You, like me.

Everyone is seeking the same thing in life, right? I mean, well, I guess I mean Americans are all after the same thing in life.

Well, now that I think about it, even among friends, that is just not true. I have a brother who is only focused on money, everything in his life is judged by dollar figures, you are as happy as you are rich, your job is worthwhile as long as it pays a minimum of six figures and on and on. A simple way of viewing things, and possibly the most American way of viewing things.

I had a lover once who worked for the peace corp and shared a story about antibiotics in a foreign country. The supply was limited and very few ill people could get the pills that would save lives. The explanation was simple, their lives were of less value that Americans. I know, I was shocked too, but then and probably more so, now it was true. That is a very American way of judging, that idea that if you were lucky enough to be born here somehow your very existence has a higher value than any other birth in this world.

Of course, if you watch any sort of reality TV here in America you will be hard pressed to understand how, say someone from Jersey Shore's life is more valuable than an automobile tire. That said, we are fed a constant stream of propaganda from almost day one about how special we as Americans are, how god loves us and our freedom. In fact, remember 9-11? Was it not moments after the planes crashed into our buildings that we were told people hate us for our freedom? Politicians said that with a straight face. It's almost like a person who is mugged telling police the mugger hated him for his education. No, the mugger wanted your money dumb ass. The same is true of the terrorists, I would imagine, they don't give a shit about our freedom, they just want us to leave their countries, quit stealing their natural resources and stop sending unmanned bombers to their weddings.

My children, without my prodding, refused to say the pledge of allegiance from kindergarten on. They felt they should not have to say those words because they did not always agree with them. They were right of course and because we generally were in schools where the teachers were drugged or coming off a weekend binge, no one ever cared.

Is America really the center of freedom and greatness? If so, it sure makes me wonder why so many of us are using mind altering drugs to make life even passable. Alcohol, illegal drugs and especially pharmaceuticals are everywhere, in all walks of life, and the question remains, why? If any one needs an antidepressant is seems like a starving African might want one, or a raped Bosnian. But they seem to go on, they seem to keep moving, keep trying to survive. But the pampered and spoiled suburbanite? Loaded with everything you can think of that takes their mind off their very existence. Makes me wonder.