That'll make some sort a chant we can use in
the next world soccer championship.
The USA is now ranked 15th in the civilized world
for infrastructure. In education we rank 14th
out of 34, for reading skills, 17th for science and a
below-average 25th for mathematics, and 37th
in health care according to the World Health
Organization in 2000.
Why do we now eschew being number one?
I find that unacceptable.
Thirty-forty years ago, we were number one
in just about everything. What's happened?
Well, we made the conscious decision that
we didn't need to spend any more money on
these endeavors, than was absolutely
necessary. We were concerned only with
national defense and our own personal creature
comforts. Despite warnings from President
Eisenhower (R.)
to beware the military industrial complex, we
didn't listen. We have become engrossed in our
own selfish interests. We do have the worlds
dominant military power, and the worlds
money power,
but at what cost?
The greatest generation through cooperative
fighting, education, entrepreneurship, and
infrastructure, gave us the greatest country of
all time, because of a strong middle class.
If you check the tax rates, you'll see that this
dramatic rise in our economy and well being was
done with high maximum tax rates of 40-90%.
That didn't impede our growth, it stimulated it.
However, the greatest generation spawned the
“me” generation. They wanted to give to their
kids the things they never had and couldn't
afford. The “me” generation got used to the
pampering and is taking down the country
through thoughtless self interests. They say
they want to return to the constitution. Yeah sure,
Do we all get slaves? Will we let women vote?
They overlook the very beginning of the
Constitution. It says “We the People”,
not “I the Individual”.
We still have the finest military, but we
aren't willing to spend the necessary money
on education or infrastructure. We let our
unregulated financial institutions destroy
our economy with their greed.
Half our people can't earn enough to qualify
for paying income tax and this didn't just
happen with our current or last President.
It's been a trend for years.
We no longer look out for each other,
like our troops do. They help each other up,
and kick slackers in the butt and they fight
for all of us, not just the well to do, like me.
We have homeless and hungry children all
over our country. Most, not all, have parents
who are trying desperately to help, but have
no job, or only minimum wage.
Government employees are under constant
attack by the “me” generation. Granted the higher
level employees get gracious remuneration,
but most do not. It has become unfashionable
to be a loyal employee and remain for an
entire career in government or the
private sector. “Make 'em save for their own
retirement and healthcare.” The employers,
in turn, no longer have any loyalty to the
employees that have made them successful.
I read a blog a few weeks ago by a man who
was extremely proud of himself. He was entirely
self-made. Never got any help from anyone.
He was making 40K and saving 4 ½ % every
month. I say congratulations to him, but he's
going to need a lot more than that if he ever
expects to retire, or has a family serious illness.
Our country, previously, has asked and even
demanded individuals to sacrifice. In war time,
it has been the young and strong we call upon to
defend us. I see no reason why, in difficult
economic times, we cannot call upon the more
affluent to chip in a little extra. It's not like
they are being asked to make the ultimate sacrifice.
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