Okay, I'm tired and I'm not going to take it anymore.
Where have I heard that? Oh, yeah. "Network". Wonderful movie. Everyone should watch it at least once.
The protests-turned-riots in Venezuela today made me sick. I've noticed that when it comes to taking our money, countries are only too eager to hold out their hand over and over again, expecting the US to bail them out of whatever problem they've gotten into, whether it be a tsunami or typhoon or earthquake - but they seem to believe that means they can tell us what to do.
Funny, seems to me that it should be the other way 'round. Not that I'm advocating the US telling anyone how to run their country in return for money - but I'm just tired of people begging us for help, and then slapping our face the first moment they have a chance. Then they still expect us to be there whenever there's trouble.
Maybe what we need to do is start saying "no" to some of these countries when they come begging. Remind them about the protests in which their citizens burned our flag and our leaders in effigy. Remove our soldiers from their land if there are any there and put them somewhere that they will be welcomed.
Let them see how quickly other countries take advantage of their absence. Let them find someone else's pockets to pick while they are stabbing them in the back.
I know it sounds harsh - and I know that the UN would scream at the idea of leaving some third world country to their own devices when a disaster strikes. "But you simply must help them!" the UN will cry. "You have a responsibility to the world!"
Fine. So we do. But what about their responsibility to us? They take our money and then spit on us. They take our money and then cry because we do something that upsets them. They take our money --- I think you get the idea.
The US has never put strings on helping other countries during times of crisis. Too bad other countries put strings on the US that only go one way.
No, the US isn't perfect. We have corrupt politicians, and a two party system that refuses to allow any new ideas or people to upset the apple-cart for fear of losing power. But until something better comes along, I choose to believe that we have the best system in the world. It's better than some places, where you don't really have a choice about who to vote for. There might be ten people running, but the outcome is pre-ordained before the first vote is ever cast. Here, while there might not be a pound of real difference between to candidates, you don't know who is going to win until the last vote is counted.
We're free to speak out against those with whom we disagree. Free to stage peaceful protests about something that we don't like. We're free to try to change things if we think they need to be changed.
And we're free to help our fellow beings and expect nothing in return - except that they remember who it was that sent the help before staging a violent protest and attacking the source of that help.
Disagreeing with American policy isn't wrong. But the way one goes about it can be.
Whatever happened to old fashioned gratitude? Has it vanished just like so many other things? Among them common sense and self responsibility?
We'll see what happens tomorrow.
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