I appreciate your comments. I'm afraid I sometimes take poetic license in my work and do not always stick to the facts. I am aware that the motto "In God we Trust" did not come into being until the Civil War, and only appeared on our monetary units periodically from that time until adopted as a permanent change by Congress in the 1950's. However, the idea of in God we trust was certainly present when our Founding Fathers penned the Constitution of the United States, and as a Christian I believe the reason we have been blessed by a nation is two-fold--first, for most of our 233 years the majority of the United States has been faithful to God, and secondly, we have stood by Israel since her birth as a nation in 1948.
Unfortunately, we have become lapsed Christians where God is no longer at the forefront of our lives and now our government is beginning, for the first time, to pull away from Israel. The sentiment of my poem addresses these issues, not with historical facts, but by reminding people that our country used to be so much more and if we do not return to the God of our Fathers, the faith of our Fathers, we will not prevail.
Here I go again. Lori, I hope I have not offended. My faith and my politics are so intermingled I have a great deal of difficulty separating the two. Have a great and blessed day.
Carol

"Until this year I thought the Nobel Prize was awarded



for excellence achieved, not dreams conceived--



I thought praise was reserved for good that was done



not good that was undone--



I thought honor was given for bravery on the front



not cowardice in the back rooms of Congress--



I thought unity was the backbone of America,



and “In God we trust” was the foundation--



when did these things change?"



Though it would probably be different if most of us on AD were on the Nobel committee, the Nobel has often been awarded based on what might be done. Most Americans simply don't pay close enough attention to it to know. Perhaps we assume too much. America has never been a unified nation. Just look at the state votes in 1788 concerning the ratification of the constitution. So, in a way "these" things never were nationwide... they simply existed in the hearts of good individuals such as yourself. I hope you are able to have that conversation with your grandchildren. I agree with your sentiments and enjoyed the poem, but I think most Americans need a good history lesson.

Carol, this is SO powerful and so very well written. You have said much so very eloquently.

Right on. Powerful write and well penned. J'nia