Growing up, there was one quote that resonated deeply with me, a line from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Decades later, these words still echo in my mind, but never have they felt as distant from reality as they do in today’s America. Watching recent elections—the battles between Biden and Trump, and even Harris vs. Trump—it’s hard not to notice the stark divisions tearing this country apart, with each camp digging deeper into its own needs and desires, seemingly at the expense of the nation’s unity.
In this election, everyone seemed to be looking out for themselves. Many are understandably focused on their own well-being—issues like healthcare, income stability, and fair wages, all of which affect hardworking Americans trying to get by. Yet the focus on individual needs over collective goals has left us fractured, pushing us further from Kennedy’s vision. We’ve become a country that prioritizes personal interests over a shared sense of duty to the nation, and that shift comes with significant risks.
One of the clearest consequences is that we’re losing our ability to see beyond our own immediate concerns. Patriotism, once a unifying force, is now a point of contention. I can’t help but feel that America has reached a dangerous crossroads, one where our collective selfishness could lead us down a dark path. People seem willing to let the country suffer if their own wants aren’t met. It’s as if we’re ready to watch it all fall apart just to see our own priorities prevail.
Former President Trump’s influence in American politics has, if nothing else, exposed this stark reality. He’s laid bare the divisions and brought to light the ways we can all be swayed by appeals to self-interest over unity. While many claim to be patriotic, it’s clear that when push comes to shove, most are looking out for their bottom line, not the country’s. If meeting their own needs meant leaving others behind, some wouldn’t hesitate—and that’s a dangerous mindset for any nation.
To be transparent, I didn’t vote for Trump. But if he were to win, I wouldn’t be surprised. Part of me believes that America might need this kind of wake-up call, a moment to confront its own selfishness and see the consequences. Trump’s presence on the ballot, despite being a convicted felon and someone who has shown little respect for others, speaks volumes about where we are as a society. This election isn’t just a reflection of Trump’s character—it’s a reflection of our own values and priorities.
Kennedy’s words have stayed with me for so long because they speak to a vision of America where people act not only for themselves but for the greater good. But today, that vision feels distant, almost forgotten. Until we as a nation learn to balance our needs with a sense of responsibility to one another, we won’t see true progress. We need to remember that our strength comes from our unity and our willingness to serve a purpose greater than ourselves.
If we don’t, we risk becoming a nation driven by selfishness rather than by the spirit of service that once defined us. It’s time to ask ourselves: what can we do for our country—not just for ourselves?
