WHAT HAPPENED?

February 1, 2025

If you’re over forty years old, you have probably wondered what has happened to the America that we once knew!  As a kid, I didn’t see   many homeless people, if any. I don’t recall our elected officials speaking in such a mean-spirited manner.  I don’t recall television news reporters ever reporting more than just facts.  Was I in a protected, sterile environment?  I don’t think so.  I grew up in San Antonio and I am half Puerto Rican.  I know what it feels like to be called names.  I was the student government president of St. Philip’s Junior College, a Historically Black College.  When I was there, I was in the minority.  I know what it feels like to be the minority skin color in a large room full of people.  As I remember, we were all united and respectful of each other even when we disagreed. 

I believe that what made me in part who I am today was learned from watching black and white television when I was a kid.  I watched The Little Rascals almost every day.  I saw my peers on television use their minds and show me ways to be creative using what they had without money or adult guidance.  I watched the adventures of Amos and Andy religiously.  I didn’t see black or white people.  I just saw people dealing with goofy situations.  I used to watch Father Knows Best in almost disbelief.  The show was very different from my family’s situation.  These shows helped me develop my values and principles along with what I was taught at Sunday school and enforced by my parents and teachers.  Back then, if you didn’t show respect to others, someone at home, school or in your neighborhood would correct you with a belt, paddle or worse.

I often wonder what happened and how we got where we are today as an American society?

I continually seek wisdom and understanding in all aspects of my life. I was blessed to cross paths with the organization Focus on the Family.  Through Focus on the Family I met and befriended Tim Goeglein.  Tim is based in Washington D.C. and has more than thirty years of experience supporting elected officials, including President   George W.  Bush.  Tim has written several books.  The first of his that I read is entitled Toward a More Perfect Union.  Recently he gave me his most current book, Stumbling Toward Utopia.  Because of Tim, I closely reviewed the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States and the amendments to the Constitution.  I always challenge what I am reading to try to ensure that I am not just getting sucked up into someone’s perception or misuse of facts.  Tim’s Utopia book gave me greater insight as to what happened to our country.  According to Tim, our country was built on personal responsibility, respect for life, sexual restraint and patriotism.  Returning to these biblical values could help restore civil society to America and could help pass a restored constitutional republic to future generations of Americans.  With Tim’s input, I think I have a much better understanding of what happened and what it will take to “fix it.” I suggest that you read the book!

Written by KING AEROSPACE Founder, Jerry Allan King-Echevarria.