Jamie, you and me both. I don't like the direction the country is going, and I worry greatly about the world we will bequeath to our children and grandchildren. I find that, more often than not, I end up voting AGAINST a presidential instead of FOR one -- the lesser of two evils. But, I remember "back in the day" when we had to take Civics in public school, that as a citizen of a constitutional republic, it was my duty to vote my conscience, and then abide by the results of the election. I could also petition my congressman, senator and president; make stump speeches; or run for office myself (at least until I joined the military).
We now have a generation or two of citizens who did not have to take civics, and as a result are abysmally ignorant of how a constitutional republic works, and what the duties and responsibilities of a citizen entail (they all seem to know their rights, however). They are like petulant children. If they don't get their way, they pout and demonize (at best), or endorse revolution (at worst). There is a whole industry of demagogues who cash in on their ignorance -- so-called community organizers, trash-talk radio hosts, even in many cases our own church leaders.
Jim's Civil War discussion boards have represented, to me at least, an interesting and enjoyable refuge where I can discuss -- or, more importantly, listen to -- the history of my intellectual passion, the Civil War, with some of the finest minds I've ever encountered. Yet even here the spoiled brats have managed to find the door and barge in, spreading their hyperbole and trash-talk. Discourse too often gives way to rants.
I served my country in peace and war for 32 years, and lost some good friends along the way. Duty to Old Glory is all I know, though I do take a certain quiet pride in the fact that I swore my oath with a Southern accent.
I hope you and others understand that I don't walk around with blinders on. I know the shape our country is in, and I don't like it. But my discouragement is somewhat mitigated by the fact that I've been in a lot of countries, and no other nation or system of government can compare to the United States, warts and all. All I can do is soldier on, pass on my values to succeding generations of my family, and be a good citizen.
Thanks for letting me say my piece, as irrelevant as it is to the study of the Civil War.