Comments on: A Republic Choked by Greed http://noisyroom.net/blog/2008/04/06/a-republic-choked-by-greed/ Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace. Amelia Earhart Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:21:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Joe Enge http://noisyroom.net/blog/2008/04/06/a-republic-choked-by-greed/#comment-316632 Joe Enge Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:11:53 +0000 http://noisyroom.net/blog/2008/04/06/a-republic-choked-by-greed/#comment-316632 Terresa’s analysis is true. Complacency, comfort, and a sense of economic security have bought off and trumped the ideals of freedom and rugged individualism in America. The tipping point has been reached where most Americans have become dependents on entitlements and/or working in the government sector and have willingly given up the vision of this country as eloquently articulated by Thomas Jefferson. We have become a nation of the collective, the cooperative seeking comfort in the herd, mouthing the words but afraid to live up to the ideals. Terresa is representative of the few and courageous who not only see this, but are willing to protest this uncomfortable reality. I recently saw a rerun of High Noon (1952) with Gary Cooper. While most Americans would like to think they would stand up with Cooper, most are hiding behind the closed doors. In the movie, the townspeople don’t back Cooper up but ask him to leave. Standing up causes problems and it’s easier to lean on those willing to make a stand for what is right than stand with them. After vanquishing the last bad guy and being congratulated by the now grateful townsfolk, Cooper throws his badge into the dirt. He clearly demonstrates his motivation was based on principle and definitely not because the town was in any way deserving. Today America is fortunate to have the few willing to step into the breach like Gary Cooper’s character such as our men and women in uniform and people like Terresa who raise the alarm at home. We live in dangerous times, times that may require all of us to decide whether to hide or stand. Terresa’s analysis is true. Complacency, comfort, and a sense of economic security have bought off and trumped the ideals of freedom and rugged individualism in America. The tipping point has been reached where most Americans have become dependents on entitlements and/or working in the government sector and have willingly given up the vision of this country as eloquently articulated by Thomas Jefferson.

We have become a nation of the collective, the cooperative seeking comfort in the herd, mouthing the words but afraid to live up to the ideals. Terresa is representative of the few and courageous who not only see this, but are willing to protest this uncomfortable reality.

I recently saw a rerun of High Noon (1952) with Gary Cooper. While most Americans would like to think they would stand up with Cooper, most are hiding behind the closed doors. In the movie, the townspeople don’t back Cooper up but ask him to leave. Standing up causes problems and it’s easier to lean on those willing to make a stand for what is right than stand with them.

After vanquishing the last bad guy and being congratulated by the now grateful townsfolk, Cooper throws his badge into the dirt. He clearly demonstrates his motivation was based on principle and definitely not because the town was in any way deserving.

Today America is fortunate to have the few willing to step into the breach like Gary Cooper’s character such as our men and women in uniform and people like Terresa who raise the alarm at home. We live in dangerous times, times that may require all of us to decide whether to hide or stand.

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