OPINION & EDITORIAL
Proud to be an American
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Also by S. Kyle Pauly:
- Abusive lawsuits reflect on society (March 9, 2005)
- Squabbling over some numbers (February 4, 2005)
- Playing God with lives of innocents (December 7, 2004)
- Proud to be an American (November 16, 2004)
Related Stories:
- Turkey day trouble (November 20, 2003)
- Shelter from the storm (December 13, 2004)
- Ticketing ticket-holders (September 30, 2004)
- Badgering fans (November 19, 2004)
- Loss of Evans is worst of all (October 23, 2002)
by S. Kyle Pauly
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
So here we are again. The sky no longer stays lit past 5 p.m., the leaves are falling, the temperatures make our noses red, and all Badger football home games are over.
Fall has come upon us.
This means it will soon be winter, and along with winter comes chilly artic air and depressingly grey days. Yet, for some of us, this is the best season of the year because along with the cold comes snow, which is fun in so many ways. I know that not all agree with snow being super, and those of you who don’t probably came to or stayed in Wisconsin for a different reason: because the University of Wisconsin is one of the best colleges in the country.
Madison is consistently rated among the top schools in the country. Among all universities we’re rated 31st, and focusing just on public universities we’re rated seventh (U.S. News and World Report). Of course, let us not forget our No. 1 rating — the best college sports town in America (Sports Illustrated On Campus). These are some pretty impressive numbers and a few of the reasons we can and do walk around proud to be attending Madison. It seems a no-brainer to be proud of our school, but what about our country?
In the recent weeks, right along with the messy campaigns, people seemed to be more openly speaking their minds about all the horrible “atrocities” occurring in our country. The complaints have ranged from education to poverty and are probably mostly fueled by the ending of the election, but now it is time to start the uniting process. It is the parties’ strategies to create divisiveness, but this also creates much anger directed at fellow neighbors and citizens, and this is unhealthy and unproductive. There are much better ways to move a populace in a direction, and it is not through anger and hatred.
It’s time for all of us to stop taking our country for granted. We live in one of the best countries in the world. Of course we aren’t a perfect country; there isn’t such a thing, but when compared to most other countries, we are doing amazingly well for ourselves.
We have just completed a nonviolent election as an example that we all can be proud of — this is what democracy is all about: the right to choose our government freely without fear. People seem to forget this.
Most have reasonable access to good educational facilities, infrastructure, cultural events, museums and health care. Yes, the word “most” is used because there are some who are not included in this populace. When comparing ourselves even to our closest neighbor in the south, Mexico, however, our quality of life rates far superior. Our cost of living is reasonable considering what we have invested in our country regarding the social as well as infrastructure programs that provide us with an excellent quality of life. It is important that we remember all of these things.
As a student, you are most likely living in some sort of decent accommodations. Sure, a six-by-eight-foot dorm room may not seem like home, but it keeps you warm, and there is food readily available. The fact that you have food and shelter and are receiving one of the best educations in the country should make you feel proud to be a U.S. citizen.
Yet, I know some of you will still not be satisfied and continue to roll your eyes, while pondering how inhumane the United States is. You’re probably thinking of our homeless. Yes, it is sad that we have homeless, but our levels of homelessness pale in comparison to many other countries. We have numerous shelters and food kitchens running, and there are always fundraisers to help create more. In other countries — Costa Rica for example — what we consider homeless wouldn’t even be given a second thought. Barrios are commonplace, people live on dirt floors, have no running water and only a piece of tin to cover their heads. In fact, a citizen of Costa Rica commented that he had stayed in a jail in the United States for a month and didn’t want to leave because it was so much nicer than his “home” in Costa Rica.
Also, our public school systems here are rock-solid in comparison to others. In Costa Rica you could not get an education without attending private school. The children who went to public schools, even at older ages such as 12, often could not read or write past a typical second grade level.
This is poverty. The United States of America does not know poverty like so many other countries. So yes, while it may seem easy to bash the United States for all its so-called problems, remember the countries out there that truly are struggling, and for once, take pride in the United States, even if you don’t agree with all it portrays.
It is easy to sit in our rooms and complain, taking all we have for granted, but remember it is the country you insult that allows you this freedom. Please continue to have your discussions, for it is important that we continually reevaluate our country’s standings. When doing so, however, do not forget all that our country already does offer.
So the next time you begin to rant, ask yourself: are your comments building or breaking down our country?
S. Kyle Pauly (spauly@badgerherald.com) is a pre-med sophomore majoring in biology.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 7:24am):
S., do remember that there are people in this country who are starving to death whil conservatives like you pretend that everything is still OK when compared to other countries. Just because we are comparatively better off doesn't mean we have the luxury of ignoring whatever problems we have here.
Don't you think it's absurd that the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world can't even build affordable housing for its poor citizens? Or that it's schools churn out one functional illiterate after another? Or that our health care system is the most poorly-run system in the West?
When I was in college over 23 years ago, I went to class with kids whose parents grew up in the Depression, who had to do with a lot o luxuries many take for granted today. Those parents sacrificed quite a bit to put their kids through college. Then Junior and Princess pissed it all away by partying their guts out their whole freshman year, only to flunk out at the end. Why did I bring them up? Because they are the ones with the same asinine mentality you have. Pretty Bizarre, huh?
It's easy to see it the way you do, since you are obviously a rich kid yourself. You should also know that there aren't as many rich kids these days. Just because we're better off than most other countries doesn't mean we'll stay better off forever.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 12:58pm):
In regard to that beautifully written first comment:
So let's see. If you graduated 23 years ago, that would make you about 45, give or take. Now, instead of stating your own opinion, you take every opportunity to make backhanded comments and spit insults at the author. What does that solve? What is the purpose of your comments? Are they to try to sway her opinion and "make her see the light?" Were they made so you can look cool in front of your buddies? Or were they just made out of spiteful anger?
For supposedly being 45, you still have a lot of growing up to do.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 1:08pm):
I agree that anger and hatred are not going to solve the problems illuminated by this election. I, for one, think people need to learn to reason, with an awareness that other people exist and have validity as individuals.
On the other hand, to say, "Hey, at least we're better off than Costa Rica!" is simplistic, and fails to acknowledge a number of things.
One, plenty of other countries are doing quite well, have good, universally available education and healthcare, and, significantly, are not reviled my most of the rest of the world.
Then there's the consideration that a good many countries, such as Costa Rica and most of Central and South America, would likely be doing better now if not for the brutal interference of the US, particularly through our indefensible actions during the Reagan era.
One more consideration -- though more could be raised -- is the appalling culture of consumption and waste we have in this country. If the world as a whole created waste and pollution at the rate, per capita, that the US does, ain't no one'd be happy.
Just some fuel for thought.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 1:45pm):
It's not so much the fact that we have all these problems that angers so many, it's knowing that we have the resources to alleviate a lot of suffering, but we chose not to, chosing instead to believe that it's the fault of the sufferer. All countries have problems, but the richest and most powerful country in the world should be able to deal with these problems must more effectively.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 1:51pm):
"Now, instead of stating your own opinion, you take every opportunity to make backhanded comments and spit insults at the author."
Insults? Backhanded comments? Nope, sounds to me like the guy has a pretty solid point. Ms. Pauly's opinion is the same old pap that conservatives have been using for years as an attempt to downplay what ails the US, just to try to get out of having to fix things, whether it's the economy, poverty, unemployment, the environment or health care.
Maybe he seems too liberal for your tastes, but there's nothing wrong with that. No, the guy's just older and wiser. He's been around the block a few more times, so you might want to listen.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 2:01pm):
"For supposedly being 45, you still have a lot of growing up to do."
First of all, the author of the first comment was not insulting anyone, at least not anyone who didn't deserve to be insulted. This person sounds pretty grown up to me. It is you and S. Pauly who has a lot of learning to do.
Historically, the gung-ho patriots have relied on the argument she uses to shore up the damage they cause to the infrastructure of our great nation. Just because we are better off than most other countries does not mean we can cut ourselves slack. We have been doing that for far too long. It is time to face a few realities: as a nation we're holding our own, but if we continue to ignore the problems we have, they will become totally unmanageable later on. Then what?
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 2:49pm):
"The United States of America does not know poverty like so many other countries."
this is just wrong on so many levels.
first, there are indeed people in this country living in third world conditions. maybe there's fewer of them proportionately compared to other countries, but there's still far too many, and probably far more than you think.
secondly, why should we compare ourselves to some impoverished country and say "look how much better off we are," rather than compare ourselves to an ideal and say "look how much work we still have to do?" NOT being costa rica isn't enough. on top of that, we should be thinking globally anyway, asking questions like "why are people in costa rica or mali or iceland or wherever impoversihed?"
finally, in more of a general sense, why should we NEED to be proud of our country? is it not enough to ACKNOWLEDGE the good AND the bad and create a sensible picture of what we are? sure the u.s. may be a more free society than some other places, but that doesn't mean that the good then magically cancels out things like the genocide of the native americans, slavery, atrocities in latin america, vietnam, current immense gaps between the rich and poor, racism and all the other things that do indeed tarnish our record, so to speak.
"negative comments," as you say, about this country are not tearing down the country. it's precisely the opposite. if we want things to get better, we have to recognize the ills before we can solve them.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 2:52pm):
"Are they to try to sway her opinion and "make her see the light?" Were they made so you can look cool in front of your buddies? Or were they just made out of spiteful anger?"
Hey, it's not like the man was picking on a poor little innocent girl! Did he threaten to steal her lunch money? Tie her hair in knots? C'mon, stop acting like he's being a bully. He's not! Ever stop to think that maybe Little Miss Pauly has been brainwashed by her parents? It's called reality, and it ain't always pretty.
The girl is an adult now. She needs to stop living in a fantasy world.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 2:55pm):
It is interesting that most of the comments posted in regards to S. Pauly's articles refer to the first comment of the man who claims to have graduated college 23 years ago. My problem with his comments revolve around the fact that most of what he brings up are explained in her article. She said that the US isnt' great, but that its doing well, maybe she just wants us to focus for a moment on all the good we have, instead of constently making negative comments. Its ok to take a breather from negativeness, and for a second be thankful. Also to that 45 year old, do you think its right to assume she is like all other college kids you seem to know? School has changed in the last 23 years, its a lot more competetive and many kids aren't throwing it away on alcohol. Maybe its time to do your research. In regards to the last comment "First of all, the author of the first comment was not insulting anyone, at least not anyone who didn't deserve to be insulted", why does anyone deserve to be personally insulted for a different viewpoint?
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 3:06pm):
"Its ok to take a breather from negativeness, and for a second be thankful."
Well, it's easy to take a breather if you're well-off, but for someone who is down and out due to a layoff, an injury, etc., there's no such thing as a breather, pal. Pauly's ignorance is just adding insult to injury. The fact that there are people in this country who would rather pretend they're in Disneyland while the country is slowly going to Hell is enough to make anyone want to throttle Mickey Mouse.
"why does anyone deserve to be personally insulted for a different viewpoint?"
Different viewpoint? I prefer to think of it as blatant ignorance. Go Zip-a-dee-do-dah somewhere else, why don't ya?!
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 3:20pm):
"the country is slowly going to Hell"
if you really think its that bad, maybe you should get off your butt and do something about it. It's really easier to sit and ridicule others than to actually go out and make progress isn't it?
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 3:26pm):
Folks, if S. Kyle Pauly is just sooo vulnerable, then maybe she should just write poetry instead. I 've been homeless before and I find her ignorance to be more insulting than anything the 45-yr-old said about her. Dammit, that's one man who knows from experience! This guy lived through eight years of Reaganomics and has seen the consequences that fairytail attitudes like hers can have when applied to domestic social/economic policy-making.
You are not in Kindergarten anymore, kids. You are in the real world. Before you run home crying to mommy, stop and think about how much mommy is having to struggle financially to raise you, thanks to conservative ideas.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 3:26pm):
Thanks for a nice, reasonable column. It was refreshing.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 3:30pm):
"if you really think its that bad, maybe you should get off your butt and do something about it."
I do. Besides volunteer work, donating blood, and making charitable contributions whenever possible, I rag on idiots like you who obviously don't do anything constructive for the country at all. Get off YOUR butt and do something decent for once!
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 4:15pm):
Hey guys, like i think you are all missing the point. The point of her article is not to say America's problems are miniscule and that we should not worry about them... The point was more to say, hey look, America is a pretty great country, we do have problems, but lets not forget how well off we are compared to the rest of the world. I mean, all of you raise nice points about how these problems exist and need to be fixed, but i dont think that the author is at all claiming that America's problems needn't be fixed. To me, this was merely an article to remind us of our great country, of which we should be proud to be a citizen.
Anyway...did everyone hear about our great leaders calling up civilians who used to be in the army for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan? Yep, they are calling 47 year olds who used to be in the army but are now civilians to fight in Iraq b/c we are out of reservists...Oh yeah #1 Military in the world!!!
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 4:42pm):
"I mean, all of you raise nice points about how these problems exist and need to be fixed, but i dont think that the author is at all claiming that America's problems needn't be fixed."
No, she just tells us to be glad that our problems aren't as bad as other countries. She doesn't say anything about actually making an effort to fix the problems we have, or for that matter, why we should even bother.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 5:01pm):
Now, to actually try and respond to the article...
I think Kyle's article is well-intended; in today's post-election world there is so much after-shock negativity that we all fail to take a step back and realize that yes, we live in a great country.
That being said, as one of those people who I suppose "complains" about the state of the U.S., I cannot help but feel that this column is somewhat of a rip on those who exercise dissention and attempt to clean up the many messes that still remain.
There is so much to be praised in this country, but so much to be condemned. At a time when we are dropping bombs in the name of "promoting" our country and it's supposed overall "greatness", I would hope that we would have a much better country to promote that we currently do. With the power and money we have, it is ridiculous that so much suffering still exists in this nation.
It is people who have stood up and identifyed the problems of our society that have helped move our country forward to better days (well, not currently, but in general). What if civil rights activists of the 1960's had said, "Man, this is such a great country. I may get spit on, beaten, have to eat in the crummy restaurants and use the crummy bathrooms, but I am so much more privledged than those Costa Ricans."
We are witnessing the same kind of struggle today, through gay rights. Like the 1960's, I wouldn't call this a time to say that everything is great in our nation.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 5:08pm):
Kyle,
I think your comparison between the U.S. and Costa Rica is hilarious.
That's like saying that the Chicago Bears are the best football team in the league because they have a better record than the Miami Dolphins.
If, however, you compared their record to those of more quality teams (like the Packers) you would see that is not even close to the case.
Your analogy is especially ironic because, as the brilliant poster above noted, much of Costa Rica's sad state can be attributed to the actions of the U.S., especially in the 1980's.
Overall, I would say that your article is well-intended, but comes off as completely ignorant.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 5:32pm):
sure, maybe comparing the US to Costa Rica is a little optimistic, but maybe she's just trying to get at how bad we could be, and to be thankful for what we've got. I don't think her intentions were to say we're completely well off, just to say that we are alright, and for that we can be pleased.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 5:42pm):
"maybe she's just trying to get at how bad we could be, and to be thankful for what we've got."
Sounds like you're trying to tell us to shut up and quit complaining. Make us shut up! We'll keep on complaing until the problems that can be fixed ARE fixed!
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 6:33pm):
instead of complaining about it, why dont you work to fix it?
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 6:50pm):
We ARE working to fix it. First, we have to get rid of all the fat-f***s who are screwing up the country and replace them with leaders who have brains. Complaing is our way of telling them that they ain't makin' it. What exactly are YOU doing to fix anything? I'd really, honestly like to know.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 6:56pm):
its interesting you call them leaders without brains, when you resort to vulgarity to express your viewpoints, doesn't take much thinking to do that. I do what i can to help, volunteer; build houses for homeless, at pet shelters and at hospitals. so now you've said "we" are working to fix it, does this include you personally, or are you just including yourself in the group because its easier then personally making a difference?
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 8:42pm):
its interesting you call them leaders without "brains, when you resort to vulgarity to express your viewpoints, doesn't take much thinking to do that. I do what i can to help, volunteer; build houses for homeless, at pet shelters and at hospitals. so now you've said "we" are working to fix it, does this include you personally, or are you just including yourself in the group because its easier then personally making a difference?"
Can I meet you sometime? You sound like an interesting person.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 9:57pm):
yes, im looking for a girl/guy relationship...pretty much ill take anything/anyone
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 9:58pm):
sorry, meeting sounds a little nerve racking. I don't automatically trust random people, not saying that you aren't trust worthy, but they are some sick people out there. thanks for the offer though.
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 9:59pm):
cmon baby, please?
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 10:02pm):
listen perve, i'm not interested!
Anonymous (November 16, 2004 @ 11:43pm):
I volunteer, raise money for deserving kids to go to college, etc. This is simply my answer to the criteria to respond on this page...tough crowd.
I take umbrage with the first poster calling the author a rich girl...seemingly because she has a conservative viewpoint, she somehow comes from money, is ignorant, and gets her viewpoints from mommy and daddy. I wonder if the poster that made these assumptions didn't come from a left-leaning household...if so, would it be fair to assume that his/her ideas are just as unoriginal as the author's are assumed to be for the simple reason that he/she was brought up in a certain household culture?
There are educated, well-intentioned people in the world that simply hold a mostly conservative stance on most issues. It's not because they're ignorant or have never known what it's like to struggle (my dad was laid off for 8 months as soon as my sister was born - my parents had three kids under the age of 4 and neither one was working...I knew what it was to not have toys, go to McDonalds for my happy meal, etc...I couldn't even play baseball when I was 6 and 7 because my parents couldn't afford the $20 registration fee), they simply see a different means to the ends. Everyone wants to rid our nation of poverty, have adequate healthcare for all, etc. But conservatives would rather create and ownership society that feels empowered by their opportunities to create a good life for themselves rather than an entitlement society which looks to ride the coattails of that society's most successful citizens in order to acheive those ends. We are taught from a very young age that if you truly put your mind to it, nothing is impossible...I'm here to call out the liberals on this one. Put in the necessary effort to acheive your goals in life; don't rely on others to do the work for you.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 2:49am):
"I take umbrage with the first poster calling the author a rich girl...seemingly because she has a conservative viewpoint, she somehow comes from money, is ignorant, and gets her viewpoints from mommy and daddy."
Are you conservative? Me too! Let's get together sometime. Can my dad buy you a drink?
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 8:58am):
The 2nd to last comment is great, thank you! It is well thought out, respectable, and so very true. Yet, the following is from someone who obviously does not understand the issue at hand, so this person resorts to mockery. Obviously not all liberals are as ignorant as you, but you really aren't helping their case.
Anonymous (November 22, 2004 @ 3:49pm):
I enjoyed Kyle's article. It was a breath of fresh air. I think she's trying to say that can't we just step back and look at what we've got and be grateful for it instead of finding every possible flaw and blaming it on one another? We live in a great country, and for those of you who don't agree with the way our country is, why dont you move? If there were less of you then i think slowly our country would come together and fix the flaws that the rest of you try finding.
Anonymous (November 22, 2004 @ 3:50pm):
I enjoyed Kyle's article. It was a breath of fresh air. I think she's trying to say that can't we just step back and look at what we've got and be grateful for it instead of finding every possible flaw and blaming it on one another? We live in a great country, and for those of you who don't agree with the way our country is, why dont you move? If there were less of you then i think slowly our country would come together and fix the flaws that the rest of you try finding.
