Some Americans Still Dream

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Yes, I am a dreamer. Always have been. I hope I always shall be.

As I reach that point in the human life cycle where one can sense the end approaching, my dreams are now blunted by the knowledge that much of the “stuff” I dream about will not become real until I have left this plain of existence.  That makes me sad.

As I was looking through the archives of Longstreet’s Commentaries a while back, I came across a piece I wrote way back in 2007, in which I stressed how important it was for man to continue the exploration of space… not just near space but on out into the stars.  I was then, and I remain today, convinced that THAT is where man’s future lies.

OK.  I DO know America is broke, at the moment.  And I admit to being pessimistic about America’s complete recovery due to, as I see it, a lack of intelligent, and brave, and innovative leadership.  I long for a GOP presidential candidate I can support and for whom I can vote.  A candidate that can stir my heart and mind as Ronald Reagan did with his “Morning in America” philosophy of optimism that brought America roaring back from the depressing doldrums of a Jimmy Carter Administration that seemed to believe it was Carter’s calling in life to preside over an America in decline.  

It is obvious the Obama Administration feels the same as Jimmy Carter.  We see the evidence everyday right before our eyes as Obama pulls America out of the global leadership role in favor of allowing other countries to take the lead in solving problems that affect everyone on the globe.  (See the war in Libya)

Not studying history condemns one, including nations, to make the same mistakes over again.  We are seeing the results of Obama’s lack of historical knowledge and perspective playing out in the war in Libya today.

If America withdraws from its global leadership role chaos will reign on the globe.  How do I know?  How can I make such a bold statement?  Simple.  History teaches us that.  Read it.  Study it.  You will find I am correct.

If I have learned anything, at all, in my many decades on this earth, it is that we will survive and we will create a new country, or countries, on this continent.  I must say, that I do not see how the fifty state country we know as the “United” States of America can survive, at all. We are simply too divided.  Differences in regional cultures and political philosophies will not allow us to remain a single people, a single nation. 

Understand: many of the states now in “The union” cannot abide socialism.  On the other hand, many of the states are pushing for more socialism.  That alone will be the single most important factor in shattering the US and creating at least two separate countries, maybe more.

It is a nightmare for me.  But, I have come to believe it will, eventually, be the only way freedom-loving people will be able to preserve their freedom. 

The US monetary system now employed will, of necessity, be dropped in favor of a new monetary system to meet the needs of the new country domestically and for worldwide trade.  In fact that may happen even before the separation becomes a reality.

Needless to say, I will be among those who refuse to live under socialism.

Now here’s the rub, at least ONE of them:  Man’s time on this planet is not unlimited. To ensure the continued existence of the human race we have no alternative but to explore and seek out new worlds to settle where we can propagate and flourish.

I say again: Man MUST look to, and MUST go to, the stars.  It is our destiny.  It is what we humans do.  We have reached our limits here on Earth, so now we must stretch out into the myriad of worlds awaiting our arrival. 

The sad thing is, we should already be there.  Curbing America’s space program, after the visits to our moon, was the biggest mistake the US has ever made.  I am convinced history will prove the sagacity of that statement.

While our space program is nearly 4 decades behind where it should be today, we have no choice but to gear up, suck it up, pay the price, and get back on track… as soon as is humanly possible. 

We Americans must never give up our dreams and we must never allow ourselves to cease dreaming.  America, itself, was a dream. Remember?  To some around the world it remains a dream.

I am convinced man’s destiny lies out there, among the stars.  Some even speculate that man originated out there someplace.  If so, we will simply be going home! 

Whatever the case, I am convinced we are treading a path that can be trod only once.  There is no going back. We can only go forward – IF, that is, we wish to survive -- not only as Americans -- but also as a species.

J. D. Longstreet