What has happened to America? For that matter, what has happened to us as Americans?

Have greed and power done a number on us? There has always been dishonesty and corruption in every walk of life but more so in our government today than ever before. How can we look at other governments and call them corrupt when ours keeps getting bigger and more controlling?

Some of our elected officials have enough backbone to speak out, but others just sit there looking like they are just along for the ride. Our Constitution and our laws are being trampled upon, and that’s sad. We once knew respect.

Every crime on the books has exploded beyond belief; the most disgusting is child trafficking for sex. I heard on the news one night that some were as young as 2 years old. Why must our children and babies pay for our moral decline? We once knew values and morals.

We’re not the “great melting pot” anymore. We’re more like a great cesspool. It’s no wonder that other countries look at us and call us “The Great Satan.” We once knew pride.

We’re not a caring nation anymore – not like we once were. We used to go out of our way to help one another and to care for others. We once knew compassion.

I was raised in the postwar days of the ’40s and ’50s. We were poor but it didn’t matter. We didn’t expect or even think about a government handout. People were hard-working and every man, woman and child wanted to succeed. We appreciated what little food and clothing that we had and were thankful that we had it. We once knew humility.

People laughed and were carefree and enjoyed themselves even if it was just to walk down a street together to enjoy each other’s company. We never had to question whether it was safe to walk down that street. We once knew trust.

I’ve noticed over the past years that people don’t laugh much anymore. They’re either glued to a TV set, engrossed in a computer or focused on a cellphone too absorbed to care about anything or anybody else. We once knew quality time and love.

My son says that it’s a whole new world and that I should try and get used to it. No thanks. Too much darkness.

I’m going to renew my faith, get my Bible, get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness … and pray. I’m going to pray like I’ve never prayed before. We once knew God.

God help us all.

MARGIE WHITAKER

Fort Wayne