**This post is political in nature. It does talk about money, but, just wanted to give you a head’s up!**
The other day I unwittingly participated in a very deep twitter conversation that involved some American and Canadian Personal Finance Bloggers. I had noticed since I started my twitter feed that there are a lot of people who really hate America as a country. Not necessarily Americans, but America as a country. Canadian pf bloggers have been especially vocal about their disdain of the United States. With the exception of MochiMac who has lived in the U.S. and is basing her opinions on her personal experiences living here, I find some of these comments troubling, condescending, and insulting-because it feels like these opinions are based on perceptions instead of the experience of living in the U.S. But, that’s how it always is! We have opinions based on what we’ve observed and use the observations to create our “truth.”
So why does this bother me? Because I love my crazy dysfunctional country and I feel compelled to defend it.
However…
There is a lot of truth in the comments being made by these bloggers. Their observations and perception of our country is completely “on point.” There is no denying that the United States is not living up to the standard and potential that it tries to live by. In my opinion, this is not first time that the United States finds itself at a crossroads.
Some examples of not living up to our potential throughout history:
- Slavery
- Jim Crow/Segregation
- Child workers
- Equal Rights for People of Color and Women
- How we treat people with mental illness
- Food Deserts
- How we treat mothers-lack of leave for new mothers
- Lack of health care
- War* We love our war
- Gun violence-regardless of your views on gun control we can all agree that people going ballistic and shooting people is not acceptable.
- Politicos entrenched in NOT making any compromise just to prove that they are right. Am over it.
- The environment. Use of resources.
- People not bathing, wearing pajamas outside, and not combing their hair-AM SERIOUS! Lack of pride, and I’m checking if you’re still reading the post.
Examples of Stepping up…
- No more slavery-The Civil War
- No more sanctioned Jim Crow/Segregation laws. Obviously these things still happen, but we are trying to be vigilant in fighting this
- Laws Protecting Children in the Workplace
- Civil Rights Legislation/Voters Act*
- 3 month leave for Mothers** As time goes on this will probably expand
- Health Care Law-Just like Social Security it will go through a number of changes before it goes into affect. Regardless of how you feel about this, I do think that there will be a shift in how we approach access to health care in this country.
- Finally, finally starting to pull out of needless conflicts that we won’t win, are pointless, and are losing us money.
- Growing green movement and awareness of our finite resources. Hopefully this will continue to gain momentum.
- Electing a President of color-twice, Several Female Secretaries of State (one of color), and hopefully electing a female President (from either party) in the next 10 years.
I’ve had the opportunity to live in other countries: Japan (as a child), Canada (as a young adult), France (as a young adult). I have travelled to other countries as well: Argentina, England, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Japan (as an adult), Norway, Spain, and Switzerland. Finally, I have travelled to 40 of the 50 United States. So, I have had the opportunity to observe the U.S. from a different vantage point.
Some home truths..Just Deal
a.) Americans are arrogant. We are. We’re not conceited, we’re convinced. But, so are the French.
b.) America is currently thinking in the past when we are talking about being #1. While we were off fighting wars and “helping” everyone else. We stopped focusing on the U.S. and the problems that we have with the following issues: classism, racism, education, and poverty.
c.) The U.S. like many other Western Countries has failed to recognize how our domestic economy has changed from industrial to knowledge based. Fewer people are needed to do certain tasks and manufacturing has been sent overseas to countries where the citizens will work for less. U.S. leaders have advocated sending business overseas since President Reagan’s presidency. No one ever actively worked on training and creating new industries for people to work in. I believe that other Western countries will start to experience some of the societal problems that the U.S. is now experience due to changing economic models and not being able to afford the social programs that they currently offer their citizens.
- By the way-this is not something that happened overnight during President Obama’s tenure as many people would like to believe. It started during the Reagan years, continued through the Bush years, Clinton years, Bush years, and Obama years. This is an equal opportunity political party problem.
d.) Other countries are just as racist and classist as the U.S. Some countries that come to mind are: France-do you remember the riots and the entire country being set ablaze by angry disenfranchised and angry young people? For almost a month? I do! France also has had problems with the National Front electing higher numbers of officials to represent the people of France. Scandinavia is also dealing with rising numbers of Fascists being elected to government due to immigration issues. Belgium and Italy are also experiencing a rise in racism and fascism. I can safely say that I have experienced just as many racist moments in Europe as I have in the U.S. if not more.
e.) Other countries were really lucky to not be #1 and took advantage of that alleged disadvantage. They had the opportunity to work hard at becoming #1 at the things that are important. Things that are important would be: Health, Education, Support for Families, and work life balance. It’s not surprising that a large # of U.S. #pf bloggers and readers are aggressively working towards living lives that aren’t consumed by work.
d.) 300 million (U.S.) citizens are not as easy to manage as 34 million (Canada), 8 million (Switzerland) Especially with a federalized system and 50 states that match other countries by size.
e.) But, having 300 million citizens to manage is no excuse for not doing our best.
f.) We deserve derision and disdain for not living up to our potential.
Why I love the U.S.
- My children will always know that they can become President. Really. It’s not bullsh$t. As a person of color this is a huge thing. I’ve lived in Europe, and was, and still am amazed at how few people of color are in government, roles of power, or even on t.v.
- We talk about our problems with race. Always. It’s always uncomfortable, awkward and we fight. But, without those conversations we wouldn’t be making the progress that we have. We could do better, but I’ve lived in other places and travelled to other places and we’re doing better than we think. We are currently having another conversation about race because of the Trayvon Martin case. It’s a horrible situation that has opened up another national conversation about how we treat one another. We don’t like it, but we do it. Like exercise, or therapy.
- People such as: Martin Luther King, Jr., Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver (scientist), Steve Jobs (a jerk-but a visionary), Oprah, Alexander Graham Bell, President Obama, President Kennedy, Alexandra Scott (Alex’s Lemonade Stand), The Oracle of Omaha, Bill Gates, Sacagawea, Rosa Parks, and the list goes on
- Products such as: Luna bars, Izzy, Coca Cola (don’t drink it too often but hey!) Apple Pie, deep fried twinkies, deep fried butter (just checking if you’re still with me), the heart valve, Apple Computers (though made elsewhere…ahem), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Fluff
- Music: Kurt Cobain-Nirvana, Prince, Mos Def, The Eagles, Aretha Franklin, Pepper, B.B. King, Miles Davis, Bruno Mars, and so many more!
I love my country and I will defend it. However, we can do better than this. We are at this moment mediocre in the things that are important. I look forward to when we aren’t #1 for war and are #1 for: the way we treat our citizens, for education, for traveling abroad, for the way we treat families, for how we use resources, and for safety.
Luckily, this isn’t the first time we haven’t lived up to our potential. Meaning, we can turn things around. I am very hopeful about our ability to turn this situation around. Just like people who are overweight and lose the weight, broke people who become rich, shy people who become social. You get the idea.
I have faith that we can do better. I will start with myself. I will make sure to get up everyday and bathe. I will present myself well and make sure that I am well versed in current affairs. I will read books and engage in these types of heated conversations that initially tick me off.
But having these conversations will push me to think critically, truthfully, and hopefully help me grow as a person. I will pay my debts, and pay it forward by helping others experience the same freedom so that they can pay it forward. I will understand that each experience with me adds to a cumulative number of interactions that people have with Americans. Maybe this interaction will be so positive that it will change the mind of the other person speaking to me about America and American people. I challenge my fellow Americans to do the same. I also ask that when offering criticism about my country, that if I choose to respond to said criticism that you keep an open mind so that we can learn from one another.
In the end we are in this thing called life together. We are connected because we live on this planet. Americans we can do better…but, so can the rest of you (other countries’ citizens). You’re not as perfect as you think. But neither are we.
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**I am a Canadian living in the US**
Just wanted to add to your list – Your Scientists: The US has produced/supported some of the best research. Last I checked, they were leading in Nobel Prize winners in the sciences.
I had completely forgotten about them! Thanks for adding to the list.