Will America reach her potential under the current political system?

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:42:15 -0400

I hear of the romanticized good old days and the endless possibilities of our nation's future and I can't help notice it seems to be our "leaders" holding us back.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made May 12 at 2016 2:44 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:44:44 -0400

Not at all! Its already broken! A change is much needed!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 2:45 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:45:13 -0400

I believe (sadly) that our best days are behind us, and not for the evasions the right wing talks about.

Response by SGT David T. made May 12 at 2016 2:46 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:46:57 -0400

Until we stop dividing ourselves and come together and compromise we will never reach our full potential.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 2:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:51:00 -0400

IMO, America is really head for a financial collapse if the current regime 's policy and practices are continued after 2016 election. We need someone who can take hold of the countries finances and recover our National debt. Together we can make AMERICA great again.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 12 at 2016 3:18 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:18:02 -0400

Rather than criticize, how about what you mean by potential? We are where we are because the Constitution has been trampled just like our flag. Our potential is limited by the people we select to represent us. Socialism is anathema to reaching a nation's potential.

Response by James Mendenhall made May 12 at 2016 3:27 PM

James Mendenhall — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:27:05 -0400

Not many Indians talking about those "good old days "

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 12 at 2016 3:31 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:31:24 -0400

Hopefully we are continually evolving and maybe our current 2 party system is a bit dated. Like RADM Grace Hopper used to say there is always a better way to do things you just got to try it.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 12 at 2016 3:40 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:40:23 -0400

America will never reach its potential because it's a moving target. There is no land anywhere in the world in all of history where the human potential was achieved as greatly as in America. Sadly, we've pulled in the reins and surrendered the power of individual liberty for freedom from responsibility. We've surrendered it to a cancerous government. Even so, we achieve far better than most peoples and can once again achieve even more if we will remove the hobbles and go on with courage.

Response by PFC Al Sethre made May 12 at 2016 3:41 PM

PFC Al Sethre — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:41:06 -0400

1944 - 1963 was probably the last time America really felt great. Since then, it's had its moments but generally has been under the weather.

Response by SPC David S. made May 12 at 2016 3:54 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:54:52 -0400

While the current lot of helicopter babies might not win gold there is still so much untapped potential in America. Be the change you want to see.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made May 12 at 2016 6:15 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Thu, 12 May 2016 18:15:28 -0400

First, we must identify what "her potential" means. When the founder began this Grand Experiment, they knew nothing would be set in stone. They devised a system that would change, grow and adapt. While many bemoan our current status, I see it as simply a step, a progression, into whatever the next step may bring. And, IMO, once we take that next step, we will see and hear the same as we now do; Oh, the country is doomed, etc. etc., etc.
But, we will survive, we will continue to grow, we will continue to progress, we will continue to evolve.
Nothing in nature is stagnant. Everything evolves.
Have we reached our full potential? I certainly hope not.

Response by SSG Wesley Peck made May 12 at 2016 6:57 PM

SSG Wesley Peck — Thu, 12 May 2016 18:57:21 -0400

What is our potential? Who defines it?
America is comprised of a large number of human beings. Humans have always, and will always, live up or down to the expectations placed upon her. i.e. The Revolution, Slavery and the Civil War, WWI and WWII, etc. In those, we lived up to expectations. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. In those we lived down to expectations. Our expectations, our potential, is now very obviously divided by our (so called) political affiliations. Left or right. No common ground any more. There is no room allowed for middle ground. De-humanization of societies has begun, and is on a roll.

How does this happen? Wtf?

It seems,to me, that there has been a ongoing global push for about 30-35 years to equalize our population and other Nations by way of reducing to the lowest common denominator. Once that mindset had taken hold, we no longer desired to rise, rather, we offered appeasement and approval. Right vs wrong, good vs bad became subjective, without context, and only theories, not settled science or fact.

But, I could be wrong. Everything could be just hunky dorie, sunshine and blues skies, and I'm just having a nightmare.

That must be why I Pray each night that God allows me to wake up in a world where the kids never heard of twerking or tea bagging, let alone see and hear their POTUS say them on national TV. A world where the police don't shoot and kill alleged perp's, because their hands are legally tied from using other methods of self protection and restraint. A world where a soldier feels it necessary to sue the POTUS. A world where America is the only Nation held to the requirements of The Geneva Convention. A world where borders aren't a luxury, but a necessity to help ward off onerous criminals, the spread of disease, and heinous parents allow their unaccompanied children to ride the rooftops of trains for 1000's of miles, only to secure those parents' future "right" to citizenship in a Nation for which they have never paid a price, and made no sacrifice...not in terms of economics, society, politics, or loyal patriotism. A world where American blood is no longer precious, and can be spilled in a war that will never be won, only used to negotiate a seat at a bargaining table.

Great question, just not enough possible choices to select from.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 12 at 2016 8:34 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 12 May 2016 20:34:40 -0400

It depends on what are goals are and how faithfully we can strive for them.