You know, many of you are probably all “wrapped around the axle” about the health care issue. Either for universal health care or against it. After all, it’s really a big thing to think about for a “first world” country like the US … I mean little “third world” countries like the Philippines can have universal health care, (PhilHealth) but then the mighty US is involved in bigger issues. Whatever they might be.
Strom Thurmond would be proud, I'm not
Issues like this Strom Thurmond tutored white supremacist nut job. He and his ilk make it pretty hard to be proud to be an American at this stage of the game. I served more than 38 years to promote democracy, not racism.
The US has a democratically elected president. You may love him or hate him … that is your prerogative. But he is the president and with the country immersed in all it’s various ongoing crises (plus the now, (I guess obsolete) idea that we ought to do something for future generations), wouldn’t it be a refreshing idea if people at least showed the President of or great nation just some ordinary, every day common respect?
I’m also deeply embarrassed by the constant anti-illegal immigrant ravings that have become so popular lately. Most of these, in my view are just a socially acceptable smoke screen for blatant racism. You think Mexicans are the only illegal immigrants in the US. Hardly. But they are the numerically most common non-white ones.
Here is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States of America … a land that was built up from nothing but a virgin wilderness by 100% immigrants (even the so-called Native Americans migrated from Asia). Everyone who holds US citizenship is either an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant.
Back to the noble Lady Liberty. You see that tablet she holds in her arm? Do you know what is engraved on the tablet?
photo credit: Phil Guest
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Do you really think that the US can’t afford to provide basic health care to everyone legally within her borders. A service that would cost only about a month or two of the phony ‘war against terror’ which we are hopelessly mired in?
Well, if you do feel that way, my heart goes out to you. You have completely lost the concept of what it means to be an American and the welcoming, helpful attitude that created the greatest country on earth.
Even if you think I am all wrong on this issues, dig deep and see if there isn’t a civil way we can address you needs and desires instead of fielding loud mouths like Representative Wilson. Our country needs us all, and most of all she needs our respect.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Hi Dave,
I have been enjoying your blog and practically spent my whole Sunday reading all the “interesting” (to quote your quote on the word) articles you wrote. I would say it is more than interesting because I am still reading and still maintain a solid attention to your website. I plan to read all of them by the way as they are very insightful. Couple years ago, I have stumbled into Living in the Philippines website by Bob and I was a regular reader. Now I am doing the same thing on your website.
I do enjoy reading and seldom would leave comment. But after reading the last comment made by a fellow reader pointing out spelling errors and what not, I couldn’t help but make my own. I am furious! It is the same feeling I get when I go to the movies and people are talking or texting on the cellphone. I feel the same way about the obnoxious guy who was yelling incessantly while Charice was singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” – a video I ‘favorited’ on YouTube. What a spoiler!
It ticks me off big time why some people have this habit of cruising the iternet ( yes, I mis-spelled that on purpose) to look for grammar and spelling errors. I am hoping against hope that this spelling and grammar police is not a fellow “Philippino” ( yup, point out the mis-spelled Filipino word there).
“Our country, who once excelled at “doing” now is basically in audience mode waiting for “someone else” to do” ——–> My thoughts exactly. To add, waiting for someone else to make a mistake.
Anyways Dave, I think your blog is great, informative, and current. It is the second best thing for me this Sunday next to hearing God’s words from our pastor this morning. I really appreciate you sharing your perspective about the Philippines. Although, for the most part you make me jealous that you are there and I am here. But then again “In everything, there is a season”. I am still in the rat-race.
More Reading!
Jasmine
@ Jasmine: Why thank you indeed for sharing … you make some well thought out points. One little detail that matters because people get confused by the name similarity. http://www.liveinthePhilippies.com is the online magazine site of my friend Bob Martin .. who you appear to be referring to. http://www.livinginthephilippines.com is the long established personal information site of another person I still count as a friend (although we seldom correspond), Don Herrington. Both have considerable value in learning about the Philippines … especially as it relates to foreigners or Balikbayan who have been away for years .. but they certainly are two completely different folks.
Regarding Roland’s comment, hey don’t let comments like that get your knickers in a knot. It isn’t worth wasting “furor” on such small things . shortens the lifespan actually. As you said, Roland’s comment is just a typical thought process which provides evidence that helps prove my point. America has gone from a nation that “does” to a nation who tries to figure out “who should do”.
In some of my articles … like the one we are commenting on … I go pretty far out on a limb. Sometimes I write something and then look back and say “Ouch, bet that is really going to piss some person off.”
But almost invariably, if I do get a comment, it will be about some peripheral issue, like spelling. My fellow Americans have turned into a nation of “viewers”, not “doers”.
As long as Apple provides them their “Made in Shenzen, China iPad toys”, and as long as Fox News feeds them their daily pablum of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt), along with more than a little racism … I mean, hey, if you are against universal health care, why not dress the President of our country up in an African witch doctor’s costume … nothing Racist in that, is there? Oh no, “Freedom of Expression”.
I could go on, but I won’t.
Thanks for reading. I’ll keep writing, but the spelling will be what it is … anyone who doesn’t like it can get triple their money back if they send me a written request
Dave-
You have a lot of interesting thoughts. Proof reading and editing your would really help your blog. “Well, if you do feel that way. mu heart goes out to you.” First is not a sentence; second sentence should begin with a capital letter and “mu” should be “my”. Your writing is full of errors like this. Maybe you don’t care, but the quality of your ideas seems to merit more care in their expression. And no, I’m not an “English major”.
Roland
Hi Roland, thanks for your comment. You know, it’s really surprising how many people cruise the Internet for no other reason than to catch errors .. at least you’re polite. But, you know, my response is, why aren’t you writing and displaying superior skills?
Not because I can’t take criticism, but because your message only firms up the feeling I had when I wrote the essay … our country, who once excelled at “doing” now is basically in audience mode waiting for “someone else” to do. Although I didn’t make the errors on purpose and regret making them in a general sense of workmanship and respect for orderliness, but unfortunate as they may be, it seems clear the message “came through”.
The disheartening part for me is, you only find my thoughts “interesting”. In other words, you might find my thoughts resonate strongly with your on views, or you might find yourself very much opposed to some of the thing you say. Either way would be fine with me, but the fact that my words inspire no more emotion than a cursory examination of grammar and spelling leads me to believe the whole exercise is pretty pointless.
“Interesting” is a comment much like “Uh-huh” … which technically means one is in agreement but today is commonly used as the response of the member of the conversation who really just can’t wait for it to end.
Anyway, thanks for pointing out the errors, fixing them now.
Luckily for myself I make an extra dollar or two through the internet which means I could live in sri lanka if I wanted as long as there’s a decent internet connection. I choose to live here because my 1 dollar can go a long way and simply because I love it here, where in the world can you get your mcdonalds delivered to your door step in 30 minutes? Buy a carload of groceries for $20? Drink 6 bottles of beer for $2.60? (I’m not an alcoholic btw) Travel to all parts of asia for a fraction of the cost from the states? Did I mention the beautiful women? These aren’t the only reasons I choose to live here of course and just like anywhere else there’s always the negatives, but here I also find myself not in that repeat mode lifestyle like I felt I was for years in the states. Some people might not agree but hey, every man chooses their own destiny.
.-= filamboboy´s last blog ..Time Zone =-.
I’m with you on most of those reasons .. although I want to find out where you can get all those groceries for that price. Food is certainly a big part of my budeget here … also and interesting post on Cost of Groceries in the Philippines
I also write on Current Philippine Costs of Living often as well.
One thing I do try to avoid is the “Cheap Charlie” impression that so many Americans have about folks who live here in the Philippines. In addition to my online activities (doing very nicely, thanks). I have substantial permanent retirement income, so I don’t live in the Philippines for price. I can afford to live in much more expensive locations, but I haven’t yet found a location better suited to me … price not included in the equation.
.-= Dave Starr´s last blog ..Philippine Living — Online English Thoughts 3 =-.
In particular I ‘resonate’ with number 7 and number 10. Less than 2% of the US Congress has ever served … yet the way we take care of vets, especially wounded vets, wouldn’t meet the standards of the ASPCA or PETA. Shame on us.
Like you I might well be a foreigner … my mother was only just born in the USA. If you read any history, and find out when the US flourished, became rich, and made the world safe for democracy, you’ll find it directly connected to the period when the US had a huge influx of immigrants … that’s who built the US, literally. Now we act as if there is nothing left to build … when, in fact, there has never been opportunity as there is today. We sit and watch China and other countries who have their ‘eye on the prize’ capitalize on the opportunities that Americans have grown too lazy to work at.
We bitch continually about “illegal immigrants”, but unlike the Okies of the 1930′s, there are no ‘real Americans’ who will pick fruit or work in slaughter houses. Agriculture would drop dead if the US really closed the border with Mexico
The elder care industry would collapse too if they actually went out and collected all theTnT’s who work in our nursing homes at slave wages. The US badly needs more immigrants, not less.
Why I don’t live there anymore? Let’s see why.
1. I just can’t afford to. (3 pensions and I’d have to find a job there.)
2. Capitol Hill is owned by international corporations, not the people.
3. 5% of the people control 90% of the wealth.
4. No term limits except the White House.
5. A one term member of the house receives a higher pension than a 30 year military Vet… AIG controls their retirement plan; (any wonder they were the first to receive a bailout?)
6. Congress has the best health plan on Earth, paid for by the U.S. Taxpayer. While the rest of us eat cake.
7. The youth of America is asked to lay down their life in support of Big Oil, and once wounded, are subjected to abysmal health care.
8. Social Security fund was stripped by congress to fight the Vietnam War, and now they complain about the yearly cost of funding. If left alone the way it was set up by Roosevelt it would today equal or GNP.
9. With a declining middleclass the U.S. is racing towards third world status.
10. The US should welcome the immigrants to our shores, hell we won’t do the jobs that are available there. If the boat had been a week late arriving in Boston my father would have been an Irish citizen.
11. Hell, Dave I could keep typing for days, but my soapbox is wearing out. I think you get the point.
I came here to the P.I. to live a better life, and I am!
yes I had indeed forgotten about Australia, the patrol boats are in the news frequently … I try to watch the ABC news casts often as they tend to give a more balanced view than many.
What’s really funny is that anyone who ever brought a foreign fiancee’ to the US knows that the myth of all sort of benefits for undocumented aliens is pretty much that … a myth. Every legally entered alien has to prove his/her status for dozens of every day benefits. Mostly the undocumented are a huge benefit to the US becuase they work … typically at jobs the ‘real’ citizens won’t work at, and their taxes and unemployment insurance deduction are made, although they can’t benefit from them.
It’s actually a government-sponsored racket perpetrated on those with no rights.
Yes we New World countries have so many citizens who want to pull up the drawbridge after a century or two of occupation and keep out anyone else who would like to share in the wealth we have acquired by virtue of sheer historical accident (helped along by systematic dispossession of the indigenous inhabitants).
Australia’s national anthem contains the lines ‘For those who’ve come across the seas/We’ve boundless plains to share’. They have caused many an ironic smile in recent years as our navy busily rounds up leaky boatloads of asylum seekers from countries ravaged by war and makes sure they can’t get set foot on our soil. We might have boundless plains but buggered if we’re going to share them with anyone else seems a more accurate sentiment these days.
.-= Ken Lovell´s last blog ..Let’s do the time warp =-.