[charlietwo]

This is a very pessimistic post, but I feel the need to bring it up. I would like to see some perspective from my wiser, older brothers out there. It seems to me that we're willfully walking towards the edge of a precipice. I understand we're not faced with nuclear annihilation, nor are we facing a war that encompasses the entire world in organized conflict, but it seems to me that America is dying from within. So, my question is, has it ever been this bad?

Every day that goes by, I see more stories about various aspects of the American society crumbling under the weight of anti-American ideology. Everything from Islamism to aggressive secularism is making the not-so-subtle argument that the average American either doesn't want to survive, or they don't know how to regain the power that is obviously lost.

I have no faith in our government as an institution, nor do I have faith that the institution itself wants to survive. It appears to my young eyes that we've somehow made a death pact and this beautiful ship that is America is on cruise control and we're heading towards an iceberg. The worst part is that the two parties that are supposed to be guiding this ship are nowhere to be found. One party wouldn't know which way to steer if they got control, and the other party seems to be content with crashing just so they can blame the other. All the while, we sink into the abyss.

I understand this is a very pessimistic view, and I hesitate to even bring up these thoughts. At the end of the day, my faith brings me peace and serenity, so I don't fear the future, only try to find a path to make it better. But ultimately, as a sheepdog, I see many wolves among us. Worse yet, I see the sheep I've been charged with protecting guarding the wolves who are sitting back and salivating for their opportunity. I feel powerless, and I don't see any representation in this supposedly representative government.

So again, my question is, has it ever been this bad?