Are We Really that Bad Off?

The U.S. economy seems to be going down the toilet rapidly. The national deficit is at an all time historic high, unemployment is growing, the price of gas and food keep rising, and the real estate market is just pathetic. Americans are struggling with massive debt, foreclosures on their homes, and sky high medical costs. It's easy to get discouraged and feel like there is no hope.

However, I would like to suggest that perhaps what the U.S. needs isn't a kick in the economic pants, but a change in perspective. I submit that perhaps things seems so awful because our standards have gotten so high. A lifestyle that is considered the norm now was considered luxurious just two generations ago. My grandparents never ate out, went to the movies and shows, and took vacations when their children were small. They certainly never owned multiple autos or sent multiple children to college. Something has gone terribly haywire with the expectations of the American public.

I live in Niger, Africa which is debatably the poorest country on the planet (some claim that it is Haiti). The street in front of my house is made of dirt. The paved streets are full of potholes, stray dogs, vendors, goats and children. The average family size here is 12. Folks have a lot of children hoping that some of them will make it to adulthood and help the family economically. Nevertheless, people here are generally happy. They enjoy the blessings of health, friends or family.

I see Americans complaining that they can't afford to go to college, buy a car, or buy a house. My neighbors here live in houses made of mud with thatched roofs. They will likely never have the chance to ride in a car, much less own one. A university education is just a fantasy for most of them, who are lucky to even get an elementary school education.

Then I meet American children who have every new electronic device that comes out on the market and parents who are struggling to pay for them, so that their kids won't be the ones who are left out. They think they are doing right by their children when, in my opinion, they are only fostering more materialistic greed in our society. I feel entitled to say this, since I have three kids of my own and know how guilty one can feel when yours don't "keep up with the Jones".

We have become brainwashed by the marketing schemes of merchandisers and credit companies, who benefit by us succumbing to the myth that more is better, bigger is better, and that "he with the most toys" somehow "wins". Life isn't a game. It's an experience. We need to spend some time really thinking about what is important to us, and focus on putting our time and energies into those things, instead of blindly running out to buy the latest new gadget on credit.

We need to acknowledge how truly fortunate we are to have access to free public education for our children, free public libraries, free national parks and museums. We need to realize that we are lucky to live in a country where the air is safe to breathe and the water is safe to drink. Our society allows us to participate in improving things, to voice our opinions, and to vote.

Sure, America has its problems, but overall I think we are awfully lucky. We may just have squint a bit to see it clearly.