PHIL G. BUSEY SR.
EDMOND — We near the end of a difficult year of paradigm change. Regardless, this Thanksgiving, be thankful anyway for all the blessings bestowed upon us, unseen and seen, by a merciful and benevolent God.
The hopeful celebrations of a new millennium seem light-years ago. There is no going back. Challenges abound and all is overshadowed by wars costing too much in precious American human capital, let alone treasure.
Unfortunately as well, some things have not changed. We still have a public education system running on empty. The wars alone have a price tag of more than $995 billion. Only imagine if that money had gone to education and social reforms. Public schools are in need of massive repair and overhaul. We are woefully behind in classroom technology and far too many students face hunger as a daily battle.
We are losing ground. Barely nine years ago, the U.S. ranked first in the world with citizens between the ages of 19 and 34 with four-year college degrees. Now we rank 10th. Alarmingly, almost 50 percent of students drop out, and many cannot afford to attend college at all without huge IOUs for student loans that eventually will come due. Because of misplaced and misguided priorities we are slipping backward instead of moving forward.
Only imagine if we realigned our interests and priorities and focused again on building the core infrastructure of our nation, beginning with public education, then roads, facilities and cities. What if we had spent just one-half of our war chest on education, increasing an $87 billion annual budget?
We could begin to re-claim a system that is the real backbone of America’s independence with a literate, educated population. Why would we not consider that type of fiscal sacrifice for our children? Higher teacher pay would lure the best and brightest back into the classroom.
We could prepare our next generation of leaders in state-of-the-art classrooms improved to keep pace with global changes in communication and technology. There would be ample money for school meal programs. We would recognize strength and hope in the best-educated students.
Only imagine if we re-focused corporate values on long-term growth instead of short-term profits. What if we replaced this breed of CEOs, taught in the best schools that shareholder return is the most important goal, with those believing in shared and community values? Now, we sacrifice R&D; and investments for the future we sorely need.
Since 2001, Bell Labs, once boasting 30,000 scientists working on new research and products, has reduced its staff of scientists to 1,000. It is the victim of financial goals of profitability overshadowing true mission.
Only imagine if we demanded real lobbying reforms, significantly curtailing the ability of special interest lobbyists to influence lawmakers and staffers alike. What if we reclaimed our democratic government, championing real interests of common people, small businesses and hardworking folks who cannot match the hundreds of millions of dollars paid lobbyists to influence decisions in the best interest of a few. Maybe then we could do away with the buying of America.
Only imagine if we demanded accountability of leadership and government? What if we built the best education system, the best health care system, the best economy the world has seen?
We have the best military — no doubt. But superpower status is not built on military power alone. Our legacy is, and must be, in the values we represent and freedoms many have sacrificed so much for.
Only imagine if we truly came together in tolerance for one another’s rights and made it a national priority to help those in need. We would shine again as the beacon for a troubled world.
Be thankful anyway. Think of what we can accomplish as a grateful people with a renewed mission to restore hope for all. What if we put our differences aside, showing gratitude and asking help from an almighty God who only asks simple things of us: To do justly, show mercy and walk humbly with Him? Only imagine.
PHIL G. BUSEY SR., an Edmond resident, is chairman and CEO of The Busey Group of Companies.
