Which Finger Do You Use To Say, "We're Number One?"
HERE IS THE FULL ARTICLE
No concept lies more firmly embedded in our national character than the notion that the USA is "No. 1,"... Any office seeker saying otherwise would be committing political suicide. In fact, anyone saying otherwise will be labeled "un-American"... We're an "empire"... that must borrow $2 billion a day from its competitors in order to function. Yet the delusion is ineradicable. We're No. 1. No. 1? In most important categories we're not even in the Top 10 anymore. Not even close. The USA is "No. 1" in nothing but weaponry, consumer spending, debt, and delusion.The Roman Empire. The Mongols. European Imperialism. Napolean. Empires rise and fall. Do you feel like you're going uphill... or down?
posted by SheaNC at 1:11 AM
8 Comments:
SNC,
Plato indicated that the prelude to the decline of an empire was that the basest in society (morally, ethically) rise to the top and become its rulers. His reasoning was this:
-Empires rise on a strong work ethic and a dedication to absolute ideals. Empires require "building" and building requires strength of character, resolve and dedication.
(Compare this step to say, someone who starts a business from scratch, and pour everything into it, resources, work, etc.)
-The apex of an empire is when its potential is reached. The hard work has paid off, and the ideals that built it remain in place to guide it.
(Compare this to the business owner who runs the business on a daily basis)
-The generations die out, and the ideals that established the empire become diluted and indistinct.
(Compare this to the business owner's spoiled son who has lived under the blessings of the father, and has never lifted a finger for what has been given him--He is made VP of the business)
-The empire begins to crumble as the basest individuals rise to the top. The individuals who have no notion or understanding of the work ethic, sacrifice or idealistic makeup that created the empire
(Compare this to the business owner dying, his son who has NO clue about what made the business or no appreciation for what built it, runs it into the grownd by making it his personal playground--a tool for his own self-gratification)
SNC, I think that this is what we see today. What made the United States great was self-sacrifice, dedication, hard work, commitment to ideals. The current generation has no appreciation for any of this--a generation of spoiled children who think that what was created is a toy simply for our use and self-gratification. Those on the (our rulers-GOP, DEMS, Corporate America, etc.) top are often the BASEST individuals in society whoes rule is authoritarian and power-based.
I think you could apply this readily to most of our politicians: George Bush, Bill Clinton, Tom Delay, Edward Kennedy, etc.
Essentially, this makes the United States FAR from #1.
SNC, I think we're headed downhill and picking up speed.
"...Tyranny is not a matter of minor theft and violence, but of wholesale plunder, sacred and profane, private or public. If you are caught committing such crimes in detail you are punished and disgraced; sacrilege, kidnapping, burglary, fraud, theft are the names we give to such petty forms of wrongdoing. But when a man succeeds in robbing the whole body of citizens and reducing them to slavery, they forget these ugly names and call him happy and fortunate, as do all others who hear of his unmitigated wrongdoing." [Plato - Republic 344a-c, H.D.P. Lee translation, Penguin Books, 1955, p.73.]
JM - I agree - Surprise! :)
The analogy of the entrepreneur's good-for-nothin' kids taking over the family business is a great one. It also brings to mind stories of Kings or Queens who's choices for next in line to the throne leave something to be desired.
As for the two parties' offerings, I am one of those folks who ends up struggling with the dilemma of voting for the lesser of two (or three) evils. I hate having to do that, but it seems as if that's been my lot throughout my voting life.
Maybe the current political polarization will be a societal kick in the pants to offer better choices... if the glass is half-full, anyway.
PS - regarding our previous disagreements, may I say that whenever I engage in mud-slinging, I find that I get a little on myself.
SNC, we're going to disagree sometimes, agree others. When people like us are as passionate about some things (politics, religion, etc) sometimes the heart runs ahead of the tongue. I have been guilty of that once or twice (or three...or...)
I like it when we disagree (but not just for the sake of disagreement). If we agreed on everything we wouldn't have anything to talk about. Plus side of that is that I can learn from you in the process.
Regardless of your political views, I'm sure you guys are fine people. Would not want to offend or personally attack you, Mochi or any other contributors. I apologize for past indiscretion and offense.
(I will be ordering my Frivolous t-shirt soon. ha!)
-Jack
I think that the root cause of any heated discussion in the blogoshere is that passion about these subjects - political and social issues which really effect our lives. People care too much to say, "oh, well..."
I don't have one of those T-shirts myself, because they don't make T-shirts with that many X's in the size...
BTW, is your name Shean? I think I may have been getting it wrong...
Actually, my first name is Shea and the N and C are initials.
COOL! First and only time I have run into that name was in the "Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks. The hero's name was Shea. You are the first I've 'met' with the name, though!
There's not many of us out there. I'm a male with one of those unisex names that is usually mispronounced by phone solicitors. It either builds character or contributes to antisocial behavior... I still haven't decided which road to take :)
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