"We here in America hold in our hands the hopes of the world, the fate of the coming years; and shame and disgrace will be ours if in our eyes the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we trail in the dust of the golden hopes of men."
-Theodore Roosevelt, Address at Carnegie Hall 1912
Any time the 2016 presidential election is discussed in the media, I have recently felt as if it were a recap of some bad reality television show rather than a patriotic tradition. Of course, elections divide the country in some way: voters argue a set of new values as others strive to maintain old ones. But this is predicted and expected. After all, elections are meant to focus on the opinions and rights of United States Citizens.
However, there have been past elections where the country voted unanimously towards one candidate. Such an "easy" decision would seem impossible to our present day voters, as if those prior elections were conducted under eventuating circumstances. But these elections, where the country exceedingly favored one common candidate, occurred when the United States was motivated to solve major issues prevalent at the time. This, of course, united the country and in turn made voting less of an episode of Jerry Springer.
The United States has implemented radical and seemingly impossible dreams since its independence. The goal for every citizen to own freedom, education, and property was daring and grandeur. Over time, this ideal obviously evolved into the "American Dream." Current voters will argue that such a concept is dead or unattainable. However, after a family visit to Mount Rushmore in Rapid City, South Dakota, I began to see the opposite is true.
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government, of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
-Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address 1863
Lincoln and Roosevelt elude to this idea, in both of their famous addresses, that the responsibility of the American people includes upholding the inspiring ideal that all men are created equal and should be entitled to that freedom. This notion should be respected as many have defended it, even to the point of death.
Mount Rushmore reflects such a daring and magnificent mindset. The mountain was carved at a time of the country's prosperity, as a means to show off to other nations. But the presidents chosen to mark the mountain for eternity can inspire us to remain sane during this messy election.
The United States appears extremely divided over the two official primaries of the election. No one seems happy with the choices. Others are furious with the choices of some. However, we should not lose sight of what Lincoln and Roosevelt would have wanted us to know. These were great leaders. They were great presidents on the face of Mount Rushmore that lead this country from its darkest times.
"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."
-George Washington, First Inaugural Address 1789
Here was what these great leaders would want us to know as present day voters:
1. We are all this together. While elections are flawed systems at times, we are all one nation that should remain united. Because face it, we only will have one president that we will all suffer through together.
2. We have a responsibility to uphold this "experiment", to do our best to preserve the freedom and rights others; even others different than ourselves.
3. This country has seen very difficult times but has always overcome them with the leadership of great presidents. For example, Lincoln lead us through a time when the country was literally divided in war. We must be patient and understand that the issues we face today as citizens will someday be resolved and put into the past.
These four presidents overlook the Black Hills of South Dakota. They gaze off with solemn yet triumphant faces. Since Rushmore's completion, they have continued to oversee the country's failures and successes. They will look over this land during the 2016 election. While we may be having palpitations awaiting the outcome, Rushmore inspires us to remain brave and to uphold the experiment of freedom.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
-Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence 1776