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How Many Of You Hate America?
The common view of things is often different from the reality. They can be twisted, beautiful images that shield us from the truth. Sometimes people should think of it not as a shield, but as a blindfold. Because a world superpower is taking steps too far. By consuming more fossil fuels than is necessary, by standing still and making no military progression when it was needed, and by waging war on a country and attacking soldier and civilians over a mere dispute for oil. This “great” country, is America.
Many people look to America and sigh with envy at “the American Dream” . However, that dream cannot last long, while America is guzzling up precious resources left on a rapidly crowding planet. These figures speak for themselves about the evident greed of America:
Coal > Production
531,822,000 ton
Coal consumption
1,060,000,000
Commercial energy use
8,148.38
Electric power consumption > kWh
3,920,613,000,000 kWh
Electricity > Consumption
3,892,000,000,000 kWh
Gasoline prices
0.77
Geothermal power use
5,640
Natural gas > Consumption
652,900,000,000 cu m
Natural Gasoline > Production
12,275,000 ton
Nuclear electricity generation
780.1 terawatt-hours
Nuclear energy consumption
821.1 terawatt-hours
Nuclear reactors operable
104
Oil > Consumption
20,680,000 bbl/day
Oil > Exports
1,165,000 bbl/day
Oil > Production
8,457,000 bbl/day
Oil imports > Net
10,400,000 barrels per day
Oil reserves
22,450,000,000 barrels
Usage per person
8.35 TOE per person
Wall plugs > Voltage
110 V
Wind energy installation
6,740 MW
These crimes are forgivable, as other nations are guilty of many similar crimes, such as Brazilians chopping down the Amazon. But global warming is not the most important aspect that we can hold against America. America has extorted countries beyond the point of recovery. Equador, for example, was reduced to a poor scrabbling wreck once America dealt out loans to them. Now Equador only has 5% of its national budget to spend on public services, whilst the rest of the money goes into paying off foreign aid, almost all of which goes to America. Is this right? Is it fair that Americans can bully nations? Furthermore. America threatens, assasinates, and then goes to war with the presidents of countries who refused to run their countries as they like. The war with Iraq is a simple example. America wanted oil. Iran refused to give for no good reason. Why should we just let them do this to us? Us as a world?
Oh yes, because they have guns!
The U.S.A government is a trigger-happy collection of murderous power figures, They do so much to the world, and yet they have nuclear arms and their military to point at other nations, and say “give me your money!” They succeeded for so long due to pure fear, but now other countries have the chance to strike back. America doesn't have all the power anymore. A single grain of rice can tip a scale. Somehow, America has set in a system which everybody likes. A system where people don't think. Where they impulsively buy items that will break very soon. In America, only 10% of items bought for a house are kept for more than a month, and only 5% of those remain for 6 months. America designs products to be made so they break as soon as possible, but will still leave the client with faith in the product, enough so to buy themselves more.
But who benefits from this system?
The aristocrats do. Right up in their trees, lording over us. There are bankers who awarded themselves millions of dollars in bonuses whilst creating a recession that would cripple thousands of struggling individuals around the world. This doesn't cause stress for people living on government benefits, but for the people who are just above the poverty line. America makes those people struggle and work every day. It does so by enforcing a system where the elite (namely money-posessing) people take hold. Can nothing be done to create a fair and happy world?
Well, there is something you can do. You can be fair. You can be smart, and you can think before reaching for your credit card while watching an auction channel. You can PAUSE and WAIT before buying that “wonderful new shave”. We have to know our limitations, and stretch them. Whoever is reading this, YOU are the workforce. You are the people economically enslaved. There is hope. You can work together towards goals such as Project Venus, Save The Forests, Oil Conservation, and Fairtrade. These small lifestyle changes will help you sleep at night. How can we sleep after reading this, knowing that we are only here through the turmoil and suffering of potentially hundreds of other men, women and children.
When a child reaches to the future, who will have the heart to say, “we've used it up, son.”
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 392 comments.
About the article; it was well thought out and researched. I think the leaders of America need to take a second look at what is going on. And the people of America need to also. It's serious, and though the problems that will come of this if it continues may not meet us in our lifetime, it's creating a hassle for the people in the very near future.
Someone made a comment about "aristocrats" being "better" in terms of intelligence and so on. I find a flaw in this - so-called aristocrats for the most point these days are only able to get so far in life because of what they have inherited. It is their ancestors who have worked for their fortunes. Poor people who can work their way up in the world - these are the truly strong, intelligent people who set goals and succeed, never accpeting defeat. "Aristocrats" benefit from inheritance, if we are referring to true aristocrats. For me being born to a rich family does not define success. This is in response to Darr K.s comment by the way...sorry for ranting, I just get so worked up by people who feel they are entitled to everything just because another person fails to come up to their level :)
I beg you, look not only to this, my great country, but to others as well. China and India, for example, are just coming into their industrial age. If you want to talk about the wasting of resources, look there as well.
Now, I agree with you on this one. America is my home, so I love it for that reason straight off, but it's true: what the contry is doing to the planet is horrible. But not all Americans think or do what you suggest. I feel as though America is being streotyped. We care about the planet, too, although some people don't see in that light. I don't like what this contry is doing as a whole to the planet--or other contries, but not all Americans agree that we should be doing those things.
My advice to you as a writer--not as any other minority; as a writer--look at both sides of your story. Make sure you have all the facts.
To make things clearer: let's say you have a pie. And let's say you like ______ kind of pie, and your friend wants _______ kind of pie. You don't like your friend's kind of pie, and your friend doesn't like yours. So, you make half the pie you kind and half your friends' kind. When it's baked, you split it in half, so you and your friend each get your chosen halves. But you see your friends half, and you remember you REALLY don't like that kind of pie. You have your doubts on your own half pie. Do you still eat it?
But, I do see your point, and I think it's great that you stated your opinion. And: I hope that you don't see America as just and ONLY a big ball of grime and gas.