The Spirit Of Our Founders

[HARDCORE]

1-9-2024

Roughly one-hundred and sixty-three years ago a terrible and bloody conflict was brought upon our nation by zealots, (both north and south), who adamantly and individually believed that our nation was established in order to secure their right to think, and to walk a path, that both sides of “Our Nation” sincerely felt it to be their right to traverse! And no matter how you feel about the issues of slavery and states’ rights, the fact remains that roughly a half million Americans died to defend their right to believe just how they felt!

And although hundreds of thousands of ‘Americans’ expired to defend what they thought was their inviable right to conduct their affairs in a fashion that was best for their own economies and ways of life, one thing still remains a fact, it being that a great deal of hostility and rancor still exists in some portions of this great nation of ours that went on to fight, and to win, two world-wide conflagrations in years past, saving the planet from a trajectory that only time itself will determine the merit (or the error) of its direction! “Was this a war over slavery alone, or was it a terrible conflagration to determine state’s rights?”

As a matter of fact, there are still great portions of “Our Country” that are yet fighting this war even as we speak, and both sides still insist in the sanctity of their causes? One thing, however, still remains a fact, it being, that no one can say in all certainty how much progress and potential was literally bled-away upon that now hallowed ground in places like Bull Run (Manassas), Gettysburg, and all of the rest of those horrendous places that witnessed the deaths of men whose promise is now known but to “The Almighty Himself?”

So here we are again, some one hundred and sixty-three years after the fact, and having traveled extensively throughout “Our Magnificent Nation”, I am here to tell you, that in some places, this derision still exists, be it in a far more benign fashion, and this, within a country that has gone on to fight, side by side, against any and all enemies, who even attempted to besmirch our national honor, pride and liberties!

And should the need ever again arise (and as country’s go, this remains a distinct possibility), let it forever remain a fact, that the amount of discretion and tolerance that we have displayed in the past, could only have been forthcoming, from a nation (Our Nation) that knows no peers or even equals!

And let no man or country ever again risk the ire or the venom of “Our Own Uncle Sam”, and this by mistaking our tolerance and our sanity for a weakness that has never been present, ever since our proud and defiant ancestors first stood (face to face) against the mightiest empire of its time - a nation that was revered and feared by the entire world at that point in time!

For you see, we are still “All Americans” in heart and in spirit, and we have never, nor will we ever, shirk from defending “Our Nation, Our People, or Our National Interest - World-Wide!” And as for our nuclear muscle (and might), ‘Thank God’ for the world - that we have had the intelligence and the fortitude not to utilize the massive weaponry that we currently have at our disposal, lest we literally burn this planet down around the knees of our nation’s vilest enemies!

Finally, and as our illustrious twenty-sixth president was reported to have said: “Always Speak Softly but still carry a damned big stick!” And hopefully, the world may never know, just how mighty our fatal cudgel truly may be – and so it very well is? Or do you truly believe that –

“Our Gallant and Mighty United States of America have been asleep at the reins ever since we first eradicated the mortal threat to humanity that existed, away back in August of Nineteen Forty- Five!”

“Dream On”, for only our tolerance and our national sanity as well, has prevented us from unleashing ‘The Fires of Hell’ upon all of those who even dared to test our righteous metal in times past!! “And That Too - Is A Fact!”

“The Spirits of Our Founders Yet Lives!!”

Hardcore

[Boats]

Is our Democracy in Jeopardy?

1A. Yes - but sadly, these qualities that sustain American democracy are in danger due to three overarching threats:
a. growing political intrusion into higher education,
b. insufficient preparedness to address demographic shifts impacting campus communities,
c. and public skepticism regarding the value of higher education.

2B. What are the biggest threats to democracy in the United States today?

Recent waves of voter suppression laws across the United States put minorities and other vulnerable populations at
further risk, and the online ecosystem, rife with misinformation and disinformation, continues to sow distrust among
our citizenry and threaten many of our democratic institutions.

3C. What is the number one concern of Americans?

American democracy and our nation’s role as a beacon of hope and leader of the free-market economy are in jeopardy.

Our place in the world has been advanced immeasurably by world-class colleges and universities that graduate an educated citizenry—one that is vital for participatory democracy, research and innovation, and well-prepared talent.

But sadly, these qualities that sustain American democracy are in danger due to three overarching threats: growing political intrusion into higher education, insufficient preparedness to address demographic shifts impacting campus communities, and public skepticism regarding the value of higher education. Left unaddressed, these threats will weaken our colleges and universities and severely limit their ability to serve our country and its strategic interests.

Higher education governing boards and communities can address these threats, and they should do so with urgency to ensure the health and vitality of American democracy and our country’s economy. Specifically, college and university governing boards must provide strategic leadership—in collaboration with chief executives, administrative leadership teams, and faculty—to drive lasting, consequential change to cultivate an informed, educated citizenry prepared to fully participate in democratic opportunities and create a thriving society and economy.

Boards and institutions have the most powerful means to reaffirm that a well-educated population is a national imperative and align the outcomes of institutions with this need. For example, boards should make it a priority to address the decline in the number of students who now enroll in and graduate from college. To be blunt, governing boards cannot continue to conduct business as they have. Rather, they must insist that the institutions they serve develop strategies that will retain and graduate more students prepared to participate in our democracy, society, and workforce. Failure to do so will erode
not only our campus communities, but also the vitality of our country to compete on a global scale.

Governing boards also have a duty to protect the tenets and values of higher education. Thus, boards need to stand firm to protect academic freedom and to establish policies that foster the intellectual development and free expression of students, including the ability to present, defend, and question ideas from a broad range of perspectives. This is essential if college graduates are to acquire the skills
to think critically and creatively and to work effectively with others— abilities that are central to the health of a participatory democracy, a thriving economy, and an inclusive society. Boards also play a critical role in supporting and protecting the free expression of faculty and research that is aligned
with institutional missions — even when it is controversial. AGB’s recent statement, “Freedom of
Speech and Diversity on Campus: Considerations for Board Members and Chief Executives,”
emphasizes this point even as it compellingly describes the tension on campuses today between a commitment to free speech and a desire to create a welcoming environment for all students.

AGB’s 2019 Guardians Initiative report Renewing the Democratic Purposes of Higher Education
identified five takeaways for higher education that are relevant to our nation’s current challenges:

1. Democracy and higher education are inextricably linked in the United States.
Democracy as a way of life—a social ethic—is a critical concept for understanding how to
renew the value of American higher education.

A healthy democracy requires engaged citizens, and engaged citizens require p2. reparation
and practice. Higher education is uniquely positioned to prepare engaged citizens, and evidence
shows college enrollment is related positively to a lifetime of civic engagement. The democratic
purpose in American higher education has a long and meaningful history, though in every
generation it has been challenged by forces within colleges and universities and in American
culture.

Though there are signs of promise, today’s crises in democracy and higher education are real,
and those who have the privilege to lead must face them with imagination and resolve.

The public's list of the top problems facing the nation includes inflation, health care affordability,
drug addiction and gun violence.

4. What is the biggest issue for voters in 2023?

A survey conducted in September 2023 found that the most important issue for 24 percent of
Americans was inflation and prices. A further ten percent of respondents were most concerned
about jobs and the economy.Nov 3, 2023

5. What are the current issues in the world 2023 news?

What are the biggest threats to democracy in the United States today?

Recent waves of voter suppression laws across the United States put minorities and other
vulnerable populations at further risk, and the online ecosystem, rife with misinformation
and disinformation, continues to sow distrust among our citizenry and threaten many of
our democratic institutions.

6. Do we have a right to democracy?

Article 1 states: “The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their
governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.” It also states that:
“Democracy is essential for the social, political, and economic development
of the peoples of the Americas.”

7. Why is democracy dropping in the United States?

The United States is experiencing two major forms of democratic erosion in its
governing institutions: election manipulation and executive overreach. Most obviously,
after the 2020 election, the sitting president, despite admitting privately that he had
lost, attempted to subvert the results and remain in office.

8. What is a true democracy?

Direct democracy or pure democracy is a form of democracy in which the electorate
decides on policy initiatives without elected representatives as proxies. This differs
from the majority of currently established democracies, which are representative
democracies.

9. What is an example of a failed democracy?

Democratic collapse (leading to civil war or coup d'état). Examples: Nigeria, Nepal.
Succession or reform crisis in authoritarian states. Examples: Indonesia under
Suharto, the Soviet Union under Gorbachev.
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Personal note: What I've noticed is that since the Mid 70's our political system
has been in flux. I feel Congress is part of that problem. Personal gains seems
to be the influence brought into our poetical system. Thus improving many
companies & wealthy independents around our nation. Donations are such
today that they buy influence thus profiting their enterprises.
-
Thus donations are a daily requested on all media of late. To which each
party and/or officer running for election can profit - and pay for advertising
in the media coast-to-coast!

Note: They're paid rather well in both houses and Presidential runners.
Lifetime benefits and pensions are not enough it seems. Today we the
Tax Payer's - are the ones having to pay for their services at their request
for donations - which are not allowed deductions!
-
If you ask me - the political system today runs as though it operates
like a mafia run system.
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