Thursday, September 08, 2005

The Spirit of American Individualism

Fire of Liberty

Marvin Olasky has a wonderful column which shows why the spirit of "American individualism," makes this nation so great to live in. You can't find many countries in the world where perfect strangers will willingly offer up rooms of their homes, food, water, medical services and various forms of labor to other strangers who got caught up in the tragedy of Katrina or other natural disasters. Just look at the many examples that Olasky offered in his piece:
Before expressing disgust with America, please spend a couple of hours reading through Internet postings like this one: "We are a family of five. ... We have a very small room with a bed and two small dressers that we will offer to you so that you can get back on your feet. You will be welcome at our family table. ... We don't have much money after the bills are paid, but we'll happily share whatever we can. We don't expect you to pay us, and we won't expect you to leave quickly. It takes time to rebuild, and we'll give you that time."

Look at all the people ready to donate their expertise: "I am a licensed bus driver willing to go south to haul those folks out. ... I am a house painter. ... I am fully licensed, have a truck with all equipment and chemicals, and am willing to go down and help out with any pest control problems. ... I'm a building and roofing contractor from upstate New York who will donate my expertise and labor. ... I am background-screened and fingerprinted for childcare, willing to take in a few kids or a small family. ... I speak fluent Spanish and will contact anyone for anybody."
This is why I'm proud to be a citizen of such a great nation that has and share such great values and ideals. I doubt you saw such a thing happening in France last August during the heat wave where some 25,000 elderly people died of heat stroke while everyone else was lapping it up on the beaches on the French Riviera. Thank G-d for the US.

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