"We can sometimes have the impetuous thought that by spreading our wealth to all those who are poor, we would raise all of them to our level of comfort."
I am as against this approach as you seem to be. I am strongly opposed to giving your wealth to people living in desolation. The wealth would be consumed and then we would all come to experience despiration. Wealth, as I said, is a responsibility. Those who have it must use it responsibly toward the well being of their fellow creatures. The last thing I would condone is handing a homeless vagrant your wealth. I would recommend that you support programs that feed, house and provide opportunities for the homeless.
"We are content to stay in our own yard, and play with our own toys. We'd rather stay home than go out. That seems to be who we are at heart, as Americans. So doing this world thing doesn't come easily or naturally to us."
This is always true for the haves. Its the have nots who are driven from the sanctity of their homes to struggle in the world. We have needs and the more we become aware of them the more we will be driven from our homes to engage with the rest of the world in the never ending struggle for Peace, Justice and the ....way. OOOPs, Must be time for Smallville.
"Where I disagree with you is when you refer to our resources, our wealth, and even our military, as "gifts." I see them rather as the product of an industrious, hardworking, self-sacrificing, creative people."
American productive accomplishments very definitely are a reflection of the qualities you mention. This is rather over simplified however. Evil despots can acquire wealth and power also and they can be American. Many factors weigh into good fortune. Like, having been born into a land of great, vast and diverse natural resources. A good climate helps. Who is and who is not lined up against the border is an issue. The political make-up is a definite benefit. Being in the right place at the right time don't hurt either. Fortunes are also lost sometimes even though the good industrious character is still present when misfortune strikes.
The Three Little Pigs story needs some work. It is easy to be a lazy pig when for generations that is the only model you've had. When a productive pig moves into the neighborhood with a brick making machine, the lazy pigs might even try to steal it and sell it instead of getting together to make bricks with it.
Americans have a lot to say about the tyranny of oppression while showing little understanding of the suffering of the oppressed. People who have been oppressed for generations do not suddenly gain a new persona when their oppressor is vanquished. They remain exactly as they have been with a few exceptions. They are desperate people, who tend toward the desperate actions of the down trodden.
If we are serious about conquoring tyranny and extremism we must take a wholistic stand. If so, we've got a loooooonnnng and messy row to hoe. If not, history will repeat itself many times and in many places.
Justice is a need, injustice drove us from our home...it was already out there but our level of concern was low. Its still out there.
Everything is a gift, even the trials and tribulations you are tested by. Believe it, or not. |
