The American Dream

Post colonial theory states that the 'third world' is actually within the American cities. When I go on these excursions, and find myself in these places, I am amazed at the poverty that is so close to my home. They are simple things that you notice that is aparent to anyone. The condition of the roads, the smelly alleys, the number of homeless people on the streets, the condition of the houses.

When you travel to the midwest, it is also shocking, with their over-consumption that you can see in their yards as things just seem to pile up and out of their houses. The number of obese pale kids and teenagers that hang out in Taco Bell. Then you goto public facilities like planned parenthood, and you see all these teenage girls trying to get abortion. A room full of Black girls sulking. Then you work at small firms, who are desperately trying to 'make-it', and have been trying to 'make-it' for years and years, and some just stay at their size or worse, downsize. I'm realizing that this American dream thing really isn't working. My life isn't working.

My mother said that at least in America, there is a chance to achieve success, to become wealthy or famous. I think, in Japan, things are more prescriptive. And you'd have to work like a dog just to be. I will be in a worse disposition being 30, and single. I don't really see a lot of homeless people on the streets in Japan, it's relatively clean. My father went to Japan so that he can get healthcare, because here in America, you're left on your own to take care of yourself.

So looking at the presidential campaign, both candidates nestle their arguments within the framework of an American Dream. Obama is trying to empower indendence and the individual, by allowing them to decide on their own healthcare. McCain is trying to empower the small business, because it's true, small businesses aren't 'making it'.

My worst fear is the widening of the economic gap between the classes. It just feels like it's all related to the economy. It's not so much that the education system doesn't work, it's the poor schools with poverty struck kids and neighborhoods that doen't work. For sure, if McCain gets elected the economic gap would widen. Eeeeek.