe. Even after the attach the US Gov still had to institute the draft to keep the warm bodies coming. You sound like Osama Bin Laden when you accuse the younger generation of being lazy and self centered (he has said that himself) . But the Japanese said that America was nothing but a bunch of overfed playboys that didn't have the will to fight. I guess Hiroshima proved them wrong. Folk in this country can kill just as good as the previous generations. The great problems sometimes don't have a solution. Besides ...what are the "greatest problems"?

Answer 7

Americans, including the "gift citizenship illegal aliens" ones are taking this country for granted. Do you know about the statement that President John F. Kennedy said? "Ask not what your country can do for you, but for what you can do for your country". Those people are taking for granted freedom and asking for rights and privileges without taking into consideration the inherent responsibilities of such freedoms such as enlisting in our armed forces or supporting border control. This mindset that American is taking will only result in an alienated and divided population that will end up as a third world country.

Answer 8

keep the govt out of healthcare, envirement and war for that matter and we d be all better off. as for the war statement, generals w/ boots on the ground should run the war, not a congressman in washington. healthcare----1 word---VA hospital. is that how you want to get better? envirement.lol again, a congressman doesnt know jacksh t about the ecosystem. passing laws such as barring DDT around the world has caused millions of deaths + its adding everyday.milaria can be wiped out in 6 mos but they just wont let it happen bc racheal carson said birdie eggs get too thin if DDT is used. GGGEEEEAAAASSSSHHHH!!!

Answer 9

One of the problems with the younger generation like yourself is, that there's some value placed on "changing America".
In other words, you've been taught quite a bit of revisionist history about the 60's, and you think that it's neat that they protested and supposedly changed things.

All the things you say need changing, in fact are in the best condition they've ever been in, anywhere on earth, in all of history.

In spite of the socialist rhetoric, we have free health care for the poor. unemployment right now is at the lowest in the history of the country, the economy is incredible (I grew up in the 60's, believe me, the economy is much better now), and the environment is just fine, in spite of all the global warming hysteria.

Almost everyone in this country has nutritious food, a roof over their heads, clothing, indoor plumbing with CLEAN water (not to mention cell phones, internet, cable TV, etc.) and yet we still all have to complain as if we're living in the worst of times.
100 years ago in the US, one quarter of ALL DEATHS was from water borne disease.
Let's stop whining and just enjoy it for a change.

Answer 10

I agree our country has got some real problems and alot of them are caused by people who don't vote, the only way to scare the heck out of Washington is for every person who has the right to vote to vote. It doesn't matter who the person votes for but all the professional politicians would be out of office and the new comers will be very weary of us from then on.