Our Nation's Capitol

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit the city of Washington D.C. for the 3rd time in my life. The first time I was in 8th grade, the second I was only able to visit Georgetown for corporate training, and the third was to visit the city with my grandmother. She and I have been discussing a trip to DC together since my 8th grade trip and finally it was accomplished.

There is something strange about visiting the capitol these days. While walking past monuments and looking at the iconography associated with each one I found it difficult to avoid hating a good portion of the politicians we have elected. I won't name names and give a list of those in particular I dislike for this reason or that, instead it is a general frustration at politicians as a whole. I also will not be so ignorant as to assume that they themselves cause this problem. I think it is a deeper problem present in the US.

With the speed of daily life, continued increase in technology, and decrease in political interest comes an overwhelming problem. People in America no longer have the time, energy, or interest in politics or what gets done to make this country great. When you stroll through the monuments in DC it is hard not to feel patriotic and think long and hard about all of the people who have fought with words or with weapons to make and keep this country together. One of the most powerful images is the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights in the National Archives. Standing just inches from the parchment makes one remember and realize that everything we are able to enjoy today is a direct product of what those men (and women) argued for hundreds of years ago. Yet, what is disheartening is that many today don't think about this and don't have time to care. Politicians no longer make speeches about freedom and rights the way they used to. It has been a long time since we have had a George Mason, Abraham Lincoln or an FDR.

I could go on about this subject for a long while, but instead I focus on this one aspect of discovery I had this weekend in DC. Americans no longer look to political leaders and soldiers as heroes, instead they look to MTV and Hollywood. The time of political leaders who can rally the American spirit and remind people why the Senate, House, Supreme Court, and White House even exist seem long gone. I miss those days and I fear we won't see them again. What will it take to get back there and what will it take for Americans to realize that the life we live is a product of these types of heroic figures, not because of hip hop artists and movie stars? Will Americans come to realize that everything they have could disappear if not properly maintained?