Well-o

I saw "Sicko" last night and it made me sick. Which is actually pretty ironic.

However, the actual medicine for my illness is not prescribed (actually it probably is, and may come with such side affects as: nausea, heartburn, lung deflation, Hugh Grant hair, the inclination to fly, and an addiction to provolone). I'm disgusted because I can't believe how much we're turning into the people we fought against for our independence.

Weren't the colonies sick of being mistreated by the powerful? Wasn't the Revolution just the kick-off for the long described "American spirit"? Where did that "spirit" go? Could it be recovered with a pep rally? Where could we have said pep rally?

It seems that while we pride ourselves in being a fiercely independent nation, we've truly allowed ourselves to settle in that "someone else will take care of it" mentality. Only when the disaster happens to YOU that it seems unjust.



I've been reading David McCullough's lyrical biography of John Adams. I was especially struck by Adams' impression of the French. He thought their ways frivolous. They spent their money on luxurious clothes, when they were unnecessary. They were debaucherous (it's a word now!) and had less of a moral presence than the Americans he knew. Adams' family (once they were reunited in france, except for two of his sons) lived scrupulously, making a way in a big, expensive city with the limited means provided by the American government. This seems to be a trait he recognized as characteristic of the American spirit. In fact, when Abagail left to see John in Europe, she wrote a note stating how much money was to be given to the local widows and elderly persons needing income. It was so matter of fact and not at all self-important. It was just common for her to want to help others.


What happened?!


I hate to be all preachy, but I need to stand on my soapbox and talk to all 4 people who read this. Can we do something? Can we fix this egregious error in our system? We are, in fact, the wealthiest nation (if you disregard our gi-normous debts). Isn't there a way to help people? We fought against the most powerful nation for our freedom. if the conjuring up of the "American spirit" can sell flags or pins or red and white bikinis, surely it can cause us to care for our neighbors. Right? Right?

P.S. Ack, ack, ack!