Aug
16
The Problem With America
Filed Under politics
The biggest problem in America today is not George W. Bush, but he does give it a face. The biggest problem in America today is that the party line has been drawn over our lives, drawn down the center of the nation, drawn through our homes and families. Rather than Republicans and Democrats agreeing on a vision of America but disagreeing on the means to achieve it, the two parties point their fingers, call their opponents names, and declare the other side unpatriotic. The Republicans are running on a platform of “the Democrats will destroy America”, while the Democrats do practically nothing at all, proud to not be Republicans. And we, the people, call them leaders. We, the people, elected them. We, the people, make their jobs easy because we, the people whom they have sworn to serve, don’t question them.
And why not? Why aren’t we questioning the status quo? Why aren’t the millions of angry Americans, the silent majority, doing anything? Because we have been conditioned to stay quiet by federally sponsored, color-coded fear mongering.
September 11, 2001: the most exploited date, phrase, and idea in our young century. Every American had a rude awakening on that day: we all realized that we aren’t invincible and we never have been. The government has used that realization to slowly strip us of more and more rights, all under the red, white and blue banners of patriotism and “Homeland Security”.
The most notable exploitation of the newfound American vulnerability was leading us into a war and subsequent invasion of a country that had absolutely no ties to the people who attacked us. All the president had to do was repeat the phrases “Osama bin Laden”, “Saddam Hussein” and “Weapons of Mass Destruction” every time he appeared on television. This assured that the news channels would also link these phrases, and that the link would be formed in the American psyche. And it was, it worked, and we’re at war.
The most recent exploiter is Presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani, who is known variously as ‘Mr. 9/11’, ‘Mayor of America’ and ‘Adolph Ghouliani’, depending on who’s doing the talking. On September 11th, while the President and Vice President were hiding in their bunkers in undisclosed locations, a soot-suited Giuliani filled the role of hero, as he walked around in lower Manhattan – the only public official to appear in public. Overlooked is the reason he appeared on foot: against overwhelming objections, he had made the decision to locate New York’s emergency response headquarters in the world’s top terror target, the World Trade Center. The reason he was on the ground was because his office had been blown up.
In 2004 the whole Republican Party played to the nation’s pity by hosting their party’s convention in New York. In one day, over one thousand protesters criticizing this decision were arrested and held for over 30 hours with little food or drink, no access to lawyers, and no formal charges. That was a message from the establishment, letting the American people know what would happen should they raise their voices.
And so we soldier on, checking the news every evening for the latest terror threat, and the latest word from the White House.
Over the past few years, the nation has been temporarily outraged by many different government scandals – the leak of a CIA agent’s cover by their own government; the firing of United States Attorneys who weren’t blindly loyal to the administration; the suspension of habeas corpus rights (which Attorney General Alberto Gonzales maintains are not guaranteed in the Constitution); the friendly-fire death and subsequent cover-up of soldier Pat Tillman; the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens. That last scandal is in the news again, because the President managed to have the laws changed retroactively, so his once-illegal surveillance program is now the law of the land. You have the Democratic Congress to thank for that.
Why are these outrages so short-lived? Why are we, the people, not still enraged by any of the earlier scandals? Because the press in our country has other priorities: mainly making money. How do you keep the ratings fresh? By reporting on what you know will get people to tune into your station. From this, we have our attention artificially angled from disaster to scandal to celebrity gossip to political soundbites and back again, all in the name of ratings: all in the name of advertising money. When you watch television, you are not the consumer: you are the product. The advertisers, the ones whose commercials you skip with Tivo, they are the customers of the networks and thus the networks’ primary concern.
Moreover, the mainstream media in America encourages and tacitly endorses the animosity between the parties, by hiring as pundits people who truly loathe their opposition. When an American comes home from work, tired from a long day but just in time for the evening news, she or he trusts that the person they’re watching has done the research they don’t have time to do. We believe in the people we see on television for the same reason we believe in the people we see in Washington – because we naively believe that they are there for us. We would all do well to remember, however, that those who make business out of war, do not value peace.
What are we left with? A partisan, feuding populace, who only tune into the channels that report on what they want to hear. A population of people who believe that there is nothing wrong with our government – or if there is that the next election will reverse it. The latter group is, I believe, the silent majority. We sit on our hands with our eyes on the screen, waiting to hear what we’re told to believe.
My purpose in writing this to begin to knock down the party line so we can focus on what matters: our lives. The government exists for us, and is meant to do what we want. There was a revolution in 1776 fought over less than what we’re facing today: it was fought over taxes. No matter how comfortable you are today, and no matter how it feels in your daily life, if you examine the facts you will realize that our government no longer operates in our interest: the government has all the freedoms it has taken from us. There are laws prohibiting you from photographing some government buildings, under the guise of securing them from terrorism. The list of those buildings, however, is classified, and you are not allowed to see it. Keep that in mind next time you walk down the street, followed by the gaze of countless security cameras.
It is time for us to band together. It is time to raise our voices as one against the men in charge. It is time to put partisan arguments behind us and focus on the problems plaguing this nation: a crooked government, corrupt beyond repair, acting in the interests of corporations and billionaires everywhere.
We, the people, can do something. If you’re angry, give this essay to your friends and family – get them angry too. We need to organize locally, neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street. From the ground up, a unified front. Where will we go from there? I don’t know yet.
So let’s talk about it.
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101 Responses to “The Problem With America”
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I think that the OP brings up a good point, lets discuss this.. but not online.. find a B&M place to meet and discuss.
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This is not very well written, very surface, trite and cliche analysis. The biggest problem with journalism is too many people write like this, and not enough people really investigate and report on an issue- and we get a logjam of punditry and op-ed “analysis”.
For a change, there isn’t any name calling in this article. I think this article just hits the nail on its head.
Logjam or not, the truth is that we live in a democratic country, where we should be in control on the government and not the other way around.
Look at France and Italy, the frequent strikes there alway make sure that the government is in the control. When was the last time we heard of a strike in United states ? Even if did, it was mostly resolved in boardrooms, nothing was taken to the streets.
Well written, and well argued. Hopefully at some point in the not-too-distant future, these temporary sparks of outrage will coalesce into a cohesive movement for change.
If the poster above considers this to be poorly written, I’ve got a few media sources to show them… ie most of them.
I think a good place to start is to “Wear Orange Every Friday” to support Impeachment movement and the proposed General Strike on 9/11 of this year.
Wear Orange Every Friday — Support Impeachment
http://www.worldcantwait.net/
General Strike 9/11/2007
http://www.strike911.org/
The biggest problem is that “America” is a continent! Your country is USA, stop calling yourselves as America. I live in Argentina and I am American as well Brazilians, Mexicans, etc.
This may be the start to something big. I am English however, and my point-of-view is that too many Americans do what you have described in this article too much. It is impossibly difficult to change these people’s opinions. One thing that I think America should start doing is educationg their young people. I am 15 myself, and I have witnessed another 15 year old saying to one of my friends who is Greek (after being introduced to him) “Aah! Tu parlé Italiano?”
[…] our lives, drawn down the center of the nation, drawn through our homes and families. xmen kittyread more | digg […]
JB, I honestly don’t say this with any venom, because I believe the more people bringing this problem to light, surface or not, the better - but if you or anyone you know can write a better piece, I strongly encourage it. There needs to be change for sure, and if you know of a better way to put it into words, let’s hear it - and again, I mean no harm by saying that, as I really want to see it happen.
[…] longer operates in our interest: the government has all the freedoms it has taken from us.” –The Problem With America : How to Start tagged: america, freedom and […]
I agree with much of what you say and a couple of the other comments; even the point about the habit of many to proclaim the USA as America. Yes, we have many problems here in the USA and much like you state, it is because we have a two party system. Our nation has become Bi-Polar, every bit as bad as a human being with the same disorder (mental disorder).
I live with multiple disabilities, both mental and physical (15 yrs now). Even in the USA, for all the grand proclamations, there are people like me that get no real chance. I work hard each day to build some kind of life for myself and it seems an impossible task because of the reality of how things work. I wish it was like all the PR but it seldom seems to be.
(Sorry for any confusion if what I write doesn’t make sense, its not one of my good days but if anyone would like to know more about the things I try to overcome, feel free to visit my site and read my blog. Even though much is embarrassing to me, I try to be open and honest to give people insight into the challenges someone like me face)
Randall
[…] but its nice to have someone say it to you. […]
USA stands for United States of America. Therefore…we are called Americans. I’m not saying you can’t call yourself one too, but everyone will think you’re being weird. Sorry, that’s the way it is.
Nicolas, you are not “American.” That title is reserved for Estadounidenses only. When other nations look down on the US, they insult us as “Americans.” When they praise us, they praise us as “Americans.” No one looks at Argentina and thinks, “Oh, those Americans…” In your own language, you distinguish people of other nations by the name of their state, and we have since the 18th century gone by the name of “Americans”; the world recognizes this and your argument has a long ladder to climb before anyone will seriously agree with you.
Our Constitutional Republic has been destroyed. The Foundation of American Liberty has been either distorted, erased or forgotten. Our entire planet is ruled by an oligarchy of established bankers, oilmen and global corporations. We the People find ourselves enslaved and intoxicated by an economic system that, by design, destroys the prosperity, development and education of the Worlds Citizenry. The time has come to ascend upon Washington and RESTORE THE REPUBLIC! Rediscover Patriotism. Resurrect Dissent. “One if by Land and the Lanterin is Lit…”
Excellent Article!
http://waytobeacow.blogspot.com
I have a solution.
See…the problem is not with the American system. And it’s not inherently a problem with the parties. It’s a problem with the PEOPLE currently holding power.
What we need to do is throw out EVERY incumbent in Washington. Vote for your party of choice, but DON’T vote for an incumbent. The engine needs to be purged. A real revolution. No more Chuck Grassley, no more Ted Kennedy. It doesn’t matter how well they served or how experienced they are or what senior positions they hold because they control how the Washington Game is played, and it’s currently being played in a way that dangerously disregards sound decisions in favor of shoring up power.
They need to go. Your engine oil may have kept your car running smoothly for thousands of miles, but once in a while it needs a good flush. Use the same oil too long, and you damage your engine. Use the same political figures too long and they forget where they came from and who they serve. They’re only human. Power gets at everybody because it displaces them from the Real World…it corrupts even the best people. They can’t help it…the machine just gets into them and flakes off into their blood.
So replace them. Flush them out. Remove the questionable relationships and contacts the folks on K street have made with the incumbents by switching the people in control.
Replace them with people who were elected by people, and not sustained by long running relationships with companies with more money and influence than we can dream of.
Vote for whatever party you want. Vote for whatever reason you want. But Do Not Vote For The Incumbent. Those folks are the problem.
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to all those who think this is badly written…where are the links to your great litterary works?
[…] Taken from howtostart.org […]
Let’s talk about it?
We’ve been talking, and we’ve been ignored. We must take the streets, uniformly, with a show organization, and strength.
Non-violently, but we must show them where the power lies, with the people.
I like how the author can notice the dividing line in the country and yet never ask who it was that drew that line. Who it was that refused to pass any laws instigated by the other side.
The Democrats tried to play nice and respect the other side in the 2002 elections. You may research how that turned out for them. The Republicans are utterly lawless and splitting the difference with them a recipe for disaster.
Convincing people like the author that compromise is a great thing is in fact one of their most effective tactics: to accomplish your right-leaning agenda, you advocate for ludicrously rightist positions and then ask for a compromise. After a number of iterations of this, you’ve made what were previously centrist positions seem extreme. This is how centrism is used as a weapon by the right wing in this country.
-MH
The Problem with this piece is that it assumes there is actually a difference between your two political parties, when in fact there is not. They both work for the same masters, who control everything in your country through money. You are the most controlled and complacent population on earth and it’s time you start realizing that.
tl;dr
You’re right Nicolas; in the spirit of this article lets get upset over semantics! Do you honestly think that when people say “Americans” people think of everyone in the north and south american continents? No, they think of people of the United States. The United States of America, I might add, giving them in all fairness, a right to call themselves American. People identify themselves by country far more often then continent.
Interesting you mention 1776. The Boston tea party was initially about US corporates protesting UK taxes. They got the people to revolt against this by saying that the taxes ‘forced’ their prices up.
After independence, taxes were actually set higher. So, arguably, the USA has always been more about ‘we, the corporates’ than about ‘we, the people’.
We need to get out of Iraq, give Afganistan the attention we could have given had we never invaded Iraq, and tackle our energy dependence problem (and global warming) with the same gusto that allowed us to put a man on the moon.
Like, you *do* realize that it’s the Republicans who took us to war, took away our rights, and lied about it the whole time, right?
I mean, great, I’m OK, you’re OK and partisan labels are bad. That just plays into their hands, because if you can’t organize against them, they can do whatever they want.
There are two visions for America. While you’re over here debating whether or not the grass is green enough to play on, I’m going to choose a side.
I too am sick of red state blue state and all of that jazz. It feels like it distracts from the important issues of our time. Wasted breath and energy that could be spent on more important things.
I disagree that people are as divided as the media would like to make us feel. However, I do feel that Americans are less connected with one another (not knowing our neighbor, hectic lifestyles) and that the media offers an “easy” out with it’s sound bites and pundits to sway an over-stimulated voter.
I’m voting Biden here in Iowa because he has credibility and respect from the Republicans such that it would go a long way to quash partisan politics and most importantly thinks as deeply as he feels.
[…] Howtostart […]
Great write-up. I too have become very worried and frustrated about our elected officials who are more interested in maintaining status-quo and getting reelected than they are about doing what their employers - we the people - want them to do. Like others have said before, Republicans, Democrats - they’re all the same. Instead of fighting with each other over differences, they should be coming together to fix the problems. Meanwhile, America is falling apart, overwhelmed with corporate greed, illegal immigration, a failing education system - the list goes on. It’s time to mix things up and get fresh blood in Washington. Get rid of all of them, and start fresh with people excited about making America great, instead of people excited about how much power they can obtain.
-Ok about the division.
-Ok about politicians feeding it to keep thier jobs.
- Not sure about Guilliano walking around because his office was blown up.
- Don’t buy the Edwards bumper sticker anology about 9/11.
and so:
A for passion
A for spirited writing style
C for Scholarly Journalism
F for drawing the wrong conclusion
by the way - terrorists actually blew up the WTC and killed Americans! Shouldn’t we at least fight back?
Tom
http://www.dare2believe.ocm
“The biggest problem in America today is not George W. Bush, but he does give it a face.”
“Rather than Republicans and Democrats agreeing on a vision of America but disagreeing on the means to achieve it, the two parties point their fingers, call their opponents names, and declare the other side unpatriotic.”
You, sir, are a hypocrite.
You want America to come together to accomplish something. But you don’t realize that conservatives don’t want the federal govt interfering in their lives. Liberals want the govt to take part in every aspect of your life. Liberals want socialized (read: socialism, communism, LACK of freedom) medicine, socialized retirement, socialized education, etc. Conservatives want less federal power, more local and state decisions being made for the communities that they impact, not overwhelming regulations that apply to everyone. Also, since when has the federal govt spent money better than you can? Answer: military and nothing else.
I’m not trying to change the world, or even the entire country. I can tell you this though, If the governor or senator of my state did something contrary to what I and the rest of the voting residents of my state wanted, I wouldn’t vote for him again.
If elected officials have no fear of ever being voted out of office then we have no one to blame but ourselves for stupidly allowing them to remain in power. It’s time for Americans to get off their lazy, fat butts and drive down to the voting stations.
I was always taught in school that the American government was designed so that a career politician would not exist. Granted, I have been out of grade school over 15 years, but I recall reading something along the lines that the founding fathers were TERRIFIED of career politicians or families continuing to be involved (like a monarchy).
There were term limits set for certain things, I don’t know why we have lifetime supreme court judges, lifetime congressmen, etc. I don’t see why every wants to continue to elect the same people. Most politicians are only in it for the money and/or power. They do not care about the people or the constitution. And many of them are too old to be in touch with America as it is today.
Sen. Ted Stevens, for example, could this man possibly have any grip on today’s America? I won’t discount anything he has done in the past, but how could he possibly have a positive effect on the future? He may have shown his worth in the past.
Now he belongs in a retirement village with all the other olds that have no idea whats going on.
This government makes me very annoyed. Scratch that, not the government, the PEOPLE who keep electing the government leaders make me annoyed.
Honestly, I think people are too afraid to rise up and try to change something. I think people are too afraid to confront the U.S. Govt, fearing that the Govt. has too much power anyway and it is useless to make an attempt.
This fear begins not with them, but with us. Until we decide to quit talking about this for years and years, there needs to be action.
I think some would agree that a war, whether physical or mental, needs to be waged.
Let’s cut the bullshit about democrats, republicans, and “what we need to do.”
We need to rise up as human beings and confront them face to face. If thousands or millions of people don’t get in front of the white house and cause a riot - this will never stop.
@Tom:
“by the way - terrorists actually blew up the WTC and killed Americans! Shouldn’t we at least fight back?”
You sir, are hypnotized! The major opposition in this country isn’t about fighting “terrorism.” It’s about being lied to and taken to a war that had little to do with terrorism. If you think we should be in Iraq, why are you retired from the Navy? Join back up and take your ass back over there.
@Phil:
Stop it. You obviously come to this discussion as a right-wing nut. He wasn’t attacking republicans anymore than he was democrats. In fact, he was questioning our government. You, like most right wing nuts, think life comes straight from the encyclopedia… get real, in practice, you know your statement isn’t true.
Lots of good points in this article and in the comments. But how do you change any of this?
How can you elevate someone else’s view point or open the eyes of the masses in this country so they realize that most of what is broadcast on our 24/7 news channels is nothing more than propaganda (and I am not only talking about Fox News here). If you dare to suggest to anyone that the media in this country is propaganda tool for the government you get labeled as a lunatic or unpatriotic. People wonder how the German population could have been so stupid as to allow what happened in WW2 and don’t realize that the same principals are at work today in this country. By that I mean how it is possible for the men in power to manipulate the public opinion and their thinking towards certain topics.
It is the year 2007, people have never hand easier access to information and still it is possible for a government to invade a country under false pretence and even after the lies have been uncovered it is business as usual. Nobody does anything about it. Why???
How is it possible that an attempt was made to impeach our previous president because he lied about diddling an intern in the white house, but nobody moves a finger when the current administration invades a country under false pretense, is responsible for who knows how many civilian deaths, gets thousands of American soldiers killed and racks up unimaginable costs to the American taxpayer by doing so?
I believe that as long as the average American can fill up his SUV with cheap gas, buy lots of stuff and has the impression that his life is pretty good, he will not be compelled to question much of anything.
As the Roman rulers realized a few thousand years ago, if you provide bread and games (entertainment) for the people you can get away with anything.
So here I am, “knowing” what is wrong and I still can’t / won’t / don’t what to do anything about it. Even though I am outraged at the current situation in this country I am not really doing anything about it. So I am no better than the rest.
This is the whole ugly truth. We as Americans have lost control. We tolerate such lunacy in our lives because “that’s just the way life is”. I for one think the madness needs to stop. Untold $$ in “earmarks” pay for trivial things (like teapot museums,etc.) while our bridges are fallling down and the gulf coast 2 YEARS after Katrina still looks like it did the day after. In some areas cell phone, etc. still seen floating in the water, piles of rubble where hotels once stood, whole neighborhoods turned to literal ghost towns. And more important still the millions of hard working Americans (many the sole financial support for the family) with no health coverage, meaning no real medical care. Meanwhile “special interests” have more influence in washington than the mass majority. WHAT IS WRONG WITH US!!!
plz vist http://www.haahoora.tk if u want more abt maldives dictarship
Whine whine whine…
Awfully good at pointing fingers for some ethereal blame but I don’t see any real solutions in your magic mirror. Get alife. Shut off your PC and go outside.
STS,
What wasn’t true about my statement again? I repeat for your viewing pleasure…
You want America to come together to accomplish something. But you don’t realize that conservatives don’t want the federal govt interfering in their lives. Liberals want the govt to take part in every aspect of your life. Liberals want socialized (read: socialism, communism, LACK of freedom) medicine, socialized retirement, socialized education, etc. Conservatives want less federal power, more local and state decisions being made for the communities that they impact, not overwhelming regulations that apply to everyone. Also, since when has the federal govt spent money better than you can? Answer: military and nothing else.
“You, sir, are a hypocrite.
You want America to come together to accomplish something. But you don’t realize that conservatives don’t want the federal govt interfering in their lives. Liberals want the govt to take part in every aspect of your life.”
We have fewer freedoms and more government interference in our lives under this administration than ever before. I respect the convictions of true conservatives. What we have today are borderline fascists.
But Fox News won’t tell you that, so you won’t believe it.
Oh I’m not saying I believe today’s conservatives are true conservatives. But I will NEVER vote for a socialist liberal whose main concern is to convert this country to communism.
JB, I see what you did there.
How can you respect true conservative beliefs, yet want the govt to grow in programs to take care of our every aspect of life? Maybe if we cut the govt in half, they wouldn’t have the ability to be so “fascist” as you believe. You’re feeding your own issue by wanting bigger govt.
Sadly, I think the American People, above all, need a leader. Someone to guide them through a wave of change. Sadly, people will not take the initiative on their own. Like you said, we work from 9-5 (if we’re lucky). All we have the energy to do when we get home is hit the couch and hope the next workday will be better, more prosperous, more fulfilling. Our weekends come and go in a blur as well. When do we have the time for a revolution?
So, we need a leader. Someone everyone knows and respects. Someone in a position to talk to the people on a daily basis, at large, and to unite us on a common purpose.
It would have to be organized for us. Someone would have to tell us what to do and where to go and when to go there. Who to call and what to say. The American People just do not have this drive on their own.
I used to think there was hope. Some way out of this quagmire. I used to think we COULD make a difference if we stood up and protested. I’ve done my share of protesting. I’ve rallied in Washington DC side-by-side with other angry protesters. I’ve marched down the streets and held signs. And, time and again, I feel, after the fact, that my energy was wasted. That it didn’t make a difference. That not enough people were there. Not enough people noticed. Not enough people care.
Where do we go from here? We’re but peasants in the field. I’m hoping for someone to come along and save us… Make things better somehow… And maybe one day, if things just continue to get worse, I’ll leave the country.
That’s all I got.
I will be your leader…
Stop with the name calling or I will disable comments.
What ever happened to being a moderate? The radical right and extreme left are NOT part of the discussion. Those groups are just a bunch of selfish assholes.
Please cite aforementioned namecalling.
[…] Great writeup on the problem with America right now and what we need to do to change it. […]
“I think a good place to start is to “Wear Orange Every Friday” to support Impeachment movement and the proposed General Strike on 9/11 of this year.”
For the families of the victims of 9/11, please do not politicize this. That is the most horrible thing I have ever heard…
I just wish people cared at all. I just wished people opened their eyes. I just wish we were all able to break free from the veil of comfort and convenience.
[…] The Problem With America […]
BEST PARAGRAPH:
Why are these outrages so short-lived? Why are we, the people, not still enraged by any of the earlier scandals? Because the press in our country has other priorities: mainly making money. How do you keep the ratings fresh? By reporting on what you know will get people to tune into your station. From this, we have our attention artificially angled from disaster to scandal to celebrity gossip to political soundbites and back again, all in the name of ratings: all in the name of advertising money. When you watch television, you are not the consumer: you are the product. The advertisers, the ones whose commercials you skip with Tivo, they are the customers of the networks and thus the networks’ primary concern.
links for 2007-08-17…
The Problem With America : How to Start While this guy is debating whether or not the grass is green enough to play on, I’m going to choose a side. This kind of “I’m OK, You’re OK. Don’t be……
Phil: “Oh I’m not saying I believe today’s conservatives are true conservatives. But I will NEVER vote for a socialist liberal whose main concern is to convert this country to communism.”
Liberalism != socialism != communism.
Liberalism holds individual rights and equality of oportunity above state OR federal government rights. There is nothing inherently socialistic about upholding the rights of the individual.
Phil: “What wasn’t true about my statement again?”
Your statement that, “conservatives don’t want the federal govt interfering in their lives.” is quite misleading. Although they may not want it, they allow and generate a great deal. NCLB and the Patriot Act both strip rights away from the individual and the state. NCLB was particularly groundbreaking in moving responsibility for educational standards, which had previously resided with the states, to the federal government. That hardly sounds like LESS govt interference.
Out country will be in much better shape when people stop justifying their votes based on outdated and incorrect cliches about the opposition, and start voting for PEOPLE instead of PARTIES.
What a stupid article. One of these days, liberals will wake up and realize their rights aren’t being trampled and their security is better with these efforts aimed at disrupting the bad guys.
I recall a quote from Oliver Stone’s movie ‘Nixon’ :
Nixon shuffles back alone, coming to a stop in front of a larger-than-life, full-length oil portrait of JOHN F. KENNEDY. Nixon studies the portrait, pads closer. Looks up.
NIXON
When they look at you, they see what they want to be.
(then)
When they look at me, they see what they are …
[…] the center of the nation, drawn through our homes and families. complete list of scooby doo cartoonsread more | digg […]
In response to the essay entitled “The Problem With America” I have written this critique.
http://www.the4wa.org/?q=node/11
[…] How to Start has a decently written article about the polarization of America. […]
While I agree with the general thesis, I have to nit-pick one part:
Americans do not “fear” speaking out and doing something about the fracturing of our nation by political parties.
No, Americans are apathetic about it.
What option do we really have but to vote for one party or the other? With 1/3 of the nation’s voters registered with one party, 1/3 registered with the other, the final unaligned 1/3 doesn’t hold enough clout to overpower the two parties.
More here: http://moderatemonkey.com/2007/08/17/how-to-starts-problem-with-america/
Oh, we’re in a pickle all right. The best part is that the two parties offer the same vision of America, albeit with different motives.
9 of the 10 Republican candidates propose military expansion into other nations (namely Iran), including consideration of “the nuclear option” for “preemptive strike”. They also propose bigger government, more government invasion of our lives and more limitations on our constitutional rights… all this for our protection.
All but 1 of the Democratic candidates propose military expansion into other nations (namely Iran and Darfur), including “preemptive strikes”. They also propose bigger government, more government invasion of our lives and more limitations on our constitutional rights… all this for the good of the people.
The false dichotomy between the parties is supported not only be the mainstream press, but also by the seemingly contradictory philosophies of “conservatism” versus “liberalism”. In the end they amount to the same thing.
America used to stand for limited government, non-interventionist (though not necessarily isolationist) foreign policy, and individual responsibility. Look at the candidates on both sides, and vote for someone who supports these ideals. Vote Ron Paul, vote Gravel, vote Libertarian - but use what’s left of your voice to support American ideals, rather than “republican” or “democrat” names.
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The biggest problem is lack of Objective Thinking.
This just scratches the surface really. The problem is people. Its always simply people. People are greedy. They want more for themselves. And really if they can screw someone for it all the more power to them. Which is the other thing they want.
Corporations are classified as people under US law. They are the greediest of all.
They control the government more than any average Joe does. The whole idea of lobbying is so everybody can talk to their elected official and say ‘ I have a problem with such-and-such’.
What happened is the corporations got in there with $$$. They pay the officials to make laws in their favour or to look the other way when they brake the laws. Or worse, get the government to change the laws to favour the desires of the corporation.
A corporations chief mandate is to make money. And now to do so they have sent all the jobs over to other contries where people will work for 2 Dollars an hour. And in doing so they take that money from the american people who need to make a living. They end up unemployed and homeless. Maybe turn to crime, prostitution or drugs to just get through another day.
The rich wall themselves up in their gated communites so they don’t even see the grief they’ve caused. They don’t live in the same world as you or I.
Here’s the irony. America is a country bread to be consumers. That is really the American way. But for a country to be successful they need to also be producers. Well America is not. All the jobs are now in China, India or Timbuktu. Dubai is a growing nation because all the American companies are moving their headquarters there. China is now one of the most powerful economic powers in the world. They own more of America than the Americans. They could bankrupt the country over night if they cashed in their American Bonds. But they need the inbread consumerism of America more right now.
Ironically the Communist Chinese out capitilized the capitalists!! (is that a word)
Even in America the Farmers will pay the illegal immigrant $1/hour instead of giving that money to a real American.
Then comes the religious problem. America was created because the fore fathers were being religiously persecuted in their home countries. So they came to the New Land to create a place free from religious persecution. Well here we are 231 years later and thats happening here. Catholics vs Muslims. In this fight no one can win.
And again it comes back to the people. EVERY THING is US vs THEM! Its human nature to want to belong to a like minded group (that has more power and influence). And in any of these groupings there are going to be the extremists. Republicans vs Democrats, Pro-life vs Pro-choise, Sports Team vs Sports tean, City vs City, Country vs Country and on and on and on.
Until people can put these notions aside and look at the global/human issues and do whats right not because of the rewards, but because its the right thing to do Humanity as a whole is screwed.
Americans have been fed over 50 years of Propaganda about the Communist threat. When in fact they should have been warned about the threat that those in power are greedy bastards with only their own interests at heart. This is one of the reasons Communism failed. The people woke up and said ‘Hey, you officals are stealing everything.
Those who are afraid of communism are just reciting the party line that their parents heard and pased down to them. Just like the biggots in the world. They’re just repeating what their told.
America would be wise to look at some of the communist ideas. Health Care is just one of the things that America could do. Just that one thing would be HUGE!! It would take the power from the corporations and put it back where it belongs. People looking after people and not their profit margins.
This little Rant just scratches the surface, just as the original post does.
Its really time for Americans to wake from their corporation/government induced comas and make a change for the better. The whine and let the next guy worry about it has gotten America into this mess. Because while you were doing nothing but being fed propaganda and the useless crap that is the news the next guy was stealing power for himself and making sure his life was better than yours. This is the new America. This is everyones fault.
Us vs Them, More power and wealth for us less for them. We rule, they suck. Come be with us we’ll look after you better than they will.
Everyone is to blame because they went to sleep and left the door wide open years ago. Its so much easier to point the finger away from yourself.
With due respect to Paul. “…whatever happened to being moderate?” Name one great moderate. Convictions matter - you fight for them. Getting along is great for handholding but most of us must live in the real world. I am frightened by the lack of individualism in our country.
P.S. If you want the definition of “Progressive” you need to meet John Gault. Now that will truly scare the cr…p out of you.
Early in the article, you ask “Why aren’t we questioning the status quo?” The true answer to that question is something no one is willing to say out loud, even if they suspect it. We don’t question the status quo because it is our nature to accept what we are told by those in a position of authority. When I say “our” nature, I mean our nature as human beings, not just as Americans. The few, rare exceptions to this rule only serve to confuse us about who we really are.
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The biggest problem today is that we are more concerned with assigning blame, and covering our asses from others assigning blame than we are about actually SOLVING problems!
Our parents did us a disservice, but they didn’t realize it at the time!
THEY SOLVED ALL THE EASY PROBLEMS, AND LEFT US ONLY WITH THE ONES THEY WERE CLUELESS ABOUT!
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I think that this article is very well written and provides some excellent insights into the problems of a two-party society.
But I do not believe it goes deep enough. We must realize as a people that our problems are many and they are solvable, we must look beyond ourselves to understand that many of our actions do not just affect ourselves.
The author of this article discusses how people are a product of the media, and I agree to the utmost. What the media has drained us of is compassion.
Now many of you may argue that point, saying that we feel compassion for our fellow Americans during times of crisis, but that is not good enough. There is a whole world out there with problems that we as a superpower have the ability to solve. Yet, we as a superpower have the ability to create problems as well. Not only for ourselves but for others who lead lives more troubled than ours.
By no means I am I saying that we should stop concentrating on our problems, but we should wake up and see the whole picture.
To those of you who contest the author’s statement that Democrats and Republicans no longer have a common vision for America and different means to achieve it, I beg of you, look at each parties stance on environmental issues. I was recently enraged when a former Surgeon General testified under oath and claimed that he had sat in on a meeting where Republican “law-makers” had declared global warming as a “liberal cause”. I was furious. These men are not scientists, have no scientific background and probably couldn’t even tell you the names of the different layers of the atmosphere much less explain the science involved
To those who claim that the people are the problem with America, you are correct. But what you did not state was that the people are also what is right with America. We, the people, are all free thinking individuals. We Americans are also good at getting what we want and if we want a new leader, a new government, a reformed media, then we have the means to get it. But do we have a leader? Do we have somebody who is not a corporately controlled Republican, who is not a Democrat running on the fact that they are not a Republican? Someone must rise up from this bitter silence that greets each new problem and dare to speak. Dare to contradict.
In the words of John F. Kennedy
“History will not judge our endeavors–and a government cannot be selected–merely on the basis of color or creed or even party affiliation.”
I disagree.
The problem with America is Liberalism.
Liberalism motivated radical Islam into action.
Without liberals and liberalism….terrorists would have never thought themselves strong enough to attack America.
Minus liberals and liberalism, we wouldn’t be in this war of lunacy.
Our borders would be secure.
Welfare might not be in our vocabulary.
Social Security would be something every man woman and child would understand is their duty to provide for themselves.
Charity would exist…but not in the form of taxation.
There would be fewer criminals because the laws would be enforced and justice would prevail in our court sytems.
Public schools would be privatized so our children could get a real education instead of an indoctrination.
People would have bigger better and greater designs for themselves…..unlike the barn soured masses liberalism helped create.
Conservatism counts on the individual.
Liberalism…in order to function must take from somewhere and give elsewhere.
Liberalism made America a target by every unworthy maggot who has learned to stick their hand out like a rat at the food pedal.
Targets make very poor impressions.
Liberalism is like arterial plaque to a free society.
[…] at howtostart.org an author opines that the problem with America is government and the party system: The biggest […]
I agree and disagree with your post. The simplification or ‘dumbing down’ of everything, including politics, is a serious problem in the US, and the whole western world where we’ve become comfortable and apathetic. But your article only scratches the surface, is very superficial, and as such is just another example of simplification.
And you complain that what passes for discourse is nothing more than partisan quarreling, and yet your article is completely partisan. I am no fan of Bush but The Plame ’scandal’ turned out to be anything but, and the firing of prosecutors happened under Clinton as well, times 10, and for the same reason (self-protection) and yet no one saw the end of the world then.
I could go on. I don’t mean to pick a fight. We should all learn to talk about these issues in a non-partisan, non-inflammatory way, but this has become near impossible. The best advice is to read and keep reading, from various sources. Educate yourself, take the long view, not just the tv-induced 5-minute-view.
And trust no one.
syg
A Response: http://gopublius.com/the-real-problem-facing-america/
The problem is that our culture advocate governmental reliance which degrads liberty.
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article roblem With America : How to Start, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
[…] The Problem With America : How to Start The biggest problem in America today is not George W. Bush, but he does give it a face. The biggest problem in America today is that the party line has been drawn over our lives, drawn down the center of the nation, drawn through our homes and families. (tags: activism politics government corruption party partisan democrat republican american psyche media patriotism exploitation fear threat terrorism humanrights culture society) […]
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