"economy" is a term reserved for the wealthy
In recessive times such as these, it is easy to compare our current economic position to those of more prosperous years and fear that we are helpless to save ourselves from some financial disaster that waits around the corner. I myself have felt the pinch of this wounded economy and even marveled at what a change I've noticed in the short years I have been a member of it. That said, I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of keeping our views in a tightly focused perspective, especially in these dismal times.
America, although currently strained, still continues to lead the way in the ranks of the most wealthy nations in the world, backed by Japan, China, and Germany. And for all our recent troubles we still are very much a first world nation, in fact we are the first of them. And between us and the rest of the worlds most "developed" nations we make up a measly 20% of the worlds population. That number is pretty low and it is downright tragic that between that tiny 20%, we consume 86% of the worlds goods. That means that all the overlooked little luxuries that we continue to enjoy in one of our nation's "hardest" times are most likely a monumentally unaffordable luxury that the other 80% of the world could scarcely dream of much less enjoy. Poverty is killing the majority of the world's population and we in this country have the audacity to complain that our favorite Starbucks around the corner has been shut down. These are facts:
1. Over half the world's population (3 billion people) lives on less than $2 a day.
2. 11 million children under 5 years of age die every year due to poverty. That's 1 child every 3 seconds.
3. 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water.
These are just a few of the staggering facts that we have, of course, heard time and time again in this country yet continue to justify our spending on cosmetics, tobacco, alcohol, and entertainment. Yes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a job. Yes, the housing market is in the crapper and people are being forced from their homes. And yes, our government is forced to bail us out of these hard times by backing the wealthy banks, saving the automobile industry, and stuffing our pockets with extra cash to be used on consumer goods. But when you compare our troubles to a lack of clean drinking water, not having enough resources to feed our children, and parents dying of AIDS leaving their orphaned children behind to suffer a similar if not worse fate of starvation, we are all understandably humbled.
It is not reasonable to think that by reading this people will stop everything and reach out to the poor people of these impoverished countries; I do not expect a massive change in the distribution of goods and wealth on account of one passionate blogger. I do feel, however, it is not too much to ask people to pause, even for a moment, and reflect on what a marvelous lifestyle every man women and child in this nation continues to enjoy on a daily basis. Even our homeless community has access to the basic necessities that should be available to every man. Perhaps one will read this and think to him or herself that although there has been complaint about the things we don't have right now, I'm damn glad that I live in a nation that, at the very least, continues to provide me with the sustenance and programs that keep me from knowing the true horrors of a life in dire poverty. Please enjoy your life in this nation to its fullest, it is the least you can do for someone else who will never get the chance to walk down the paved street, grab a bite to eat with friends, go out for a drink, and come home to a warm bed.
And if you can, give a little. Find ways to do it. Trust me, there are plenty.
America, although currently strained, still continues to lead the way in the ranks of the most wealthy nations in the world, backed by Japan, China, and Germany. And for all our recent troubles we still are very much a first world nation, in fact we are the first of them. And between us and the rest of the worlds most "developed" nations we make up a measly 20% of the worlds population. That number is pretty low and it is downright tragic that between that tiny 20%, we consume 86% of the worlds goods. That means that all the overlooked little luxuries that we continue to enjoy in one of our nation's "hardest" times are most likely a monumentally unaffordable luxury that the other 80% of the world could scarcely dream of much less enjoy. Poverty is killing the majority of the world's population and we in this country have the audacity to complain that our favorite Starbucks around the corner has been shut down. These are facts:
1. Over half the world's population (3 billion people) lives on less than $2 a day.
2. 11 million children under 5 years of age die every year due to poverty. That's 1 child every 3 seconds.
3. 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water.
These are just a few of the staggering facts that we have, of course, heard time and time again in this country yet continue to justify our spending on cosmetics, tobacco, alcohol, and entertainment. Yes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a job. Yes, the housing market is in the crapper and people are being forced from their homes. And yes, our government is forced to bail us out of these hard times by backing the wealthy banks, saving the automobile industry, and stuffing our pockets with extra cash to be used on consumer goods. But when you compare our troubles to a lack of clean drinking water, not having enough resources to feed our children, and parents dying of AIDS leaving their orphaned children behind to suffer a similar if not worse fate of starvation, we are all understandably humbled.
It is not reasonable to think that by reading this people will stop everything and reach out to the poor people of these impoverished countries; I do not expect a massive change in the distribution of goods and wealth on account of one passionate blogger. I do feel, however, it is not too much to ask people to pause, even for a moment, and reflect on what a marvelous lifestyle every man women and child in this nation continues to enjoy on a daily basis. Even our homeless community has access to the basic necessities that should be available to every man. Perhaps one will read this and think to him or herself that although there has been complaint about the things we don't have right now, I'm damn glad that I live in a nation that, at the very least, continues to provide me with the sustenance and programs that keep me from knowing the true horrors of a life in dire poverty. Please enjoy your life in this nation to its fullest, it is the least you can do for someone else who will never get the chance to walk down the paved street, grab a bite to eat with friends, go out for a drink, and come home to a warm bed.
And if you can, give a little. Find ways to do it. Trust me, there are plenty.
posted by Quinn Allan at
1:59 PM
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