slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

I was impressed enough with the comments of a contributing reader of our local paper to reprint them here, on OPP........

If a badly broken tax system, political paralysis, questionable justice and a dysfunctional education system aren't enough to shake Americans from their slumber into seeking solutions, not slogans, here's something that might spark some resolve: The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank whose admirable mission is to help people lead more prosperous lives, has issued its latest annual international prosperity report, based on everything from gross domestic product to how many people are working to, finally, how well-rested one is day-to-day.

The kicker: The United States ranked #11.

The Legatum Institute bases its index on two main factors---income and well-being. Yet the prosperity is not categorized solely in terms of monetary gain and health but also the beauty and joy of everyday life and hope for an even better future. I'm not surprised to see Norway tops the list. During my travels to the Scandinavian countries--Denmark, Sweden and Finland---I recall fondly how laid back life is; how less stressed the people are; and how much value society there places on friendship, truly intellectual conversations and, to their credit, genuine respect for differences of opinion in matter of religion, politics and ideology.

That's quite a leap from where we are in the United States at present.

Norway's topping the list for the seventh consecutive year highlights the importance of the freedoms that country offers its citizens; the quality of its health-care system; and the social bonds forged between its people. According to Nathan Gamester, director of the Prosperity Index at the Legatum Institute, Norway had its highest ranking the social capital category (#2) with 94% of people saying they can rely on friends and family in times of need. Impressive.

Many of us here in America might be too preoccupied with incidental, even trivial issues to notice what's happened in our country. Even so, many of us--wh**ever our political or religious stripe--must certainly know the state of affairs in America, how immediate action and a clear strategy are required if we are to deal with the many ills infecting our society and cultural and political outlooks.

The survey based its findings on several categories: economy; entrepreneurship and opportunity; governance; education; health; safety, and security; personal freedom; and social capital. It pains me that our nation ranks 115th in linguistic diversity, seventh in literacy, 27th in math and 22nd in science. With all the informational and educational resources we have, a student from Africa actually outperforms the typical American. One who walks approximately five miles to school and might not have the luxury of eating breakfast before class is excelling. Sadly enough, we in American lead in defense spending and the number of incarcerated citizens per capita. That might not seem a bad thing, but what about those elements contributing to the broader quality of life?

Is the American Dream even achievable in light of this ranking? some Americans--at least many of us in the middle class--might say no. What is the driving force behind this wholly unacceptable ranking? Is it the lack of discipline in our schools, the decline in vigorous parental engagement, a drop in morality? Or is it because our country ceases to stand up for what is right, including religious values and diversity, instead favoring lust for greed and materialistic possessions?

This is one conversation we ought to be having as Americans as another p**********l e******n looms. Sadly, we are nowadays unable to even communicate with one another. We do not respect differences of opinion: If you do not think like I think, then I have nothing to do with you. If you do not believe as I believe, then you are the enemy. If you do not tell me what I want to hear, then you do not know what you are talking about.

What have we become? We once cared about fellow citizens regardless of what their beliefs were. We acted on moral reasoning. We engaged each other respectfully. And we sacrificed when it mattered and was the right thing to do. We did not identify ourselves only as Republican or Democrat; conservative or liberal; Catholic or Protestant; Christian or Muslim; Jew or Hindu; white or black; rich or poor; but rather as AMERICANS. We aspired to creativity, scientific discovery and betterment of the human race.

Instead of being the envy of the world, we have dropped to #11 in a reliable survey behind Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Finland and Ireland. It speaks volumes about how our allies and friends now view us.

I wonder whether this latest ranking suggest that little or no incentive exist anymore for Americans to work as hard to reclaim our place and prestige in the world. Is this ranking the result of a defeatist attitude and a corrupt system in Washington? Or is it that many citizens have lost faith in America itself? Wh**ever the answer is, it is becoming evident that we, as a society, do not strive for excellence anymore. Rather, we are satisfied with average performance, mediocre minds and, frankly, pathetic attitudes.

Suggestions: Reform our tax coded to ensure overall equity. Reform the justice/prison system to accomplish the same. And let's invest in education by allowing state and local governments to decide how to allocate funding to improve academic performance.

And promote tolerance and diversity anywhere we can After all, great ideas are born out of differences of opinion and perspective. Encourage academic institutions to invest in scientific research rather than investing millions of dollars in athletic departments. We give the utmost respect to football players rather than professors involved in preparing the next generation or leading in research benefiting our families an friends. Something is very wrong with this picture.

Yes, this is another survey conducted by foreigners, you might say. Yet, if this latest ranking is simply ignored the way we increasingly ignore so many other issues, I do not know what will put us on the right course. I hope policymakers in Washington and across the country heed such signs of decline. It is not enough to give flowery speeches or mount barnstorming rants; it is not enough to talk in the hypothetical; and it is not enough to pretend we do not have serious problems.

So, what's your excuse?

eden

Unfortunately dear boy the conceit known as American Exceptionalism has only ever really existed in the minds of a few Americans, spoon fed by sugary propaganda from entities within the culture who stand to gain from people who wantonly spend money to promote the delusion.
Other countries applaud us when we occasionally do acts of selfless good, but
turn away when we blindly follow the dictat of greed that America has become known for. Anybody want to be known as "Exceptionally Greedy" or perhaps "Exceptionally stupid"?
Suggesting America is exceptional presupposes other countries are unexceptional, mediocre, low class. (How about those Boring British, or those Pathetic Poles,or those Lackluster Liberians...and don't forget those Assinine Australians.) Why do we have go around beating our chests about how great we are. Children with their undeveloped sense of self are prone to boast but indulging in this narcissistic, low self esteem nonsense only reveals to others
our deep seated feelings of inferiority and lack of confidence as a new culture. Modern Americans can do better.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Actually, young lady, I would disagree with you on that. America has had exceptionalism in its history. But, it has suffered somewhat recently in lacking such for the very reasons you suggest. I believe that to have been the message/point of my post. Thank you, though, for your comments. I was beginning to wonder if anybody thought enough to do so. I might also add that I miss your not posting more of your thoughts on OPP, their having been impressive in the past. :wink:

eden

See my updated response above.(got called away before I could finish.)
I get your point about America having had exceptional moments in history and I agree. My point is that the concept has become a little shopworn in the face of so many dismal contemporary shortcomings as posted in the article above.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

On that, we completely agree :!: Again, it was my intent in reprinting these comments to bring that out and also to aspire all to return to those better days. :thumbup: I truly appreciate your input.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Alright I found your thread. I'm being sent to the store for milk but I will be back to comment later.

:thumbup:

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Finnally getting back to this. In order to get things right in this country first we have to change the hardness in the attitudes of the population who thinks only of themselves and resents those who are less fortunate. To underfund our education system is going to turn out future generations who will be low performers. To pay low wages with zero benefits while continually raising the rent will continue to increase our poverty rate. Those who don't care are contributing to the problem.

eden

I would concur. On it's present path the US is heading south to Banana Republic Land with all the wealth in the hands of a few and everyone else scratching to get by. There is a big difference between thriving and surviving.
The ghosts of the Robber Barons are never far away.

fiatlux

America has the most citizens in prison and the legal network; tripling any other nation, including Russia. We have 3xs the weapons of the top twenty industrialized nations combined and a proportionate murder rate. We are an exceptionally violent nation.

Republicans since there union with the "moral majority" in the 70s have consistently demonized the opposing party, fiercely dividing the country and paralyzing change or progress.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

If OPP is any indication you are 100% spot on. I see it as Orwellian---evil is good ---less is more...,,,,

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

--And the people can't see it coming. . I can therefore I v**e. "Hitler" and I do not mean Hillary will get my v**e.