The Middle East…Close to Home?

This has been an interesting year in the Middle East with revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, Somalia, Libya and now Syria. Why are so many Middle Eastern countries rising up against their governments? What is going on? What do they have in common?


1) Wealthy, out of touch and politically elite governments?

2) Wide economic disparity between the haves and have nots?

3) Repressive leaders and political parties in power for years?

4) Poorly educated citizens?

5) High unemployment?

6) Controlled media full of propaganda?

7) Violence?

Could America be headed down the same path or are we perhaps already there? I wonder. Would Americans rise up here in this country like those other Middle Eastern countries now in violent revolt?

Well, just because we have wealthy, out of touch politicians in Washington, many owing their campaign funds to large corporations, banks and lobbyists, that is no indicator that America is going down the same path…is it? Sure, there are a lot of people out of work and losing their homes to foreclosure (thanks to many of those same powerful people), but every economy has its up and downs and people, corporations and big banks have a right to make a buck however they can, right? The wealthiest among us need to make obscene profits so they can run things for the rest of us, don’t they? It’s all about money, power and let’s not forget…control, right?

As far as repressive leaders and political parties…PLEASE! We live in a free and open society as Americans, don’t we? Political parties would never propose laws that would limit our pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, would they? Don’t women have the freedom to choose matters related to their reproduction and health? I mean like the IRS isn’t going to one day call them in and ask them how they paid for an abortion, are they? Librarians can lend any kind of books to anyone and not have to worry about some scary government agency looking over their shoulders, don’t you think? And as far as freedom of speech, can’t we talk about anything we want without being labeled a “terrorist” or “anti-American?” I mean nothing would happen to us if we decided to protest OUR government loudly in the streets, would it? We can travel anywhere in the world we want, as long as our names are not on the “No Fly List.” And while we are at it, our unions are still there to protect hard-won rights for American workers without any government threats at all, correct?

And then there is education in America. What’s the big deal if we have to make some cuts in education to solve our budget crisis? We have been falling behind other nations for years now when it comes to education. We don’t need well educated citizens in order to watch FOX (fair & balanced) News, attend Tea Party rallies or even get elected to office, do we? Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh have all the news and opinions these folks need to know to get by in the New Republican Tea Party World, don’t they? And besides, don’t you think that only the sons and daughters of the wealthy and the elite need to go to college anyway, since they will be running things in the future? Higher education should only be for those in charge of things, right?

There have also been a lot of shorts tied in knots over the cost of American healthcare and Social Security. Here’s the deal. We need to cut the deficit, right? When these programs are eliminated, the old and the sick will just die off when they cannot afford medical care or retirement, don’t you think? Perhaps this will do two things. It will save tons of money that will help pay off our national debt. There won’t be anyone around to stage violent protests calling for the downfall of our government since the leeches on our society will be sick, starving or dead. Problem solved…don’t you think?

And I was worried. LOL.

Food for THOUGHT…