Entry #535465, added on 12-30-11 @ 8:24 am EST
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After a lifetime of experiences, as varied, and numerous as I could involve myself, I am going to attempt to define the result, and the reason for the road we travel. Understand, these are my conclusions, and I wish to share them. I do not wish to argue, and you may do with this information what you will. If I do this well, it is my hope to produce a light bulb moment for the majority of readers. Where we are, and how we got here, and where we can be, and how to get there, I believe these are vital considerations when viewing our current condition. I do not wish to create a great debate; I simply hope to cause thinking. I base my words on reason, logic, and common sense, factors, which I feel have come to be in short supply. Humankind is genetically programmed to fear change; therefore, we cling to what is rather than seek what might be. “Better the Devil you know, than one you don’t”, this, approximate, quote defines what I am saying. My belief is, if you are drowning in a river, and a thorn tree floats by, that is not the time to worry about being stuck.
April 16, 2007 I set out from my home in Northern California, and walked to Chicago, Illinois. I did this because the best way to study the condition of a structure is from the ground up. I am sorry to have to tell you this, but one-hundred percent of my many conversations were concerned with the same topic, ‘America is in trouble’. Repeatedly these words were told to me by the people I met, and I could not disagree. Furthermore, the next part of that statement was most often, “I just don’t know what we should do”. When the beating heartland, of this nation, displays a murmur, it would be prudent to pay attention. The concern was so pervasive; I felt it important to change the order of my life. Upon returning home, I attempted business as usual, and tried to complete the sequel to my first book. Ordinarily this would have been a simple task, as I was already half way finished, however, alarm bells continued to clang, and I feel it is time to write the truth. This is something I have considered, but shied away from due to the effort required. Yes, I am lazy, and have always hoped somebody else would point this information out. However to perceive something is wrong, and do nothing is cowardice, and I do not wish to be thought of in that light…especially by myself.
I know that is a harsh conclusion, yet it must be done. We have wallowed in our comfort for so long this is very likely to be a rude awakening. Please forgive me while I charge ahead in this endeavor, and understand the truth is not something to fear, just something we rarely have to deal with. If you like, you may take comfort from the fact I am sixty-three years of age, therefore you should not have to endure my vision, (more on my vision…later), for too long a period. However, if what I say here does produce that, “lightbulb”, moment, you are then responsible for addressing the flaws in our path. As stated, to fail to do so would be cowardice. One thing I can state without reservation, cowardice has never been a factor in the make-up of American society.
I hope to make this entertaining, concise, and above all else based in logic, commonsense, and reason…you are the judges. In our travels together, through this work, you will see many things I have never heard stated before, and I am curious why. It is my greatest hope that what you read here will turn on some lights making the truth a simple thing, easily viewed without fear. Even if we do not agree on my conclusions, it is hoped we can agree on the problem. If this occurs we have a foundation for discussion, and discussion can bring forth solutions. I believe this should be the approach all problems are dealt with. Agreement, equalling change and advance, all wrapped up in peaceful respect. I do not know anyone whom I hate, for hate is a negative value on the emotion line, and negative values are conditions harmful to the human spirit. It is your choice, so why would you allow somebody to place you in a negative space? Simply hold your values from zero, to infinity positive. Life is amazing, and if you follow those guidelines it is even more so, for it is far more constructive to have no feeling for something, than a negative feeling. With unconditional love and respect, K. I. Smet
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© Copyright 2011 K. I. Smet (UN: k-i-smet at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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