Great piece Chris! I teach English to new arrivals here in AZ and can see very clearly that the American dream is alive and well in my students. We are the envy of the world. We are just too spoiled and ungrateful to realize it.
Good entry, thanks for writing it. In my small view, you do a good job of seeing and appreciating the good and trying to understand the 'less good' in all of your travel writing. The same goes for your thoughts on the US. Thanks for doing what you do.
Honesty is much of what's been missing for the last 4 years. Your writing is at least honest, if nothing else. But if we don't keep doing what you are doing, then nothing will be discussed and we'll just stare at each other, nothing will change for good. All people have to do is really look at themselves and see how imperfect and fallible they are. We all need to improve and get and act better. Funny...we don't expect much from the people we elect to govern us. They ALL need to be held to higher standards. But they won't let that happen. Only we can change that. Hate Donald Trump if you wish, but he was elected because of the failure of those present. They tell too many lies and don't understand what the majority of the country feels and needs. It should be about "us," not about someone's political "wet dream" (sorry).
Chris, I want to thank you especially for sharing the shining beauty of Caroline's expression, and her practical positive words in the face of her challenges. Of the characters in this story, she moved me and will stay with me. Thank you.
Chris, you should stick to what you are good at. The reason why your Phoenix post is the most liked is because you did what no one else has done or would do on purpose (that's extreme but probably true). No one who has your ability to write for an audience would get off a plane in Phoenix and actually try to walk from the airport into the city. So stick to that, whether you are writing about Manhattan or Kinshasa or the Faroes. We get information from you that we don't get anywhere else. Plus you are systematic, making your posts parallel in structure so we can mentally compile what you are reporting. But when you start trying to explain America you fall off the wagon. In this post today, you're writing about what you want to see, not what you see. Also, you're writing about stuff you don't see, just stuff you want to believe. My own take on being American? After living and working in Viet Nam over the course of 3 years, during which Trump was first elected, I made the positive choice to identify as American. Up until then, I didn't really get that I had to. That means that I accept that that's who I am, with all the bad baggage that goes along with that. Born here, live here, will probably die and be buried here, and will do my best to help make this a decent country, but that doesn't mean I like, love, or respect this country, for all the reasons some of your other readers are listing.
Thanks Helena for the thoughtful, but critical, reply! --- "In this post today, you're writing about what you want to see, not what you see." Maybe, but I really do genuinely respect the US. I've thought a lot about moving, and I keep making small steps to do that, but whenever I'm gone for more than a few months I really miss a lot of the things I wrote in this essay --which is mostly a "collective freedom united around a sense of optimism and it can be done attitude"!
Then again, as you mention, I'm culturally American, and some of what I'm expressing could be simply from that. I like what I know more than what I don't know
I don't know why Americans elected Trump. With his psychological nature, he scares me. I am Canadian, and over the years, I have met some wonderful Americans. I am inspired by the achievements of Americans in science and other disciplines. I believe the biggest problem that the USA has, is that, as a result of policues at all levels of US governments, it has the highest proportions of poor, unhealthy, and uneducated people (the haves and the have nots) among the western democracies.
I wish I saw what you are seeing but I don't. We have elected over time enough 'me centered', greedy people beginning with Reagan to truly change what it means to be an American. In the 1970's I could afford to go to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. Today, I have considerable income but could not afford to go there now. The cost of my healthcare is stranglingly expensive. My home is now worth more than I could ever afford to buy it and the property taxes on it are squeezing me. I could sell it but what could I afford to buy? Trump's cabinet is composed of billionaires. Not millionaires. Billionaires that will increase their wealth substantially under him. My grandchildren go to daycare at a cost of $40,000 per year. Both of my children make less than we did. I would gladly pay 50% taxes to enjoy universal healthcare, education and affordable housing for all. The unhoused situation in this country is embarrassing to call our country the land of opportunity. I like your optimism, Chris, but I just see it differently
With respect, how would you like to pay over 50% taxes and have your greedy government clowns spend it housing illegal immigrants while Canadians go homeless and survive at foodbanks? Sounds like that's what you're asking for, and I suggest you think carefully....
Billionaires also increased their wealth significantly under Biden.
That is hardly praise of Trump, BTW. Just both parties are run by and for different oligarch factions. You can have corporate imperialist muppet Tweedledum or corporate imperialist muppet Tweedledee. Don't like it? Vote for the other muppet next time around.
Hmm. Optimism is great, but without action it seems a bit delusional. We seem mired in past greatness -- or the perception of past greatness. Isn't this the entire gist of "Make America Great Again"? I want to feel proud of what we do in our country -- as a country -- but I have trouble finding any project that seems worthy of my admiration. Things are falling apart all around me and the only things that seem to be improving are the stock market and GDP. I'd love to be convinced that I'm missing something important.
You have good balance with the positive and the pessimistic sides of everything. Things are not always peaches & cream, but they are not always doom and gloom either.
My g.Grandpa came from Germany at 15 years old. His journey to the US was better than how he was received here. He did not naturalize until after the war, which left him dealing with crosses being burned in the front yard of his farm for being German. He wasn't treated well by the family either, but he was the one people sought out for help and he was known for going out of his way to do it. He did not teach his children German, because "We are American now", but I sure wish he did as I struggle learning it with my middle age brain.
My grandma said I am just like him, and in a way living the struggling life he did while also being the one people depend on for their crises. It is hard to make it as a single person in California. I have what should be a better than average income, but work the hours of two people to get by. My neighborhood is in a sanctuary suburb outside of Sacramento, which looks much like the photos in this article, homelessness and all.
If I do not do something about my situation, if I do not take bold steps to leave as my grandpa did, I will die in a place that flies a flag of another country in my front yard telling me I am not welcome here.
I am from the Midwest, where our family farm still is, but was moved to California with my grandparents as a child. I have traveled and worked all over the US, but find the aspect of being a single income moves with you. Lower housing prices and cost of living simply equals out to lower wages to meet the lower costs. I am a State and Federal infrastructure construction worker. I have a lot of options to move, but a single income is limiting no matter where you go.
Beautifully balanced and articulated, Chris. Thank you!
It will be ten years this year since we left LA to move back to London, and there isn't a day that we don't miss America's essential optimism, wide open hearts and spaces
Great piece Chris! I teach English to new arrivals here in AZ and can see very clearly that the American dream is alive and well in my students. We are the envy of the world. We are just too spoiled and ungrateful to realize it.
Good entry, thanks for writing it. In my small view, you do a good job of seeing and appreciating the good and trying to understand the 'less good' in all of your travel writing. The same goes for your thoughts on the US. Thanks for doing what you do.
Hello Mr. Dzurak, let us hope that Trump makes a good ptesident.
Honesty is much of what's been missing for the last 4 years. Your writing is at least honest, if nothing else. But if we don't keep doing what you are doing, then nothing will be discussed and we'll just stare at each other, nothing will change for good. All people have to do is really look at themselves and see how imperfect and fallible they are. We all need to improve and get and act better. Funny...we don't expect much from the people we elect to govern us. They ALL need to be held to higher standards. But they won't let that happen. Only we can change that. Hate Donald Trump if you wish, but he was elected because of the failure of those present. They tell too many lies and don't understand what the majority of the country feels and needs. It should be about "us," not about someone's political "wet dream" (sorry).
Thank you for this touching essay. Our lives are meaningful. Hope swings wide at the promise of a better life. God bless America.
Outstanding. You are always one of my favorite writers and thinkers.
Chris, I want to thank you especially for sharing the shining beauty of Caroline's expression, and her practical positive words in the face of her challenges. Of the characters in this story, she moved me and will stay with me. Thank you.
Chris, you should stick to what you are good at. The reason why your Phoenix post is the most liked is because you did what no one else has done or would do on purpose (that's extreme but probably true). No one who has your ability to write for an audience would get off a plane in Phoenix and actually try to walk from the airport into the city. So stick to that, whether you are writing about Manhattan or Kinshasa or the Faroes. We get information from you that we don't get anywhere else. Plus you are systematic, making your posts parallel in structure so we can mentally compile what you are reporting. But when you start trying to explain America you fall off the wagon. In this post today, you're writing about what you want to see, not what you see. Also, you're writing about stuff you don't see, just stuff you want to believe. My own take on being American? After living and working in Viet Nam over the course of 3 years, during which Trump was first elected, I made the positive choice to identify as American. Up until then, I didn't really get that I had to. That means that I accept that that's who I am, with all the bad baggage that goes along with that. Born here, live here, will probably die and be buried here, and will do my best to help make this a decent country, but that doesn't mean I like, love, or respect this country, for all the reasons some of your other readers are listing.
Thanks Helena for the thoughtful, but critical, reply! --- "In this post today, you're writing about what you want to see, not what you see." Maybe, but I really do genuinely respect the US. I've thought a lot about moving, and I keep making small steps to do that, but whenever I'm gone for more than a few months I really miss a lot of the things I wrote in this essay --which is mostly a "collective freedom united around a sense of optimism and it can be done attitude"!
Then again, as you mention, I'm culturally American, and some of what I'm expressing could be simply from that. I like what I know more than what I don't know
I don't know why Americans elected Trump. With his psychological nature, he scares me. I am Canadian, and over the years, I have met some wonderful Americans. I am inspired by the achievements of Americans in science and other disciplines. I believe the biggest problem that the USA has, is that, as a result of policues at all levels of US governments, it has the highest proportions of poor, unhealthy, and uneducated people (the haves and the have nots) among the western democracies.
Trump was elected because the people he is replacing are just awful liars betraying the best of our country. But we'll see won't we?
For the first time in my life I will not fly our flag for the next four years.
Your loss, lady.
I wish I saw what you are seeing but I don't. We have elected over time enough 'me centered', greedy people beginning with Reagan to truly change what it means to be an American. In the 1970's I could afford to go to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. Today, I have considerable income but could not afford to go there now. The cost of my healthcare is stranglingly expensive. My home is now worth more than I could ever afford to buy it and the property taxes on it are squeezing me. I could sell it but what could I afford to buy? Trump's cabinet is composed of billionaires. Not millionaires. Billionaires that will increase their wealth substantially under him. My grandchildren go to daycare at a cost of $40,000 per year. Both of my children make less than we did. I would gladly pay 50% taxes to enjoy universal healthcare, education and affordable housing for all. The unhoused situation in this country is embarrassing to call our country the land of opportunity. I like your optimism, Chris, but I just see it differently
More so-called/identified billionaires supported the Deomocrats.
You really are obsessed, responding to every comment here that doesn't fit with your POV.
Facts suck, don't they?
With respect, how would you like to pay over 50% taxes and have your greedy government clowns spend it housing illegal immigrants while Canadians go homeless and survive at foodbanks? Sounds like that's what you're asking for, and I suggest you think carefully....
Billionaires also increased their wealth significantly under Biden.
That is hardly praise of Trump, BTW. Just both parties are run by and for different oligarch factions. You can have corporate imperialist muppet Tweedledum or corporate imperialist muppet Tweedledee. Don't like it? Vote for the other muppet next time around.
What we are seeing is the transition of America from a republic with vistigial trappings of democracy to a full-fledged empire.
Note that being an empire isn't necessarily all ice cream for anyone not part of the ruling class.
Truly excellent insights that capture the ying and yang of what USA means.
Hmm. Optimism is great, but without action it seems a bit delusional. We seem mired in past greatness -- or the perception of past greatness. Isn't this the entire gist of "Make America Great Again"? I want to feel proud of what we do in our country -- as a country -- but I have trouble finding any project that seems worthy of my admiration. Things are falling apart all around me and the only things that seem to be improving are the stock market and GDP. I'd love to be convinced that I'm missing something important.
You have good balance with the positive and the pessimistic sides of everything. Things are not always peaches & cream, but they are not always doom and gloom either.
My g.Grandpa came from Germany at 15 years old. His journey to the US was better than how he was received here. He did not naturalize until after the war, which left him dealing with crosses being burned in the front yard of his farm for being German. He wasn't treated well by the family either, but he was the one people sought out for help and he was known for going out of his way to do it. He did not teach his children German, because "We are American now", but I sure wish he did as I struggle learning it with my middle age brain.
My grandma said I am just like him, and in a way living the struggling life he did while also being the one people depend on for their crises. It is hard to make it as a single person in California. I have what should be a better than average income, but work the hours of two people to get by. My neighborhood is in a sanctuary suburb outside of Sacramento, which looks much like the photos in this article, homelessness and all.
If I do not do something about my situation, if I do not take bold steps to leave as my grandpa did, I will die in a place that flies a flag of another country in my front yard telling me I am not welcome here.
With all due respect, is there any reason that you must stay in California? Some other parts of the US are almost habitable.
When was the last time you spent any time in CA?
I am from the Midwest, where our family farm still is, but was moved to California with my grandparents as a child. I have traveled and worked all over the US, but find the aspect of being a single income moves with you. Lower housing prices and cost of living simply equals out to lower wages to meet the lower costs. I am a State and Federal infrastructure construction worker. I have a lot of options to move, but a single income is limiting no matter where you go.
Beautifully balanced and articulated, Chris. Thank you!
It will be ten years this year since we left LA to move back to London, and there isn't a day that we don't miss America's essential optimism, wide open hearts and spaces