America at its Best?

I was on another post, when I thought about what makes a country great and what leads it to failure. This site has some brilliant minds - collectively, the smartest group of people I know. Let's discuss what makes our country great (whatever your country is), is it at the peak and improving or if not, what happened and how do we fix it? Please, no slamming others opinions. I really hope we can come up with stories of things to be proud of and the best ideas on how to improve things.

I'll start with my 2 cents worth:

I live in the US on the West Coast in a huge area/city, Los Angeles. My neighborhood, city, state and our country are great for many reasons. If I were to choose the most important thing, it would be the people. We're taught to be kind and courteous, to stand up for our beliefs and to do the right thing. To work hard and to work smart, to take care of our family and to forgive with our hearts. We have a civic duty and we're all part of this huge melting pot called the United States of America!

Are we at our pinnacle? Part of me says that we aren't and we'll continue to improve. Part of me says that we've peaked a number of years ago and we're in decline.

The side that says we'll continue to improve sees how our lives are better. We have incredible technology that keeps getting better and better. We have seen huge improvements in medicine and I believe a "cure" for cancer will come in my lifetime. We as a people, care more about our environment than ever before. We don't have shortages like in the past. Our air is cleaner and our environment healthier. Information is available at our fingertips. We are proud to be Americans (unlike in the late 70's). We love our country!

The side that says we've peaked sees a tough road for the next generation. They won't be as wealthy as us and they'll struggle more. Taxes keep going up with no end in sight. The homeless problem seems unsolvable (due to the bleeding hearts and politics). Costs keep going up - I had a 1/4 pounder large size meal the other day and it was over $13! Going out to dinner (for two) is now $50 minimum. And sales tax just hit 10.25%. The corporations keep growing bigger and bigger and they don't care about the individual worker - it's all about the balance sheet and income statement. Brick and mortar shops are dying fast - are we headed for internet only shopping? I hope not! Which gets me to the issues of socializing. I watch old movies and back then their lives are built on socialization. People knew their neighbors and visited with them, just to say hi! Your neighbor would be cutting the grass and you'd say hi over the fence and talk about anything! Today, many people don't cut their own grass and their fences are so high, because they want privacy! Back then, kids played outside with other kids - all day long! Kids used their imagination. Kids taught each other what was socially right and wrong (no tattle tales or whiners). The family talked at the dinner table. People walked and greeted each other on the sidewalk. Today, we're isolating ourselves, which isn't good ... AND I believe it's going to get worse. With isolation comes unsocial behavior which leads to poor decisions and the inability to understand other's beliefs and feelings. People won't know how to act in public! It's already starting to get bad. Why on earth would someone go to dinner to with someone, just to sit on their phone and text or play games????

How to improve our situation:

1. We need a major overhaul in our government. No more career politicians anymore! Strict term limits for every elected official. Which helps stop empire building and you scratch my back ... type of politics. It also stops our officials from voting on things only to get re-elected. Politicians need to get back to meeting their constituents and listening to their desires, frustrations and ideas.

2. We also need to do a better job with government spending. Make someone accountable for overspending and poor planning. In the private sector, if you make a big mistake, you could lose your job - at minimum, you won't get the promotion you were hoping for. No more overpaying and feeling it's okay, just because your boss and his boss don't care, it doesn't mean that we as a society don't care. It's part of the reason our taxes keep going up.

3. We need to detach from our smart phones and social media sites. That'll free up time for us to do social things.

4. We need to put more emphasis on being social. No excuses of I'm tired or I don't have time. We need to make the time. For those of us who are good at it, we need to be the ones who bring people to events and make sure that everyone enjoys themselves. Get to know your neighbors/neighborhood. Spend more time at local functions or church functions. Walk to the store or to get a bite to eat. Or ride a bike.

5. We need to think about our neighborhood first. Maybe spend a few extra dollars at the local hardware store vs the big box. Or the local coffee shop vs corporate owned companies like Starbucks. Ditto for a local sandwich shop or burger joint. Learn to say no to convenience shopping (Wal Mart or Costco). Buy things local and get to know the store owner and workers.

6. After our neighborhood comes our city/town. Give back when you can. Volunteer at your local school or your library. Support your local concerts in the park or street fairs. Go to the 4th of July Parade!

7. Think more about how to help your state. Support businesses in your state vs buying whatever is the cheapest on the internet. Vacation in your state to keep the dollars at home. Take a road trip or the train. See places you've always wanted to see. Or do something special - see the Devil's Postpile or Pinnacles Nat'l Park.

8. Lastly, consider your country. As tempting as it may seem, don't buy the counterfeit copy of Microsoft Office. Pay the money and do the right thing. Microsoft earned that money by piling money and employee pay into making the software. Try to buy things made in the US. Did you know that nearly all Camry's still on the road were built in Kentucky? If you can't find something made in the US, at least buy from a company that has offices and supports our country. I'm looking at a stapler on my desk - Swingline (US company) but made in China. At least the profits go to a US company - in Lincolnshire, IL!

Getting off my soapbox. Let's hear what you folks have to say.