A country made of you, controlled by you Print
Written by Administrator   
Friday, 30 April 2010 20:11
By Preston Wells
Hugo High School
Co-Editor

“Can’t we all just get along?” That’s how Rodney King felt about everything below the clouds. The thought of actually living in peace makes a mind playfully wander into the future, dreaming of how carefree life would be. However, many forget that the reason why our country came to be the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Although everyone was interested in creating a country that let its citizens experience freedom (as if a government should ever be able to control that), there were many disagreements and separated thoughts before we came to be.
Arguments over slavery, taxation, the right to bear arms and healthcare have all been fought over at some point in time of this great nation. At times we all find ourselves arguing our best at a political debacle, the ones where someone ends up screaming or just having to walk away because their fellow debater won’t agree with them. Isn’t it amazing that we joke and laugh about that? Yes, all getting along would be wonderful, but isn’t it great that we have the ability to disagree?  
When revolutionary men established the foundation, the stronghold and the start of America they created a fresh constitution. A document that could possibly be added to or changed as time passed. Although many people hate to admit, time changes how laws are administered and also what laws are needed. One cannot think that life is the same in America now as it was in the late 18th century. Others believe that these founding fathers wouldn’t be pleased with how our country changes laws now, but weren’t they too just men coming up with new ideas? Were they not proposing change then? So what is the difference when a new idea is brought up in America today?
In 2010, it seems like there is more and more talk about government. It is the most discussed subject in the media and the average person will likely hear something about government every day. We seem to forget that it’s not silly politics that make America. We are America, the people who work and live to keep it going. Thankfully we have the right to disagree with how our government is going; otherwise America wouldn’t be what it is today.
I believe one of the worst things to do when dealing with politics and government is get caught up in media. Try and find out what you truly believe in and don’t base it on what others believe. Find out what laws you like and coincide with how you think and believe. I will leave you with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay Politics:
“Every law and usage was a man’s expedient to meet a particular case: that they all are imitable, all alterable; we may make as good; we may make better.”