We've Lost our way

My mother's grandfather was from Denmark. His mother was a Russian Jew who left Russia with her family because of one of the purges. My Great Granddad arrived in the US just before the turn of the century. He was a sculptor. Living in Perth Amboy NJ, he worked for a terra cotta factory, sculpted statues, ornate tiles, and headmarkers. Here is one of his works and info from a book:


In 1895 the Danish and Scandinavian population of Perth Amboy commissioned Nels Nielsen Alling (1861-1955), a Danish sculptor, to create the statue of George Washington. It was to express pride and love for their adopted country. The funds were raised within the Scandinavian community and the statue was dedicated on 2 September 1895. Alling worked on the statue at the the NJ Terra Cotta Co in Perth Amboy


I have always been proud to be an American. My northern granny would continue with the oral tradition of telling each of her grands their family heritage - who was who and etc. We used to think she was nuts when she told us we were related to the Pilgrims and George Washington. Come to find out when one of my Uncles and Cousin did the genelogy, we ARE. Of course, George Washington had no children. But his brother did. Naturally, my relation was a servant, so we were born on the wrong side of the sheets as my granny would say.

I was raised to believe that right was might. That two wrongs didn't make a right. To always help out those with need. Never pick on the little guy. I still believe that way. Somewhere, we have lost our way. Everyone feels entitled. This country didn't start out helping everyone. The idea was that freedom meant being able to be able to help yourself! Not to have a big government do everything for you. And certainly to have freedom from taxation without representation. Of the people for the people, by the people. Somehow we have lost our way.

I wonder what my grandparents and the rest of my family would think if they were alive today and could read the papers, internet, hear the news. Would they even recognize The United States of America?