Segmentation Fault: Core dumped..;-)

My “dreams” for America

Posted : August 28, 2004 at 12:46 am [America/Los_Angeles]

A George W. that I actually admire

Just read this at FOXNEWS.COM (Presidential Race Tied Going Into GOP Convention):

Bush receives his highest support among conservatives, whites, high-income families, those who frequently attend religious services and voters living in the South. Kerry’s strongest backers are young people, non-whites, liberals and those living in the Northeast and West.

What is it about non-whites (including, Yours truly) that increases their likelihood of being “liberals”? Put in another way, what is it about high-income church going whites which makes them more likely to be “conservatives”. Is there a fair list somewhere comparing and contrasting “liberal” and “conservative” values. And no, I don’t want an Al Franken or Jerry Falwell’s version of the two.

Anyway, here’s a quick list of some of my “dreams” for this country (indeed, for any country in this world):

1. A society that continues its pursuit of achieving “perfection” in embracing democratic principles. I am not sure if I can call the democracy in United States “perfect”. Atleast, not yet. Primarily because of the tremendous influence of “money” and “media” in this democracy, which, in my humble opinion, subverts the very democratic principles that it was meant to protect. Ofcourse, nothing is perfect!

2. I favor letting individuals run their lives on their own terms - their religion, their sexual orientation, heck, their life. Which I guess makes me pro-choice and makes me a huge believer in keeping the state and religion as far apart from each other as possible.

3. Education until high school should be the birth right of every child and should be free, as in free beer. A few things must be mandatory as part of high school curriculum - “Sex Education 101″, “Personal Finance 101″, “Living a Healthy Life” among other things.

4. Every citizen should have access to a “Basic Health Care” plan all throughout his/her life. Kinda like public schools, there should be non-profit public hospitals catering to the population in it’s neighborhood. And no, these public hospitals will not offer “Basic Health Care” for free, but for a very nominal charge. The key is to define what “Basic Health Care” would mean and how would these hospitals be economically viable. While it might be challenging, I don’t think this is impossible. If we can send a man to the moon, we sure as hell can give our people peace of mind when it comes to leading a healthy life.

5. Protecting and preserving our Environment and our Natural treasures sounds like a plan to me. Invest heavily in alternative sources of fuels. And to pledge to make United States an oil independent society by 2020!

6. I believe in a fiscally responsible government encouraging and assisting its citizens to lead a fiscally responsible life. My mantra for the government and all its citizens: Earn fairly, Invest and Spend wisely.

7. A Free-market driven economy sounds right to me, provided checks are in place to discourage rich people from getting richer and poor people poorer. At least, we should strive towards this Nirvana.

8. No one is above the “law” of the land. No one. Period. And I do believe in “Justice delayed is Justice denied”

9. I don’t like a gun-friendly society. Ofcourse, the fact that I hail from the land of the Mahatma might have something to do with it.

10. Lastly, but not the least, I hate wars. I believe aggression is one of the basest of human instincts and it is incapable of bringing out the best that we as humans have to offer. Unless, and I cannot emphasize this enough, there is ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER WAY. The way I see it, it’s stupid to think that in a war someone actually emerges victorious. And even if someone does, “mankind” always loses.

11. Be good “earthlings” where we respect each other for who we are and not for what we would like the other to be. Where we celebrate our differences. Learn from each other. Live and let live.

I don’t know if most of these are “liberal” values or “conservative” values. Frankly, I could care less. This is my dream for America, indeed any country in the world. Are these all pragmatic ideals? May be. May be not. Either way, it sure as hell is something that I would like to start working towards. For my children and grandchildren’s sake.

- Anand

Category: United (or not) State of American Politics 2004