Pessimistic Politics: Don't Worry, Be Happy with What You've Got

We, as Americans, have really changed over the decades and centuries as we improve our technology, which links us to the entire world instantly, making the passé phrase “global village” a prominent paradigm. It’s a blessing and a curse.

In the last four years, this gush of information has given us instant access to tragedies that have directly affected our shores. We were bombarded with images and information as we bit our lips, crossed our fingers, and shed our tears on that fateful eleventh day in September. Months later, we bit our lips, crossed our fingers, and shed our tears as our soldiers fought a war that we, after the anger, sadness, and patriotism died down, began to question the intentions of. Now, we’re biting our lips, crossing our fingers, and shedding our tears as untold numbers of Americans, people exactly like you and me, are trying to get their lives back together or simply survive as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

We’ve been hit with a lot of saddening information, and many of us start feeling bad, not just for those who have it worse than us, but also for the fact that many of us have it so much better. Many of us, consciously or unconsciously, know that as Americans, we have it much, much better than millions, even billions around the world, and as such, we feel terrible that we are doing so much better. Some people take this to a fanatical level, making not only themselves feel bad, but decreeing it their life mission to make others feel terrible too.

In the coming weeks and months, you’re going to be hearing a lot of stories about hopelessness and despair, mercifully brought to us by the news media. You’re going to feel terrible because you’re watching all of this while you’re sitting in your easy chair, sipping a cola, your family, home, and life in some semblance of order, while people just like you are crying over the destruction of the their family, home, and life, perched on the roofs of their flooded city, waiting for someone, anyone, to rescue them. There are people looting, killing, and raping each other because they are desperate, afraid, and angry. These are people just like you, people who just a week ago were taking their simple, stable lives for granted. They were also feeling terrible because they had it better than everyone else, but now they can only feel terrible for themselves, because they’re living in a Hell on Earth. You’re going to be watching this for a while.

So pay attention right now, because I’m the only one who’s going to tell you this: there’s nothing wrong with you having it better than other people.

I’ve heard a lot of people pissing and moaning about how many people in the world have it so much worse than me and I should feel terrible for taking my fortune for granted. This is fine, but the underlining message of this country seems to be we should feel terrible because a lot of people are worse off. The idea seems to be because fortune smiled on you instead of some other guy, you shouldn’t be enjoying the fruits of said fortune and instead be miserable for having the fruit in the first place because the other guy doesn’t have as much.

This is sick. It makes a mockery of everything humanity has driven itself to accomplish. It downplays the spirit of human progress and is quite contradictory to our nature. We tend to look down with a frown and pity at those who are less fortunate, but soon after look up at those who have it better with lust while licking our chops. We always want more. We’re never satisfied. We’re hypocrites.

I’m stating for the record right now that, yes, my goal in life is a comfortable lifestyle filled with stability, and I surely wouldn’t refuse a grossly overpaid lifestyle snoozing in the lap of luxury. It’s my dream to sit on my butt all day playing Playstation and watching anime’ while eating too much tasty food, wasting my money on material goods, and writing things that people pay me too much money for. And I refuse to feel bad about this.

Of course, I’m not suggesting that I plan on ignoring the plights of the world, and you shouldn’t either. There’s a difference between appreciating what you have and being selfish. You can freely give what you have to those who need it without sacrificing the pleasure of the lifestyle you really don’t want to give up. Of course, it’s your life, and if you don’t want to give, you don’t have to. It’s your choice, and no one is going to force you.

So as those tragic images of American lives in ruin pour in through your televisions, radios, and computer monitors, remember how good you have it and be grateful, not ashamed. I’m not going to ask you not to take things for granted, because you will; it's our unfortunate nature. Just realize, in the back of your mind, you, as an American, have it good. And remember those people in New Orleans who once took their simple lives for granted too. It can all be taken away by a rush of water, so don’t act so surprise if it does.

I hope that you have enough appreciation for your fortune to appreciate and even mourn over the sorrow of others. You can help, whether it be by donating money or supplies, or volunteering your time. Again, if you don’t feel the need to donate, I’m not going to make you feel bad about it, but I encourage all of you to donate to those who need help, because I believe we need to help each other out. Right now, we have a lot of Americans who need help. I guess I did make you feel bad, but I’m not showing you pictures of the terrible, apocalyptic destruction, so it doesn’t completely count. Oh, oops…

And yes, I did donate to the Red Cross, because I appreciate the plight and I’m grateful that I have it so well. I’m secure in the knowledge that I’m well off, and I’m appreciative of that and able to give my pathetic pittance to the cause only because I know every little bit counts. I just checked out the totals already given at Amazon.com (where I donated), which is ranging into the millions, so many of you are already doing your part. It’s things like this that make me truly proud that I live in the United States of America, with people who care so much about the real needs of others when they see it. Great work and thank you.