American Apathy

By Daniela Contreras,
Eastlaketimes Staff Writer

What is it about this nation of ours, one that makes it a mission to instill in the minds of millions the “concrete” concepts of liberty and freedom across international lands and foreign seas that yields a vast amount of political indifference? Why is it that today’s youth (myself included) shamelessly finds a way to voluntarily turn its back on politics: the very institution that when is ignored, readily accepts a substantial amount of power to do, well, exactly what it wants to? Why are the citizens of the United States of America so relaxed when it comes to the actions of their government? I would bet anything that most people find it unnecessary to find any answers at all to these questions.

We have all heard the impressions foreigners have of Americans. Loud. Cocky. Obnoxious. Ignorant. And of course, obtrusive.  To a certain degree, I share these views with the world, but when it comes to the issue of politics, make no mistake that Americans never seem willing enough to sprint in the opposite direction. About twenty years ago, a simple French man moved to California just for the surf, established his life in America and became a teacher. Fast forward to the year 2012, the man is now my AP French teacher, a man that has challenged a number of beliefs I once held on to. Monsieur’s daily anecdotes quickly made him a favorite teacher. By discussing an array of fascinating topics, like detailed comparisons to French and American culture, to mortally boring ones, like an hour long lecture on the history of the Basque country, it was inevitable to not be a least a bit influenced by his words.  One morning, Monsieur naturally deviated from his lesson plan and posed an interesting question: Why do we Americans think so many historic philosophers are French? He responded by saying the French are nothing but a lunatic, depressed but realistic population; complaining seems to be the country’s favorite pastime close after soccer. The French seem to have a defective gene that automatically makes them uneasy and heavily critical about anything and everything in society, hence giving birth to many thinkers who openly criticized their surroundings. Years of life in the U.S.A. taught my teacher that while the French complain endlessly, Americans gladly blind themselves from reality and do whatever in their power to not look at what is in front of them. Watching Monsieur poke fun at his own people made the class laugh like hyenas and accept the fact that he was right without actually knowing for sure. It was at that point, I realized that sometimes my teacher’s description of the French government’s superiority may have been a tad annoying, but this amount, this glorious amount, of inconformity keeps a government on a tight leash and constantly under the public’s watchful eye!

America’s people quickly point the finger at presidents without taking in consideration the various levels of government that intentionally dilute power. Americans are angered when someone with an incompetent amount of education is elected to office without taking the time from work to vote for local and state elections. Americans find it inconceivable that laws passed in secrecy clearly violate countless constitutional amendments, but on a day off, fights are not fought valiantly enough, complaints are not shouted loud enough. The disease is easy to diagnose: A large part of Americans do not care enough for their government.

Indisputably believing the government has citizens’ best interests while doing nothing to benefit how we are run will never produce a satisfying government. One thing I will never forget about Monsieur’s description of the French is that concerning the government, nothing gets by the French. This unfortunately, is much more than what I can say about this country’s present state. The United States known throughout the world and in history textbooks paints the picture of a resistant nation, one that does not settle for second best. But as time goes by, politicians step down, the economy is on a roller coaster and a country’s passions starts to dwindle, it seems that power and the fine line between who holds it, the government or its people, is left in ruins. The reason why several wars were fought now has ceased to arouse a minimal amount of public interest. Why has this country let power slip away into the hands of politicians? How is it that as much as the government quickly accepts fancy dinners hosted by everyday Americans, everyday Americans eagerly host a fancy dinners for the government?

Daniela Contreras

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