24 May 2009

We are a superpower such is has been never before been known in the world, and our power is awesome, though not unlimited.

We have led the world in innovation, particularly innovation brings ideas to production for all.

Our past is blemished, as is the past of all humanity, but blemishment is balanced by humanity, as few others can brag.

This has come through pride in individuality, meritocracy with continual rejuvination from those adventurous souls who have come to us from abroad, as immigrants, to share in our success, as well as contribute thereto.

We have changed the world, in the way others think, and to what they aspire.

Our nation is Christian in its creation and in its values, regardless of modern formal denials of so many.

We are a materialistic nation; we crave our comforts and revel in their availability, despite that they have sapped some of our energy.  Yet for the most part we take them for granted.

We have become complacent.  Our educational system is beginning to slip, mostly because of that complacency, not as much from its administration as from the attitudes of students, who take it as entitlement.  Education is being lavished on those who do not appreciate knowledge it entails but demand the opportunity it avails.

Entertainment has become the priority in our lives and eclipses much of what used to constitute our daily preoccupations.

Because of this we are naive in our view of the rest of the world, and ignorant of how many others live and what is important to them. nor are we particularly interested.

Due to naivite, widely unacknowledged Christianity, comforts, fantasy, and hypocricy we exude desire to be left alone in our relative opulance and wish others would just do the same - but in the example we have created - our way.

In general we are oblivious of our massive benefits, have little understanding of why we are so favored, and don't wish to be bothered with exlanations, particularly when they entail individual obligations or responsibility.

We are contentious, argumentative and intolerant, yet wonder why other people elsewhere are.

We want to live well, to live better than we do (and others do); envy plays a large part in our lives and gives motive to much of our aggressive competitiveness.

We are more compationate than most, more generous, and more caring, but not to the extent we think we are.  We buy into our own hype, which is however not without some justification.

We take great pride in our alleged superior intellect due to universal education (and standard of living), and feel impervious to many of the intrigues of the rest of the world.  We think ourselves above propaganda as we allow it to wash over us and shape our minds.  It (whatever) could never happen here.

We are conceited and selfish, but no more so than others, though we think otherwise.

And we are at a crossroads in a world that has become increasingly dangerous and threatening.  Our leaders, more and more out of touch, and more and more selfishly insular, suffer from many of the same traits listed above, providing less and less of what they were elected to provide.  It is not sure which road we will take - but few even think about it beyond their own narrow selfish world view.

Our potential is truly great; will it be realized?  Or squandered?