From Within

I just finished reading the latest Tom Clancy novel called Dead or Alive which picked up about at the end of his last book of several years ago, Rainbow Six.   Clancy's books always have a key thought buried in the books somewhere that is very thought-provoking.   For example, in the book Clear and Present Danger there was the concept of when criminal activities arise to the level of needing a 'state response'.    In the book Patriot Games there was the quote at the start of the book:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)

In this book, there is a dialog late in the book that goes as follows:

Every fallen empire in history had rotted from within, and the same would be true for America. Fighting two intractable wards, an economy in shambles, banks and manufacturing giants going bankrupt... Those conditions might change over time, and perhaps even improve, but future historians would mark these events as the first signs of decay.

I think this thought is important for us to consider.   What will historians say of these times?

My opinion is that we all need to live within our means, keep learning, keep families connected together and hold onto our faith foundations.    Elect leaders who 'think' and try to govern with the long-term in mind, not the next election in mind.   And we need to stop celebrating celebutards in all areas.    Our heros need to be people who do the right things, not the beautiful people.