LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Words on a piece of paper. A document that used to have the same meaning for everyone. I remember a time in the USA when those words spoke of a dream that was attainable for all.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness seemed possible for those who worked hard and followed their passion. An achievement that was not just measured in monetary terms, but also in how WE THE PEOPLE felt about our nation.

As an American reflecting on Father’s day and looking forward to Independence Day, I got to thinking.

Too much spending on the wrong things and too many lost wars have eroded not only how Americans feel but also what they can afford. Health care, food, and housing costs have all seen the effects of those misadventures. Since the ’80s, conspicuous consumerism has not only grown exponentially but also led to a sense of being constantly unfulfilled. Greed, bullying, hypocricy, and arrogance have never been a good look for the U.S. Today, most nations are turning away from us. 80-90% of them and 60% of us are feeling like we are moving in the wrong direction based on the bad choices that h ave beeen made in the past six months.

It’s this overall palpable feeling of loss, instead of a sense of gratitude, that has me worried. That’s when you know something has gotten so bad that it may not be reversible. Today, in 2025, those words on a piece of paper seem more like a dream than a reality for many.

“America can never be conquered by a foreign army. It can only by conquered from within ” – Abraham Lincoln.