The United States today is in a bad place. We are hated across the globe (rightfully so) for countless narrow-minded and greedy actions made without the American people’s consent by those who are in charge and out of touch with America.

I do not think it is even fair to call ourselves the “United States Of America” rather I fear we have become “Saudi-America.” We are in major debt because of two wars and a terrible fossil fuel addiction and none of these problems seem to have an end. We are dangerously dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil yet we still continue to waste it everyday.

These problems don’t even seem to affect or reach the general public. They are so engrossed with “reality” TV and SUVs that they don’t even realize their world made of plastic and lies is going to fall down around them if they don’t change the way they live and take an active part in bettering this country and those who run it.

The Problems:

1. The Government

The government running this country fails to see the effects of their actions as our economy plummets and our international relations crumble. The leaders of this country are worried simply about making a profit for themselves, personal gain. This can be said about many people outside the government as well but the government is supposed to have their people in mind not their pocket books

2. The Environment

This nation’s irresponsible use of oil has left us with more then an economic problem. The environment is suffering from strip mining by oil companies and green house gases and other pollution created by our ever growing need to buy and sell and gain. This cycle of greed needs to stop or there won’t be an environment for us to live in.

3. Tax Spending

The tax spending in our country is way off balance as well. It is estimated that the department of defense will be receiving 515.440 billion dollars during the 2009 fiscal year, a seven percent gain; while a thing like the Department of Education is in line to get 59.210 billion dollars a zero percent gain. These kinds of finical injustices are causing the down fall of the United States. As much as I wish it were not true, money rules this country and the world for that matter. So it’s obvious that programs such as education, that are not getting as much money, do not matter as much to the government.[1]

4. Two Wars

Many people in this country don’t even realize that we are in two wars right now not just one. War, as described by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is as follows: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism.[2] Hostility, as described by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is as follows: deep-seated usually mutual ill will.[3] So as a country right now we have a deep-seated “ill will” on two fronts, terrorism and Iraq. Now terrorism that is understandable enough, to have “ill will” towards those who flew planes into buildings filled with our families, friends and neighbors. A war on terror, I may be able to accept. A war on Iraq on the other hand, is inexcusable in my eyes. A war where the only gain is oil and the cost is American lives. That is a war that I cannot support.

5. Media

Modern media is thrust upon us wherever we go and in whatever we do. Advertisements tell us how to dress, to act and what’s cool or in style. Commercials and other advertisements are used to make us think things are good, to make us feel safe and at the same time inadequate.

The language used in advertisements and on TV shows is destroying the English language. Words like fuck, shit, damn, asshole, bitch, dickhead and douche-bag just to name a few, are deteriorating the minds and speech of the entire country.

Spoon feed autonomy is all that TV and websites like facebook and myspace have to offer. Modern media does not inspire the individual to question or act; rather it inspires them to blend into the rest of the crowd and not question what’s going on. The information presented to this country does not force us as a people to think for ourselves. One has to actively seek out any kind of real higher thought and even then people willing to share and converse about this knowledge are few and far between.

The Solutions:

The above are a list of problems that we, as a nation, are facing right now. All together, they seem pretty overwhelming but there are ways for us, as a people, to change what is happening. Ways such as nonviolent protesting, supporting locally owned businesses, and simply being more aware of the forces of advertisement and their affect on your everyday life.

1. Nonviolent Protest

Striking, picketing, sit-ins, marches and lockdowns are some of the many ways I believe a person can make a difference. I think that acts like these are among the most profound and moving statements for anybody with a purpose and the drive to say something about it. Violence destroys and erodes human connections but nonviolent actions like those stated above are the key to making real connections with people that may not see eye to eye with you. A well executed petition can also do well in localized situations, I have seen in work at my old high school and in college.

2. Get The Word Out

Literature is another source I believe to be important in getting your word out. Posters, flyers and pamphlets, I believe, are a good way to speak your mind without having to be everywhere, a well placed poster will speak to more people in a day then one person can. I remember picking up a pamphlet earlier this year and it helped open my eyes to a situation I was not aware of before then.

3. Actual Intelligence

We as a people need to think for ourselves. We are mindless sheep being guided by corporate America to an increasingly meaningless existence. To stop this I believe we need to think about the forces of corporate America and the government working to make us an autonomous collective of sheep instead of free thinking and living people.

Conclusion

Our lives are relatively short and it would be the most wasteful thing if people did not try to change something while they were here. If you don’t think there is anything wrong with the world, look harder you will find a reason to try and change something. If you don’t think the things I listed were problems then find something you do think is a problem and fight for, live for it or die for it because that is what life should be about. The worst thing a person can do in life is nothing.

Bibliography:

Bachman, Jess. Death and Taxes, http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/#purchase , 5/4/08

Merriam-Webster Online, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war , 5/4/08

Merriam-Webster Online, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostility , 5/4/08

Influences:

Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without A Country.

Kelly Hoffmann

The Communist Manifesto

The Humanist Manifesto

The Surrealist Manifesto

The Dada Manifesto

And countless other works by countless other people whose names I cannot remember because all my books have been packed away because I am moving.