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American has just completed one of the
longest running periods of economic expansion in the history of the
world. Prosperity, by almost every
measure available, has spread wider and deeper than anyone would have
predicted in a new century dominated by equally unprecedented acts of
terror. Yet, in spite of the
statistics and words of celebration offered by politicians and captains of
the business world, the average person continues to worry about tomorrow.
There are reasons for fear. During this same period of extraordinary
growth, we went from being a model of capital creation and industry to a
nation that borrows to buy what others now build. The value of one of our best commodities –
the dollar – has plummeted against other currencies. Faith in the integrity and competency of
our leadership and economic system has been harmed at home and abroad. Those of us staring at abandoned
manufacturing facilities and the price of imported gas are understandably
more cynical than a Wall Street flush with high stock prices and dollars from
abroad. No matter how much the new economy is touted, we know we may
be losing the battle for tomorrow.
America is a developed nation. That development means we are blessed with
far more days of comfort than those in undeveloped countries. That development also means that we
reaching the end point of traditional economic ascendance through building
and manufacturing. We have reached a
time where emerging countries like China and Korea can make things cheap and
as fast and well as we do.
God has created a world of constant
motion. No person, community, country,
or culture holds unique rights to prosperity.
The tides of success are constantly changing, and only through courage,
creativity, and other skills can a country reach and sustain prosperity. Within this reality, the average American
finds a common sense basis for fear. We
feel our cultural erosion toward the hollow and temporary securities of
materialism, personal pleasure, and abandoned values. The mumbling majority knows that our
greatest enemy is not found across the oceans or outside our borders, but
here at home.
The success and dedication of previous American
generations have created an economic momentum that will carry us forward for
some time. Like an out of gas car that
has built enough speed to coast, we have a ways to go before we use up our momentum. Timely actions to renew our sense of
purpose will determine if those who come later have a fair crack at the American dream.
America can best begin reaching for the
future with the premise that no country on earth – including those
successfully competing for our jobs – is our enemy. Certainly, there are governments, groups,
and individuals that wish us harm, but we are in this world together and it behooves
America to reach out with a handshake versus a fist and an authentic desire
to exchange value versus bullets.
Knowing that there are those who do wish us
harm – it also makes sense to stand firm with America’s interests, keep our
military strong, and remain alert to predatory forces that have always been
and will be an obstacle to that which is right and just. America must remain smart and vigilant
without becoming closed and cynical.
The future of America, quite simply, rests on
three words – liberty, responsibility, and opportunity. These words form the foundation of an American Success Equation that has grounded
an exceptional history of success. No matter
how strong other emerging countries may become through the temporary powers
of cheap labor and natural resources, the commodities of safety, maturity,
wisdom, values, and freedom will always be precious in a fallen world.
America has a future, but only if we earn it
by continuing to serve as a beacon for that which is noble, higher, and
extraordinary in man. In an earlier
time of trial, Franklin Roosevelt once described America as “the arsenal of
democracy”. The world today needs an
arsenal truth and freedom just as surely.
A positive future for America will have us
looking into the eyes of our children and grandchildren with a pledge. “I will not abandon you – I will not look
away from your needs to my own – mine will not be the first generation to
extinguish the American Dream that
has served so long as a light to a grieving world.” In so doing we will produce a commodity for
which there will be limitless demand and very little competition.
Carl Mumpower
11th
District Republican Congressional Candidate
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