still the greatest?

As a child I was taught that the United States was the best place to live. Looking at the world and this country, even at my most cynical I have always believed that. However, now more than ever that belief is starting to fade.

Democracy and freedom are supposed to be the founding process of this county. It seems in the past 30 years, my lifetime, democracy and freedom are on the decline. It doesn't matter if the President is republican or democrat. The slipping has been substantial.

This week both freedom and democracy were harmed by the actions of our elected leadership. First, the state of Arizona passed a law that provides law enforcement the right to require anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant must be required to present proof of citizenship when required. This law is clearly a violation of the Constitution. We as citizens have the right to move around this country without being harassed by the police. However our freedoms are being stripped from all of us because of a few misguided, raciest individuals.

Secondly, this week Senate Republican used the power of the filibuster to block DEBATE on a bill to regulate Wall Street. I believe in the filibuster to block a vote but it is unheard of to block debate. Why can't we discuss regulations anymore. Haven't heard allot about this... well because the Senate Democrats really don't want to regulate Wall Street either. After all they are taking corporate kickbacks as well. But I regress, when debate is stopped, when a few powerful people prevent our government from even discussing change democracy is dead.

I still would rather live in the United States than many other countries. Its true I just made some pretty unpatriotic statements that in other countries would justify my imprisonment. But if we keep letting government curtain our freedoms and democracy how much longer will this be true?