We Americans like to claim we are Number 1.  Number 1 what?  It's not in education since there are 61 other countries that have a better literacy rate than the US does (ref).   Nor are we the Top Employer with 12% of the US population at poverty level and below.  Okay, I do admit that the US is very rich and is #1 in Military Spending. (We spend over 6 times the amount compared to China which is #2 in spending.)  What I would like to address is The American Attitude.

We have an arrogance that is unnecessary and unbecoming.  We litter our streets with discarded food wrappers, containers, cigarette butts, and other trash.  We disrespect the environment, property, and other people.  We dismiss the young, are rude our elders, and ignore the elderly.  (Many of these things are Unheard of in other countries.)  The poor are scorned, the middle class is dissolving, and the rich contend with only themselves.  What a pretty picture we have become.

We have attitude, want instant gratitude, and give no latitude. We are the first to complain and the last to take blame.  I believe that we all want to believe that we are not bullies, but we are.  Just like criminals, we break the boundaries of what is proper and we justify these actions in our own selfish minds to be acceptable.

No, I am not knocking the US.  I am questioning each and every one of us as individuals.  No person need blood relatives to have a family.  No person needs religion to be spiritual.  Our family is the world and our true American Spirit is disappearing like the Spirit of Christmas.  It is changing into something cold, ugly, and makes us look unappealing as a rotting corpse.

Is this what we want?  Do we prefer to be apathetic because we may feel insignificant in our own country?  Do you choose to be continually ineffective?  We would do well to be good to ourselves by not pissing on others.  It is time to recognize that we are a problem child and are still growing.  It's okay to grow wiser and happier compared to wallowing in the mud assigning blame.  Let us look first to ourselves before we place the onus of blame onto another.

Maybe we are unhappy with our leaders?  It is said "When the people lead, the leaders will follow."  When we put ourselves in the position of not caring, you are relinquishing your power to produce change.  And what of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address regarding "...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "  Who has control here, the people?  You may THINK the government, but that is untrue.  It is OUR responsibility to choose our leaders and give THEM direction.  But sadly, we have given the horse (government) that pulls the cart (USA) the reigns.  It's time to take those reigns back!

I love the USA, but I feel that it is not totally healthy.  I believe we can learn from other countries and not be so cocky.  Currently, I don't like the position we are in and how many GOOD countries view the USA.  I think it's time to reclaim our True American Spirit and get rid of the ugliness.  This can only be achieved when we, as individuals, stop waffling and assigning blame and get our American Butts in gear.

The Following Symbol here Is not displayed here out of disrespect, but of concern.  When the American Flag is flown upside-down, it is a symbol of DISTRESS.  I believe that we ARE in distress, and I respectfully bring it to every caring patriot’s attention.