Rejecting ‘nation in decline’

I reject the notion that America is in well-deserved decline, that she and her citizens are unexceptional. I do not believe America is the problem in the world. I believe America is the solution to the world’s problems. — Rush Limbaugh

I agree with Rush Limbaugh in stark rarity, yet here I quote him in full agreement — rejecting that the U.S. “is in well-deserved decline.” For the U.S., as a nation, there continually shifts — light and dark-social, economic, and political factors that shape the U.S. — the 4th largest nation for geographic size, third by population and most envied for resources and prosperity. Over 249 years, 46 Presidents, a civil war, as well as a stream of heroes and of power-seeking wickeds, this nation has stumbled and risen — experiencing declines tragic while obtaining powerfully humane, innovative achievements. Pride has sustained as a national trait.

Employment, health care, education levels, life expectancy, number of passports are among factors up in the past half century while wealth remains ill spread (the top 1% owns a rising 30% portion), guns and their horrific violence are beyond comparative levels, child and maternal mortality even before death-dealing reproductive state litigations (post Roe v Wade) exceed all other developed nations. Yet core values amid strongly held believes and policies has for centuries prevailed: law with order, truth as the core of justice, civility as the norm of our collaborative democracy, character a distinctive requirement for the Presidency, opportunity for betterment.

The U.S. has been a nation of binding values and tolerated difference. Amid national disasters, Americans show up to rescue, fight ravages, utilize their skills, bear goods and services to aid others in distress. Recently Hurricane Helene brought American life saving aid and support to others. This is America — American. However, the change in our demographics, the readjustment of what perhaps was seen as undisruptive privilege among some has tightened strains of race and gender — intensified a desire for restraints, for restrictive access to liberties.

I quake at Trump’s dark rhetoric, satisfactory to some and massively revolting to others regarding the seismic depletion of the U.S. as a nation, as a population, as positive in any way. On Jan. 20, 2016, Trump’s campaign rhetoric darkened, lies (starting with the size of the inaugural crowd) grew in size, in frequency, in false legality. The 45th President allied with conspiracies, encouraged over throwing the 2020 election as well as raiding of the U.S. Capitol, and ongoingly totes Putin and Kim Ug Uh as admirable best buddies, super leaders. Serious illegalities (taking government security documents) as well as just broken promises such as “The American worker will come first again” followed almost immediately by Trump’s hiring hundreds of foreigners for repairs, reconstruct at Mar-A-Logo and other Trump properties.

As election day steals closer and closer, the dire threats to U.S. freedoms swell: lead GOP and heavy supporters chide Americans for being “dictatorphobic” when dictatorship is posed as the preferred state. The proposed Project 2025 overturns previous legislative and constitutional imperatives placing immense power in the hands of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates who with intent spread wild tales/absurdities about migrants in Springfield Ohio, and beyond. These falsehoods are “required to create needed news,” calmly explains Vance, falsities to bolsters their candidacy: pets devoured, the federal government refusing aid to Hurricane Helene victims, legal immigrants are illegal, legal immigrants must be deported by the millions. The cap on the Trump/Vance splendor: elect Trump and you’ll never have to vote again.

The coming election Nov. 5, is a referendum on the nation — shall it remain a democracy, republic, “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” or only for some, with power only for one. Will Americans use their vote to preserve the world’s greatest nation? Get out, VOTE, keep America, America.

People came to America and they did not abandon their own cultures, but they assumed new ones, a new one, an American culture rooted in liberty and freedom that they had never enjoyed in their lives prior. They didn’t have to sacrifice who they were. They didn’t have to change or give it up, but they were eager to become Americans.

Rush Limbaugh


Kathy Herald-Marlowe lives in Sharon.

Latest News

Luigina A. Dzenutis

CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.

Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Francis ‘Frank’ McNally

MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.

He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Eugenia Cooper

NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.

Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frederick Ralph Scoville II

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.

Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.

Keep ReadingShow less