By: Samantha Lambert, JS Major

As we all know, the world is full of problems… Whether it is here in the United States, or in any given country abroad, the world is plagued by these consistent problems. Poverty, deprivation of human rights, lack of precious resources (water), and host of other problems run rampant throughout the globe. I know that the United States is hands down one of the best gift givers in the world. From aid money and weapons gifted to Israel, to relief packages to disaster victims the world over, the United States has absolutely no problem giving gifts. In fact, the United States gives out more gifts than Santa Claus himself can imagine.

We know all of these things and many of us complain about these things. It is impossible for me to count how many times I logged onto my facebook page to see my liberal friends ranting about the United States needing to take care of our own before we take care of other countries. It boggles my mind that so many people take the time out to complain about something, yet remain comfortably seated behind their computers. If people are so fired up about the lack of attention this country shows towards it’s problems at home, then why don’t people stand up and take some action? Sitting behind a computer, claiming to know it all, and being outraged is one thing. Taking action and organizing an attempt to change the system is another thing entirely. I guess what I am saying is that if you are going to complain about the problem, then go out and try to fix it. It seems everyone just sits around waiting for change to happen or some knight and shining armor to show up and deal with the mess. News flash… We are the knights in shining armor, and things will never change unless we actively do something about it besides rant on facebook.

On another note, although related, my conservative friends decide not to hit the LIKE button for comments of that nature. Instead, they spend their time posting about the so-called “welfare queen” and the rest of the poor people eating up our tax dollars. The truth is, those people hate on minorities and the without question or justification. They never try to imagine themselves in the shoes of a hard-working Black mother of three kids, or the Hispanic father that works 15 hours a day just to make ends meet. They do not care about those things because they have decided to dehumanize the poor and minorities in this country.

These people are what are wrong with this country. The ignorant conservative that it set in their ways, or the feisty liberal who calls for change from behind their computer. At the end of the day, it boils down to certain factors: Ignorance, lack of education, racism, laziness, and misdirection.

What do I think? Well, this blog would be 10 pages long if I started to talk about what I really thought. In short, I think its great that the United States helps other countries. I also think that more often than not, there are financial or other motives behind that action that benefit us. For example, we have a powerful friend in Israel because of all the help we have given them. It gives us access to the Arab world in ways we could not imagine if it was not for Israel. Another example would be in Iraq. Well sure, the United States would love to bring democracy to your country. It works out for us because we will start to by up all the rights to things that will rake in enormous profits. So, I think it is great that some of these people receive actual help, but I always keep in mind that there is always a reason for us doing so.

When it comes to the facebook issue, I am tired of both sides. Conservatives who take to facebook to complain should do the following: pick up a book, read said book, open their mind to new ideas, stop being so cocky and hateful, and try to imagine the world from the viewpoint of someone less fortunate. Liberals should do the following: stop hitting LIKE or leaving comments only, get up off of the computer, come to the realization that WE are the solution, and start to really do something about it since it has you so upset.

Below is an interesting and funny map I found online. The map outlines what each state is the worst at in the United States. Although some of it should be taken seriously, other stuff is straight up comedy. Enjoy!

Category: Blog