Way of Life

What is the American way of life? Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness? The preamble to the Declaration of Independence? Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. Or more currently something from Barack Obama? Is it just plain freedom that we talk about so boldly? Or all these just words? Is there something more tangible? I would propose that there is.

So tangibles. Voting? Is that one? Right to bare arms? Right to assemble? Of course these things are only tangible if used. How many U.S. citizens use the rights found in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence. Nor would they know even where to find them written as law in this country. So, let’s see if we can define it more.

More tangibles. Let’s talk about products. A home, a car, and maybe decent salary. Is this the American way of life. And if were talking about items that we own or physically posses should we carry on with computers, cell phones, plasma TVs? Are all these the American way of life? Or even worse, is Wal-Mart part of the American way of life. Or the idea of cheap gas so I can drive wherever I want. And finally should we address how much everyone here should earn or deserves to earn making a living? Maybe all these things are. When I talk to many people they view these things as a very necessary part of living in this country.

Now time for the hard question, if any of the above things are part of the American way of life what do we do to maintain that hard to define way of life. What are we willing to do for it?

For example if I ask you is it OK to kill in the name of freedom from tyranny most people will answer with a resounding, “Yes!” But I say is it OK to die over a new Dell lap-top? The answer of course will be, “No!”

But because of what we are here in America I think it’s a fair question. What is America. Are we innocent or are we guilty? Are we both? Are we socialist, expansionist? What system are we as citizens and residents of this land a part of? And my answer is this:

Ah, the innocence of us all. We are part of an Empire. It’s a simple fact. And most of are participating whole heartedly in it. We don’t want to be the bad guys. Of course not. But let’s honestly look at some realties.

Now I don’t want this to be a fact filled lecture by any means. This is an opinion and should be disputed. That’s what opinions are for, to be argued and debated. What I want is for this thing to be looked at and talked about.

So, onward. We are a economic, social, and military empire. Meaning we are expanding all the aforementioned agendas across the world. We push our ideals, our economy and our military almost everywhere. And want to push them everywhere.

People get mad about us invading a foreign country with our massive military. But do they get bent out of shape when Wal-Mart headed south of the border and started destroying small town economies in Mexico? Another point, how many people get upset when we try to democratize most of the know world. When democracy is a western cultural concept that doesn’t do well in other cultures. Most U.S. citizens when asked if democracy is a great idea they’re all for it, and believe all others should have it too.

So, in my opinion. Yep, as people say we’re pushy. We’re peddling and pushing it across the globe. And every single U.S. citizen is just as guilty as the next for participating in the empire. Whether we promote by voting for officials that peddle war, or whether we support programs that insist on democratization around the world. Or we just want cheaper price from Wal-Mart or at the pump. Its just what we are. Now this unfortunate little historical note. Empires are either expanding or fading and dying. There is not middle ground. It is the way all countries go. So this is country either has to continue to expand or go backwards and eventually into nothing but pages of a history book.

So, now am I saying the American way of life is all part of the empire? Probably. Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Coca Cola Inc and the list goes on are companies that are forming our empire. Unfortunately they also help our wonderfully rich economy. The military establishment. What a mess. What a bunch of war mongering killers. But they also do keep us safe. Those terrible uneducated conservatives pushing democracy everywhere ruining cultures around the world. But they’ve helped millions have a better understanding of freedom.

Point is this. It’s not a simple answer. It’s not black and white. Its gray. Or really cloudy and murky. I love idealists. I wish I had their sense of certainty of things.

Right, wrong. Good, bad. Such a perfect world. Easy to look at. Easy to live with. One thing is wrong. One thing is right. Done.

So, back to an earlier question. What is worth killing for? What is worth dying for? Freedom is worth dying for? Absolutely. But if I’m protecting the American way of life, killing to help out Microsoft might be in the cards. Because as sure as I want to wake up tomorrow every U.S. citizens wants a bigger and better paycheck. And the only way to do that is to ensure that the economic giant we are keeps pushing along. And even though we hate them. The large companies of this country keep it moving along. And make sure we still get paid twice a month.

I have asked enough questions tonight. Time for my own messed up opinion. Please dispute it, discard it, laugh at it as you will. After all the questions I have asked I feel it’s only fair that you get my answers as I see it. I hate Wal-Mart. Not a Coke guy. I am more of Pepsi guy. Specifically Mountain Dew. Don’t like Microsoft. Vista sucks. But unfortunately I have purchased products from the above out of convenyant more than I would like to admit. I love traveling therefore I want cheap gas. Not to mention I do not make that much so four dollars a gallon kills me. And gas prices quickly wipe out what little extra funds I have.

But I love the freedoms this country has given me. I love the security we have in it. I love knowing my land rarely had foreign soldiers on her soil. I love knowing millions sleep safe at night from true tyranny. And no GW, is not Hitler or Stalin. I love knowing that my kids despite my humble economic status will have the opportunity to rise to whatever level they can. I love knowing I can worship how and where I may. I love knowing we promote so many good things across the world. And that not thousands but millions of lives are better because of what this country has done and will do.

I am a skeptic. I am cynical. But I am also a patriot. I also believe in this country!

You may ask why all these questions and statements now. It’s like this. Tomorrow I go outside the wire. It’s probably a milk run. 95 percent chance that nothing will happen. In and out no problems. But what if things happen? What if I have to kill my fellow man? Or what if it’s my turn and I die? Am I dying for Wal-Mart? Yes I am. Am I dying for oil? Yes I am. Am I dying for Coke? Well let us say I am dying for Mountain Dew. I like that better.

But am I going out there for freedom? Yes. Am I going out there to maybe kill or help kill people, for the freedoms I enjoy in my beloved country? Yes, I am.

I am going out there for the American way of life. Yes!

It’s not a pleasant, happy answer. It’s a gray one. The definition of the American way of life will differ on whom you ask. And that’s as it should be. But just remember if you are there in America you are living the American way of life. And creating the wonderful and horrible thing it is. We all should feel a little guilty for things that are done in the name of American way of life. And we all should feel a little proud for things that are done in the name of American way of life.

In the mean time this soldier has a long day ahead of him tomorrow. And so does every U.S. soldier around the world.

Josh Ashton

Afghanistan 2008