Too Busy Being ..... to be an American
Too many people in the U.S. are too busy to be Americans these days.
People are too busy being liberals or conservatives or libertarians or progressives or socialists or ..... to simply be Americans.
People are too busy being African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans or ..... to simply be Americans.
People are too busy being Democrats or Republicans or Independents or Libertarians or Green Party or Socialist Party or Communist Party or .... to simply be Americans.
People are too busy being Pro Gay Rights or Pro Women's Rights or Pro Minority Rights or Pro Immigrant Rights or .... to simply be Pro America.
People are too busy being populist or capitalist or global citizens or isolationists or .... to simply be Americans.
People are too busy being Pro Union or Pro Right to Work or Pro Workers or Pro Business or .... to simply be Pro America.
People are too busy being right about everything in their own mindsto entertain the thought that maybe they are wrong about a lot of things.
People are to busy ......
And that is what is really wrong with the U.S.
Egilman
Appreciate the perspective.
When people isolate themselves into groups, they become less relevant rather than more relevant in my view.
9-11 was a long time ago - there is less and less indication "merely" Americans as the self identifying divisions are much more important to people than the fact that they are citizens of the greatest country in the world.
Again thanks for the perspective and insight
I would offer that the nation was founded not on our "divisions", but rather the ability of a free people to celebrate and embrace differences of its citizens as they came together as "one" nation
We are a great nation - not as good as we have been, not as good as we should be, but still better than all the others.
I doubt that the "fall of the U.S." as a great nation is actually the intent of the administration - a convergence of events, social, political and economic here and around the world have played out that diminished the statute of the U.S>. in the eyes of some. But not in mine.
I also note that everyone in the world still turns to us for problem solution, money and support in times of woe.
As more and more baby boomers retire and young people call Binder and Binder and sign up for disability they will have more free time on their hands to bicker on internet forums.
Please limit comments to the topic at hand - the phenomena of sub group labeling being more important to people than just being an American
Not interested in tangents
This country was founded on the idea of freedom.
Freedom of religion. Freedom to possess land. Freedom to pursue a business. We have always been a nation of people who were busy trying to achieve these things and many other. We are a nation of people of many, made into one, with these common desires. That is what binds us as Americans.
I really don't think that most Americans forget that they are Americans. I think that politicians and those who follow them, try to make these divides. They say, "You are NOT an American if you believe this.. or that" and this is what tears apart a country that was founded on the idea that from many, we make one.
Just ask Lady Liberty. She would agree with me.
Perrie
Thanks for the perspective
The situation you describe is the "how it should be", and what I and millions of others want it to be, but the reality is that many people identify themselves by sub group first and foremost, be that grouping by race, creed, religion, soci0-economic status or whatever.
In my view, if "we the people" strongly believed and walked the walk as you portray the idea of "an American first", we would have a much more inclusive and accepting society than we do.
Thanks again for the feedback and perspective
Some people who protest are advocating for the whole, but many groups are advocating for the interests of their group above others which is the point of the article.
So to answer your question 0 some are and some are not.
The article is about the fading national identity and I do not want it to fade into another income equality shouting match, if you please.
Thanks
My blog, my topic and my decision on what is on topic
Similar to a private group situation
Concise, accurate and clear explanation of the point of the article.
Thanks you
I agree that most people are "too busy"... and that busyness does cause many problems... but I believe it is intransigence that is the root cause of the problems of which you speak...
It is very possible to be pro this and that, and also be an American...
It is very possible for each of us to express the many differing ideals we have, and also be an American...
I believe one of the most fundamentally important qualities that has made America a strong country is the willingness to understand and accept those among us who are different from ourselves... It is uniting... in spite of our differences... that makes America great!
From many... One... Indeed! Unity... comes about only with COMPROMISE!!!
MalamuteMan
Excellent points, thanks for sharing your perspective.
My view is that we should all be Americans first and then whatever other sub-groupings that we wish to proclaim our association to.
Again thanks for the perspective
I am a person of faith, but when I describe myself I am an American above all else.