Passport Part II

Why don't Americans own passports? Only 20% of Americans have them. This is compared with 40% of Canadians, 64% of Brits and 90 % of Germans.

The usual exuse of Americans for not traveling is that there are so many wonderful things to do and see in the 50 states that there is no reason to ever leave. And when Americans do leave they rarely make it past Puerto Vallarta. That trip to Mexico is just about as much as their fear filled ticker can take. They obsess over drinking nothing but bottled water and never stray from their gringo catering hotel villages.

We have been poisoned by American propiganda that our country is the only safe and worthwile place in the world. We believe that all other nationalities pine for our life, for just one chance to come to the wonderful land of red white and blue. But what is going so well here?

The middle class is dissapearing, the gap between rich and poor continues to grow, our country is in debt, unemployment rates are up, the dollar is on par with the canadian dollar, uthe housing market is in a slump, young college graduates owe 100,000 dollar loans with high interest rates but can't find a good job to pay them off, lets face it, we're in a recession.

I can't stop myself but to go into the war and our unfounded hatred of all middle eastern, arabic and muslim people. We want to say that we are not a racist people but we put a little astrik next to all who beleve in islam. What's worse is that most Americans can't even tell the difference between a Hindu Indian and a Muslim Arab. Our ignorance is deafening! Those of you who would like to continue wars in the middle east please at least figure out how to find these countries on a map!!! We've spent 572 billion dollars on the war last year, thats eight times what we spent on education. The average American paid $1800 dollars toward it. Don't tell me I don't care about soldiers. They are heroes. Many come from low income homes, have their service time extended, don't get the treatment they deserve when they come home and make multiple tours in a short period of time. The average army private in combat makes $25,942 compared with the average income $9,095,756 of a military contractor CEO. No, I do not give a shit about Robert Stevens, he can suck my big toe. I can't believe that there are now talks of a possible war with Iran. How long must this go on?

Now that everyone is all fired up and pissed at me.... I just wish that my people would take their heads out of the sand, we are not ostriches. Americans are wonderful people, some of the kindest, most interesting, entertaining, creative and diverse people in the world. I love the United States and many of the things and places in it. I meet many travelers who hate their own country but I'm not one of them. I just wish Americans would get out of their comfort zone and throw away the fear and see that the world is actually a exciting, warm and welcoming place. That things do not begin and end "from sea to shining sea" but extend much further.