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American Exceptionalism? Only the internet can save us now
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When one thinks about the "conventional wisdom" of the recent past, couples that with the economic realities of today – a mass cascade of unemployment, cratering values in real estate, and unsupportable credit lines –, objectivity dictates an honest appraisal: This ship has run aground.
It is easy to see why. We have all bought into the idea of American exceptionalism; not the exceptionalism saying this country is special for its moral clarity, but an economic kind saying this country is too big to fail, that no matter how prodigal we are, if only we believe, then everything must turn out all right. We ascertain now that this housing slump is in fact a bottomless sinkhole, that the situation will continue to deteriorate – already commercial vacancies are popping up all over, take a look – and jobs are disappearing. Many with their liberal arts degrees have realized they have no skills. Others who have been laid off find their skills non-transferable. There are no available jobs to which to transfer them.
For some who are working, those with relatively cush desk jobs, the realization there are yet others, overseas, who can do their jobs as well if not better, as well as cheaper, is cold comfort.
Many have spent small fortunes, if not large ones, educating themselves under the false pretense that if only they obtain a college education, then at least they will secure a decent paying job: maybe not their dream job, but at least gainful employment. This illusion too has flown out the window.
We have all been caught in a web of self-deception. For years.
The WWII generation understood the meaning and value of work, and hence the value of a dollar. Their scions have proven different. Imbued with arrogance, the new and numerous generation fashioned themselves above the fray. Reaching the age of consent, embarking upon the world in a decidedly metaphysical age, such ones divested their parents' prudential schmattes for the fine and colorful raiment of princes and princesses. Ascending the throne, metaphorically, this generation of would-be czars continued to eschew their parents' good examples, giving away the store and raiding the cellar for delectables. Unlike the dim days of their forebears, there would always be an easy way to wealth and security through higher education, bigger social safety nets, the dissolution of gender roles, Technology, and above all one’s own encompassing sense of compassion and humanity.
Much of this generation’s legislative effort and judicial interpretation has reflected their entitlement. Along the way multi-national businessmen have learned that government is in fact a best friend. Through the lobby an incestuous relationship with powerful cum corrupted Washington contemporaries has proven mutually beneficial. For everyone except the people, that is.
Perhaps, the only practical difference between bad intentions (pure greed) and stupid good ones (dressed up in altruism) is the bad ones for their obviousness are easier to call out. Taking the road of least resistance has been a lesson thoroughly learned. And one can grow accustom to traveling first class all the way.
Today pundits promote their fantastic ideology along multiple fronts. In a recent article by Fast Company's Lynne D. Johnson, one finds a quote from Opera (software) CEO Jon von Tetzcher. Now, I don't know von Tetzcher from Adam, but here is what he said:
"The internet is too important to be available to only some people."
A casual read might leave one with the impression: So what?
Maybe the guy is simply trying to sell more software. Nothing wrong with that. It is just, though, that Tetzcher is far from alone in expressing such platitudes.
The internet is a good thing. Everyone should have access to it.
Sure. And definitely everyone should have access to a telegraph, an automobile, an a.m. radio, a flat-screen teevee, mineral spirits and engineers, plenty of fertilizer, arabica coffee beans, a Jacuzzi, Kindle, and of course free sex.
Such magnificent technologies as they are – especially salient the last – one may intuitively understand why these particular items are so indispensable to personal fulfillment. The items enumerated above, including of course the soon-to-be ubiquitous internets, comprise the essential good citizen’s toolbox: a veritable first aid kit to help us succeed in a world short on self-actualization, if not food and shelter.
It is true.
You see, since my youth I have harbored a dream: I would like to buy the world a coke. Also, I would like to buy the world a pair of sneakers, Dockers and a sexy purple cravat; a tin of freshly-baked cupcakes and a pint of Jameson, a team of medics with bags of aspirin; a soccer or basket-ball (your preference); some nets (soccer, basketball, bed, or safety – your preference); and, naturally, a recording of Belafonte at Carnegie Hall [Live].
Perhaps though this is the problem. There is no end to it. The next needful thing is at hand; determining what to give whom is such a big job that only the government, really really big government, can do it. Somebody must do something! they say.
Alas, it is easy to get addicted to stuff. And it is easy to get addicted to giving stuff away, for free!, even though one, or one's country, cannot afford it.
Addiction, for the uninitiated, is a progressive disease. We know this from experience, Mom.
She started out having fun but at some point began to degenerate. Soon enough she was out of control; the addiction took hold and no amount of reason alone could stop the terrible train from careering headlong into innocent bystanders.
Like as not, the train jumps its tracks.
Casualties are an inevitability of addiction. People around an addict suffer as much or more than the addict himself. And when the addict is Government, who can reliably estimate how high the toll will be?
Like addiction, altruism is a progressive disease. Altruism by definition is an unselfish concern for others. And there are many examples of altruism: Such as the regard one may have for family, close friends, or compatriots in the theater of war. But beyond this, altruism does not exist. It does not exist per se. It is, in fact, a manoeuvre.
Because unless your name is Jesus H. Christ or you happen to be some other quasi-fictional messiah character, you do not possess the ability to care for the junky under the bridge to the extent you do your daughter, or for that matter your dog. That's a good thing. Human beings are bifurcated in this way – call it an evolutional inevitability if you like. Private man and public man, of necessity, must maintain some basic distinguishing characteristics.
When so-called Progressives make it to government, they stump for the "commoners." They say: "Look at those rich guys, they've used unfair means to get what they got. Let's tax them to death. We'll give you stuff for free, you give us your votes." It is a pretty neat trick.
Incidentally, or rather not, one of the Democrats' constituencies is the N.E.A., the National Education Association.
Democrats take care of the N.E.A. In turn, they (the progressive wing of the Democratic party) are aided and comforted by the knowledge that the inculcating of school children with the ideology of altruism (it’s not just the teachers’ votes they’re after) will, over time, have very much insulated them against the vagaries of political climate change.
Helping people. Giving them stuff for free. It may be enabling and co-dependent, but it is the Democratic way.
It feels so good. Doesn't it?
Other good stuff: Are You Middle Class? Maybe Not For Long
The World According to Pravda: a one-act play and monologue
Reagan - A Time For Choosing
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