“America is a business; not a country.” This line from a movie is sadly true. Money is the official god of our nation. Before any laws or passed, or programs initiated for the welfare of the majority, the cost is considered before all other factors; unless it is for the bloated and wasteful budget of the military. Americans work longer hours and take fewer vacations than any other developed nation in the world. We live to work, while many other nations work to live. I was watching television the other day when the star of the show asked a college student what he was studying. He said ‘business.’ When the young man was asked what he would do with his degree, he responded ‘hopefully make a lot of money.’
For me, happiness is more important than possessions. I am not impressed with those who waste millions of dollars on homes they do not need, and seldom use. Vehicles which cost a hundred thousand dollars or more do not represent the true quality of life.
A recent survey placed the United States 13th on the list of nations whose people are the happiest. At number one is Denmark.
Comparing the two nations is literally comparing ‘apples and oranges.’ In America the goal for most men and women is a ‘good paying job’ so that they can ‘provide’ for their families. ‘Providing’ is the key word. This does not mean the necessities for most; it means the ability to provide your family with the possessions they envy from others. Only very low-income and families living in poverty correctly use the word ‘provide.’
America does not have free healthcare for every man woman and child. We do not have free college education. There is no federal law requiring five weeks of paid vacation each year, or 12 months of paid maternity leave.
In America, we measure worth based on the display of wealth. If you are unable to ‘keep up with your neighbors,’ you are of no value to society. Even our churches compete to build a more glorious edifice than those of others. If this is happiness; count me out.
You may now be thinking that I am not a patriot; your are very mistaken. I love my country; and that means I love the American people and the principles and ideals of our founding fathers. I am a true ‘Constitutionalist,’ who believes that it is not only the greatest document ever written, but when applied to a changing world with intelligence and the understanding of our forefathers intentions, becomes even more important; more impressive.
What I detest is my government. Now, more than ever in our history, those who we have elected to serve us are corrupt, greedy, and refuse to listen and to serve the majority.
So, what makes the people of Denmark so happy?
First of all let me state one fact which is somewhat discouraging, but without living in their culture, I will not judge. They have one of the highest rates of both cancer, and alcoholism.
What makes this country of six million people so happy? First of all, they trust their government; something most Americans would not say. They do have free healthcare for all and free college education. Their income level is higher than most, but they are not required to work more than an eight hour day to earn that income. Businesses are required to give each employee five weeks of paid vacation each year, and 12 months of paid maternity leave. Value is placed on life, not labor, and the simple things are given more priority than material possessions.
In the United States we have a government which has become an oligarchy, and will soon be a plutocracy under Trump. Every two years the people have an opportunity to change what happens in our nation’s capital, but one party discourages a large voter turnout; winning elections is their only priority. No one I know trusts Congress or our illegitimate president. We are a nation of insecure men and women who constantly live in fear and distrust. We have no reason to believe that those we elect will work for us; all too quickly they become members of the millionaires club.
A great country would not have a single person living in poverty; or a single homeless person. A great country would not allow one child to be hungry. A great nation would not allow one person to die because they could not afford sufficient healthcare. A great nation would address the growing problem of mental illness, and ignore the cost.
As of 2016, the United States has 540 billionaires, and countless millionaires; far surpassing any other nation in the world. The latest count reveals that 45 million Americans are living in poverty; that is over 20 percent of the population. Millions more are low-income wage earners who are a single paycheck away from poverty. They are hungry, and unable to see a doctor when they are ill. There exists no opportunity for most to move in a financially upward direction without education or training.
The media fails to tell the truth. They lead most Americans to falsely believe that we are a great country; families existing in or below the poverty level are never mentioned.
When Trump was campaigning, and used the slogan “Make America Great Again,” that was a misnomer. We now know that he meant “Make America White Again.”
America is only a great country if you have a large income.
We can be a great nation, because most of our people are great; but it cannot happen with our present government in control.
Join the revolution and take your nation back in 2018 by voting out of office all Republicans who support Trump.
Thank you for reading my rants, and thank you for re-posting the truth.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Follow me on twitter; @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 