The Bursting Bubble

As we are all much to aware I am sure, the American economy and many economies all over the world are facing more than a bit of madness right now. Teetering on the brink of who knows what, prices rising & falling, and surely more funny money being printed as I type, who knows exactly what the future might hold. Will be bounce back? Is a many years long depression in our future? Is this the end of America's decades long spending spree? No matter what this rapidly unfolding future may hold, I think it is very clear that America is getting the nasty slap in the face that she has long deserved and that life may be changing for many of us.

For quite some time, Americans have enjoyed living in the most decadent, wasteful, spoiled, and frivolous society that has ever walked the earth. All of us common folk have luxuries and creature comforts that even world leaders in the past could only dream of--hot water on demand, reliable refrigeration, miles of food already made for us whenever we want it, heaps of clothing and other goods, and medical care to solve nearly any problem--even those brought on by our richy-rich diets and disturbing dependence on oil for even the shortest driving distance. Many of our first world, rich, European, Asian, and Australian counterparts do not even enjoy the sick amount of "stuff" that Americans do. And most of our "essentials" have come at a high price--whether this is taking place currently (sweatshops) or left a dirty legacy on our nation's past (slavery).

The effects of our decadence and splendor have permeated much of our thoughts, including how we strive to tackle social problems, both domestic and around the globe. We've come to see our middle class USA way of life as the only way and attempt to import these values to societies where they simply cannot work. Many times, during discussions of food shortages, famine, and hunger, I have heard it uttered, "if only they would stop worshiping cows, then they wouldn't be hungry" as if this were a good excuse not to care about starving folks in India, Pakistan, or wherever the case may be. Never does the thought that a meat heavy diet is *luxurious* enter the speaker's mind. They never seem to realize that Americans can afford all their meat due to animal abuse, sick farming practices that produce heaps of pollution, and giving lots & lots of grains that could be feeding humans to the cows--all to wind up with an unhealthy product in the end. Such practices in a starving largely vegetarian nation would not work, but result in even more hunger very quickly. The solution of feed lots and even grazing on grass on a responsible farm can come because America has the space and arrogance to pull off such feats, not because we've made the "correct" choices to provide food for all of our citizens.

From our meat & potatoes every night to our closets bursting full of clothes and shoes, the lifestyle we live in America is *not* normal one bit. If every person on the face of the earth wasted & lived as does the average America, we would all be in big trouble very quickly. Most of the world eats a diet based on whole grains and legumes, supplementing with local fruits & veggies, wild meats & fish, and dairy from a few domesticated animals---oftentimes goats. Most of the world does not own two cars--instead public transit, animals, bikes, and the amazing invention known as two feet are used to travel over distances long and short. The nuclear family set up in America is not the norm and oftentimes several generations live under one roof--one that is far smaller in space than the typical one family American style home. Most nations, including the rest of the West, do not have the space to build out and over, but up and down. They do not have the space necessary to support the "American Dream."

Now with the bubble of arrogance and the One Right Way to Live bursting, I can't help but wonder how the future might look here in the States. For all the moaning and complaining of the systems of government in much of the developed world, for all the love of privacy in America, for the value we place on yesteryear, I can't help but wonder if it's time to drastically rethink the "American Dream." The high taxations in other countries might be a bummer, but they have also brought decent public transit & walkable communities that leave people paying *much* less for transportation costs and having true independence for choices on such matters. Health care programs exist to help prevent outbreaks of flu & other serious highly contagious illness as even those in poverty receive adequate care before problems occur, infecting entire communities. Lovely parks exist in some places, where food gardens can be grown & the community can come together rather than congregating in the shopping mall ala the USA. World class museums have been built where history can be showcased and preserved for generations to come. Parental & family leave that rivals America's tenfold and vacation time to give workers time with their families and leave them more refreshed, and giving them options when tragedy arises. And all of this on top of the rich histories, culture, and culinary legacies that many of these nations already can pride themselves on.

In the less developed world, where the nuclear family is not the norm, there are not lonely stay-at-home moms lacking in contact with adults every day, left to care for children alone even when sick, single handedly tending to the home fires day after day. There are not elderly folks dying in the cold because nobody was around to check on them. Differing generations are not separated into odd little groups that never cross paths. Instead, wisdom, work, resources, and care can be shared by several generations throughout the day, every day. Grandmas can rock babies to sleep, aunts can help cook nourishing meals, and children can be woven right into the family tapestry as they grow and learn amongst those who hold them dear. Another fine example of a safety net that most Americans simply do not have.

I am not saying any of this because I hate America, support heavy taxation, or find the thought of giving up privacy to live with others to be without problem, instead I ponder these thoughts as sometimes it seems people become wrapped up in fervent patriotism and cannot see past the many flaws in this country. In America, we are indeed lacking in community--in the form of nearby family, beloved friends & neighbors we actually know, a true culture & history that we all embrace & share, and strong civic activities to allow us as small little people to help our communities and provide a safety net *before* the government needs to step in. There is a special sort of loneliness in America, or so it often seems, as our culture is very passionate about our false sense of independence, stand on my own two feet stubbornness, and individuality through consumerism. I can't help but wonder if this loneliness will become all the greater as hard economic times might unfold.

So many problems of poverty and bad times can be alleviated by the simpleness of extending our hands in community. We can knock on the door of the elderly neighbor to be sure they are warm enough, to be sure they are not ill, to be sure they are alive even, especially in the extreme cold. We can invite friends or neighbors over for a meal & adequate heat when we know their funds might be tight. We can tend a garden in a friend's backyard, can and dry our harvest together, and split a bulk meat purchase from a local farm. Community gardens can be begun with a little work and word of mouth. Elderly folks can be "adopted" and treated as family, teaching us and our children the life lessons they have learned. People can work together to build a new park or make an existing one better. Carpooling, sharing our home libraries, bartering, sharing...there are so many ways we can enrich our lives, even in the face of great need, if we take the time to brainstorm now, use our creativity, and step out a bit from the typical American way of living life. Knit together rich community now, before such a blessing might be so desperately needed. Yes, we might feel odd. Yes, our offers and ideas might get turned down, but trying is better than nothing. And maybe, just maybe, if we swallow our American pride, we might just build a better sort of life.

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