Excellent read. Thanks for posting. A great message for Thanksgiving. Speaking of facing disaster how about the Pilgrims? And they made it. True Americans are simply indomitable.

Yeah I needed that.

Ours is an exceptional country with an outstanding founding based on immutable truths. It can only fail if we force it to.

And we are, right now, in the process of forcing it to fail.

The foundation of any society is its ability to trade value for value and our medium of trade, our currency, is garbage. This isn´t our doing but the doing og those in charge of ensuring precisely this - what we are seeing today - would not happen.

Were it the case that the majority of Americans were even vaguely aware there is a problem, maybe we could salve a great deal. As it is, though, take any 1000 Americans off the street and only 10 or so would have a clue what´s really going on. That´s not enough to fix our problem.

But, thankfully, our problems *WILL* be solved. It will just be somewhat more violent than it needs to be.

Yes, indeed. I truly love France, but it is hard not to tape my mouth shut when they find fault with our system. Since our constitution was agreed upon in 1789, the French have gone from the Bourbon monarchy to first republic, a junta (Directory), a second junta (Consulate), empire (Napoleon I), monarchy (Bourbon), return of empire (Napoleon I), restoration of Bourbons again, usurpation of monarchy by the Orleanists, second republic, second empire, third republic, Vichy, fourth republic, fifth republic. And Segolene Royal thinks it´s time to start over again with a Sixth Republic. Maybe there is something in the Federalist Papers worth considering?

Thanks, Mike! Chin up.

Love the last paragraph. I have a disabled family member who receives SSI...and voted for Romney. It was silly for Romney to write off people like him and families like ours.

Nice, but Ledeen fails to mention that each time we have come out of a very bad time in America, the basic core of our country has been a love for it. That has changed.

The very thing that made us perpetual winners is gone, taught out of children in the public schools for generations, slow and methodically. We cannot win when the only people who love America are too old to do anything about what´s going on, or are dead.

I´d love to believe Ledeen but pragmatism dictaties otherwise. It´s going to take a bloody revolution or massive secession or both to get America back to its Founding Principles. And it is certainly going to take Divine intervention in order for us to regain Truth and honor.

I feel like a team that got it´s butt kicked in the first half and had the coach fire them up in the locker room.
I needed that!

"Somebody should tell the garment-renderers and sackcloth-and-ashes crowd that we’ve been through a lot worse than this, and recovered well enough to save the world."

"Americans love a good challenge. That´s our history."

The main problem is that we haven´t been pushed hard enough yet. Zippy "accomplished" his damage in his first term by showing some restraint, bribing the right people with trillions of dollars and successfully lying his way out of multiple failures.

Wait until he really gets going. Even the deaf, dumb and politically blind will take notice and they will be very angry that their messiah is an irresponsible, childish jerk.

The reason America´s revolution succeeded, as apposed to the French and Russian revolutions, is that the American revolution was not based on Romantic Utopianism. It was based on the Enlightenment Movement, which was based on rational ideas.

As America moved from the Republic form of government to a Democratic form of government, and as America has allowed its educational structure to be dumbed down, our future looks dim. A whole lot starving is on the horizon.

Even I, who really do think we´re doomed, needed that. Thanks.

Sorry, but I believe there´s a whole new breed on the street. And way too many of them.

Like many other posters, I needed this scolding too. Great read and reminder of what America stands for. Thanks, Michael.

Excellent!! I´m from Sweden and survived during WWII many nights of covering our windows with blankets and enduring target practice runs by pilots on our barns.

German soldiers rode our rails from Finland to Norway -- by consent of the Swedish government (impartial indeed) and they stole our "rationed" food whenever they could.

So this wonderful article says what I want to say this day before Thanksgiving. I don´t and won´t read "the sky is falling" articles from now till next week. This is the GREATEST country in the world. Take it from a woman who survived Hitler....

Happy Thanksgivng everyone!! You have MY permission to be happy and healthy and AMERICAN.

LZK

Ledeeen mentions that the Civil War was a greater challenge than we face now, but he doesnt mention that we got out of that by shooting all the people who wanted to tear the country down. And burning down their cities.

I admit that the idea of burning down San Francisco sounds pretty good right now.

I wish I could be as optimistic. We were a different people 300 years ago-even 50. We understood our history and the fragility of freedom. The general populace today could not care less. We used to vote and fight for the greater good of the nation. Not anymore. The mantra is "What´s in it for me? The nation and everyone else be damned." I frankly see no silver lining for my grandchildren. I fear they will never know the America I grew up in.

Nobody needs pseudo-blues, if people want to vote left, they’ll vote for the real thing, not you-pretending-to-be-them-except-cuter.

I was at the doctors office yesterday and the nurse was saying that the Republicans are going to have to be more like the Dem´s next time around.I disagreed, but I wished I had had the above statement at hand to refute her opinions.

The PJ in PJ Media stands for Pollyanna Journal? I don’t think so, although as regards this article, some seem to. Dr. Denton Pajamas with the essential flap in the back is probably more like it. But, that’s another discussion, about sleepwear, for another day.

I enjoy a good, upbeat, look-on-the-bright-side pep talk as much as the next guy or gal but these days I’m afraid I’m not my usual optimistic self. There’s nothing quite like being around long enough to view what used to be referred to as ‘the passing parade’ over scores and decades to acquire a most valuable of aptitudes, perspective.

Electing a 99 & 44/100% mystery man to our nation’s presidency, by virtue of his assiduously hiding every aspect of his background as possible, namely Barack Hussein Obama (if that’s even his real name), was unprecedented. And then to reelect him? Don’t get me started!

Over the past four years, “This is no longer the country I grew up in.” has been my oft-repeated watchword. Now, as he embarks upon his next four years, I have no doubt I’ll be thinking it and saying it and meaning it and lamenting it as never before.

GENERATIONS of increasing ease leave us defenseless as have GENERATIONS of Marxist public school teachers, the MSM, Hollywood types and politicians pandering for their votes. Ask the average bear to kill and prepare a chicken for dinner and watch the blood drain from their heads.

To all the posters who urge us to "fight": Who in the heck do we figh? In the civil war, they wore uniforms and we had guns. Ditto the revolution. There is no one to fight and no realistic way to win. I would love to scrap with the destroyers of my country, but how do you do it? Unless you go full "John Brown" on the government, nothing is going to save our nation, and if you do, you will be vilified for all history. And dont tell me to start going to local Republican party meetings.

#14 You are amongst many I have, and still, admire here. Though some have left us, yet left their wisdom with us. I hope someday to meet you. Your stories have fascinated me for years now. I can´t help but wonder, still, how you ended up in the hell hole you did after all you´ve survived! - I kid! (Well, only partly) ;-D

This year I am thankful that for now we still have our country - hey, it was never perfect, no matter what our individual or collective memories may be!

I am especially thankful for all of you ... here ... on Lucianne! My safe harbor in the storms of life. And of course, our hostess, Ms. Lucianne, who knows a thing or three about storms in life! May God bless and keep us all!

#21, you have the same problem our military has in the icky-stans - the enemy hides in plain sight (or wears Burkhas). When fighting guerrillas mixed in with the populace you have to look at actions/behaviors instead of looking for a uniform.
In our case the enemy in inside our gates and mixed among us - they are the libtards. Just look for libtard actions/behaviors and you´ll have your enemy.

/thinking about changing my handle to Polyanna! ;-D

#14 - Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

The problem, though, is that poster LZK came to this country to become an American, build on the American dream and give back. The recent waves of immigrants come here not to become American but to take and take.

We may have been through worse before but it was a different country. We had different (less) laws, a different supreme court (roberts has proved a fool), a different populace make-up, were more energy independent, didn´t have an epa trying to destroy every industry, and had the manufacturing base to pull our economy out of any pit it fell into. Like numerous articles have pointed out, obama is not the problem. A people that would actually affirm him based on the insanity he has already wrought is the problem. And that´s not going away without a serious upheaval in our society.

Prediction: 2016, Democratic Convention. President Barack Obama placing the name of Michelle Obama in nomination: "Bush made such a mess of the economy that even I couldn´t right the ship of state, so Michelle needs another eight years to do it."

During the past election, the Democrats proved that they can steal any election they choose to. And what are the Republicans doing about it? Discussing immigration and entitlements.

I am grateful for the freedoms and responsibilities this country has given me, but I think that Ameritopia is our future. A few of us understand what is happening, but our voices are drowned out by the ever-expanding crowd that wants what it wants when it wants it.

Romney´s 47% remark was so misunderstood, even by some here.

At the time he made it and throughout much of the campaign, Obie´s number stuck at about 47% in the polls. What Romney was saying was "I don´t believe that there´s much I can do about them as they are beholden to Obie and government entitlements". It was his intention to go for the remaining 53%.

The liberals and their lapdog media twisted this so badly. Most - but not all - of us understood exactly what he meant from the first time we heard/read that remark - which by the way was taken out of the context of his total remarks. Those zingers always are. They wouldn´t be effective opposition tools if they weren´t.

Anyone with a brain knows that all Social Security participants did not vote for Obie. But that most of Obie´s hardcore supporters were on some part of the federal government dole - whether they be college students or seniors or somewhere in between.

Thank you, #14. I have heard several references over the past week or two about America´s deficiencies compared to the wonders of equality and socialism in Scandanavian countries.

Believe me, I admire Scandanavians as people. But, I am already tiring of hearing the preaching regarding the "superiority" of their systems of government.

#14 Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing with us.

I´m an optimist and also one of the 47 million. Even though we will have to endure four more years of poor leadership before we turn our mighty ship around, I´m confident it will happen. There will be "Morning in America" again.

#21. You fight it my counter idiocy whenever and where ever you see it. Most of all you fight it by holding true to your own virtues and by noting to others that these virtues always work. It is rapidly becoming apparent the values of the past three decades- self esteem, self promotion, self congratulations and self satisfaction- do not.

What can´t continue won´t.

Sorry, but de Tocqueville got it right. We will endure, but not as we are now. The quicker the collapse the sooner we can rebuild.

Yes, the USA is composed of resilient people. Ironically, those resilient people who believe in the founding principles that made this country great are being blamed for creating the problems we now face. If we are to regroup and win this time, people will have to be taught to believe and respect those principles again – and who is teaching them?

It is not true that all people have an innate yearning to be free. People believe what they are taught. If we do not truly believe that conservative principles work – enough to actually support people who practice them – we are part of the problem.
Both major political parties now support big government candidates. This is a tacit surrender to the socialist mentality. When there is NO ONE standing up for truly limiting government, why take the party offering you half, when the other is offering you all? Both agree that you should get something, so why not get as much as possible?

You have to win the hearts and minds. You don’t do that by writing off half the nation up front with ill-disguised class warfare.

Pray. God is not through with the U.S. yet. Every generation gets it challenges and He has provided a way through because we know who to be thankful to. Happy Thanksgiving to all who post here. If any are offended let me ask to whom are you grateful to?

#34. The parties differ only in the speed with which we will collapse.

I regretfully have to differ with Mr. Ledeen. I think we have fallen terminally into the hands of the unwashed, the cellphone party voters, the naive old ladies, the people who sneak in and don´t talk our lingo too good, the half baked college population, the semi-permanently unemployed, the ruthless poll sneakers and ballot stuffers and the entrenched state and local unions who aid them, abetted by the feeble minded who will fall for any Democratic smear of Republican presidential candidates and, who while feeble minded, manage to be purists in their own minds.

And I don;t see any hope. We are headed for bankruptcy and possibly for destrucdtion.

#14 - I hope you write your autobiography for your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and family friends. I would love to read it and pass your stories on to the students I get a chance to teach.

Since 1960 (my senior year in high school), when the Adolph Eichmann trial was taking place, my reading preoccupation has been about the German Theatre of WWII. Even though I was born the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed, the Japanese part of the war has never held the same interest for me.

The Germans (I am one-quarter German) were too close to my proud ancestry(my dear, sweet grandmother was German). How could smart, solid, well-educated people buy what Hitler was selling? It confounds me still to this day.

Though I live near the People´s Republic of Ann Arbor, Michigan where the University of Michigan is located, I am proud that Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Hungarian Jews, graced our city for several years as he was earning his degree in architecture from the U of M.

There is a bit of recent good news regarding Wallenberg, which gives me a bit of hope that America still recognizes good people: On July 26, 2012 he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress "in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during the Holocaust."

May Raoul Wallenberg´s heroism be a continued beacon for Jews and Christians against the barbarism that is engulfing the world!

As long as I keep my eye on God and remember I am to be obedient to His Word, I AM NOT DOOMED. The conflicts we face will ultimately be about that. Bring it!

I understand the urge for a pep talk, but I´m with those noting that we are a different country with a populace that believes the revisionist history because that was all they were taught. Traditional political solutions are no longer open to us.

We are facing a time of trials. Faithful people will be tested. Its time for deep prayer and learning to listen to God and following His Will.

Just because I scored 6 touchdowns in a high-school football (hat tip, Al Bundy) doen´t mean I can walk on the field now 30 years later with the same attitude, hunger, fearlessness and ability.

I think it´s foolish to rest your minds and hope on the past. EVERY great nation in the history of mankind has failed to some form of evil, power-hungry dictatorship....wonder how many of their populace fooled themselves into remembering the good ol´ days while the enemy kept advancing and solidifying their positions.

It´s absurd to think the feminized men and macho women of today would stand and fight for the concept of freedom and liberty when they have little idea or clue what it really means outside of contraception and food stamps.

IMO, we are lazy, selfish and PRIDEFUL people who don´t have the guts, strength or fortitude of even the generation preceding us and the curtain is falling on everything America was.

Excellent article. Never misunderestimate the spirit of Liberty within the American people! Securing and maintaining each individual´s equal respect for human Life, Liberty and Justice for ALL has historically always trumped freedom´s adversaries, ´de jeur,´ in the USA. . ...Mark Levin´s best seller clarifies the choices: ´´Liberty and Tyranny.´´ The heart of America cherishes Liberty.

America remains THE beacon of Liberty on planet earth. We give thanks for our blessings of freedom, not only in this country but whereever else Liberty thrives in the hearts of all others this day in 2012!

Hay everyone not so fast,I just heard that Obama and the demacrats are talking of ending everyones IRA and "giveing you a government annuity" and distributing our money to who they seem to be needy.Please pass this on .

Sorry, but I´m just not that optimistic.

Alot of people will be content to get kicked in the face by the government over and over as long as they get a bone now and then.

Right now people are thinking they can buy the government´s good will. Big mistake. The government wants to control the wealth of the entire country. Most people will be reduced to subsistence living.

As long as the media can manipulate the public (including many Republicans), and is controled by the government, nothing will change.

No, The 22nd amendment will be overturned and Obama will run againand win in 2016. Maybe even 2020.
We need to work on the Senate.
Also, alot of the schools do not teach history before about 1880. We need to set up after schools History of the USA classes. Just as Jewish people set up classes to teach history and hebrew. aaand the Japanese too.
We could rent community buildings and see how it goes.

This American refuses to surrender without a fight. Want to deprive me of my rights? Then you´ll have a fight on your hands, and the loser won´t be me.

Michael you are incorrect about being a taker if you are on social security. I worked hard for 47 years and the liberal government took money our of every pay check for my retirement. I am not taking, the liberal government is returning, with nowhere near the interest I would have earned had they let me invest it on my own.

What phase of grief is this supposed to be -- acceptance? Where to start on this mendacity? First, he conflates what the eurotrash have always said with what US citizens are now saying for the first time. The eurotrash has had completely different reasons for saying the US is a failure -- i.e., it´s not eurotrash socialist. But Scumbama´s two elections are an inflection point for the US in that regard, and Ledeen just doesn´t want to see or acknowledge that. Second, does Ledeen really think illegal immigrants, "moderate muslims" (TANSTAAMM), and the 47% or more of the country with ingrown and incurable NPD are going to rescue the US? They are THE PROBLEM, not the solution.

Thanks poster. I have been posting since Nov 7 that the election was stolen. We need to band together, and keep it from happening in 2016. 0 and his minions do not know American history, and the nature of Americans. We just need to teach our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren what America is, and that she is worth fighting for.

#15, while your post was sadly humorous (should I say with gallows humor?), I think you have hit on something that I fear is true.

Yes, before the Civil War was resolved, our nation went through a long, horrifying and bloody ordeal. I´m afraid our nation is going to suffer through something similar, and soon.

I don´t know whether that suffering will be caused by external forces (Iran perhaps), or by internal collapse. I do know that this has been a long time coming, with the Left having slowly, persistently and deliberately undermined our culture over many decades.

#43 – Correct. Search Engine: Private Savings Accounts May Be “On the Table” in Fiscal Cliff Talks (11-19-12)

#51 – Clarification – Search Engine: National Seniors Council