Echoing JFK’s enduring admonition
More than 50 years ago, Democrat John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you ...” to the thunderous applause of a proud, self-reliant nation. Today’s batch of career politicians panders to that base, selfish side of each of us simply driven by “what’s in it for me?” Just ask multiple combat tour veterans serving in America’s all-volunteer military about the seemingly oblivious population they most dutifully defend. Total disconnect here cries out for just remedy.
A trumped-up war on women and minorities dominates the public discourse revealing our incredibly gullible nature. Phony, disingenuous terms such as diversity and social justice permeate the false bravado of print and broadcast media in the sleaziest form of identity politics. Painfully lost in all the blather and hot air, we ponder the poignant legacy of Dr. King’s dream and Rosa Parks’ courage in earnest pursuit of true equality and human dignity, not insulting quotas and destructive handouts.
Perhaps someday this exceptional nation will return to the greatness captured in President Kennedy’s words, celebrating the selfless core of an indomitable American spirit, “… ask what you can do for your country.”
God help us all if we do not.
William G. Parrot
McHenry