Reflections on the Democratic National Convention and America's Future

PLEASE…PEACE.

PLEASE…PEACE

I have been feeling old. At 74, disillusion has settled in as I watch the Democratic Convention and reflect on the mess that is now America.

This prompted me to re-examine and remember the 1960s, a time when the spirit of our nation was much different. Last evening, I revisited Theodore H. White's book, The Making of the President 1960, The Making of The President and watched a portion of the Documentary of the same name. I placed these reflections in my thoughts and notes, and I think I will share them with you.

The contrast between the hopeful spirit of the early 1960s and the disillusionment of today's America is stark. In 1960, the nation was a beacon of optimism, poised on the brink of progress and transformation. John F. Kennedy's presidency embodied this spirit, with his famous call to unity and peace: "We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's futures. And we are all mortal." It was a time when America believed in its exceptionalism—not as a force of domination, but as a leader in innovation and moral progress.

Yet, as the decades unfolded, the narrative shifted. The recent Democratic National Convention, with its spectacle and perceived propaganda, reflects a nation grappling with chaos and decay. The political landscape seems dominated by external influences, with critics pointing to the sway of foreign interests and the military-industrial complex. Wars are fought, but the reasons are muddled, obscured by the rhetoric of American exceptionalism—a term that once inspired but now feels hollow.

In the early 1960s, The Making of the President 1960 chronicled a pivotal election with depth and insight, capturing a nation's hope for progress. Today, that hope seems distant. The influence of powerful interest groups and the prioritization of military might over diplomacy have led to a decline in America's global standing. Authors like Andrei Martyanov argue that the nation is on a downward trajectory, losing its competitive edge and moral compass. The wars fought in the name of freedom have left scars, with leaders justifying actions that have led to immense human suffering.

Reflecting on these changes, one wonders how America became this country. The spirit of the 1960s—marked by optimism and a belief in shared destiny—has given way to a society where the few prosper while the many struggle. The machines keep turning, but the soul of the nation feels lost.

The spirit of the early 1960s, with its optimism and vision for a united future, now feels like a distant echo. The United States, once a symbol of progress and innovation, finds itself mired in a reality dominated by external influences and internal discord. The wars we fight seem endless, driven by a military-industrial complex that thrives on conflict, while the rhetoric of American exceptionalism rings hollow in the face of global skepticism.

The nation that Kennedy envisioned—a leader in peace, cooperation, and shared human destiny—has been overshadowed by a relentless pursuit of power and profit. The machines keep producing, yet the soul of America feels adrift, lost in a sea of disillusionment and division. The promise of a bright future has been replaced by a grim reality where the few prosper while the many struggle.

To survive, the United States must learn to be a good world citizen, embracing the ideals of cooperation and moral leadership that Kennedy championed. This is the only hope, albeit a distant one, for reclaiming a place of true global leadership—not through domination, but through example.

Yet, the path to such a transformation is fraught with challenges. It requires a fundamental shift in values and priorities, a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and embrace change. The odds are daunting, and the likelihood of success seems slim. But if there is any hope, it lies in rediscovering the spirit of unity and progress that once defined the nation.

In the end, the question remains: can America rise to the challenge and redefine its role on the world stage? The answer is uncertain, but the need for change is undeniable. Only by becoming the good world citizen that Kennedy envisioned can the United States hope to survive and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

John F Kennedy “For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.”. Text https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/other-resources/john-f-kennedy-speeches/american-university-19630610 Text

JMH