Will We Last Another 100 Years?

Image by Jordy Meow from Pixabay


As we celebrate another anniversary of American independence, I wonder how many of these celebrations are a bit muted this year?  With the unwanted arrival of the stupid Corona Virus, and the recent social unpleasantries, no one could be faulted for wondering if the "American Experiment" has finally run its course.

Benjamin Franklin's famous exchange, (which like most famous stories, is interesting whether it actually happened or not), with a "lady" outside of Independence Hall in 1787 keeps running through my mind.

Lady:  “Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?”

Franklin:  “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Lady:  “And why not keep it?”

Franklin:  “Because the people, on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good.”

This is eerily similar to the famous Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee, (what a fantastic name!), quote: 

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury."



On a personal level, I must confess that we are planning on moving out of the USA no later than the end of January, 2021.  My wife is from the Philippines; we plan on living in her rural village, at least for a few months, while we determine if we, (okay, just me), will be able to survive that lifestyle.  I am old and not in tip-top shape, so the stress of provincial living may be more than I can handle.  

If I can't cut it in rural Philippines, then we will travel around SE Asia until we do find a place to live.  

Our decision to move is primarily economic, (health insurance costs in this country are obscene!).  I  hope America can someday recapture its sense of being the "shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere”.  Attitude is more important than aptitude or wealth.  We need to return to a proper sense of who we are, and what we stand for.  

Image by Free Creative Stuff from Pixabay



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