The Noises in my Head

I wish I could maintain a worthwhile blog.

I have tons to say, but I'd prefer not to waste your time with anything mundane. I think that if you're going to read MY blog, the least I should do is to offer you something fresh.

OK, so what might that be?

I think that I have a perspective of the world that is unique. It is so because inasmuch as I'm able to do so, I try to view the world in the 'Big Picture' perspective: to consider the events I see around me as symptoms of a history, given specific circumstances.

My most recent investigation has been America, simply because the blogoshere is rife with American concerns. So I've been considering what makes up America.

If you care to click on the Next Blog tab at the top right-hand corner of this page, and rummage through the many blogs, you may note the number of political and military blogs posted by Americans.

If you ask about these posts "What is it of itself" and consider what motivated that person to make that comment, eventually the greater picture that I've been able to glean after looking at many such posts, is that America is a military state.

A significant portion of the American tax dollar goes toward either military associated causes, or directly to the military. Furthermore, it could be argued that the military is America's social assistance program, though there is a chance you may be required to give your life to get some of that benefit.

There are many repercussion anyone can observe that come out of this arrangement; if you're required to tolerate the strict regimen of the military for some portion of your life, you'll only voluntarily accept that if you know that once you've done your duty you'll be largely left alone. This has made Americans very libertarian in their civilian lives.

Also, the freedom to keep and use firearms among the general population, specifically military assault weapons would normally represent a complete failure of a society, however since civilian life can be seen as 'R & R' (rest and recreation) to military life, firearms to this day are viewed as necessary for security, be that personal or national.

The freedoms of civilian life don't end with firearms; remarkably, practically anything of a 'social' nature is denounced as 'socialist', which is only slightly less reviled than 'communist.'

Furthermore, since even the American founding fathers were suspicious of government (see my previous blog), Americans in general don't warm to the co-operative nature of civilization. Often enough, they sneer at the whole concept of working within the law and order, and largely dismiss anything co-operative as 'nanny state.'

From an outsider's perspective, I'd suggest that this arrangement has somewhat arrested social evolution within America, such that while it is the world's superpower, certainly in might, population, and economy, they do not have communities to envy living in: None of their cities make the top dozen.

Another symptom of this arrangement is the bellicose nature of American culture. While a trusted American acquaintance has suggested that this has its roots in the Puritanical origins of America (he'll correct me if I got this wrong), I have more reason to believe this military state arrangement is the reason.

Consider: Regardless of the intellectual capacity of an individual, if he hollers 'Those damned immigrants are ruining this country!' for example, are you going to correct him if he's wearing his service beret and tells you he fought for your freedom? Frankly, you're far more likely to forgive his shortsightedness for the sacrifices he has made on your behalf. I'd suggest that this is the origin of the arrogant presumptuousness that Americans are all too often noted for, however unfairly.

Another problem I have encountered in attempting to discuss socially evolving matters, like urban transit for example, is that Americans often aren't on the same page as you would witness in Europe (or Canada. We have a lot in common with Europe). Who gives a hang about urban transit when we have the car? Oh sure, it pollutes, but so what? Everything pollutes, blah, blah, blah... Too often, serious matters are poopooed for the sake of personal expedience.

If you're an American reading this, please don't take offence: I must emphasize that this is an outsider's perspective, and while I've tried to be as fair and objective as possible, I'll admit that I can be wrong. Please don't hesitate to tell me so, but I'd ask that you might give me some idea why.

Thank you for your patience.