Photo courtesy: Newsweek (only for one-time, educational, non-profit purpose.)
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Most Americans, and most people around the world, believe that USA is the greatest country on earth. Like, look at the American flag on the moon!
They talk about a whole bunch of things that they feel are wonderful about America.
Older generation brags about the much-touted “American Freedom.” They believe America keeps the world in order, preventing it from falling apart. They believe America keeps peace around the world through its army, navy, and air force. They believe, without the U.S., there is no civilization around the world.
The younger generation talks about being rich in America. They believe America is the richest country on earth, and anybody who wants to be rich can be rich, regardless of how poor they were born. The American saying is that by being American, “You can go anywhere.” They say, “The sky is the limit.”
In fact, they have given it a name. They call it “American Dream.”
And that’s why, they say — both old and young Americans — people flock to America in large numbers from across the world. They believe globalization is now all about Americanization.
American games, American movies, American fun, American gun…look, they say, what else is there? It’s all about America now.
Most people believe that America, i.e., USA is the heaven for democracy. They talk about how free and fair American elections are, and compared to countries such as Russia, China, Pakistan or India, how the American election system is open, transparent, and free of corruption. Any American can vote, and their votes will be counted. For presidential elections, there will always be a series of nationally-televised debates, and to them, that is the ultimate proof that the system is not rigged. Yes, money plays a big role, but it’s all accounted-for, “white” money. Unlike India, Pakistan, Brazil, or Bangladesh.
Privacy is another precious thing Americans frequently brag about. Your privacy is the ultimate secret, and nobody can touch it, or pry upon it. The concept of a private life is as sacred in America, as its Christian church. It’s like God, personified.
Others outside America have other Godly ideas about America. They believe America invites and adores its immigrants. They believe American education system is world’s best. They say, look at the Nobel Prize winners! Every year, it’s almost all from American universities and research institutions. They believe American health care and hospitals are on top of the world. They believe America’s cars, roads, bridges, and railway transportation are immaculate. There are so many cars on any supermarket parking lot! Look at so many millions of fantastic supermarkets and malls! USA is a shopping paradise.
And then, wow, MacDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and the thousands of places to eat and drink…Coke, Pepsi, Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi…oh, you name it, they have it! And then, Budweiser, Miller, Heineken… and thousands of beer and hard drinks!
But hardly anybody talks about the dirty little secrets USA carries with it, secretly. And those who open up their mouths are not liked at all. In fact, they are despised — by friends and foes alike. In their own circles, they will be outcast. If they say too much, well, nobody knows what will happen to them.
Media in America and around the world, along with its Hollywood and entertainment industry, have done an incredible job to keep the secrets, secrets. They have created illusions about America that are almost impossible to overcome.
We are going to find out in the next few blog posts about the truth behind the facade.
Can we face up the truth? Can we find out if the American Dream exists?
Sincerely,
Partha Banerjee
(a simple man seeking God)
Brooklyn, New York
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Humanity College 