National Issue

I decided to write about the national issue of the United States since it is something that concerns me. I am a part of young generation and a student that will enter the “real life” after graduating Baruch College. United States is an amazing country with great history, many opportunities for individuals. It is a country that has very big influence on the world in every way. Therefore, America is often referred to as the “world police”. At least ten years ago it was a country with the top standard of living in the world, and the currency that was the “king of all the currencies on Earth”. Unfortunately, things are not the same like they were ten years ago. Certainly, United States is still considered the major economic power of the world, but there are too many changes that may shift us from this high position. That is why I believe it should be a major concern for every individual who lives in United States, especially young generation, since our future will depend on these changes.

After the World War Two, changes in technology had a major impact on the economy of United States. It became one of the most advanced countries in technology and heavy machinery. Mostly because of increased production, which was driven by the demand of European countries after devastating war. This progress helped to improve infrastructure, education, made U.S. dollar very strong and basically made United States first economic power of the world.

Over the past thirty years the world’s economy moved towards globalization of markets and production, but with it the society of United States changed too. We live in the society where “everything should be done today if not yesterday” and I believe it is a big disadvantage, which may have a negative impact on our future. Great example of such failure would be “bullet train”, which was invented in the United States. This new creation was supposed to become a big breakthrough in transportation by cutting the travel time more than in half. However, due to the high cost and the extended time for establishment this invention was denied. Therefore, countries like Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, etc. are way ahead of the United States when it comes to transportation. This factor is very important in global business. With technology we have in this world Americans should be able to improve our transportation and infrastructure. Unfortunately, our government and society do almost nothing to make our future better. As a result, we see no changes in improvement of bridges and tunnels, which are starting to collapse as we have seen from the news.

In addition, American citizens are famous for inefficient use of energy and income. The country of the United States, with population of almost three hundred million of people which is about 4 percent of the worlds population consumes thirty percent of the world energy supply if not more. This fact is very frightening, especially since the cost of energy continues to increase. However, when comparing the prices of the other developed countries, the costs of energy in the U.S. are still very low. When it comes to savings, citizens of other major economic countries, like Japan, have an average of little more than seventeen percent of saved income. This number is an absolute opposite of ours since it is a negative percentage. We are the biggest spenders in the world. At the same time, an average American consumer has eight thousand dollars in debt, which is a very big number when compared to the rest of the world.

I believe that the biggest concern for us should be education because it has a very big influence on our civilization. United States spends the most money on kindergarten through twelve grade schools than anyone in the world. However, American students do not get a better education than other countries. For example, Singapore, which is developing country, was ranked ahead of United States in educational level in mathematics between high school students. This statistic shows that something has to be done in our educational system. Bill Gates, entrepreneur and the richest man in the world hires the Ph.D. in mathematics and computer science from China for his corporation. The reason for that was because there are not enough of them in United States. He also appeared number of times before the Congress requesting to raise the number of H-1B visas for foreign professionals. The demand for them is growing, but the number of Americans graduating with degree like science, technology, engineering and mathematics is falling. The Labor Department projects that by two thousand fourteen there will be more than two million jobs openings in these fields. This change may cause us falling behind in the competitive world. In order to prevent such disaster from happening, the government has to improve educational system and increase the interest of young generation in needed fields.

As you can see, everything I described along with the examples I’ve provided in this essay is not something new. Also, I think that most of people are aware of them. Unfortunately, the government and citizens of the United States do not do anything that may turn around these changes into benefits for us. We steel use as much electricity as we want, we still burn oil to heat our houses, we still drive big cars that burn enormous amount of gas, we still buy everything we want by paying with credit cards or taking a loan, and we still believe that school programs are too hard and should be easier for our children. Everything that we do is done to satisfy us today; however, we have to start thinking about our long term satisfaction. Actually, we should stop being selfish and think of our next generation, think about our kids. What would they say when they will face the consequences of our actions. I believe that these issues should concern young generation the most. We are the ones that decide our own future. Whether you want to live in the country which is dependent on oil from Middle Eastern countries and finance organizations that support terrorist groups that we keep fighting against, or be a county which produces most of its energy supply. Or, maybe you want to live in a country which once was the number one economy in the world, but because it failed to keep up with the rest of the world now only able to look in history books and talk of how great it once was. In my opinion, American standard of living should be first in the world like it was ten years ago, but not at expense of our planet like it was back then and now.

And yes, it all comes down to our planet. Our planet has to be a number one priority no matter what it takes. If you are twenty years old or more you had to see a change in climate over years of your life. I have lived in the country which had so much snow in the winter that you wouldn’t be able to walk through it, but now it’s not even close to that. Summers were so nice and warm that you can spend all day outside, but now you can’t go outside because it is too hot and conditioner is your life saver. Well, didn’t you hear people say “don’t mess with mother nature”? I say that to you if you want your kids live on this planet and enjoy beauty of nature like we do. However, if we will continue taking all the resources out of our planet and give nothing in return we will soon end up asking ourselves “What have we done?”.

I got scared when I read the news that the President of Maldive Islands is looking for the land elsewhere for its people because Atlas will soon be renewed, but with less islands on it. If this does not frightens you, than you are the person that will destroy our planet. You will continue drive your big and luxury cars with big engines, and enjoy your life as long as you are comfortable. Well nothing is forever and soon we will start running out of oil and the prices will keep rising. Therefore, if you don’t care about the nature, than you should think about your wallet. May be than you will change your mind and think of these issues, but it could be too late.

“We should look at it not as the national issue, but as the global issue. So, Let’s Do Something!!!!!!”