Issues Under Fire: Do You Love America?

Issues Under Fire: Do You Love America? 

Since Barack Obama recently had his "love of country" questioned, we thought we'd take a moment to assess our own feelings about America. Up until now, this writer hadn't given the Idea much thought. And considering its a topic rarely at the forefront of most American's minds, perhaps we all should give this country a good looking over to see it if its worthy of our love and devotion. After all love is earned.   

If one looks carefully at America, generally speaking, one will see a struggling people, having difficulty keeping their heads above water. One will see  America's social fabric being stressed to the breaking point from racism, sexism and religious intolerance. While this is generally the case during tough times, for many, the tough times have become the norm. 

If one looks closer, one will see lots of poor and uneducated people with shaky futures. Poor people are everywhere. Some don't necessarily look poor, but they are. Many are one paycheck away from economic disaster. Were it not for payday loans, their financial collapse would occur even faster. 

If one scratches the surface a little deeper, one will find opportunities to improve one's socioeconomic standing in America are drying up fast, as those opportunities move abroad. If you're poor and uneducated, more than likely, you're going to remain that way. Community college might help a bit, but odds are, you're still gonna live the life a loser. Don't misunderstand, there will always be outliers and shinning examples to point to, but we're talking regular guys and gals. You know, the C student coming out of an American public high school. 

For those still maintaining a middle-class lifestyle, they're sacrificing vacations to pay exorbitant college tuitions. They're renting housing more often and buying used cars. The middle-class is always nervous and uncertain. Most of the middle-class's woes are centered around their futures as well. Will they be able to retire they wonder. What will that retirement look like. Will they be able to travel, or be tethered to their homes, helping out needy family members who weren't so lucky. 

On the other hand, if you're wealthy, America is the place to be. Low taxes, second to none upscale living accommodations, the best educational institutions money can buy and, cheap labor for your household staff and business interest. But, the most advantageous reason to love America as a person of wealth, is the fact that government works for you, while it ignores everyone else. From the eye of the rich guy, America is beautiful. 

Bottom line: When you get down to it, one's race, ethnicity, gender, religion and socioeconomic standing in America, will largely determine the depth of one's love for this country. While the President of the United States has to love America no matter what, the rest of us can't afford that luxury. Podcast Below!