Abe F. March

Comments like “The greatest country on earth” continue to be expressed even when things are bad.  Are comments like this mental cover-up?  Are they intended to show patriotism or some form of denial?  

We like to think that we are the greatest and the best even when facts show otherwise.   

Based on our current depressed economy and financial crisis, if we are considered the best, what does that say about the rest of the world?  

Is our unemployment the best in the world?

Is our currency the best in the world?

Are our politicians the best in the world?

Is the misery of our citizens the best in the world?

Living on our past successes and accomplishments doesn’t count.  We are as good as what we are doing today.  

A positive mental outlook is important; however being in a state of denial is not a healthy attitude.  If we refuse to recognize our faults, our failures, we tend to compound the problem by accepting the bad as good.   

Being critical is healthy.  It means we care.  It also reflects our desire to make things better. Ignoring our faults or failures by living in the past is to accept defeat.  We are never defeated until we give up.  I don’t think Americans have a give-up mentality.  That mentality needs stimulation to affect positive change.  If we want to live in the past, then it is better to think of the things that were done that led to success and start doing them again.  Actions are the catalyst to change, not wishful thinking.