From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2013 #149 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe:mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website:http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Monday, January 28 2013 Volume 2013 : Number 149 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: Canada and the US njc [Lori Renee Fye ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:29:12 +0000 From: Lori Renee Fye Subject: Re: Canada and the US njc > as a nation we seem to have a lot of arrogance/. . > we seem to have a lot of privilege There is a tremendous amount of arrogance in the US, as well as a tremendous amount of privilege. When (or if) you are able to move away from the borders of the US, the arrogance is glaring. Most people who don't live in the US see it very clearly, and they are not impressed. Occasionally they are amused by it, in the same way people are amused by fools. The privilege there is almost unparalleled, even for the "average" citizen. Americans whine and complain when fuel hits $4.00 a gallon. Fuel in the UK (and Ireland and Europe) runs around $8.00 a gallon. Americans have ridiculous amounts of choice in the availability of foods, hard and soft goods to purchase, and yet ... it never seems to be enough. Meanwhile, so many people in the US go without basic healthcare or enough to eat (just for starters), and no one much seems to care more than to pay lip service to those problems, or perhaps give a small donation towards something. The idea of nationalized healthcare, which is not a perfect system but works pretty well in lots of other countries, is practically anathema to most Americans because it sounds like "scary" Socialism. I guess it's better for people to just die rather than to make sure they get a modicum of decent care. > yet also, many individuals in the United States > do not have arrogance and privilege Many don't, but still too many do. > but many feel entitled (this is an interesting discussion) Let's talk about that for a minute. What do you mean, Marianne, when you say that? For me, I think a lot of Americans feel entitled to special treatment simply by virtue of being born on US land. They didn't really earn a damn thing, paid no price for their freedom, for their extraordinary privileges. You might mean something else, though. > There seems to be a lot of righteousness Oh, there is. There definitely is that, in spades. "Might makes right." Pffft. Lori Wales ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2013 #149 ***************************** ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------