Why Does America Feel So Bad?

I realize that a lot of Americans are not happy about certain aspects of our common life. There is the reality that the war in the Iraq theatre in overall War Against Terror is not going the way it should and more troops are going to try to restore some order. Many Americans feel that the economy is not that good. I disagree, the economy is great and all indicators appear to back that up. There is the feeling that we are losing our nation in the immigration debate, yet this has invigorated Americans to make their feelings known. So, why the overall funk?
I honestly believe that it is because the DDBMSM has somewhat succeeded in convincing the majority of Americans that things are awful and there does not seem to be any hope.
Look at the way that polling questions are asked. Remember, that is the way that the pollster wants the results to skew to a certain way. Thus, if the objective is to make things seem worse, well the people answering will answer accordingly.
Also, I think that there is evidence that the majority of people who would identify themselves as conservatives are generally more upbeat, optimistic and thus do not see the United States going down the toilet. Conservatives just have a better way of looking at things than do liberals. For the liberal, a problem is never really solved or if it is, another one pops up. Thus, liberals are always looking for the problem and pontificate on it. Conservatives see a problem and try to come up with a solution and voila, problem solved. However, the conservative does not go and look for problems.
So, what about the self-described middle-0f-the-roaders? Well, they are a split personality. They see some problems but may be easily swayed that there is a problem and thus would be more in line with the liberals. Or, they look for the solution like the conservative. Generally, middle-of-the-roaders are cautious people. They are not too optimistic or gloomy. In other words, they are easily swayed.
I think that why America is in a funk is easy. It is the fear of the unknown. Deep down inside, most Americans are just waiting for the next mass terror attack and do not feel that they will be prepared. Or that maybe their investments are going to go bust and they will be left holding the bag. Or that the American way of life is slowly eroding and they do not feel they can stop the trend and restore it.
We need to have both strong moral and secular leaders to lead a restoration. In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan and Pope John-Paul II were those kind of leaders. I wonder, although I support Mitt Romney for president, where is that kind of leader like Reagan, not a reincarnation but one with the kind of clarity and not afraid to speak on it? Where is the moral leader? I do not see one anywhere. Sure, there is Pope Benedict, but what about the Evangelicals? Or observant Jews? Or moderate but certain Muslims?
I think that is what we need to look for, people who can be uplifting and offer concrete solutions to our problems or perceived problems.
The United States has always had those kind of people and I think they are in the midst of us now. We just need to look harder and listen. We have had so many wonderful leaders in all walks of life in the United States and I think they are here now.
I for one am the optimist. After all, I cast my first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan in 1984 and really believe we need to remember that it is that kind of leadership that has been what America is all about. And the moral leadership of one like the Reverend Billy Graham. I know it is there in the midst.
I think we just need to look and listen and we will find those who will lead us out of our funk.