I am American, but that Country Doesn't Exist Any More

[JCMach1]

I kept waiting for things to change. I worked hard on political campaigns and even ran for office myself, but nothing changed.

Democrats all along the way (in various ways) have systematically enabled the destruction and it's difficult now to respect any of them (but a few).

No one seems to notice that the rules of the game have changed. IT's not the 'same old' politics. Instead, one party is determined to concentrate ALL POWER in the hands of that party and the synonymous police state that has grown around it since 9/11.

Just after 9/11 I wrote a DU Essay entitled "Welcome to Imperial America" http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/11/28_imperial.html

I began that essay with a quote from Cicero about the fall of the Roman Republic it seems even more appropriate today:

"Thus, before our own time, the customs of our ancestors produced excellent men, and eminent men preserved our ancient customs and the institutions of their forefathers. But through the republic, when it came to us, was like a beautiful painting, whose colours, however, were already fading with age, our own time not only has neglected to freshen it by renewing the original colors, but has not even taken the trouble to preserve its configuration and, so to speak, its general outlines. For what is now left of the 'ancient customs'... They have been, as we see, so completely buried in oblivion that they are not only no longer practiced, but are already unknown. And what shall I say of the men? ... For it is through our own faults, not by any accident, that we retain only the form of the commonwealth, but have long since lost its substance." - Cicero

I don't even know where to begin any more. I seriously doubt that this year's elections will be fair. Even if it is a Dem landslide, Diebold will render that a narrow victory in the House, or Senate leaving the Dems once again a feeble footnote on the death of the Republic.

As some of you know, I have been working out of the country since 2003. I left as much for economic reasons as political. I have never been afraid of a fight. Every time I go back to the States I find things more and more surreal. I watch here as Democracy moves forward. Human rights, a free and open multi-cultural society, a booming open world-oriented economy (25% GDP growth in Dubai last year and only a small percentage based on oil), and democratic elections (no Diebold) coming in December. There is very little crime and health care is inexpensive. Gas is always around $1.25. While some of the world becomes more like the old US, what is the US becoming?

I have to explain constantly and frankly I get tired. People understand the old America, not the monster that has become... I refuse to explain torture, Abu Ghraib, Lebanon, Palestine, Afghanistan, CIA, bin Laden and Bush any more.

I think my new answer is going to be... I am a refugee from a country that doesn't exist.

[cyclezealot]

1. Sounds like Gore Vidal.

Vidal has all but given up. Can we change the pledge 'and to the empire , for which it stands.'We gave up a year ago. Come to care join us in France. Here you can find a diversity of opinion and habeus corpus still exists. Don't give us any argument about the Napoleonic code. The new Terrorism bill, in effect brings the Napolonic code to the US.

[JCMach1]

2. Love France too...

But I also really enjoy the multi-cultural aspects here in the UAE. It is also interesting to have a chance to mold the elite here in the Gulf with ideas and ideals about Democracy, freedom, etc.

I sometimes feel like a missionary of a different kind.

[Swamp Rat]

9. We've had it in Louisiana

Since Napoleon.

[liberal N proud]

11. With no Liberty or Justice for anyone

I do not pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the Fascist States of America,
and to the Empire for which it stands:
one Nation divisible,
With no Liberty or Justice for anyone.

[izzie]

3. One thing we can always count on is things change,.

It is only normal that we would not stay on top. After all we built up the rest of the world after WW2 so we could trade and the world was in very bad shape. It has been a 50 years of change with many of our ideals moving around the world. It is only normal that many would start doing it better than we did it. People learn from our errors also. We do not seem to want to learn any more. I am not sure why but look at our education. Something has happened. Are we going to educate the masses plus the talented or just the rich elite? That is hardly a gene pool to build new ways on. Then you have the people who will not face the fact that things change and seem to be making laws to fight it left and right. It is the same in the Middle East. One man one vote is coming and they will not face it either. Since the average person has no say in their govt. they are doing what the weak have always done. Terror to get what they want. I was born in the 30's and this is hardly the days of the 30's which I would not want but the 30's were hardly the days of my great grandmother who I recall and was born during the Civil war and lived to be in her 90's. She was the first girl to go through high school in her city in Mass. People just do not see their history and what is coming. Leaders are important to pick up on this and get it going. They do not seem to see it at all and we put them their.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Yes it does. It does exist.

Because you are still here. I am still here...and millions of others just like us are as well. The idiots and terrorists may be in charge right now, but that won't last forever. :toast:

[JCMach1]

5. Change is eternal, but look how long the Roman Empire

lasted...

Does it matter how long if your ass is getting fed to the lions? :sarcasm:

Remember, feeling rather negative today

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. I know. Me too. But I can't let myself.

I am angry with myself dating all the way back to November, 2000... Angry that I sat down and said,"well, let's see what happens..." Angry that we look like fools.

[cyclezealot]

7. hope grumpy is referring to the terrorist Bush.

Maybe for starters if we invested in ourselves, instead of squandering our resources overseas, we'd be in a better predictment.

[JCMach1]

8. Just imagine a world where the billions squandered in Iraq went

for REAL homeland security, education, healthcare, and corporate job incentives/penalties...

Charge corporations for every dollar they take out of the economy and reward them for every dollar they put in...

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. That's exactly who I am referring to, I have decided to use their

rhetoric against them. It should be without question. They are the terrorists. They fan the flames of hysterical fear.

[tom_paine]

10. I have been saying that since May 2001

Guess I have always been ahead of the curve. I saw this coming a mile away (and what is coming after, just like Hitler it's quite obvious with a little attention paid).

I can still remember being chastised for saying things like that, back in 2001.

Now it's obvious to everyone who is paying attention. By the time it is obvious to everyone, it will be too late.