What do you think is worth fighting for? What is worth dying for? Are United States citizens still willing to do battle for a cause, in your opinion? How do causes today differ from those in 1776?

In writing the Declaration of Independence, the political leaders felt they needed to create something for which people would willingly lay down their lives. What do you think is worth fighting for? What is worth dying for? Are United States citizens still willing to do battle for a cause, in your opinion? How are such causes the same today as they were in 1776, and how are they different?

I have concerns that the general populace of the USA would not risk life, limb, ice cream, Starbucks or a Big Mac to save America.

The teachers unions, media, universities, political class, and corporations have criticized our country and citizens to the point that many young people question the value of our Republic. There are too many that do not appreciate that we are NOT a democracy by design. democracy is not sustainable. The mobs cannot rule. But, the current political class panders to whatever will get votes today.

I used to be proud of our system of government that provides for checks and balances, celebrates diversity of thought, encouraged the exchange of different ideas, celebrated honest debate, required every individual to aspire to greatness, lifted people up instead of keeping them down, fostered collegiate discourse, engaged in honest debate, expected students to reach for the stars, argued for equal opportunities not equal outcomes.

As an aside, I was the first WOMAN hired for my position in 1980. We’ve come a long way. Instead of celebrating strides, we instead complain that we haven’t cured our ills. Progress not perfection.

I think the young people of this country are our best hope. While the ruling White, Christian, older male class and those women who see their power only through that group, continue to strip away our rights - be they rights to our own bodies, right to vote, right to marry and love whom we choose, right to freedom of religion, right to read what we choose, and the right to actual representation without gerrymandering and other attacks against our democracy, it is the younger generation who are serving our military, marching beside us, and leading as we protest, fighting for the right to vote, to attend schools without the risk of being slaughtered as they learn, and standing up against book banning across this country.

Make no mistake democracy is a fragile right and just as the 1930s, fascism and autocracy are a threat to us all. I am a Daughter of the American Revolution, my people have served in just about every major war we have fought and currently my family members are active duty. I am willing to continue to fight for my country and our democracy.

In this time of villainy it is vital that all who can, do more than just vote and donate. If you can support a candidate who will work to preserve our right to free and fair elections, safe communities, freedom of religion, choice, expression and the right to read whatever you want, stand up and do so, volunteer to canvass, phone bank, work the polls, whatever you can do, do it.

My grandfather was shot and gassed in France in WW1, my father landed on Anzio Beach in WW2. They didn’t fight fascism and sacrifice so I could turn my back on our democracy and our country. I will stand between this country and fascism. I will fight for my daughters and sisters rights. I will call out extremist and hate mongers, antisemites and all those who attack my fellow citizens. American is awakening, the young people are massing beside us and we will take back our country and we will be free, despite a corrupt Supreme Court, gerrymandered districts, propaganda labeled as "news", hate mongers and politicians so corrupt they defer to a hostile foreign power.

I marched at the capitol of a red state with thousands for women's rights, and gun sense legislation - to be met by less than 100 of the opposite side - we made our voices heard and a super majority stripped us of our rights and made our lives less safe. So we organized, we canvassed, we phone banked, we educated and we have elected those who will speak for us, and so the fight continues.

Today, we face danger from within, and without as the Patriots did before us and as we have throughout history, in every instance, be it Father Coughlin in the 1930s, and the American extremists plotting with the Nazis to overthrow our government with the help of sitting members of Congress, to those who attempted a coup on Jan. 6 2021. We as a nation must work together to save this country and hold the liars, propagandists, insurrectionists, and those who wish to destroy our democracy for their own power accountable. I know I will work as hard as I can to do so, America deserves no less.

In regard to the question, I don't think there are many who are willing to fight for their country. I think of JFK when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your county." Now people just want the country and government to take care of them. They don't know the history of the principles our country was founded on, nor do they care.

"Gerrieb" answered this question beautifully in the message above. I can think of nothing to add to the message except to emphasize that many younger citizens are willing to fight for democracy's survival via volunteering, joining the air forces, setting good examples through deeds, etc.

My experience is that people are willing to donate and give time to a project that will improve the lives of their grandchildren, but not so much if it mostly concerns someone else's grandchildren. Valerie

I can only say "amen!" to gerrieb's comments above. I do hope that the young people will stand up, but I fear that most I have encountered are too busy with social media to care.

All interesting comments. Quite frankly, I'm glad I don't have children and grandchildren. I would be worried to death for their future.

Bravo to Gerrieb's for the comments above!!!! I could not have said it better. I must say I am very hopeful that our younger generation will stand strong for our democracy. I am impressed with several, namely the young male representative from Florida and the young girls involved in throes of the Nashville tragedy. Their devotion and drive are amazing. At this point in my life I am most concerned with the lack of or better yet the death of my rights as a woman. I marched for them 50 years ago and I a prepared to do it again.

I think many people are willing to stand up for their rights here in the country, as GerrieB so eloquently points out. However, I think it would take a direct attack on our country to get many people to fight for the country itself. I think people need to be angry to fight. We're angry, but only at our fellow citizens who enact policies that are contrary to what we believe is right.

I had a whole litany of answers to this question, but like many, I feel Gerrieb hit most of my salient points. I will, however, go a bit further. Many young people I know seem to be enthralled with the idea of a socialist form of government and that worries me. There are also many young people who have the ability to think for themselves and that gives me hope. I just don't know who will prevail. My husband served in the Army for 3 years. We, wives and friends, were so proud of them. They understood the dangers of being in the military at the time and were willing to serve. Where is that pride now? Oh, I forgot, now it's Gay Pride now. Nope! That is not pride in your country. Our country and its freedoms are worth fighting for.

The U.S. has a lot of problems and is deeply divided. Many of our citizens don’t feel the country is worth dying for.

BUT. . . Soldiers die every day for the United States. We have many organizations that support our rights, our well-being, our communities and our veterans. When there are catastrophes, people volunteer to help. Remember the response to 9/11. It was unambiguous.

Our children are worth fighting for, our friends, communities, our freedoms. There’s a reason people still come to this country.

P.S. kudos to gerrieb