America the Miserable

I heard this article recently on NPR and thought that it was more than worth discussing. America the Miserable by Patrick Allitt, talks about the decline and fall of our American "can do" attitude. It is a pretty interesting look at our country's collectice psyche and how much we have changed as Americans since the Second World War.

I beleive he is definately onto the obvious here, America has lost its "Can Do!" spirit which we once held is such high reguard. What has replaced this feeling? Allitt says we are a nation of cynics and malcontented individuals, pessemistic of our country and living in perpetual fear of "them". I can definatley say I agree. We are ruled by CNN news breifs about the latest terror assesment level, and are content to argue silly indifferences while the country collapses instead of save ourselves. So what is our new attitude?

I think we could call the new American perspective "Can Do Someday". We are prone, these days, to say we can do something about a problem but we will do it someday soon. Healthcare reform? Sure lets debate it to death and come up with a solution that we can someday put into law. Energy reform? Awesome lets have the alternative energy companies, car makers, and fossil fuel decryers argue about it indefinately the market will give us a sustainable answer someday soon. Joblessness? OK! Lets give companies all sorts of money to pump into their economic lifesupport machines so they can take out their corperate bonuses and be happy so they will hire new people someday next quarter or maybe in a fiscal year from now. Global Warming or Climate Change? Nah that isn't even a real thing! Washington had snow! So did Texas! It might happen someday but it wont happen today so we don't have to care.

Yes we have become a nation of off putters. Giving out problems to the next generation so the modern bourgeoisie can enjoy their SUV's and cable television, anyone want some chocolate covered strawberry's? They are perfect to forget about these cold winters! Yes lets revel in our greed and excess because we don't have to worry about it someone will fix our problems, someday.

What do you think? Do you agree with Allitt? What do you think about my ideas? Have something different? Lets hear it! I would love this one to become a debate!