America: Get out onto open waters

America has historically been the place where only the terms "hope," "optimism," and "impossible dreams" matter. However, over the last half-century we have become divided by the skewed definitions of the words "conservatism: and "liberalism," largely with the advent of television and the byproduct of unfair and dishonest propaganda.

Propaganda - that is a term we don't like the sound of, but what else do you call communication that is aimed at influencing people toward one side of an issue by withholding the complete story through lies of omission or purposeful deceit? How convenient that the same light boxes that urge us to pick one fabric softener over another are used in like manner to influence the direction of who operates our government.

When was the last time you felt as though any family member or friend was qualified to run for office? Why is that? Are we too imperfect and know far too many of our own secrets to be good enough, are we not forgiving enough?

Yet are we to assume there is some elite group or class of society, more perfect and better equipped to do for us because we obviously cannot do for ourselves? Just stop for a moment and really think about it! If all that were true we would have never left the monarchies of Europe centuries ago to establish this nation. Likewise, when have you ever seen a triumph worth noting that did not first follow a great tragedy of overwhelming odds?

Abraham Lincoln said, "I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else go." Then he stood up tall, stared down his adversity and pressed on because it mattered.

To be more you must do more, believe more, hope more, and persist on. There is nothing that can compensate for your failure to act, no elite class or special department who can fix your problems, there is only you and the decision to be a ruggedly determined doer even if that means you may fail so much you are driven to your knees continually.

We all believe that our government, founded in the rule of law scripted in the Constitution, was intended to promote and protect individual liberty while safeguarding those most vulnerable. Of course that is a noble liberalistic notion that must be constrained within conservative bounds or else we risk repeating the failures of socialism and communism namely the unconstrained outcomes of overly ravenous governments and slothfully entitled societies.

Anyone who says "just be" and that is happiness, is lying to you. You are good enough to achieve any height regardless of your shortcomings, failures, or starting point in life, if you are willing to pay the price. Prove everyone wrong just like those common men who were inspired to stand up to the tyranny of the world, who acting with faith, hope, and courage ventured out onto open waters, and whose hard labor and impossible dreams made our present age possible.

Remind yourself daily that it matters; the hope of your dreams and the resolve of your heart matters. Let your character be defined by charting into new territory and not by the skewed definitions of words or the knowing false influence of our commercialized life. Get out onto open waters, and keep being the first to do something and together America will continue to lead the way to a better future.

I believe this and so should you.

David Taylor is a North Idahoan currently serving his country in Systems Command, U.S. Marine Corps. Headquarters, Washington, D.C.