There is something in our collective American character that leads us to overcompensation because of a real lack of substance.
We claim that we have the best healthcare system in the world, even though we are like 33rd in ranking with other countries.
In Texas this flaw is particularly pronounced, a state where we claim we are the best at everything and "Everything is bigger in Texas"
The fact is that if we owned the reality and addressed the commonality we share with even the "poorest of countries" and acted from a sense of humility, the more we would live into "who we think we are"
This morning this was underscored for me in the concept of America being "the land of plenty"
A nation with epidemic obesity, and yet we are the land of "abundance".
Something is not right there, something does not add up.....
Something relating to our overabundant rationing of high fructose corn syrup instead of high quality nutrition.
Until the day that grocery stores are not throwing out food because it will rot on the shelves, we really have not fulfilled out obligations to our own (immigrants included).
Until anyone can walk off the street, and without any money, fill up a grocery cart full of fruits, vegetables, and good meat, we cannot say we truly are food wealthy.
Wealth comes not from stockpiling...we have to replace that idea.
Wealth comes with bountiful giving.
We need to retrain our perspective to that of cultures in which the "big man" is the one who gives away the most.
There is a way to do this and care for everyone.
Until the day that those living in our borders no longer have to live an undernourished economy:
Where the next meal does not have to come from scavenging refuse.
Where decisions between "having a roof over our heads" vies with quality nutrition.
Where we have to decide between filling our much needed meds verses going to bed hungry.
We are not a "country of plenty"
