America has seen better days to be sure. Recently during the Government shut down of 2013 we saw people furloughed, working without pay and only a promise that they will receive it. We saw National Parks and War Monuments closed to tourist because supposedly the funding from the Government was cut off. And those are just a few of the consequences of a dysfunctional Government. But during that time we also saw, and not much of this was reported in the media, a nation that once again came together and do what we best--help each other. Many Government agencies that help those in need were shut down but in several States there were stories of neighbors and communities coming together to aid those that had lost their homes due to fires and couldn't get assistance from Government agencies because they were closed or feeding the homeless that had been going to shelters that were temporarily closed. Friends and family members reached out to help those that had been furloughed by purchasing food for them or helping them pay their bills or simply just cooking a meal for them. America is at her best when times are the hardest. People put aside their differences and join to help others get back on their feet. I've seen this during the tornados in Joplin, Missouri when nature wielded her power and destroyed everything in her path costing people their homes and lives; during the floods in New Orleans from hurricanes Katrina and Rita when people were forced to live in filthy conditions in the Super Dome; during the fires in Colorado when people could do nothing but watch as the fires drew closer to their homes; and when terrorists bombed the towers on 9/11 and our Nation's hope was at it's lowest and our fear was at it's highest--there were stories of heroism and Faith. THESE are the stories I choose to dwell on and NOT the picture that the media paints for us. What if the Government shut down had lasted longer? I believe we are resilient and compassionate enough that people would have joined together to help others more. I believe our country would begin to rebuild what we have lost, our Country's values and foundation. When our forefathers built this country there was no Government, they relied on each other and their instincts. Their values and convictions were strong, family was the most important thing a man could have. I think we need to get back what we have lost. We need to stop letting others do our thinking and decision making for us. We need to take back this country, just like the Veterans did that removed the barricades from the War Monuments during the shut down to allow the public to view it. Government is needed to a certain extent but NOT to the extent that we have allowed it to go. We are not sheep, we are Americans and it's time we started acting like Americans again.
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