Where Have You Gone Uncle Sam?

“I believe in America.” This is the famous opening line uttered by Amerigo Bonasera from The Godfather. Even though Bonasera was expressing some disillusionment at the time, the line reverberates with me. It touches my heart because it’s representative of the early immigrant conviction. Throughout the 19^th century and early 20^th century we developed into a country of immigrants. The American experience was so enthralling and spellbinding that most immigrants wanted to assimilate and become American. They wished to leave behind the systems that failed them and risked everything because of the promise of America. In doing so they brought with them customs, work ethic, faith, and recipes that seasoned the fabric of the nation. The first generation of immigrants always worked tirelessly to create a better opportunity for their children. That was the promise we inherited. Americans of all ethnic backgrounds developed into, E Pluribus Unum, “Out of Many One.” As we enter our 251^st year what has become of that unbridled patriotism, that love of country?

Recently a survey conducted by The Wall Street Journal and the University of Chicago concluded that patriotism was important to only 38% of Americans. In 1998 that figure was 70%.

I grew up in that pre – 2000 America, then a nation that valued love of country. I believed as many of you did that, we were a great country worthy of our love and civic allegiance. That we had a civic culture set up by the Founders. I was taught that in school. I was taught that by my family. I was taught that in church. I was surrounded by it in my community. Our political leaders reenforced that sentiment in their governance. “The American Way of Life,” was something we all understood. “America First’ was something we never questioned. It used to be a bi-partisan existence.

After 9/11, on the advice of Dick Cheeney and the Neocons, George W.

Bush decided to attempt nation building in the Middle East. Bad idea.