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Consequences, flies from the background to loom large on the screen.
    The somber narrator speaks from off camera. “Good intentions, good deeds and other noble endeavors fill the pages of history. However, for just about every good, there are unintended consequences and not all of them are beneficial. Less than one hundred years after the founding of our nation, we fought a civil war with the intention of righting wrongs perpetrated upon our fellow citizens of this world. No one would argue that abolishing slavery was a great endeavor that cost dearly in lives, but it started us upon a path that directly leads to today.” Taylor and Christine look at each other wondering how the Civil War of the eighteen hundreds could have led to the austere world they live in today. “You probably can’t see the path yet, but as this program progresses the path will be made clear.” This piques their interest and their eyes focus intently on the images on the monitor. “This country, founded on the concepts of individual freedom that allowed anyone to explore and create with their imagination, encouraged the innovative spirit of its people. Their ingenuity created the many innovations that made America a great nation at one time.”
    Taylor looks at Christine. “We still are a great nation, aren’t we?”
    Christine raises an eye. “I think so.”
    Focusing back on the documentary, they listen intently. Time charts appear on the monitor, “As the Twentieth Century begins, the federal government finds ways to deal with issues such as crime and drug abuse that cross state borders. We now call states provinces, but in the past, states had powers that the federal government did not specifically have in the Constitution. That change came because of the finalization of a central authority with the provinces becoming the regional arm of the central authority. All power radiated from Washington down through the smaller and smaller regions of the country. That set the stage for one entity, run by one man, to control the destiny of all citizens. The unintended consequence of dealing with national problems across state borders was the creation of an all-powerful central government like others that dot the timeline of the past. Some of them tried to expand beyond their own borders to rule the world. That progressed throughout the century and in the early Twenty-first Century; the nation arrived at a crossroads in its destiny.”
    A timeline appears on the screen. “Bridging the centuries is a growing trend towards polarization among factions. Fueled by the rhetoric of pundits, the differing views became adversarial, with growing animosity toward each other. They were pitched battles on the field of ideas that became the new norm. The supposed co-equal branches of government, created to balance and check unbridled power became opponents in a match of thrust and parry, with complete defeat of the opponent, the ultimate goal. The casualties are the good ideas of both factions. They became the unfulfilled hopes and desires of the populace. Rational discourse became insults and witty repartee. Hyperbole ruled the day. Some wanted unchecked spending that would stifle economic growth, creating a nation that eventually would slide down the financial slope into oblivion. The other side, desired to loosen the reins on businesses through reduced regulations and taxes. They contended that this would create job growth and lessen the need for social programs. However, with no guarantee that the economy would flourish without fluctuation, there is much reservation about the uncertainties of the future. Greed would push the envelope and fairness, the environment and worker’s rights would suffer. People, divided and confused looked for answers. Throwing money around is wasteful as there are opportunists who would abuse and steal from the system. However, not providing for those in need is not a popular tact either.” Taylor and Christine looked at each