Suck it up AMERICA!

Dear Americans,

It seems like no matter what you watch or hear it's all negative about the economy, where we are headed, etc. I'd just like to remind everyone that it could be worse and it has been worse. Of course I'd like the economy to improve drastically and for America to dig itself out of the hole we have all had a hand in creating. Grab a shovel and start digging.Unlike many countries, we are fortunate to have a stable government. Though flawed, at least it's not a dictatorship. At least we don't have to live in fear of a mortar shell hitting our home or of being hanged for speaking against our leaders. And we don't have to worry about one ethnic or religious group being targeted and wiped out. We have free basic education available to us, whether or not you do anything with it is our choice. Yes college is very expensive, but it's not the only way to receive an education. There are apprenticeships, technical schools and ways to work up the ladder. Degrees are nice to have, but the people who hold them aren't always the brightest or the most successful. Sometimes all it takes is a sharp mind and common sense. America is a country full of ideas and promise. Why else to you think our families left their homelands and gave America a shot? And why do you think there are millions of people who want in and some who literally die trying to get here? We are very lucky to have won the lottery in terms of where we were born.Americans don't really have to worry about dying of cholera, malaria or dying due to contaminated water. We also have great doctors and hospitals. I don't agree with how the insurance system works, but at least we are better off. At least we aren't having surgeries conducted in someone's kitchen or in a tent. We need to take a closer look at how we use money and credit. We don't need giant Hummers; we will not be climbing a hillside in suburbia. Plus, the H3 and H2 couldn't do that anyway so it's about as useful as a Ford Escape. Just get a vehicle you can afford and meets your basic needs. Don't buy a house you cannot afford or will never be able to afford. Remember that people still live in one room mud huts; you do not need an 8 bedroom house with 10 bathrooms and a gilded bathtub. Stick within your means and learn to budget, that's all you need to know. Just remember what others have sacrificed for all of us. The founding fathers risked everything for us; if the revolution backfired they would have been hunted down and executed. If America hadn't stepped up in WWII and aided our allies our world would be a very different place. As Americans we might have made mistakes in the past and present, but at least we took a stand and stood for something and we have to accept the consequences and learn from our mistakes.NOTE- Before I get attacked for being straight up. I'd like to say my job revolves around employing people within the aerospace industry. I see desperation every single day and do my best to secure employment for Engineers and Manufacturing personel. I can tell you many people are relieved when they recieve a job offer. But I can also tell you there are still people out there that I work with who don't lift a finger and try to make things better for themselves. They expect others to do everything for them from writing a professional resume to telling them what's appropriate to wear to an interview.

~ SJN