Who Stole My Country?

On May 25th, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced his goal of putting a man on the moon. Eight years later, on July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.

Americans agreed on many things when I was growing up. Whether Democrat or Republican, we believed America should be number one in the things that counted. Go to the moon? Absolutely. Even if Americans couldn’t see a practical reason to go to the moon, it was the thing to do. If nothing else, it would show the world that American ingenuity and engineering were number one.

We were naturally competitive and proud to call ourselves Americans. Sure, we had our differences. But we agreed on one thing. If it was worth doing, America would show the world how to do it.

A great deal has changed in the 53 years since President Kennedy announced we were going to the moon.

We are still number one in engineering, easily outranking Japan, Germany, the U.K. and China. That’s the good news.

The bad news? Unless we get our act together, that lead will soon evaporate.

According to recently published statistics, American students now rank 31st in mathematics, 24th in reading and 21st in science. China is number one in all three categories.

How about life expectancy? With our superior medical facilities we must be number one, right? Not quite. According to the latest CIA statistics, that position goes to Monaco with an average life expectancy of 89.57 years. Canada is 14th at 81.67, the United Kingdom is 29th at 80.42 and the United States is 42nd at 79.56.

Infant mortality? We’re not doing very well there either. CIA statistics inform us that the United States averages 6.17 deaths per 1,000 live births. The top spot, once again, goes to Monaco with 1.81 deaths per 1,000 live births. Japan has 2.13 deaths per 1,000 live births. Canada has 4.71, Australia 4.43 and the U.K., 4.44 deaths per 1,000 live births.

How about murder ? We’re doing better than Afghanistan’s 6.5 per 100,000. But compare our 4.8 per 100,000 to 0.3 in Japan, 1.0 in the U.K., 1.1 in Australia, 1.6 in Canada.

Are we number one at anything? Yes. We are, far and away, number one when it comes to putting people in prison. For every 100,000 Americans, 707 are in prison. Cuba is next, at 505 per 100,000. Then Russia at 470. China at 172. At the low end are Canada at 118, Australia at 133 and England and Wales at 148 per 100,000.

We are also number one in gun ownership, with 97 guns per 100 Americans. That’s right, 97 guns per 100 Americans. You say you don’t own any guns? Don’t worry. Someone owns your share along with his own. Many Americans own an arsenal. And many of them insist on taking them wherever they go, including restaurants and retail establishments.

Clearly, America is changing right in front of our eyes and many of us don’t like what we’re seeing.

Will we remain number one in science and engineering? Not at the rate our schools are failing. Republicans believe in funding private schools while public schools wither on the vine. Children with wealthy parents will have great schools while the public schools the vast majority of American children attend will continue to deteriorate.

When it comes to science, conservatives are as anti-science as one can get. More and more of them are into climate denial. Many Republican candidates for Congress base their entire campaign on the “hoax” of climate change.

Certainly we can agree to stop slaughtering children in their classrooms, right? Not if Wayne LaPierre and his rabid army of open-carry wingnuts have their way. Right now they’re winning the war with concealed-carry and stand-your-ground laws becoming more and more numerous.

Conservatives say they want their country back. We know what kind of country they have in mind and we have witnessed what they’re willing to do to get it.

I want my country back too. It’s being stolen by an unholy alliance of billionaires, big business and phony “Christians” who have no knowledge of the peace-loving man who healed the sick and taught his followers to give generously to the poor and to love their neighbors.

We know who’s stealing our country right out from under us. Each of us, in our own way, has to determine what we’re going to do about it.

By: Dave

Dave is the webmaster of StrangerAmerica.com, a website devoted to the greatness that is Dick Cheney.

He is also the creator of RonnieReagan.com, a site devoted to a man considered by some to have been one of the better B-grade actors to portray a U.S. president.

You will find the complete writings of Dave at LookAmerica.com, including his quest for the perfect meatball and his encounters with Pat the Nazi and the Psycho Dentist.