We Cannot Stop the American People From Behaving Like Americans

-Frankenstein Government

"We are a country addicted to convenience. When you think about it, everything that is convenient to eat is unhealthy." Think buffets. Think packaged carbs. Think fat ass America. When I was a kid, it was actually rare to see obese people. Really.

Yesterday, I had one of those thought provoking conversations with a trainer at the Y. We were talking about the fat epidemic and the decline of America in general.

It all started with fat.

Let me ask you a simple question. Are you proud of what America stands for? And just what is that- by the way?

Is it perspective, opinion? If I say we have turned into a nation of self absorbed and superficial narcissists- is that generally accurate? Have we lost our sense of community? Are we a nation of self centered ego maniacs trying to prove we are better than others to the point of exploitation? Are we angry and impatient? Do we look for the quick fix? Are we spiritually sick?

Are we a nation of addicts? Food, beer and alcohol, legal and illegal drugs, caffeine, tobacco, addicted to entertainment and sex, anything to change the way we feel about ourselves? Is that why ever idiot on the planet has a pacifier an Iphone, something to entertain themselves with? Are we addicted to feeling good?

Probably. Are the good old days ahead of us? I don't think so.

For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I am no longer proud to be an American. I talk to people who while traveling to foreign lands, now claim to be from Canada. What does that tell you? Are we having a little national shame and guilt?

The problem I have, that we have, is that we cannot stop Americans from behaving like Americans. We have lost whatever identity we once had which I think, used to be pretty good. We have become a nation addicted to convenience and with distracting entertaining ourselves because we just don't like who we have become. We are superficial and lazy. We scan headlines. If it can't be absorbed in a second or two- we instantly move on to something else. I don't know how all of this changes. I don't know if it can be stopped or reversed. This much I know for sure. I don't like it- I don't like being exploited- but to the extent that all of this is beyond my control, I must find a way to practice acceptance. I need an individual solution for what I believe is a national epidemic.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am headed to the Y for 60 minutes of sheer agony. My war with the last twenty pounds continues. Maybe I will see that trainer today. We should talk about something else.