Many like myself love America because it is "US" (U.S.). America is "US". Kennedy's choice is off the radar of freedom-loving Americans. The question is not either what can country do for me or what can I do for country. It's how do I want to live my life as I choose with a grateful heart that I live in a country that allows me to do so. That choice may very well be "public service" but it is a FREE, not coerced, choice hopefully made for the right reasons.
Kennedy's focus centered on "country" (he wasn't around long enough to show the full display of his ambivalent and double-minded socialism but his bothers, especially Ted Kennedy, showed all what the Kennedy's were really all about).
Americans' focus is not obligations to country but rather freedom to build individual lives and families as they see fit.
:-)
Thanks. I’m glad you think my heart is in the right place. I do think we are singing from the same choir book. As far as I can see, we don’t have any disagreements to speak of.
What you said is well stated imho. I think you are correct that he was headed down the wrong direction and we only got a glimpse of it. I think you chose the right word. He was ambivalent. I’m willing to grant to those who insist, that he may have meant well, but with the family and people around him, those good intentions really would have had great difficulty in seeing the light of day.
Thanks again for the discussion.