Evolution of America

(originally published in the 11/2003 issue of The Edge newspaper)

Patriotism is something to be applauded and I very much agree with the fact that Saddam Hussein needs to be ousted for the good of the world. However, for the American people to blindly believe the two-dimensional reasons we are being given for the "war on terrorism" by our government, we would have to be naive.

This country has tread on very dangerous ground. Americans comprise 6 percent of the world's population but use 36 percent of the world's resources. The events of the past few years have been horrific and inexcusable, but along with pursuing the perpetrators we should consider these events as a wake-up call. We've been forcefully dragged into a horrible reality that the rest of the world has been dealing with upwards of two decades now.

For our great country to survive we must grow to the next stage of our evolution. To grow out of our "adolescence" as a country, where we perform on the world stage with little consideration of anyone else to "adulthood," where we're mindful of the suffering and needs of the rest of the planet. As a nation, we're in a great position right now and the rest of the world is watching, breathless in anticipation. Dig deep; don't always take things at face value for the decisions that are being made now in our behalf will shape our children's destinies.

I'm by no means suggesting that our success is something we should be ashamed of. We are lucky to live in the greatest nation on Earth, but I'm a firm believer that with this privilege comes great responsibility. For great people or great countries to continue their greatness, they must continually examine their strengths and weaknesses, work on these weaknesses and evolve. Our growth-based economy or "model for success" that once made sense and worked so flawlessly should be thoroughly re-examined. This system is based on the American consumer continually buying stuff we don't really need and paying for most of this stuff we don't need with money we don't have (the average American household is $8,000 in credit card debt). An economic system based on insatiable materialism for its health is mathematically set-up for failure.

After close inspection, if the most intelligent among us agree that it's wise to continue a system in which our very survival is based on perpetual growth, so be it. To a simple person like me, it just doesn't make sense anymore. When you examine the facts, this wonderful planet we live on has finite resources. At some point this exponential growth will have to level off and at least become sustainable. Most global conflicts of the last hundred years at the root level have been about financial interests. At its root level this current conflict is no different.

Should we fight terrorists who are bent on using violence to try to destroy us? Of course! But to endanger our children's lives for greater control of an energy source (oil) that's outdated to fuel an economic system that isn't sustainable, no way. For the sake of our futures it's time to look forward instead of suckling at the dinosaur's teat. This has nothing to do with partisan politics and everything to do with the future of humanity. Luckily, we still have time; it's not too late.