Almost everyone has heard of the "American Dream" which often has its equivalent in other developed countries. Of course, nowhere else is it pursued as vigorously (not to mention ruthlessly) as in America. As the more perceptive American may have already realized, the "American Dream" has quickly degenerated over the decades into the American Nightmare. The answer lies in a word. Excess.
Recall the seven deadly sins of Christianity and one can easily see that the common thread running through them is excess. Excess of self-regard becomes pride, excess of inactivity becomes sloth and so on. Other religions, for example Islam, also warns against excess and teaches its followers to be moderate. But of course, nowadays, many youths have a different kind of 'religion'. Materialism and the relenteless pursuit of wealth, fame and 'love' at all cost.
This is probably the point that some readers may argue that it is natural to strive for our dreams. I agree. If our dreams benefit ourselves and society as a whole, we should pursue them. But are they truly our dreams? Like all societies, America is not free from being 'brainwashed' despite assertions to the contrary. Almost everyone is bombarded with indoctrination in their youth, where they are most receptive. Whether it is from parents, peers or other sources. Sadly enough, the main teacher of our youths today is the mass media and can you guess what kind of messages our capitalist society is promoting?
Excess. Economically, the capitalist requires consumers to buy things that they want, not that which they really need. So we are bombarded with messages that we really do NEED the latest handphone as opposed to merely wanting it. Want to have it all? What?! You don't have this latest product? You really need it! It will cure all your woes and you can now have the perfect life you so desire.
But economy is really based on resources, both human capital and actual raw natural resources. Can America really afford to sustain itself? Its overwhelming trade and budget deficit suggest otherwise but there will always be people who say that we can easily pay off our debts if we just pool all our resources to pay off that debt for a whole year. It sounds plausible until you realize that the average American is often in debt himself. An often excessive lifestyle coupled with a culture that encourages abuse of credit cards and immediate gratification leaves individuals, couples and entire families in severe debts.
The debts result from the person's inability to curb his excesses. Thus, he is living beyond his means and spending in excess of his income. But does he actually need the items that he is buying?
Let me tell you a few statistics that I have recently learned. Around the globe, 1 in 6 people are starving, 1 in 4 are living on less than 1 US dollar a day and more than half are living on less than 2 US dollar a day. The unemployed American living on dole is a king compared to the vast majority of the world's population, even after factoring in living costs.
Do you recall the movie 'Supersize Me?' If you have not, I recommend that you watch it. It is a documentary about fast foods and how every little thing in America seems to be 'supersized'. To put it into perspective, the fast food meals in America often contain double or even triple the amount of calories that the human body needs. Now as most people know, much of the excess calories get turned into fats. There is little wonder that America is plagued by obesity; another symptom of a culture based on excess.
But excess doesn't stop at just finances and diet. It has invaded the family life of the American as well! Remember that America's childhood was just the period after the strict Victorian age where the 'stiff upper lip' and corporal punishment was the norm? While that was excessive, it is no less so than the stance that America has adopted in recent times. Nowadays, many parents can't even advise their own children because the children are out of control. Too many parents allow their children to have excessive freedom both within and outside the house. Yes, children need to have some freedom and their own opinions on things, but at the same time, parents and teachers also need to have their proper stations respected by children and students. In how many houses can you honestly say that the children respect their own parents who have gone through all trouble and hardship of rearing and caring for them?
Again we can easily recognize the role the mass media plays in this. How many popular movies and TV shows portray parenthood positively? And how many such shows makes jests and mockery of the noble institution of marriage, family and parenthood? In our mass media, there seems to be an excess of everything except for morality. Look at the kind of computer games that our youths play today. Many gaming companies try to outdo each other in excessive gore, sexual appeal and violence. Where shall this pursuit for thrills end? Much like the fast food 'meals' we devour, our so called 'entertainment' gives a mental sugar high but is mentally and spiritually devoid of substance.
I can keep listing countless examples from the various facets of life, but the underlying theme that recurs to me is excessive freedom. Absolute freedom and instant gratification is the mantra of America whether one realizes it or not. But absolute freedom does not exist. One either listens to one's mind or the person is enslaved to his lusts. As you can see from the state of America as well as much of the world right now, wanton desire is not a kind master.
We are at the threshold. The environment cannot support us much longer if we keep destroying that which is sustaining us. Our budget deficits cannot support our excessive military expenditure. Our school teachers need our support to discipline students who are used to excessive freedom. We cannot live a life based on excess for much longer.
We have an excess of pornography on the internet, an excess of calories in our diets, an excess of bills to pay, an excess of items that we do not need and must now dispose.
The only thing we do not have is an excess of conscience. That and an excess of time.