As all the lost civilizations of ages past demonstrate, it is very difficult to reverse a great nation's downward spiral into destruction. The study of history, now an ignored endeavor, would teach us this stark fact. The concept of critical thinking, a largely lost activity in our modern world of emotional reactionary thinking, would assist us in concluding that the United States today is in mortal danger.
Without knowledge of the past, wisdom in the present, and application of reason, our country will most certainly be lost. In 1838, Abraham Lincoln--remember him?--gave a speech called the Lyceum Address. I've quoted it before, but it has never seemed so relevant as it is today. Nearly two centuries ago, Lincoln put his finger on the enemy within as the killer of our society.
Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
~ Abraham Lincoln
