I am stuck on America because America's stuck on me
65
So the question is would I consider moving due to the outcome of the US Presidential election and my answer is a resounding NO! Do I believe I live in a perfect country and do I subscribe to the pompous attitude that America is better than a lot of other countries? Again, the answer is no. I know and have come to terms with the fact that I am from and live in a nation that was born out of hypocrisy from the feast the pilgrims shared with Native Americans in 1621 that we refer to as "the first Thanksgiving" to the Pequot war in 1636 between the alliance of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies with the Narragansett and Mohegan tribe against the Pequot tribe in southern New England. I come from an obnoxious land steeped in neurosis because we have a McDonald's on every corner and a plastic surgeon next door. America is the third entry in the definition of gluttony but we will break our necks to offer support to another country often times stepping on the legs and feet of the very people in this country that need help.
The first reason I won't leave America is because this is a place where anyone can live "the American dream". Of course there's always the naysayers to this belief. There's people that will say "it takes money to make money" or the only way you can have money is if you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth, but there are Americans that prove that theory wrong every day. One of my favorite examples is a man that shoveled horse manure as one of his first jobs and in the 1980's, he borrowed $15,000 to start his own cable company. That station is BET and Bob Johnson sold the station to Viacom in 1998 for $1.5 billion and now he's part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. For even more proof of fame and fortune, look to your reality t.v. The first "reality" show was actually a 12 episode documentary on PBS called An American Family that aired in January of 1973. From that show to the present, "reality" t.v. has made household names of people like Richard Hatch, Omarosa, Gordon Ramsey, New York, and Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia Barrino, and David Cook all owe their popularity to American Idol. In this country, there is a poor, middle, and upper class like many other countries, but unlike other countries, your past doesn't always determine your future. In other words, many of this country's millionaires and billionaires were born into poor families, but they found a way to rise up and live their own dream.
In the United States, every person has the chance to raise their hand and be counted or to be quiet and passed over. In November of 1974, a Harris poll listed 35 potential presidential candidates, and a Georgia governor by the name of Jimmy Carter wasn't on that list. Nonetheless, Carter's "peanut brigade" went door to door in Iowa to make people aware of who he was and he went on to win the Iowa Democratic caucus with 29.1% of the vote and the rest of course, is history. Candy Lightener lost her daughter when she was killed by a repeat offender drunk driver and in 1980, Lightener started Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a non profit organization that has helped to lower the number of alcohol related fatalities. Our country has been changed by lobbyists and petitions, but most importantly, in this country, one person can initiate the change to make a difference.
America is the country that wants to be seen as the Cinderella of the world, but is afraid to look in the mirror for fear of seeing all the whiteheads, warts, scars, and bruises that has come from the true ugliness of this nation. This country has been involved in many heinous and oftentimes despicable acts, but the fact that I am free and able to even mention this is the last reason I love this country. I, along with everyone else in this country has the first amendment to stand behind whenever we choose to mock the president that the electoral college voted into office for the second time. This is the country where an Arab American can walk up to me and say, "It's all good in the hood brother!" even though he's never stepped foot inside anyone's "hood". There are people from other countries who come to the United States for an opportunity at free speech that they would otherwise not have, and still others come to visit the U.S. to marvel at the spectacle that free speech can sometimes be. You, the reader might not like every word that I've said, but the fact is that in this country, I am able to say whatever is on my mind whenever I want to say it. I will not always be proud of the actions of my countrymen and countrywomen, but I know that I have the ability just like everyone else in this nation to defend what I believe is right and to criticize what I feel is wrong. This is why through thick and thin, wrong and right, I am and will always be an American.
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Comments
Sorry. At one time I would have agreed with you, but not now. This is not the America we know. This is not the America where people have a voice. If they did Bush wouldn't be in office. Criminals like his administration would be behind bars, as would he, and there would be no war, no recession, depression, etc. Sorry, I just can't agree also on the status of individuals now days. Upper class, middle class and lower class? It's fast changing. With the way the Bush administration is going, there will only be an upper and lower class. Very rarely, especially now days, do you see a person go from rags to riches. Considering all the people in this country, the statistics are very minimal.
What we need is leader who is completely the opposite of BUSH
to t.keeley - No, I really can't say that every person that achieves celebrity status deserves their fame or fortune, but I can say that every celebrity is still only human so I only look at them as another person like me and not the hyped up characters they become. My point exactly is that there are so many ways for people to become rich and famous for it not to be possible for everyone. I think some do sell their souls to become rich, but I also think that it's possible to become successful based on mentality alone.
to listenup - I know that in 2004, the public wanted Kerry, but the electoral college picked Bush. That was one of the worst moments in the U.S. political system to me because it does make a person feel one vote can be meaningless. I respect what you're saying, and in spite of tragedies like a Bush second term, I still feel this is and can continue to be an overall good country especially when compared against other countries.
I think that there are examples, that the American Dream can become true, but that does not automatically imply that ANYONE can live the American Dream. The fact that a few people live to be more than 100 years old, does not mean that ANYONE can. Other than that, I think it's a good hub. I may not agree with everything, I may have my own criticism towards the US, but you've clearly pointed out what America means to you and I guess that's what this hub was and is about. Respect.
I'm with you girl....the USA offers so many freedoms and opportunities that its citizens don't even realize how "well off" they are. And to speak to Ananta65's analogy...here in the USA we have to ability to freely motivate ourselves to PLAN to live to 100...we have the freedom to make the choices, learn the methods, involve in the work that could better insure that as an individual I can strive to be 100 years old. Again, just going with the analogy,,,not literal. BEST TO YOU and you're patriotism and believe in the USA and it's continuing potential as the best !!!
to Ananta65 - Desert blondie kind of beat me to my own comment I was waiting to leave, but like you said, not everyone does live to be 100, but the chance to do so still exists. We cut years off our lives by the vices we have, the food we eat, and other lifestyle CHOICES, just like it's the CHOICES that we make that put us on certain life paths. I can be proud of my country and also criticize where I see fit and respectfully listen to others' criticisms as well. I appreciate the respect and you have mine as well.
to desert blondie - I'm guessing you were talking to listenup since I'm a guy. lol Thanks for your input and your comment as well.
Mind you, I don’t say that the US doesn’t offer the opportunities and chances. I just think that this can be said for the entire, wealthy western world. And there is nothing wrong with appreciating this. I live in the ‘free’ world and although it’s not as free and tolerant as I might want, I still appreciate the rights I have. No offense intended.
First off...I love my native land...America. With that said and out of the way, do I believe it's the best place to live in the world? I don't know. Why? Because I haven't actually had the opportunity to LIVE elsewhere for an extended period of time.
I've admired other countries and thought perhaps I'd like to try living there for a period of time to see what it's like. England would be interesting. Australia...definitely. Germany...they seem like rather nice people. The list goes on and on.
What frightens me is when people (and I'm not pointing ANY fingers) take on a pond pygmy mentality (my word for people that never travel abroad or educate themselves to another way of life) that simply because it's the only life they know it has to be the best.
Aruba is a great example of a country that understands this possibility. Being a small island and dependent on tourism, they could adopt a "you should just come and see us" attitude. But they don't. They actually have government sponsored programs to send graduates to live in other countries...the U.S. included...so that they are aware of other cultures and ideas. Pretty neat huh?
Some schools do have programs to study abroad, and some children can afford to take advantage of this offering...unfortunately those that really need to, never seem to do it.
we do not own exclusively what makes us great. The same thing that makes America great is what makes any individual person great. The desire to achieve a dream, and to help another do the same. That's freedom. America can not fail...nor can any other nation that includes such greatness in their plan for life.
I will just come right out and say that I am in no way proud to be an American. There I've said it so everything I say from here on can be picked apart accordingly. American's tend to believe that we are some how superior to other countries deeming other countries, 3rd world. What the hell is that?
We also mustn't forget that the pilgrims served a hell of a lot more than turkey on thanksgiving-lets not forget disease's which wiped out whole villages. I can't go on I'm already worked up here just thinking about the pitch fork pedestal this country perches on while peering down upon other country's who have so much more potential-although maybe (MAYBE) not financial, other countries opportunites far exceed that (in many respects) to "this great country". Succeeding in things like,education and communication. I stop here because some of the things I've read are far to dilusional to address. I would offer that everyone take the time to read a book that will change your mind about, "this great country" from the very first page entitled, LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME by James Loewen. The original cover to the book was a black board being white washed, how befiting. What you think you know, you do not, what you wish to know is within these pages and its the sad, sad truth that many cannot accept or comprehend. There I said it, I would jump this USA ship in a heart beat because all america does is make Communism look free.
*sigh*
Stop writing this stuff Talented_ink or atleast stop making it so interesting!
Talented_Ink, now that PenNPad's finished ranting...you just continue on...as he said, you make it interesting and the USA needs more advocates right now. Personally, I don't feel in any way superior to any other human just because I am a citizen of USA....I often feel amazingly fortunate when I understand England's high taxes and most of Africa's devastations, the still rampant poverty and infant mortality of India and the horrendous attitudes about women in all Muslim countries, the censureship of China...can you imagine the Americans who went to the Olympics and told to leave their cellphones in their rooms...and no internet anywhere available to them? A country that has one-fifth of the world's population and the government still tries to control the books they read (no Bibles allowed, even as a tourist), the thoughts they have (which is why NO access to libraries or internet), the number of children they're allowed, the types of jobs they'll 'be given.' No, I don't feel superior...I feel LUCKY...I'll take/endure the USA's problems any day.
First off let me say thank you for responding to my request! The thing that I love the most about this country is the fact that we can still write what we want when we want even if we totally disagree with eachother or the country. That is something that many have fought and died for. In reading all the responses I see quite a bit of each that I like and some that I disagree with, but overall, I do believe that if you work hard you can succeed in this country. (Now if I can just figure out how to make some more with AdSense I will be on my way!) Seriously though, there are very few cases like our clebrities and I feel they lose quite a bit for what they get financially. For everything there is a trade. Hopefully our next election the people are heard, not that I am sure who should win, but I do think the people should decide not the electoral college. Thanks again for a wonderful hub and a great discussion!
You are so right to feel lucky, Desert blondie. Just don’t think that the US is the only country in the world with those privileges. Like said before - both here and elsewhere – I’m not out to bash the US. I just think it’s good to put things in perspective.Of course you are very fortunate to live in the US, one of the richest countries in the world. But did you know that in 2006 the USA had an infant mortality rate of 5 per 1,000, the same as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Malta? Of 33 developed countries, America was just above Latvia, the bottom of the group (source: Medical News Today). I hope the situation has changed since 2006. From more recent date: in 10 developed countries, the health care system in the US is the most UNpopular. Fully 33 percent of Americans believe that the American system "has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it," and a further 50 percent think that "fundamental changes are needed to make it work better"; In the other nine countries those who believe they need to completely rebuild their systems vary from only nine percent in The Netherlands and 12 percent in Spain to 15 percent in France, 17 percent in New Zealand, 18 percent in Australia and 20 percent in Italy; all well below the 33 percent in this country (source: Reuters). Like in the Netherlands: not everything is good about the US, just as not everything is bad about it either.
Sorry I haven't kept up with the comments here, but I thank everyone for voicing your opinion about what I've said and I'm glad that everyone doesn't agree with everything I've said. I feel Spryte is right in that no American can ever claim that the US is superior to another country if all that person has ever experienced is life in the 50 states(and no, I'm not saying the U.S. is superior in any way to another country). Ananta65, I wouldn't have as much respect for you as I do if you agreed with all I said. Marisuewrites, I couldn't agree with you more. Desert blondie, thank you for enjoying my writing and I feel that every country should have a spokesperson or two even if it means they're just voicing their criticism of their country because everyone should have the right to speak out for or against their homeland. You're welcome blogging2, and I just found yours to be an interesting request and as for adsense, I'm taking my $0.49 to the bank! LOL As for you Pen-n-Pad, I make my work interesting so you'll read it, but there won't be too much more disagreement from the likes of you. lol
Ananta- Sorry but I had to post reguarding the infant mortality rate. If you look over my posts I write against the process of western medicine quite a bit. I think that more people need to realize that we are lucky but if we continue to just follow what others say because they say it without having a group to give an oposing side which is what happens in the medical community a lot. When people speak out they are discredited so the media portrays thems as ignornat when they are really just going against the people with money.
Sorry just wrote a hub about the new statistics with Autism that the true figures are closer to 1 in 67 than the 1 in 150 that we are hearing (not that 150 is good either!), and had quite a bit about that in there. If anyone wants to read it it is one of my newest hubs.
OK I will get off my soap box here!
Mind you, Talented_ink, I can relate to your feeling. I am stuck on my own country, just as you are. Even if I have a love-hate relationship with it. I am reject the last four administrations, including the current one. I reject the growing intolerance, I reject the existence of Geert Wilders. In short, I have a lot against the Netherlands. Yet I’m not thinking of living elsewhere.
I was merely responding to Desert Blondie. Yes, there are a lot of privileges to enjoy. But no, the US is not unique in that respect. Nothing more, nothing less. No offense intended either.
Blogging2, if you mean that we shouldn’t trust any source of information, I am completely with you.
I really think that all information is skewed. As bad as it sounds I actually have taken to looking at what a group has to gain or lose before I look at the information, because I think it drastically alters the results that they came up with. If I have to make a choice I tend to go with the one who has less to gain and more to lose. It is amazing with all the technology how most people see less informed than before...
I love US and having completed my Masters here in US I feel United States has wonderful Research facilities coupled with excellent professors where real scientific contributions come from as far as Technological innovation is concerned. If we take in IT field all the Operating systems like MS Windows, Unix flavors (IBM AIX, HP-UX, Sun Solaris and others), Apple Mac are from US then coming to Databases MS SQL server, IBM DB2, Sybase, Informix and so many others are again US based companies which had invested lots of money in university research. I feel the best resources aren't appreciated by some people when they take them for granted (sorry I have no sympathy for those who don't make use of the facilities that the US Universities have) rather they should go to my under grad college where for even computer lab we had to book slots. Successful people are not the people who have the most rather they are the people who make the most of what they have.
Also I hope more people realize that the actions of Bush government in Iraq, treatment at Abu Ghraib/Guantanamo facility don't reflect the views of the majority Americans. I personally feel Americans are very open and broad minded towards others beliefs/views. It truly is a great multicultural society with respect for one and all. It is the country where Islam is the fastest growing religion(if not that is not the freedom of expression for any religion than what is?). A country's greatness can be judged by how many people want to get into it and how many people want to get out of it. I have seen even some people from Middle East who may disagree with Bush's views but still love America so much that they don't want to relocate back to the country where they came from. No wonder America is the third largest country in terms of population due to large scale immigration from all over the world. The more one stays here the more stuck they will become over a period of time. Great hub.
"In this country, there is a poor, middle, and upper class like many other countries, but unlike other countries, your past doesn't always determine your future."
I'm curious as to why you think America has social mobility, and other countries don't?
Thanks for sharing, Talented_Ink. I think many of us probably share this "love-hate" relationship with our countries. All can't be good, and most certainly all isn't bad, I think that's true for most places on earth. Here I'm also able to say whatever is on my mind whenever I want to say it. I couldn't conceive of living in a country where that wasn't the case.
LG- As always you did catch a good point. Even in India over the past decade there have been many many millionaires due to increased opportunities and economic growth. America isn't the only country where upward mobility is possible.
Good point LondonGirl, the US is not the only country with social mobility. I talked to friends from Australia that actually had a higher standard of living for the equal amount of education. Other countries have better health care coverage also, and let me just tell you having to pay a 5,000 deductible for insurance will show you this.
I'm very happy to live in a country with proper health coverage for everyone - reading some hubs on here about American health care horrified me.
t.keeley says:
17 months ago
I generally disagree. Can you say that people like celebrities deserve their money/fame? What have they done to benefit society thru their job and their life, more importantly?? Carri Underwood would be a nobody if AI didn't exist, and I'm still convinced there are 50,000 or more better singers who are dirt poor. Her success is based on a bunch of tenny-bopper fans, as seen by Kelly Clarkson. Real musicians laugh at the concept of American Idol and detest the 15 minutes of fame it introduces.
Although I do agree, we are fat and gluttonous, it's rare that anyone goes from rags to riches...in orer to do that you must sell out. American Idol winners are sellouts...they're the same old manufactured image and sound in a slightly different coloured package.
America is great, but not for these things. We're a land of slipping ideals and cracking seams. It wouldn't be the president who drives me away, it'd be those who got rich by 'working their way up' and kissing arse to get to the top.
The lower class generally stays lower class, and that's really just because of the way they're raised and the way that they're taught. I was one of them, and technically still am I'm sure. I'm aiming high, but the truth is that the people who fit the ideals of the popular culture succeed. Someone who breaks boundaries seldom sees financial success. Capitalist Washington has indoctrinated us to believe that the more we earn, the better a person we are.
And if riches are the measure of success, then we're all doomed to hell.