By
Andrew DeMarco
The other day while waiting for my wife to get ready, I was bouncing back and forth between the numerous 24 hour news channels, CNN, FOX, MSNBC and the local channels as well. It seemed that on every channel the news was nothing but gloom and doom. Stories about mass killings, race issues, cold war and the threat of ISIS dominated all of them. Other issues which were prevalent were Supreme Court decisions, immigration, the national debt and the partisanship that is dominating our political process. All these channels were conveying the feeling that the world and our great country were all going to hell in a hand basket. This lead to the talking heads opining that the best days of this country are well behind us and that there was little we can do, and the more I listened the more it seemed all too true. After becoming totally disheartened before my day even started I continued my channel surfing and got to TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” was just beginning.
For those of you not familiar with this film, to me and many others it is an American Classic. Released in 1939 and directed by Frank Capra, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” starred James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Raines, just to name a few. It tells the tale of naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith who is appointed on a lark to the U.S. Senate by the governor of his state. He is reunited with the state’s senior senator and his childhood hero, Senator Joseph Paine. In Washington, however, Mr. Smith discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process as he tries to achieve his goals which conflict with the state political boss, Jim Taylor. Taylor first tries to corrupt Smith and when that doesn’t work he then later attempts to destroy him through a scandal.
Now some might find the plot of this movie trite and simplistic, trust me it’s not and since my wife still was not ready I decided that Mr. Smith was exactly what I needed to cheer me up especially after all that bad news.
After the opening scene when Jefferson Smith arrives in Washington is when it really hits home. Mr. Smith being from some unnamed state out wherever it is has never been to Washington and watching his enthusiasm and awe at the city is uplifting. Mr. Smith is thoroughly taken by the dome of the Capital and wanders away from his handlers. He visits all the monuments and memorials and his wide-eyed perspective gives one an insight into the type of person he is and what this country is really all about. You really only need to watch the first hour of this movie to have your patriotism renewed.
Now it was my wife’s turn to wait, since I was getting into it and my mood was rapidly improving. Needless to say, in the end it all works out well for Mr. Smith and he even gets the girl. So let’s keep in mind Mr. Smith’s optimistic and rosy outlook about this country.
This also got me thinking about a trip that my wife and I made to Philadelphia and the National Constitution Center. The National Constitution Center is a newer Museum in Philadelphia dedicated to the U.S. Constitution located on Independence Mall. On our first visit a few years ago one of the centerpieces was a 360-degree production called “Freedom Rising.” This production is narrated by a live actor who takes you on a 200 year plus journey of all the key moments in our nation’s history. The opening line “We the People, who are the People?” sets the tone. What we do remember from that day is that it is a very moving production and afterwards there were not many dry eyes leaving the theater. Everyone who had seen it that day seemed to have a renewed sense of pride in being an American.
So as the Fourth of July nears I have this thought for this country’s 239th birthday. Instead of all this talk about the best days of America being behind her, let’s remember that we have survived a lot in those 239 years. This country was born out of a war and survived another that almost tore it apart. We have been through two World Wars a Great Depression and a couple of Great Recessions, yet we are still here. We might be a little worn and battered but who wouldn’t be after 239 years.
I think that everyone, politicians and talking head news people included before they set out to watch their local Fourth of July fireworks should take some time on this holiday and read 4 simple paragraphs, the Preamble to the Constitution and the Preamble of Declaration of Independence. It will not take much time from your holiday weekend but I am sure it will add to your holiday spirit. In addition, anyone who truly feels that our best days are behind should watch “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and write to the National Constitution Center for a copy of “Freedom Rising.” I have no doubt that after watching both of these works you along with Jefferson Smith will have that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that….. Rosy Glow.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE FOURTH OF JULY!
Bob's Rosy Glow 