I finished my time in the Marines in July of 1999. I left with a solid attitude and a patriotic spirit.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In the years following, I would fly my flags every day except in bad weather.
26 years later, what has changed?
These days, the flag goes out on just a few occasions each year.
Both major parties have taken turns in power. Both parties serve up their own dose of cringe.
By now, some Americans may feel that both major political parties are manipulative and dishonest.
National pride is declining in America
This concept has been in the news recently.
When comment sections are open, people seem to make this issue about their most or least liked political parties and personalities.
If I was 20 years old today, I could think of a half dozen reasons to be less patriotic than I was at age 20 in 1980.
What has changed since 1980?
More in the way of undeclared/unwon wars.
US dollars are worth less.
Why Do We Have a Paper-Money System?
by Jacob G. Hornberger
July 18, 2025
Renting an apartment was routine stuff in the early 80s. Looks like those days are gone now.
Every other ad on TV is for Big Pharma meds that may bring on quality of life-threatening side effects.
How about legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34)
Hey, good news-
Grandpa is feeling better now that he has quit smoking.
He is feeling good enough to participate in a TV ad for the meds he took.
When you go to stay with Grandpa this summer, just know that he may be experiencing:
“Hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions”
Also, since 1980-
The catastrophic military failure of 911.
Frequent claims by both major parties that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Real newspeople may ask:
How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?
Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.
No such thing the day I graduated from high school.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
Ongoing Breakdown of Society
In past decades, people could do time in uniform, then return to the US with a feeling that they were living in the best country on the planet.
Standards have deteriorated. Today, the troops return to an ongoing breakdown of society.
Take a look at KOMO news on any random day for an ongoing breakdown of society update.
The comment section will advise on where we’re at.
Armed Forces Recruiting Crisis
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Both major political parties are good with it.
Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this. Continuing on this path will wear down the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
There has been good news for recruiting recently after standards were modified to create a prep course category for training recruits.
Thousands of American families have now had a loved one who did one or more tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Will they support new enlistments?
Our take:
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Some will say obese teens and young adults are to blame for the big recruiting crisis.
Thousands of young, intelligent and athletic Americans participate in college athletics each year. Certainly, they would qualify to enlist- no rehab/prep program required.
Why are these people not showing up at the recruiting office?
Any questions from newspeople?
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Related:
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Epstein – Personalities and Group Identities
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
National pride is declining in America
Information Suppression Specialists
TSA – Newspeople Refuse To Ask
Drug War Show Business & The Puget Sound Area