Tag: Culture

Opinion

Is there more mental illness in America?

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that the American population has more mental illness than other countries around the world. We are known for having a high usage of illicit drugs with more people locked up than anywhere else in the world. American culture has a built-in deceptive current of racism that caused the Association of Black Psychologists to state that if you are Black and not paranoid; there is something wrong with you. Politicians and media networks regularly declare that our greatest enemies are our fellow countrymen, and Trump stated that he trusted the Russian intelligence agencies more than American ones while he was president (receiving a lot of support after saying this). Americans are so distrustful of each other that we have more firearms than people in our country. It is valid to assume that a nation with so much conflict has more people suffering mental distress and illness. America has had a lot of success and much to be proud of; but selfishness and out of control egos make truth illusive. We need a new social contract that strengthens values like belief in a common good, individual work ethic, accountability, and integrity. Research and vote to keep liars and sociopaths out of power in our government, and to preserve our republic.

Opinion

Pro-Life?

America has a problem. We love to destroy one another. We take issues and divide ourselves over them with a lot of lies thrown in to rationalize our positions; meanwhile reality tells us to stop lying. Deaths due to cigarette smoking continued for years while politicians and corporations lied. Pollution and Climate Crisis kill thousands in America and we still avoid the truth about the depth of knowingly caused destruction. QAnon and White Supremacist lie in a systemic way to point the heavily armed mentally ill at minorities or people they don’t like. Republicans claim to be pro-life but don’t support health care for all, or gun control to stop mentally ill 18 year olds with assault rifles. America is big into death and personal destruction. It is said that courtesy is the lubricant of society, but the “Pro Life” party uses personal attack on any who disagree with them. The January 6 coup attempt should have been enough. The children murdered in Uvalde, Texas are an atrocity that happens because we value the ability to kill and destroy more than the lives of children.

Opinion

Smash and Grab America

Smash and Grab theft is in the news with several incidents across the country. Organized crime is suspected as the cause of numerous thieves showing up at upscale stores at the same time. Our culture is undergoing a crisis of morality. A large number of people showed up at the US Capitol to steal an election while proclaiming they were there to “stop the steal”. A jury said an illegally armed teenager from another state had the right to claim self-defense for killing two citizens and maiming another. An upstate New York judge said a white man who had raped 4 teenagers should not have to go to prison. We have a selfish amoral culture problem that is growing. We will destroy ourselves if the majority of us do not support truth, decency, and justice FOR ALL.

Opinion

Olympics spirit

The Olympics give us all a chance to see people engaging in fair competition and being satisfied with doing their best. In America today we see many people wanting to rig situations so that they cannot lose. Some want our society to place advantage on birth in the right family, race, or class. Politicians want to set up elections so that they choose their voters and determine the winner based on party. Trump and Republican governors give pardons to criminals based on solely on politics, while daring anyone to hold them accountable for criminality and indecency. Social media shows more examples of average people seeking to shape reality to meet their desire. Denying COVID, refusing to be vaccinated or wear a mask, assaulting flight attendants after boasting of wealth and influence. Many in our society have a problem with effort being recognized and accountability being equally applied. Research and act to for a dignified, decent future where effort and humanity is recognized.

Opinion

America on trial again

American racism and social dysfunction are on trial again this week. Police departments are thrown into the breach to solve problems that we refuse to commit resources to solve as a society, or act as a source of repression. The police have a range of tools to coerce people, but they will be the first to tell you that those tools don’t work well with hopeless, traumatized, or mentally unstable persons. We must all support public safety by re-thinking how we achieve it. Police officers should not have high suicide rates, or a constant drumbeat of killing unarmed Black men or others because they feel threatened. Police have a dangerous job that is made worse by our society’s cruelty and heartlessness using them to clean up the mess or maintain a broken status quo. Support all levels of government in planning and implementing improved public safety measures that reduce negative or coercive police interaction with the public.

Opinion

Land of the free and home of the brave?

Americans need to work to reclaim the belief that we are the land of the free and home of the brave. Conspiracy theories pit Americans against their government and each other. Americans assaulted the Capitol based on lies and appear to be fools, something that enemies and allies have to place into their calculations when they think of the United States. Americans do not see themselves as brave. We see Republicans fearful of congress people who claim Jewish lasers started large forest fires in California, and that documented school massacres were faked. Courage is repeatedly seen in short supply as lies are preferable (in mass media like Fox and One America) to the truth. Freedom relies on the truth to exist, but the example of Trump shows that Americans are extremely tolerant of corruption and lies from right-wing ideologues. The right wingers voice a steady stream of violent threats and it is a matter of time before threats to freedom force more security checks, fences, and armed guards. We will all have to be brave and vote to confront fascist terrorism and bullying if we want to stay free.

Opinion

Moving forward

The Democratic controlled House of Representatives and Senate is where the action is for rebuilding the base of the republic. Joe Biden has told us what he wants to do, but he needs congress to make it a reality. Trump has been impeached but now should be convicted and banned from ever holding office again; unless we want to see more like him in the future. The COVID19 pandemic threatens to morph into a new threat with variants overtaking vaccines if we do not act quickly to finance the fight against it. Assistance for people financially damaged by the pandemic and the rest of the economy is needed sooner to prevent more damage later. Civil rights for all Americans to be treated with dignity is urgent as our society battles extremism and hate. Climate change has it’s own timer and does not care if we respond or not, but if we care for future generations the time is now. Democrats have been given control and now must show supporters that they really care about the issues important to voters. I am hopeful that we will see boldness from congress and the Biden administration. Stay focused and be ready to provide feedback and support to your representatives and the administration.

Opinion

A New Beginning?

The calendar shows that we are in a new year, but it feels like 2020 continued after the sacking of the US Capitol. America has put itself through a lot with bad decisions and lies taking the country to the brink of disaster. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in soon providing new direction and hope to millions of Americans. Meanwhile, millions of other Americans believe that evil cannibals are taking over the government, the country is being overrun by minorities, and their savior has been removed from the power. Our country has been turned against itself by the love of power and money while mass and social media companies knowingly spread lies that created havoc to gain audience. We have become addicted to having everything our way including “reality”. America’s challenge going forward is to make the truth widespread, and lies shameful or at least unprofitable. The United States has been a beacon for democracy and human rights around the world; now the light has gone out and we are an unstable country. I am hopeful that the Biden-Harris administration will have the support to make truth normal, to turn the lights in our hearts and souls back on. The struggle between good and evil is eternal; America on the right side of history is relatively recent, our strength is the truth.