The U.S., it's no Indonesia<\/p>\n
I have traveled to more than 50 countries and I have never met
\nfiner people than here. I do not think it is time yet to ring the
\ndeath knell on Indonesia! Yours is a very very young country.
\nWhen the U.S. was young it was not a true democracy. Only a very
\nfew (the wealthy) were allowed to vote. It was not until the 20th
\ncentury that women were given that right. 150 years! Although
\nin theory African-Americans have had this right since 1865 in
\nreality most were prevented from voting until the 1960s. Almost
\n200 years! We almost exterminated the Native Americans, an
\natrocity still not accounted for. There were several rebellions
\nin our early history, and one great war; our Civil War in which
\nmore Americans killed one another than in all wars since.<\/p>\n
Just a short time ago we fought an unjust war in Vietnam (not
\nthe fault of the American soldier). During that period our army
\nand police beat and killed student demonstrators. Our history is
\nreplete with political scandal. Richard Nixon was forced to
\nresign in disgrace. During the Reagan administration an illegal
\nwar was fought in Nicaragua without the authority of the U.S.
\nCongress.<\/p>\n
Most Americans feel left out of the political system. In the
\nlast election many Americans voted not for who they liked, but
\nfor whom they disliked the least. Several other people also ran
\nfor president but you never hear about them because the media is
\ncontrolled by the two major parties through big business. And the
\nwinner lost!<\/p>\n
Another myth about America is that we are all rich! The vast
\nmajority of us have just enough money to pay the bills! Many
\nAmericans are poor. There are hundreds of thousands of homeless:
\nsome freezing to death as they sleep. Thousands of children go to
\nbed hungry at night! In the land of the rich! One in 10 of us is
\nan alcoholic! Our children are killing our children! The large
\ncities are very dangerous. Every day approximately 75 of us are
\nkilled with guns. That is a Sampit every week. The violence in
\nAmerica dwarfs that of your country. Approximately 20,000 every
\nsingle year.<\/p>\n
In my opinion your country is at least as civilized as mine.
\nToo many of our children are brought up in day care centers, not
\nby their parents. We put literally millions of our elderly in
\nnursing homes instead of taking care of them as most Indonesians
\ndo. American TV is horrible. Beware of American TV. Study after
\nstudy has shown this to be part of our problem. Often I stay in
\nyour homes when I am here, and believe me Americans could learn
\nparenting from you. Mostly you are a kind, loving and friendly
\npeople. You should be proud of yourselves. Americans should be in
\nthe streets protesting.<\/p>\n
Do not take what the international media says too seriously.
\nFirst the media is not about news: it is entertainment. It is big
\nbusiness and its primary purpose is to make money. Also there is
\na human tendency to want to look down on people we feel superior
\nto.<\/p>\n
I am not a tourist. I have spent some time here. I meet people
\nfrom all walks of life. You are by and large good people, you
\nhave an honorable military and police, good schools and a diverse
\nand interesting culture. Be proud!<\/p>\n
A great American (who owned slaves) said: \"The price of
\ndemocracy is eternal vigilance.\"<\/p>\n
J. VINCENT CONTI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-us-its-no-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }