The eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is a time to look back and remember that awful day in 2001 when Arab terrorists attacked our homeland. However, it is also a time to look back on significant changes in America over the last 11 years and ponder whether the country needs to reevaluate itself.
During those 11 years, our national debt has increased from approximately $4 trillion when George W. Bush took office to approximately $15 trillion today. It took 191 years (1789 – 1980) for the U.S. to amass a national debt of approximately $1 trillion. Now we do that every year and neither of our two major political parties has demonstrated an ability to change that trend.
Our politics are probably more polarized than at any time in our history since the 1860’s. Our politicians exhibit all the characteristics of a bunch of empty suits crowding around one or the other of two extreme poles with a yawning chasm between them.
Or, as the Winstom Salem Journal editorialized:
“Today’s politics are often directed by cynical men and women who care only about winning elections and subsequently holding power to reap victory’s rewards. They care not that they are undermining our confidence in our future elected leaders and in our democracy itself.”
Additionally, we have significantly reduced the significance and guarantees of our Constitution through the passage of the Patriot Act, an act read by none of the 535 senators and congressmen who voted on it, but passed into law less than two months after the 9/11 attacks.
A USA Today editorial stated,
“Eleven years after the 9/11 attacks, regular reminders about that awful day persist, whenever you pass through an airport, see the altered Manhattan skyline or hear about the latest casualties in Afghanistan. Less visibly, millions of security cameras track your movements, and the government has amassed vast powers to snoop on you.”
As we move into the critical last two months of the current election season, this is a good time to reflect on just what kind of America we want in the future.
Winston Salem Journal editorial: http://www2.journalnow.com/news/opinion/2012/sep/11/wsopin01-editorial-lets-regain-our-911-unity-ar-2595342/
USA Today editorial: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/story/2012-09-10/911-11-years-anniversary/57738402/1
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