I think I am simply too stupid to understand what is happening right in front of me. I was taught to work hard. I was taught that a deal is a deal. I have tried hard to live up to both those ideals. I have heard the "pundits" say that I, and many other Americans, have not done enough to plan for retirement. I added my own money to what was promised to me in exchange for my labor and loyalty, but all sides of that equation have been corrupted. I see a whole group of older Americans getting their Social Security weakened by those who never contributed anything to the system or our way of life. I have seen speculators and government regulators cause the collapse of our financial system, thus doing harm to my plan. I, and thousands of others, have no time left to recover or protect ourselves from the liars and vultures. I see my health benefits about to go away---stolen by a bought judge---as it will for all of us older Americans who planned according to the promises made to us. And there is nothing to be done but suffer. I am confused.

I have seen a Commander-in-Chief (our Constitution says that is the primary job of our our president) tell our enemies when we will leave a war and how few we will leave behind, available to attack and vulnerable to kill. All our enemies have to do is rest for two years, recruit, train, and wait. I have seen him bow before a king and our President should bow before no other leader, and I am convinced he would lower our flag before that of another nation. I have seen both parties sit idly by and say nothing about any of these things, thus giving tacit approval to destruction within and outside of our borders. I am confused.

There is nothing we can trust or rely on in the very near, mortal future. There is nothing sacred or worth defending according to our leadership in D.C. There is no pride, no love of country, no love of our founding documents, our faith or our fundamental beliefs. There seems to be no recourse. I am confused.

I am heart-broken.