America

Feb 06, 2008 22:57

Something I want to talk about today: America.  Living in this country, I have become a little jaded.  I see injustices in the state of our union and know they won't be put right.  I see them directly affecting myself and others.  Why, I wonder, do people think this country is so great?

But...this is all I have ever known.  And injustice, like suffering, is relative.  I understand that in other countries injustice is far greater than it is here.  Our country provides many opportunities to everyone who lives here.  So, I try to change my jaded perspective a little and look at our country through other people's eyes.  My ancestors immigrated to this country from Germany and from Estonia because they thought they could make a better life here.  This immigration is still happening today for the same reason and many people who come here find such a change from their home country that they feel we are a true land of opportunity.

While I was on the (city) bus today, an old woman saw a friend and went over to speak to her.  I couldn't understand what they were saying, as it was in Chinese, but they were clearly passionate over what they were speaking about.  This woman, to emphasize her point, broke into English and said, with a very thick accent, 'This is America!  Not China!'  Her voice was full of conviction.

Her words explained it all for me.  This country truly is a land of opportunity.  I take it for granted that I can go to college, that the utilities in my home will function, that rebel factions won't go running through the streets shooting people, that bombs will not fall on us, that government aid programs are alive, if not strong, and that, while our system has many deep, serious problems, a good life is still possible in many ways.

If I were to have power to give this country a focus, I would stop our overseas activity and put that money to use domestically.  Our country could become as strong as a fortress.  We could be strong from the inside-out.  I would have America focus on supporting all of its citizens, both old and new.  I would make it easy for people to move to our country, then support them once they get here.  Diversity makes a stronger system.  People from all over the world are bringing us their viewpoints and skills.  We can now be stronger than ever.
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