Dear United
States of America,
I understand
it’s your birthday in a couple days. I know you’ve been going through some
tough times recently. Not that it’s anything new for you. I mean, c’mon, you’ve
been going through trouble since July 4, 1776; trouble is pretty much your
middle name.
These recent
troubles though, the last sixty- seventy years or so, have really been rough on
you and I wanted to remind you of who I think you are, or at least, who you
ought to be. I know it isn’t easy, what with being a country founded upon the
ideals of a Revolution, to listen to any whispers of revolutionary ideas or politics.
It would seem hypocritical to do that. Yet I see you struggling with that
notion every day. And it’s okay. I know in your heart you want to do the right
thing but perhaps you’re not sure what that “right” thing is.
Equality is the
pillar of your soul and it is always in your best interest to try and live up
to the challenges it presents. I know you want the citizenry to be healthy,
wealthy and wise but you have to figure out the way in which we all can get
there, regardless of the labels put upon us. It is obviously a rough go, but it
can be done so I don’t want you to lose heart. It is one of the “right” things. Equality isn’t always equal, but a fair chance
at it is always a solid plan for success.
Opportunity
is one of your greatest gifts. A person, broken and abused in their original
homeland could come to you with an idea, a cause or wish and you’d hold them to
your bosom and ask, “What do you need?” A willingness to provide this stranger
with an opportunity to fulfill their own hopes and dreams is another right
thing. It is in this Land of Opportunity, in a relatively short amount of
global time, you changed everything. Your recognition that anyone that comes to
the table with a good idea can have the opportunity at success. Yet opportunity
can be so much more. Opportunity doesn’t have to spring forth in a miraculous
industrial revolution, it can be simpler. Opportunity to change the world can
come from providing the chance for all to attend quality schools and attain the
knowledge they might need to add to your greatness. Opportunity needs a little push sometimes and
from that small push, greatness can arise.
Justice.
That’s a little trickier since Justice is supposed to blind. I mean, I’ve seen
some really accomplished blind people in my life but sometimes you do tend to
bump into a lot of shit and hurt some people. It’s not always your fault,
sometimes the suppression of your values has you double-blinded, but for true
justice, you have to have at least one eye open. That eye should be focused on
the elevation of your values and not punishment. Behavior rarely changes if the
only reward for trying is disownment and punishment. Justice has to have one
eye on the present, one eye on the future and a third eye on involvement. Justice
is not served when the world is blind and kept at arm’s length. So, think about
that a little.
Humility is
another thing that I think you might want to work on. I mean, U.S., you’re
pretty cool, but no one likes a braggart. I mean, I’m perfectly happy to talk
about you and all the wonderful things you have the capacity to do, but I’m not
shoving it in anybody’s face. If you want a more democratic world, more places
like you, then you have to let them get there on their own, like you did when
Britain was all up in your face. Freedom will find a way. And if they ask for
your help, help them, but don’t come looking for them to pay the bill after the
party. Be humble.
I think
within all of this, there’s a chance for you to really be brave and bold. I
think you can come out of all of this with a new sense of who you are and who
you want to be. You’re still a young country yet and these things do take time,
but I know you can do it. I know you can find those brave parts of you that
long for those ideals so eloquently written 244 years ago and to live up to
them.
U.S.A., you’ve
got a hard road ahead and I do not envy you the work you must do, but I wanted
to let you know that I’m with you. We may not always agree, we may not think each
other is doing their best, but I will always have faith you’ll get to the place
where your values and your lofty ideals are your greatest strength.
So have a
Happy Birthday! Don’t go crazy on a jet-ski with fireworks shooting out of your
asshole as you blaze across the lake. Maybe stay on the pier this year and
responsibly enjoy a few cocktails with the rest of the grown-ups. Anyway, have fun and keep your chin up.
Love,
This Guy
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