The American Crisis

"It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and poor, will suffer or rejoice alike." (52). Thomas Paine believes that war affects us all the same. No matter our race, religion, social class, or gender we are all affected by the consequences of war. Whether good, or bad, war will always change daily life. The rich may still be rich and the poor may still be poor but many things will change. The toll that war has on the spirit of a nation is almost unescapable. How can one have pride for a nation at a time of war? How can one have confidence? To live in fear, something Paine does not, is unavoidable for most at a time of high trauma. I believe though, that fear is a good thing. It keeps us alert and on our feet. It makes us look at little details that would otherwise go unnoticed. It causes us to be creative in thinking and action. Most importantly, it bonds us together. When we're scared we cling to others for support and assurance. Usually we don't care who that support is from. Support is support. When fear sweeps over a nation it forces its citizens to bond together to prevail through the hard times. Paine is saying that a war affects not just those physically fighting in it, but also anyone in that nation. While many would look at war's consquences as negatives: death, famine, destruction, separation, they fail to see the positive it brings. It causes people to put aside their differences to work together, to live together, to survive. Is the American Crisis war? Or is that we are looking at war the wrong way?