sigh. America doesn't live up to its own ideals. I'm very disappointed with my country right now for a host of reasons, and right now I'm trying to decide whether I want to live here when I grow up or not. Right now, I'm leaning towards no.

American ideals emphasize personal freedom. And yet, with the current state of affairs, personal freedom is becoming more scarce in America than in europe or canada. Congress is debating whether to censor the internet, something you'd expect from communist china, not the supposed land of the free.

NSA wiretapping. The patriot act. In America, the government mandates that companies hold on to personal information of their clients for two years, whereas in europe, companies are required to immediately destroy customer information after it is no longer needed. It makes me uneasy that my government is using big brother tactics to gather information on its own citizens when we're supposed to be all about privacy and personal freedom.

American ideals include arming the citizenry so that can reforge the government when it becomes opressive. Well, we're heading that way right now, but I don't see any signs of revolution around. My history teachers always cite how the constitution has been the law of the land for over 200 years.. like thats a good thing. I think it's time to recreate, but everyone else seems caught up in a conservative backlash. oh well.

And of course the American dream. I hate it. no need to elaborate.