My wishful thinking wants me to believe the American population is special in the world but the realistic side of me feels that people are people the world over. What has given us our strength and uniqueness has been the melting pot phenomena we've experienced, the immense diversity of natural resources, and this very unique bunch of early patriots that crafted our Constitution.

What made them unique in my opinion was their ability to stay religiously objective in their view of culture and government. Somehow men with real doubts about organized religion molded a national framework. This fact will be disputed but some of the quotes I've read from Jefferson, Adams, Washington, and even later Lincoln could not have come from deeply devout minds. They more closely resemble the conversations I've had with my atheist and agnostic friends.

My hope for America rests upon the assumption that we can keep intact that very shaky separation of church and state. If we succumb to the temptation to let "God" light our future path instead of analysis and logic, we're doomed to the same fate as every other country that's tried to mix the two. My emotions on our chances for the future are very mixed. I could not successfully run for a major office in present day America because of my lack of religious beliefs unless I lied about it. That worries me that our country has become so closed minded in its political leanings.

We actually debate currently unconstitutional legislation such as flag burning amendments and gay marriage bans. We have men such as Newt Gingrich actually saying the 1st Amendment is overrated and should be altered. Those people would've been ridiculed and marginalized in early America and yet he may actually have a shot at the presidency today.

I give us a 50/50 shot. I wish I could be more positive but I've seen greed and pettiness increase in my lifetime. I'll never give up hope entirely though. There is a basic desire in this country for fairness although some are a bit slow on the uptake when the karma shifts.

Art