Let our new generation take reins

I seldom post anything from out local newspaper because the links use to go behind a paywall after a couple of days. I don’t even know if that still happens anymore. Yesterday there was a letter to the editor that really nailed it. Here is the link. If that link dies I pasted it bellow.

Let our new generation take reins
I  am a 35-year-old married man and father of two. As I get older, I have become more aware of what is taking place in this country I love. It was my generation that was sent over to Iraq and the Middle East; it’s my generation that went through a recession as we were all starting families, graduating and starting out in the world.

I watch these old men in their 60s and 70s who are running the country, running our states, running our cities and even our neighborhoods. They say experience is what’s needed. I don’t believe in that anymore. I believe change is what’s needed. I believe it’s time for my generation to take a part. We have been through a lot with the war and with the recession.

The Patriot Act

Our first impression of adulthood was 9/11, the day that changed the world. We have all had friends or family members sent to the Middle East who didn’t come back the same or even come back at all. Then came the Patriot Act.

My parents see Edward Snowden as a traitor, a whistleblower. I see him as a patriot; this man sacrificed everything for our freedom. Do people realize the National Security Agency was listening in on our private phone conversations, watching what we search for online, what we buy, where we go?

I hear the argument that if you’re doing nothing wrong, then what does it matter. I ask you: What is the point of freedom? What was this country founded upon? How can it not matter? The president wants Snowden to come home and face trial for his charge of espionage, a law that was developed during World War I, to which he will have no possible defense. Drop this egregious charge and bring him home. I want to hear more of what he has to say.

Freedom?

One of our biggest freedoms is the freedom of religion. We are free to believe in whatever we so desire. But why does that mean all these politicians like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, think everyone should follow their religion. Only a man and a woman should be married is what he stands for, along with defunding Planned Parenthood. Is that freedom? First, how can you really care if two men or two women want to be married? Do you realize that this isn’t much different than having a whites-only restaurant? In 20 years when we look back, this is what people will think?

Live and let live – let people be who they want to be. Is that not freedom? Is that not what this country is all about?

Second, Planned Parenthood. When I was in high school, my girlfriend and I wanted to be intimate. We were afraid to talk to our parents. So we went to Planned Parenthood and talked to someone about our options. They were welcoming and answered all our questions. Do you really think kids learn all about sex in one semester of their seventh-grade health class?

Time for change

These are just some of the issues I believe are just common sense. Where did we lose ourselves and how do we get it back? It’s our turn; it’s up to our generation to change things. This will not happen overnight, but I do believe the first step is to get rid of career politicians; this election has to be anti-establishment. That will send a message.

Enough is enough; it’s time for a change. I don’t care if you’re right or left, man or woman, gay or straight, rich or poor. I just want change. It’s time for our generation to speak up, get involved and leave this country in a better place for our children, because, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, isn’t that really what you wanted for us?

By Nicholas C. Daley from Fargo on Oct 11, 2015 at 12:23 a.m.

Nicholas my friend, you nailed it.