Just One Voice

A number of years ago, Barry Manilow had a great song titled 'One Voice.' I forget all the lyrics, but by the end of the song it was a chorus of Barry's singing the song.

That's what I'm looking for right now.....a few people who care about this country, who truly love it and realize that it is unique in the history of humanity. We are very fortunate to be born into a society that allows individuals to change their social status. It doesn't matter who you are here - it you have an idea, the drive, the ambition, and are willing to work hard at achieving your dreams - you will be successful. No one gives you a leg up...you have to make your own luck.

Earlier today, an old friend sent me one of those chain letter emails that promised luck to you, but only if you sent it out to 20 people. While I'm happy there isn't any postage involved in email, I refuse to clog up my friends email boxes with this sort of trash. You don't get lucky by forwarding useless megapixels - you get luck by touching peoples souls, letting them know they are special, and they count for something in the huge world. We are all connected to each other, every last one of us. We can reach out to the world and let them know that the United States is comprised of people from all over the earth, who generally get along with one another. Are we perfect as a society? No, but we are always looking to improve and right the wrongs.

We all seem to be born with a dire need to make the world like us - both in the affinitive sense and the duplicate sense. In reality, the majority of the world doesn't want our input. They have a 'do NOT forward that good luck chain letter to me' attitude, and who can blame them. We're the new country on the block; we're the upstart. We're the nouveau riche invading the socially stratified country club, threatening to upset world order with our ideas of equality - it's no wonder that we are ostracized in the U.N. We're dangerous to those people whose power is derived from subjugating the masses.

The left unfairly criticizes our country because they want to appear intelligent and in with the international set, but in reality - the international set is only interested in protecting their position at the top of the social heap in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere.

I don't doubt that people on the left and right care about the poor of the world, but we've got to make sure our international efforts and dollars go towards increasing opportunities for the poor - education, clean water, jobs, stable family units, and giving them a voice in their communities. This isn't going to happen when people are stuck in an artificial class system.

Every year the U.S. hands out billions in aid to countries. If we are truly interested in making the world a better place, we have to spend those dollars wisely. We have to be aware of cultures, people, and their relationships to their environments. In Africa, we have people living in conditions only a camel would like, but these people survive because they have adapted to the environment. Coming in with foodstuffs and creating artificial villages surrounding distribution centers is NOT the answer. Stopping the nomadic way of life kills the nomads! The answer lies in breeding disease resistant camels and livestock, pest control, and minimal irrigation for areas hit hardest by drought. Well meaning humanitarians shouldn't apply Western bandages to a problem - we should look for a solution WITH IN the culture of those in need. These intelligent, and beautiful native people achieved a balance with nature eons ago - we have to listen to the voices of their forefathers! They have an abundance of native wisdom that we have yet to tap!

And, more in line with Barry Farber's recent column, the U.S. has to examine where our foreign aid dollars are going. Our role has got to change - we no longer have the excuse of the Soviets and the Red Scare. Communism rots a country from the inside out, as does fascism, totalitarianism, and dictatorships. These institutions are inflexible, rigid, and bound to fail with time because leaders of these types of societies are consumed with greed AND not easily replaced. It's time for countries to take an interest in protecting themselves, which they can do far better than us. If those that would destroy democracy and freedom are hidden in a country, who better than nationals to ferret them out! We should offer logistical support, but let others control the tactical elements.

If we carefully target areas that we can improve through technology and cultural awareness (our inherent national strengths), we can save millions of dollars...appear less like the nouveau riche...improve the world...and reduce our tax burden.

Your opinion counts...and you probably have part of the answer. We don't have to necessarily agree on all issues - but a keen interest in reducing foreign aid to countries that should be handling costs internally is imperative.

Who out there in blogland is looking to make a bit of luck and change the world for the better?

Check out Barry's latest column and feel free to comment.


http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/3/19/191743.shtml