Opinion

Focus on issues that matter for nation

Posted August 25, 2014 5:01 am

When I saw Lil Strom's Aug. 20 letter headlined "Nation is troubled - so do something," I was optimistic. Unfortunately, after an irrelevant critique of our nation's anthem, Lil claims that the Constitution says, "For the people, of the people, and by the people." They were in Lincoln's Gettysburg address, not the Constitution.

Then Lil complains that we have "so many shootings" and blames it on "TV, poverty and homeless." First, gun crime has been declining since 1993. Regardless, blaming TV, poverty, and homeless does no good - what does Lil want to actually "do" about those three things?

I couldn't agree more with Lil's final statement: "America, wake up and do something." However, the first step to doing something is understanding. Do some research and understand the issues. Don't waste time arguing over which song should be our anthem. And, most importantly, read the Constitution and know what is in it (and what isn't).

But since Lil brings it up, I think our current anthem is very relevant, perhaps now more than ever:

"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And The Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Tyler Benjamin

West Chicago

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