We live in an age of admiring problems, by which I mean fretting and fixating, letting fear grab and shake us, then collectively getting into the grab, shake, blame, and complain game. To speak bluntly, that is not the American way.
As a People, we have been inveterate, unstoppable problem solvers, not yammering finger pointers. After carving a nation from the wilderness, we resourcefully defeated an empire, codified natural law in a Bill of Rights, created a template for preserving freedom and pursuing equality – then grew into our skin, becoming the most powerful and generous nation in history.
In medicine, we set the bar for global discovery and innovation, creating everything from bifocal glasses (Benjamin Franklin) and modern anesthetics (1840s), to vaccines for cholera, anthrax, rabies, typhoid, plague, diphtheria, tetanus, typhus, yellow fever, whooping cough, TB, plus blood typing, transfusions, and discovering insulin – all before WWII.
In later years, Americans solved medical problems with blood banks, penicillin, streptomycin, and innumerable life-saving antibiotics used today. Americans invented the first pacemaker in 1952, and in 1954 conducted the first successful organ transplant – a kidney transplant between identical twins… one of whom , Ron Herrick, was my high school math teacher 45 years ago. The stories are real, American courage and contributions to human problem-solving incalculable.
Medically, Americans also found vaccines for polio, the onetime global killer, plus inoculations for measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, pneumonia, meningitis, Lyme disease, hepatitis A and B, plus also identifying HIV and pioneering the artificial heart. The list is nearly endless.
Nor have we bowed, bent or broken facing technological challenges, from laying the first transatlantic cable (1858) to the modern submarine (1900), first automobile and airplane to first cell phone and Internet, Panama Canal to first nuclear reactor. Lest any forget, we were also the first – and only – nation to put men on the moon and to rescue a moon flight in Apollo 13. Americans are intrepid, resilient, confident, competent and – objectively – heroic.
In all of mankind’s history, no nation has done more, or done more for others. No nation – no People bound by honest ideals, culture of hope, unified commitment to freedom and the future – has ever delivered what we Americans, simple and unbounded, have delivered. That is not a contestable opinion – it is a fact.
Even on the cultural side, seeking improvement from within, we pull no punches. We have led the world in thinking about human rights, what equality of opportunity is, means, should mean, and how to make it real, from fighting a bloody civil war for racial equality to constitutional amendments marking women’s suffrage and applying the principles of due process, equal protection, and all individual freedoms to the state level.
On the numbers, we are the most other-regarding, self-critical, self-correcting, generous, gregarious, engaging and – for much of the world – perplexing People ever to populate a tract of land and call ourselves “one nation under God.” There has never been an America – and if we lose this one, there will not be another for a thousand years.
In all this, we have been more unified than divided, more proud than preoccupied by petty things. We have been about forward movement, tacking into the wind for solutions, not running from it or hiding behind mutual recrimination.
So, what troubles us now? Frankly, less than has troubled us most our history – or less than should. We face another noxious virus, one less serious than a dozen we have already beaten.
We face a deficit of competent political leadership, a generation either uneducated or disinterested in our past, unable to grasp that real leaders look back, then ahead with resolve.
In truth, we need not aspire to being the greatest nation in human history; we are that nation. We the People, of unique daring, love, and commitment to freedom – are those people.
We need not wring our hands and admire modern medical, technological, or social problems – as if insoluble. We need not condemn our ability to get beyond the now. We have always done that.
America’s crisis is simple. It is a crisis of confidence, nurtured by those who would like average Americans to doubt their own eyes, own abilities, own history, own neighbors, and own can-do.
Our job is to doubt none of those. Rather than cede rights to craven socialist schemers, anarchists, and anti-American plotters; rather than give up on ourselves, our job is to speak truth.
Re-grounded in who we are – regardless of faith, race, gender, geography, family heritage, accent, demography, social standing, or livelihood – we must pull in the same direction together.
In short, America is Americans, enlivened by our unrivaled history of can-do, our never quit temperament, our willingness to turn into the wind, never away from it.
We are individually, and as a collection of free individuals, blessed beyond any people in the world. Because of that, because of those who came before and what we must pay forward now, we need to stop admiring problems – and start solving them.
Truth is that, whatever you worry about – politically, medically, technologically, or socially – there is more hope in solutions than you know. And odds are, when the solution is found, it will be an American pioneer who finds it. One and all, let us stop the handwringing, stop admiring the problem – and cast our eyes forward, shoot for the moon so to speak, shall we? That is the American way.
Yes!
Solutions, ideas for:
o Thorium reactors for energy
o Offshore solar wind farms
o free inmates wrongly placed in prison.
o place in prison Antifa & BLM
o CUT DC bureaucracy by 1100
o End Lockdowns
o Share virus Info
o Only HC types should declare lockdowns NOT Govs on some political whim
o More militia groups to combat Antifa
o Use virus data for finding cure to Cancer
o end Big Pharma RX rule over HC
o Uniform mask use rules enforced or None
o National Hyperloop system estd
o Man to Mars mission.
o End the DC Lobbying circus: serve in House, retire & enter lobby for same issue U fought for in House
o Cut SS Medicare bureaucracy more funds for WE Users
o Cut govt waste: CAGW.org
o automate USPS more
o Count ballots when recieved from polling sites
& add Your own list. Expand
Hooah. Well said
A great pep talk that we definitely can use.
If we doubt ourselves, it is because we allowed ourselves to do so through our educational system, government, culture, and yes, our churches. We need to turn back to our “spiritual” roots. The rest will follow.
I’m afraid We are going to really depend on the American Way up to and after this election. The Progressively Communist Democratic Party is NOT GOING TO ACCEPT LOSING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AGAIN!
They are going to riot and try to intimidate people to give into their demands. So We the People MUST BE PREPARED to fight back! As a young boy I was taught early on by my father to stand up to bullies. I live in very sunny CaliMexico and I am finally getting to go back to work doing petitioning outside grocery stores by this weekend and I expect trouble! You see, I put up a sign that says: “I SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP TO STOP SOCIALISM!” which helps to attract Republicans to my table. I now expect some idiotic Jackass or Jackasses to confront me to take down my sign! I will address this issue with my local police department and I really don’t expect their support. I will display my sign and I will just have to deal with whatever confrontation comes my way.
This is what craziness this country has evolved into. But I refuse to be intimidated by bullies! … So if by chance, I disappear from future commenting here, you’ll know something happened to me. But know this, I will not suffer alone.
Thank you, Mr. Robert B. Charles. I am a 52-year-old Mechanical Engineer. As I move forward, I will keep your title Stop Admiring the Problem – Think Solutions and content in mind, both personally and professionally.
Lack of confidence is the great destroyer. Who foments that? The media? Academia? Politicians? The left? When you really think about it we see that it is all of that. We see that we want to make things better for our children than it was for us. Perhaps that was a mistake. As my kids got older they all came to me one time or another and told me that they now see why i was hard on them, how the world grinds you and distracts you and they all said thanks for that, we now understand. Those kids are successful and resilient, they dont live with me and are good citizens. We mostly dont agree on politics but as they get older they and i agree with them and they with me more often than not. I didnt want to be hard on them but that was what was needed to get them to where they could live, thrive and survive in the environment that was and is getting more permissive and less structured. I am proud of our kids, mom and i did a good job on them. Now if only other parents would have been a bit tougher on thier kids then maybe we wouldnt find ourselves in the fix we are in.
Great inspiring article. Everyone should read and heed. Thank you, Mr. Charles. God bless you.
Some of us have a plan to do a team right in for all the districts in California they don’t have a Republican candidate because of California’s top two primary rule. We might be asking for your help. So glad you were doing these newsletters. I’m California 23 delegate Kevin McCarthy
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!
Very apropos article on labor day. It’s time for patriotic Americans to roll up their sleeves and fix this mess that unpatriotic Americans and outsiders have created. Like the saying goes, “If your you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Not exactly what Eldridge Cleaver said…but it makes the same point.
Those unions threatening to go on strike before the election are showing their hand. We had to suspect that governors keeping as many services as possible shut down were trying to make people feel that “things are bad.” Now we know.
This is fantastic!!! We need to get this out on Twitter (I got rid of that) and Facebook (bet the little perp would pull it). I want to copy it and send it to everyone or send the Amac out to everyone. Someone should take this in front of all those politicians in Washington and read it to them.
A crisis of confidence?
Well written Mr. Charles. There are a lot of moving parts to today’s issues. In my humble opinion there is a major starting point to get over the current situation. STOP THE DIVERSITY GARBAGE! Diversity divides and does not foster team work. It has created a nation of a multitude of individual causes mainly based on Social Justice of one kind or another. Observe a mother robin landing on the edge of a nest. Suddenly several heads pop up all looking for food/attention. Diversity is Division. Diversity creates a label system. Respect differences but stop the tribal activities. MAGA/KAG 2020
Good Morning. Fear is a good thing and a bad thing. I know it’s not a thing but the process makes it feel real. It’s an emotion that rules the unwary / lack of KNOWLEDGE. Remain ignorant and fear takes over. Trust your instinct. Others will attempt to persuade that fear to manifest. Many want peace at any cost because of their fears. Wrong move. That means you will allow others to take control of you, You will not be allowed to have control of your thoughts or emotions.
Very well said, clear and concise. Thank you
I agree with Rik below. There will be no end to the rioting after the election, no matter who wins. If the dimwits win, this country is doomed and the conservative “real Americans” will march on Washington D C. If the Republicans regain the majority in the house and senate as well as the White House, the BLM and Antifa, funded by Soros and the dimwits, will continue to try to destroy America by force. Conservatives are not organized and therefore, cannot win a civil war, nor a revolution. It is time conservatives get organized, with funding and we need to prioritize our goals. Unfortunately America will not be saved by this nor any future elections. The only action that will save America is to march on Washington D C and remove the dimwits and rinos from their long infested lair, (swamp) The money needs to be removed from all politics. Our elected employees have been so removed from reality by the elitist atmosphere in and around D C ,Maryland, and New York that they feel aloof and above their constituents. They talk to us in condescending tones slightly above baby talk while passing laws that benefit no one but themselves.
SOLUTIONS???; Remove all money from politics. How??? 1 Ban all lobbying !!!!!!! In this age of electronics and social media there should be no need for campaign funding. Restrict all campaigning to 6 months. All free on social media. They can post their platform there in the event they have no platform, they can blast their opponents. Strike down all laws on the books protecting libel and slander in political campaigns. (which there are BtW. Allow one debate each of the 6 months. Funding for reasonable travel expenses to and from the debates to be submitted to the speaker of the house and if approved, forwarded to the treasury for reimbursement. Eliminate all political parties and their pacs.Each candidate will be an independent and will answer to no political party. These actions will apply to state governments, as well.2. Eliminate all of Washington D C, except the White House, where the president will still reside and preside. All other elected employees will no longer have need for residences in the D C area. They will reside within their local area, will have bi weekly town hall meetings and will listen to their employers stating their concerns and giving them their priorities for action. They will discuss and vote by social media and will have no need for breaks to return home, so weekdays will be adhered to as workdays. Limit of 2 terms, unless they are so effective their constituents petition sufficiently for them to run for a 3rd term.3. Photo I D in all venues required by law, no exceptions.4. Any elected employee caught receiving any gratuity from anyone pushing priorities of a any special interest, will be immediately ousted from office after a hearing determines the charge is true. They will be replaced in their office by their last primary opponent who lost to them, if that person is still interested in the position. (That consequential threat will preclude that violation of the lobbying enticement)
Those, and only those immediate changes will save America from further sliding down and over the communist embankment it is so close to now.
What an inspiration! I’m proud of Robert B. Charles for coalescing what we are, or ought to be, as Americans, both historically and today. The spirit of this fine article ought to be in all of our hearts as we go forward, not cowed by those who would have us be ashamed of ourselves, but strongly and proudly as demanded by our history and honor.
Great article and soooooooo true!!
the democrats are the party that creates the problems; and the republicans are the party that creates the solutions.
Great article. Sometimes I need a reminder of all that America has accomplished.
A wonderful article, thank you Robert B. Charles. May we all take heed and do our part to make our world a better place to live.
The MIGHT of our military would quell all that ASAP. And it needs to be done. All that the communist pigs will understand is fear and carnage of their ilk.
America, when I was a small young child my dad loved to go special parades and when the marching units came by with the American flag dad made sure to have me put my hand over my heart patriotic dad is no longer alive I’m 88 years old and when I see the flag in public I still come to attention and something swells up on me my country America,
When I see the flag desecrated,burned it disturbers me.
When in school we saluted the flag our teacher read a scripture and we had silent prayer and I’m talking about California 1942-45.
I still stand at attention for our national Anthem I n that the song this land is my land but we shouldn’t change the Anthem as it’s historical meaning.
I love my country I served in th Navy and my dad too he was in Tokyo on VJ Day and was stunned to see our guys who were prisoners of the Japanese their condition.It took him many years to get over it.
Dad sometimes had real bad nightmares from
What he saw war.He died at an early age 52 years old many of our survivors died at an early age.
I miss my dad and really respected him he suffered a lot before he died our GI s should all should respected would you serve for the wage they receive for serving?
Thank you for reading my thoughts.
Jack Davis
We have to look at where the problems originated, back in the sixties creeping socialism started splitting this nation with ANTI -WAR, ANTI MILITARY, ANTI-AMERICAN protests, these people then went on to infiltrate our government, justice system, health care, and are now known as denizens of the SWAMP, WE THE PEOPLE allowed this to happen and it is now time to correct our mistakes and clean up this mess starting on NOVEMBER THREE! REMOVE EVERY DEMONRAT and start making the necessary changes from WITHIN, start by stripping judges and lawyers of the excessive power they have STOLEN for themselves and PUNISH CRIMINALS AND PROTECT THE VICTIMS AS IT SHOULD BE!!! TRUMP2020
Thank you, fellow Americans, for giving me a feeling that maybe there are more of us than anyone realizes. I am 73 and had a full time job as a supervisor for bus transportation contracted to a major airport. I had the thrill of driving Trump supporters onto the tarmac to meet with candidate Trump. Excitement was all around me and it came over me like a wave. In times like this, when the President has to fight on many fronts, he amazes me. That’s why this chance to hear from fellow Americans is uplifting. My parents were democrats, but not active. That was the influence of my life at that time, JFK. When I grew up and put on my big boy pants, I never went back. I was an adult and took on responsibility and realized that’s what being an adult was. I was a bus driver for the RNC in 2016 and was thrilled with the excitement and promise of getting back to what mattered. Thank you President Trump! I can not see anyone else but you and Vice President Pence able to turn turn the tide.
I have not yet read the comments so this could be a repeat of an idea. I hope so. If we give up the FREEDOM of AMERICA to socialism we will never see anymore first from AMERICA. Freedom of discovery/invention was great in the distant past. The more government control we experience will lessen the exercise of invention of the European mind.
You’re preaching to the choir, as they say. You need to say this to the democrat/communists. They are the ones that need to be told, we need to pull together. The only problem is, they are working toward a One World Government (i.e. The New World Order or globalism). They don’t WANT to fix America!
Thank you for the excellent reminder of who and what America is!
I must admit I am very troubled by social culture as I tried to watch the life channel yesterday. Sunday of all days, I thought I was watching a movie so I could relax for half hour to an hour of free time, when a scene of perversion showed on the screen. I was so insulted, by myself, while family was talking near the living room. I was taken by surprise, had to chill awhile before I burst out in anger. I quickly changed the channel and much to my surprise found another movie, another channel, the movie, “I can only imagine”. I love that movie. It took me out of my anger and one song continues in my brain and I love it. No more anger, “oh Lord you are Beautiful” hangs in my thoughts, being, as I continue to hum the melody. I thank God that He came to my rescue. Sorry, but I had to share.
Excellent article, BRAVO! Absolute truth; let is rally together, led by God, and defeat socialistic ideas. Keep these wonderful UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We can do this!
Great article, for years, now, I’ve been telling my kids “this not the United States of America I grew up in”. Today’s America is not what our founding fathers or our military hero’s, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, intended for this country. I believe there are more people like myself that know this country can rebound and survive. However the current political divide could destroy everything this great country has accomplished in it’s 245 year existence. Government was intended to be of the people, by the people and for the people. I believe in term limits, small government, the constitution and especially the original bill of rights. Today’s politicians only goal is to get reelected not do what’s good for the citizens of this country. As a matter of fact I think politicians see us citizens as a means for tax dollars only. I see President Trump as someone who believes in America and its citizen’s and has done more for this country than any politician in recent history, even after all he has been put through by the democrats for the past 5 years.
The author of this excellent article identified our society’s problems, ………………..all except the eight hundred pound gorilla in the corner. One of the two major political parties talks a good fight but does very little about it, i.e. the Republicans.
The other major political party is the Democrat Party, a front for Marxism. These ‘leaders” are using socialism to gain political power. They promise ever more government “assistance” as a bribe effort to the voters.
It’s the mentality of the voters who support the Democrat candidates that represent that huge gorilla in the corner. Socialism has always appealed to the lower classes of societies. These are the people who are tempted by three of the sins of mankind, envy, greed and sloth. If a candidate promises to ease the financial burdens that we all labor under, why not vote for that candidate. These voters can’t, or wont understand the obvious answer to that question. The answer? The government does not have the money to give away to individuals. It never did have such money, but the politicians discovered the power of taxing the people to get the money to shovel out to the individuals.
The real rub is that the taxpayers are forced to pay the laggards through the use of exacted taxes.
How many of the citizens who vote for the Democrat candidates remember what their mothers told them? “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Every dollar used to fund government programs used for social engineering, comes from those who earn their own way in life. Even the corporate taxes are derived from the customers who buy products and services. Don’t even get me started with the saying: “Big corporations are not paying their fair share.”
Benjamin Franklin was being prescient in 1789, when he cautioned the people of the new nation that they could only keep the Republic as a viable institution if they did not vote to get taxpayer money.
Thomas Jefferson said it best: “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
I don’t doubt “mainstream” America at all. What troubles me is that our nation that traditionally is run by majority-rule is currently being attacked by a corrupted section of Congress & justice department. The checks & balances within our own government has been broken by prior authorities while a complicit media was silent. The process of reversing the damage is proving a challenge, especially given a corrupt media against restoration. If these checks & balances aren’t restored before the upcoming election, then I fear the democrats will steal the election. Without honesty in justice….well, you know what this leads to….
In 3/4 of a year the cabal roaming streets and neighborhoods armed with guns, setting fires, bashing store windows, looting, terrorizing people has changed my way of 80 years on this planet. They are defended by Democrats, some churches, politicians not elected by me. Police have been castrated. Social (?) workers (???) are having budgets increased. I stay indoors, do not eat out, do not attend church in person. I will vote in person and it will NOT be for Biden.
We real AMERICANS will prevail.We will NOT allow AMERICA to become a dense oc RAT,socialist,communist,biden,hairrass country.We are not outspoken,but we are many,a lot more than you liberal idiots think.AND,well,just consider what and who you commys are dealing with.
Wow,what a great article for the times we are in. Somewhere I read that all great empires have a hard time existing for more than 200-years ?? If this country continues to divide itself (racially & political parties) , then we open the door for others to step in. Quit with blue/red politics & support our Republic. And all generations need to know the history of their nation, as that is one step that Communism wants you to not know.
Great article, I wish everyone could read this. Yes, we must stay strong, as my Mom would say, Patience and Fortitude!
WWII generation & the vaccine to stamp out polio are two of the greatest things in US history that I can point to. Sport & entertainment stars are making lots of money , but are just entertainment & are not the guiding lights of our future. As far as I am concerned, they have one vote like me. They need to respect the flag just like me.
Good point & hope that the progressives start reaching across the aisle & jointly save our Republic.
No time for contention. The scriptures say do not glory in evil. By rehashing things over and over we are doing just that. Time to stop talking about it. We already know for the most part who is doing what. No need to rehash it over and over. I really enjoyed this article.
Wow- what a Great article!
THIS is the American spirit and Country I want to pass down to my Grandchildren and Great grandchildren!
Stand up America, speak up America, We the people ARE the Majority, it’s up to us to protect and preserve Our Country!
We have been so committee/panel/group minded and Donald J. Trump broke that mould when he was elected! He doesn’t wait for others to connect to his ideas, but with his own type of rugged individualism he has refusal to take defeat. With his great leadership we have returned to our American founding roots. Admiring our problems is a recipe for failure!! Thank you so much Mr. Charles, I love to read your observations again expressed so eloquently.
PLEASE research vaccines and the damage they have done, and continue to do, instead of repeating the “party line” spiel about how great they are. Talk to families (there are hundreds of thousands of us) who have a member (often, in this group, a grandchild–or MORE THAN ONE) who was permanently damaged (or killed) by “safe” vaccines. PLEASE. We rely on this group for truth, and to have an article like this slap me in the face–more than half of it was about vaccines, for pity’s sake! The rest was good, but I live with a daily reminder that VACCINES ARE NOT SAFE, not for everyone–and increasingly obviously, NOT FOR MOST. Thank you.
Love this. It’s important to look at solutions and what is right too. I feel our educational system has been so corrupted that little is taught of history and our country, it’s government and how to participate. Too much “socializing” instead of an honest education and that reasonableness is corrupting our youth and capacity to grow, explore, discover, invent and participate. College prices keep soaring while the value of what is taught diminishes. We are a beacon to the world. Let’s not betray or forget our heritage.
I wouldn’t brag too much on the vaccines. This covid-19 vaccine being rushed to market could be a potential disaster! I’m still not convinced big pharma is not culpable in all the autism cases.
We have been made painfully aware of the lack of education being given to the younger generations. Young working people cannot even properly count back change during a purchase transaction. Young people woefully lack the knowledge of their own history as Americans and, therefore, cannot use the strength and backbone it offers them. They lash out like wild animals in a so-called crisis instead of taking advantage of history’s lessons that they have never learned in school. We give Billions of dollars to educating our children and they can’t speak their own language correctly. It’s no wonder young people are just going through the pains in a fearful manner. They’ve not been taught how to be “American”.