What’s Wrong in Our Nation?

Commentary

As we approach the end of this election cycle, there is a common sentiment among Americans that something is amiss in our nation.

According to the latest Gallup poll, only 22 percent of respondents are satisfied with the direction of the country. This is a significant decrease from the 45 percent satisfaction rate seen in February 2020.

Despite changes in political leadership over the years, the feeling that something is not right in the country has persisted.

Regarding the upcoming election, only 39 percent of Americans believe they are better off than they were four years ago, while 52 percent feel they are not better off.

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A majority of Americans lack confidence in the news sources they rely on, with only 31 percent expressing a great deal or fair amount of trust in mass media. This is a stark contrast to 1972 when 68 percent had confidence in mass media.

An overwhelming 80 percent of Americans believe that the country is deeply divided on core values.

In a survey conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, only 49 percent of respondents think that “American democracy does a good job representing the people,” while 76 percent feel that “American democracy is currently under threat.”

While there is a consensus that something is amiss, there is no clear agreement on the root cause of the issue.

Is it possible to pinpoint the source of the cynicism and disillusionment that pervades our nation?

In my opinion, the problem lies in the nation’s departure from its founding principles.

In other words, we may not have a choice in having faith or belief, but we do have a choice in what we choose to believe in.

The significant shift in America has been the replacement of the Bible as the moral compass with a reliance on government.

In 1950, Gallup reported that 0 percent of Americans identified as having no religion. By 1970, this number had risen to 3 percent, and by 2023, it had reached 22 percent.

During this same period, the federal government’s share of the GDP increased from 14.2 percent in 1950 to an estimated 23.9 percent in 2024, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The preamble of our Constitution outlines its purpose as “to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

Our Constitution was not meant to be the source of our freedom; rather, our freedom is inherent, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, as a gift from our Creator.

The Constitution was designed to restrict government interference in the lives of free, God-fearing individuals.

The moral compass, the distinction between right and wrong, is derived from our Creator through the teachings of the Bible.

Under this framework, America thrived and flourished.

However, success often breeds pride, leading us to credit our achievements to our own abilities rather than our faith and personal accountability. As more Americans turn away from God, they increasingly turn to government.

The unfortunate irony is that as Americans rely more on government, they undermine the very freedom that the founders intended to protect through government.

This shift has resulted in diminished economic growth, breakdown of the American family, and a decline in childbirth rates.

A growing government, increasing federal debt, and a declining population of children are not the ingredients for a prosperous future.

I believe that these factors are contributing to the negative sentiments and pessimism among Americans.

It is imperative that we return to the vision of our founding fathers.

A nation founded on freedom, under God. And a Constitution that safeguards “the blessings of liberty.”

Without this foundation, the nation may experience fluctuations, but it will not reach its full potential.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.