What say I, MS? I didn't get a chance to watch the vid until now... and now that I have watched it three times, I'll respond. I'm sure everyone is going to expect me to say something completely different than what I think. I'm sure that you all have seen me rant and rave about the pride that I have in this country and how I would never live anywhere else... although that it is true, there is truth in what is spoken.
I really don't think this is about education standards, it's not about the space program, it's not about our infrastructure, clean water, electricity being available... or anyone being better than the good ole' USA .
I really and honestly feel like the point is, that as a country, we have lost our humility, our generosity, our respect for others and our morals.
Take a step back and THINK about things. How bad did things get back in the 1930's before the government stepped in to start helping people? How bad are things now before they stepped in to assist? Sure, we survived a Civil War in the mid-1800's but WHY? Why was there so much support when we entered into WWII, yet so much doubt when we engaged in war following the bombing of the world trade center? How many people in this country take the easy way out and pay their student loans back when the IRS garnishes their tax refunds? How many people buy their first home when they are in their early 20's and utilize the incentive programs out there rather than save up their nickles and dimes for a down payment... and how many of those homes actually become homes rather than houses?
There are many, many, MANY people in this country that have just stopped caring. They know they will be cared for when they fail, so they give up with out trying and fail with out any effort. And communities... well, we don't have to have morals. Most don't have to help out the homeless, or the starving, or the people who are down on their luck, because the government will help them. Sometimes, I really don't think this country is all that great... when I drive around and see cars with ball sacks hanging from their bumbers, when I hire a company and they don't take pride in their work and do a shoddy job, when I see people divided between the political parties arguing over what is 'right' and 'wrong' and they preach but don't practice. I see people abuse the charities we do have. I see people go to church, and then give each other the middle finger in the parking lot. I see people who say they will do the right thing, and then turn around and do the opposite.
We are in an age where high schoolers don't have to be embarrassed at the drug store when they buy condoms because they can get them for free at the front office of the school. Kid's don't have fist fights and resolve their differences on their own, and adults don't know how to have an itelligent conversation to settle theirs. People judge each other, they have lost their tolerance for what is different naturally, and in ignorance they have forgotten to set boundaries for what is socially acceptable because they are scared of being accused of the loss of tolerance... although this usually applies for those things that are different unnaturally.
In spite of all that. Personally, I would rather live in no other place. Personally, I see the good that is there. I've mentioned elsewhere, here and there, that I'm married to the military. In the middle of a PCS, he's been in a different state for over 6 months. I'm on my own here and I see the potential for this country in so many ways. The ten people who gave up their time to come help me and pack and load up the storage/moving pods. The old men at work that have given me advice on ways to keep on keeping on. The really, really strange guy that came up and knocked on my door this weekend to let me know he had noticed some people eyeing the storage units in the driveway. My boss that said I didn't actually have to give a two week notice. My neighbor who brought over food because she knows I don't have anything to cook with. My friends at the gym, my comrades who support me thru EB or FB or in person.
These are the people that make this country great for me. I think it's unfortunate that things are so often on such a small scale. I think it's unfortunate that we often don't pull together as a larger community unless a disaster hits.
We are all in the mind-set that we deserve things. Do we really? One of the biggest things I have discussed recently, and it's because most people ask questions that will probably make me feel sorry for myself. I won't let that happen, we do what we have to do. I am not perfect. I make mistakes nearly everyday, and I look at those and say, well that was stupid, lets move on and not do that again. BUT... I wonder if more people had to suffer just a bit, how much greater this country would be. Are we the greatest country in the world because we don't have much suffering? Or are we becoming weak because of that?
