Kimaya Khurana - Week #7 - Strength or Support?
A couple of weeks ago, when we were doing Unit 5, my APUSH teacher asked all of us what were some of the positive aspects of America, or the good things. My table group couldn't think of any. This got me thinking, what are the positive aspects of America? While I did find a few, I also found many negative ones.
There are many ways one can compare America to other countries.
But which is more important, the strength of America or the support it gives to its citizens?
America is one of the strongest nations, both economically and technological in the world. According to Global Firepower, America is ranked #1 in military power, with Russia and China following closely behind. It has the largest GDP (gross domestic product) and is also the most technologically advanced. Its major exports include “computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food, live animals and military equipment” according to US News. Additionally, it also has many natural resources and is the leading producer of natural gas as well as oil, and having the largest coal reserves. All of this and it still isn't it. They have some of the top universities in the world and take the lead in many international organizations, even including the United Nations.
However, while there are many strengths, the support lacks. Out of 100, according to US News it has a score of 47.1 for social purpose and 55.4 for quality of life. Being one of the top countries for a large variety of cultural heritage, where is the support it gives after taking pride in this? There are still racial tensions, income inequality, and overall just has a lower life expectancy rate. Even though it spends a large amount of money in healthcare, the results don't match the effort put in. For all of these reasons, should the cost of living really be this high? Yes, there is power, but what about the happiness of the citizens? Shouldn't they feel safe? Feel happy?
To me, support should be more important than strength.
I definitely agree that the United States is “one of the strongest nations” amongst the world and is more than capable of providing their citizens with enough support and financial stability. One of the main factors that allows our nation to be so "economically and technologica[ly]” advanced is because of taxpayers, but when these taxes are exploited things can turn negative very quickly. It is a main reason as to why taxpayers resent lower class citizens and those who are homeless. Despite our “major exports” and “natural resources,” the lack of financial equality does not “match the effort” or the amount of taxes paid every year. As a result, taxpayers begin to shift blame to those they deem responsible for wasting their money. Similar to what we are learning in class with _The Great Gatsby_, America’s social classes are very divided and that division is growing on a daily basis. A major factor as to why they are so divided is because it allows those who are in power to stay in power, eventually leading them to have no competitors at all. I think as a society we should start providing the “support” that others in America need. If we are to come together it is more likely that we could close the gap between the upper and lower classes which facilitates a more equal nation that focuses on the well-being of its citizens.
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