Wow! Look at all that is happening in the world and all you can say is, "Wow"...Well, I suppose you could manage a few more choice phrases to spill from your lips...but I'm confident that "Wow" pretty much sums it up. In fact, I've been realizing lately that I don't have any faith that any of the values and logic, with which I was raised, has any pertinence at all in this day and age...In the literary world I believe they'd refer to that as an "Unreliable Narrator". Haven't we realized that most of what we were taught as children was really the regurgitation of the media, filtered through a human thought patter (defined as our parents...those people who have the most influence on our young development). So, we've been brought up on all of the social mechanics of the American Dream...and now that fantasy seems to have shown its true colors.
Is it too late? Finally, the U.S.A has at least taken a step in the right direction...well...not a step exactly, but they have reached out to see what's behind door number 3. The U.S. has chosen wisely in Barack Obama...if nothing else, we can all share in a little Global acceptance...no need to steal those Canadian maple leafs for your backpack and luggage in the next few years to come...You won't have to cower to the inquisitive questioning behind the bar "Where are you from"? No need to feel intimidated to discuss your homeland and its politics. Your government has been a real source of trouble for the Globetrotters of the world the past 10 yrs. The U.S. Passport is the best traveling tool on the planet. It allows you to freely travel to nearly every country in the world without complication...but once you've used your "Get in free" pass...you may find it easier to hide your passport and any evidence of the country it represents...Thank you Bush family.
It's not so much that you have to listen to the world's consensus in every bar, hotel, boat, taxi, brothel and restaurant you visit...the problem is they're usually speaking the truth. I am aghast at the atrocities of what a great nation must do to become a great nation. Can a country obtain it's mega status on virtuous principles? Isn't it the very Capitalistic, "Go Get'em" mentality that gives the U.S. its "Greatness"...what makes it different...what makes it strong...what also makes it the most ruthless political element on the planet? Anyone involved in a successful business can probably attest that a good business most often has a cold heart. Thus the ubiquitous "Business is Business" philosophy...
So, as I've often said...you don't like the States...don't live there. If you live there, you need to accept certain responsibilities. One of the responsibilities of being a citizen of the U.S. is to stand up and demand better of your government...but we've been too blinded by the creature comforts to remember the strength of being repressed. The focus has shifted...Greed has become an underlining philosophy in our culture...the race is to strive to the top, consume, buy, accumulate and guard. Too many get swallowed up in the day to day to take the beast off autopilot. A flea who is well fed will never care about where the dog may lead him...but with the latest catastrophe of the financial market...it will be interesting to see to where the fleas begin to flee...
A new age is upon us...your parents won't see it... your neighbors may try and ignore it...but it's here. I believe that pride will be the ultimate coup de grace for the U.S. The same mentality that inhibits a young man to take a job at McDonald's when the times get tough will, ultimately, be the same problem we have as "Americans". Will Mr. Jones look for an insurance policy to take care of his family? Would he rather hang himself or pray for an accident while traveling on business to provide for his family or will he go back to mowing lawns if need be? Will Mr. Jones take a job from a Mexican? Will the need to save face in the neighborhood dominate the common sense of our nation? Will it be more difficult to tell the boys at the neighborhood picnic that you're broke...? Or is it better to hide behind bad debt for a few more months? And can you hide? There is a lot of discussion and comparisons out there about the present times reflecting those of the Great Depression...only, I'm wondering if we're the same stock of folks. Are we the same iron and mud people that rose and overcame the difficulties in the 30's? The same people who enjoyed the "Roaring 20's" somehow turned it around to make it through the muck of the 30's. With the fickle responses to the stock market and jumping under the desk with arms full of oil quotes every time a hurricane enters the gulf, I wonder how the times ahead will forge the inner-personality of the U.S.? I guess we'll just have to wait and see how the powers that be try and control the fall. But once terminal velocity hits, the ending is inevitable...all you can do is pick a comfortable spot to watch it all happen. As a colleague once shared, "We're all just trading seats on the Titanic". And I look upon this crisis as an opportunity of adjustments. I can think of now better time to hit rock bottom. It's a wonderful time to trim the fat and get Americans working again. There is no better time to explore that American Ingenuity than now. I think it is better to view this situation as realistic more so than negative. The economy is shot...We've killed it. We are engaged in wars which aren't even profitable (beyond morality....it's just bad business). We have a new president who will enter the arena so over-burdened that it's sure to cast a dull sheen over his potential greatness. We have a country who's wealth, perspective, image, religion and strength seem to be built and balanced on fluff. It'll be interesting to see as the floors begin to crumble...where the concrete actually lies. Where is the bottom? Wealth and assessment of wealth has been nothing but a speculative wisp of smoke. Our perspective is built on fear and molded by a manipulative and corrupt media. Our image has turned from one of hope, dreams and equality to one of hate, brutality and cruelty. Religion has become more extreme and desperate than ever. God, your people are lost and wandering...and they're driving me crazy! Too, God, I'd imagine that your being consulted more now than ever...Good luck with that. Spend some extra time in Kansas...I think they could use the help. Strength of America?...we'll just have to see about that one...but I think it's time for U.S. to start making the adjustment before the adjustment starts making the U.S. The party is over and now it's time for the hang over. I think a little humility is now in order for the greatest country in the world. Things are going to begin to shift a little...Markets and economies are beginning to move a little bit backwards...We need a new perspective...We need to live without fear...We need to claw at the truth...and I think now, more than ever, it's time for a little backwards thinking...
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