Stanislav Mishin's critique of "America, Version 2009" rings depressingly true. In the upside-down world twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Americans have been reduced to reading the truth in Pravda. Perhaps we are just too close to see the picture from the dots.
How did the decline happen?
"First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics," Mishin writes. "Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their 'right' to choke down a McDonalds burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our 'democracy.' Pride blind the foolish."
Second, Americans' "faith in God was destroyed." Sunday services became "Sunday circuses." "When explained that they would be on the 'winning' side," the Russian nationalist explains, American "flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power."
Third, the federal government usurped the function of businesses, intervening in the private economy to such an extent as to dictate hirings, firings, mergers, bankruptcies, acquisitions, and overall strategy for companies like GM, Chrysler, AIG, and Bear Stearns. "In the land of 'pure' free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions."
The barrage's coup de grace displays great insight into the disconnect between the land-of-the-free rhetoric with Bailout USA reality. "The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is," Mishin concludes. "The world will only snicker."
Bottom line is that we have gone from a nation of serious adult men to a nation whiny immature babies.
I agree, ASDF. Great article. My only quibble: a society can embrace freedom and reject faith.
As a boy, I loved my country. Now, I look around and see less and less to love. Meh. I'll just keep making money, and enjoy my life.
PS. What's with that name?
Seems like the Baby Boomer has another connotation.
SEA KING,
Huh?
