Abraham Lincoln

“My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth,”

The Last Best Hope: Is the American Experiment Failing?

Abraham Lincoln famously called America the “last best hope of earth.” Given the current state of our union, those words have never felt heavier or more meaningful.

The United States was always intended to be an experiment—a pursuit of self-governance that had never been tried in the history of human civilization. It has never been perfect. It has carried deep, systemic flaws, the greatest of which was the stain of slavery.

However, following the turn of the century and the massive waves of immigration—and certainly in the wake of World War II—the USA became the beacon of the world. People arrived here with nothing but the desire to build a better life, and in return, their labor, intellect, and spirit made this the most advanced nation on earth.

Today, that beacon is flickering. We see a nation paralyzed by division, where party politics are placed above the country’s well-being. We see friends and families torn apart by ideology. Perhaps most tragically, we see the immigrantthe very lifeblood of our history, cast as the enemy, even as we witness the shadow of military force on our own streets.

It is a shameless departure from our ideals. The immigration that defined us is what made the U.S. a superpower. If we do not change course, that identity will slip away forever. The experiment will end, and the “last best hope” will vanish. If that happens, the entire world will suffer the loss.

Author: kwholley63

I spent 40 years in FinTech before retiring to Rio de Janeiro to trade software releases for a front-row seat to the beautiful absurdity of life in Brazil. This blog is my digital porch, a place for unpolished commentary on book reviews, daily gripes, and the random thoughts of a guy who finally has the time to pay attention. I’m an observant realist with a deep appreciation for history, a good quote, and the perspective that only comes after the career ends. I write to stay sharp, to stay honest, and to keep the conversation going. I love my Patriots and Bruins, a life long fan in bad times and good. They have been quite good for a long time now! I love spending time with my wife the best times are just doing nothing; watching tv, talking or just sitting at the beach together for a few hours. Our spot is pier 60 in Clearwater. I love the time I have with my kids when I can, they are all pretty busy. Seinfeld is about the best comedy ever. You will see me frequently comment on the show and why my blog is about nothing.

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