God mend thine every flaw

The nature of a democracy is that each citizen bears responsibility for the actions of the nation. Today, we send men and women into battle on our behalf. Yet our national discourse is as much about whether Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie chose a good name or that at least gas is cheaper than $3.00 than it is about the sacrifices our military and their families are making. And, oh, yeah, there was an earthquake somewhere.

Is there any chance there will be more votes for the next American President than Taylor Hicks got last week? What are the chances of congress getting as upset about health care as they are about an FBI warrant?

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!