Cheeblogger!

The following is an op-ed written to the Martinsville Bulletin in reaction to a previous letter written lamenting all of the problems of the US. The letter, written by a Dr. Robert Piat, was also profoundly cynical of politicians.

Follow up:

Link to Editorial
Letter: Tom Albanese
Country has made progress

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Dr. (Robert) Piat’s letter “Describing the country” says more about him and those of his philosophy than it does about our country. His letter embodies the quintessential characteristics of modern, mainstream liberalism. It is comprised of rich portions of the following: a) American self-loathing; b) bitterness and pessimism; c) wild over-simplification of common problems; d) an addiction to straw-man arguments that make sense only on a superficial emotional level but rarely stand even the slightest logic test; e) a view that man and mankind is basically flawed and one can’t be expected or trusted to direct their own affairs.

I’m sorry, but going around like “Bad Luck Shleprock” doesn't solve any problems and, worst of all for the right honorable gentleman, it is not going to bring people to his way of thinking. The other “schleppers” already agree with him.

Acknowledging our challenges, let us not despair. Let’s recognize a few good facts that we have accomplished in 230 years:

1) We sacrificed over 600,000 living souls to throw off the millstone of slavery. Thanks be to God.

2) We created an economy that not only provides the greatest standard of living in human history but also increased the standard of living of much of the rest of the world.

3) Over the last century we have liberated millions and millions of people from abject tyranny, starvation, and disease.

4) Our country and culture gave rise to great innovators such as Edison, Ford, G.W. Carver, Jonas Salk, Gershwin, et cetera ad infinitum.

5) We’ve accomplished these and a million other things while having politicians that “just wanted to get re-elected.” Maybe the system works.

Does he have another nation he would prefer to call his own? Not me.

Perhaps chronic cynicism is what really needs to lamented. It clouds our collective judgement. Before we take stock of what we have not, let us inventory the bounty we have created and how far we have come.

For example, if we cannot acknowledge the progress we have made in the area of civil rights then are we not denigrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. I cannot praise King if I can’t believe his efforts were not fruitful. As a staunch conservative, I’ve always been a great admirer of King, not because I believe he fought against what was bad and wrong about America (I can see he did), but rather because his efforts contributed to making America good and right and a more perfect union. It is our charge to do the very same.

Here’s some doctor-ly advise to Piatt: heal thyself: Turn off the evening news, CNN, MSNBC and put down this editorial page and go for a walk this spring on a sunny day. You’ll feel better in no time. On July 6, take a ride up to Bedford and visit the D-Day memorial and just try coming home cynical and bitter.

Tom Albanese

Martinsville