Thankful Americans Re-Engaging

Despite the economic bad news nationally and locally, and the weakness being portrayed by our President abroad I find myself more optimistic about the future of America this year than last. Yes we have an incompetent leftist ideologue in the White House and probably even worse leadership in Congress, but the American people seem to be back in the game.

Last year at this time Americans had just voted for style over substance. This year they realize they got neither. Last year everyday Americans seemed to opt out of the political process being forced to decide between an empty-suit and a teleprompter or a Republican who not only did everything he could to alienate the majority center-right populace, but at times made people wonder if he actually wanted to win. This year they attended Tea Parties, protested on Capital Hill against government run health care, and generally expressed a deep and ever widening outrage at nearly every Obama Administration initiative.

This year we have not so much seen the emergence of Sarah Palin, but more importantly the re-emergence of common sense Sarah Palin Americans. We can all rejoice over Climate-Gate. The scoundrels have been exposed, and cap and trade legislation will almost certainly wither as a result. True, our military leadership seems to be PC corrupted as evidenced by its response to Ft. Hood terrorist attack and the way it treats its Navy SEALs heroes after battlefield successes. But, Americans still seem to know Islamic terrorism when they see it and it is good to know that our elite warriors are still out there killing, capturing and yes even bloodying up the bad guys.

Yes, the current leadership in Washington is a disaster. BHO and company have brought Chicago-style corruption and cronyism to the national stage, seem determined to go down the wrong track at every opportunity, and appear to be woefully inept to boot (this may be a blessing). Certainly, this will cost all of us dearly and will require diligence and wisdom to reverse. But, the American people seem to have reacquired the exceptional American mindset necessary to begin the process. The "Shining City on the Hill" will only die when its people decide to withdraw from the battle and retreat into a moribund socialistic existence. I have been heartened over the past 6 months by the realization that many, if not most, Americans are still willing to battle for their country and way of life. This is something for which we can be thankful.