Inspiration from a Weird Source

In the midst of the economic crisis, the cries of racism from those who abhor the Arizona immigration bill to the NAACP against the Tea Party, and the cry of "Socialist" aimed at President Obama, people look for inspiration and motivation to help them not only to get through the tough times but to also feel good about what the future holds for them and the country. Some of the talking heads spew rhetoric which others feel does not help the situation while others view that same rhetoric as a call to arms. Every once in a while a little nugget of hope will glint in the shadows of despair. One must only mine the nugget to enjoy the riches it possesses.

Today, I found an inspirational nugget in a single line from a movie. This nugget says a lot about the beliefs which this country was founded upon - the same beliefs which has kept America strong for the last 234 years. The nugget also provides hope for our future.

Today while eating lunch, I was watching Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay which was airing on a cable station. The nugget was found in a line of this movie during one of the many impossible scenes which make up the movie. Harold and Kumar had bailed out of an airforce transport plane and had crashed through a skylight into the office of President George Bush on his Texas ranch. The President takes them to his guest house - to escape from Dick Cheney - where the three of them smoke some weed.

During the conversation while high, Harold tells the President due to all of the things which had happened to him and Kumar that Harold just does not trust the government. The President responds with a little bit of humor, "hell I don't trust the government and I'm in the government." Then the inspirational line is spoken:

"You don't have to trust the government to be an American, you just have to believe in your country."

I cannot say how many times I've seen this movie; however, this time, the power of that line grabbed a hold of me. "You don't have to trust the government to be an American, you just have to believe in your country."

There are many things I see which I do not like happening in local, state, and federal government. I don't like the voices I hear about immigration, to taxes, to healthcare, to the economy. I don't trust the wisdom, the motivation, or the knowledge of most of those in the government or running for the government.

But I do have faith in our system of government. I do have faith and hope that in the end somehow things will work out for us. I do have faith the American ideals this country was founded on will prevail. I do have faith those the freedom which is embodied in capitalism will win over the oppression embodied in socialism. I do have faith in my country.

I am an American and I believe in my country.

Great inspiration from a weird source.......

Mike