The Catalyst

Hello All,


I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July weekend. You would think with a moniker like "The All-American" that I would have celebrated more than I did. While most of you were grilling, lighting fireworks, and socializing, I was at work watching another Law & Order marathon. Sure, I didn't celebrate my independence in a traditional way. But I did take the time out to reflect on what it means to be free.
You may have not realized but our U.S. Constitution is a work of pure genius. Sure it has its flaws like anything else man-made, but the fact remains that our nation is the best in the world. There are people who would disagree with the previous statement but I don't think my opinion is without merit. People risk life and limb to get into this country and take advantage of opportunities we seem to look over. Where else can you be born in the most dire of circumstances and die a multi-billionaire? In most countries, if you are born poor you are destined to die poor. And your children will die poor. And their children...well you get the point. At least in America you have a chance. There are no guarantees but at least you can have hope. And hope is the gas that fuels aspirations.
I live in an "urban" area. You know what that means. A bunch of shoe stores, chinese food restaraunts, and liquor stores most of which are owned by immigrants. I'm not a hater. I don't mind when people from oversees come over and start businesses. But you do have people that feel that immigrants are presented with opportunities not available to U.S. citizens. Sure, there are programs in place so that legal aliens can start their own businesses. But there are also programs in place to help U.S. citizens start businesses as well (ask that guy on all the commercials with the question marks on his blazer). I may come under fire for what I'm about to say but it's what I believe so (fill in your own blank) it. I agree with former President Reagan. I don't believe people suffer because of lack of resources. Most people can't have the things they want because they have a jog trot* not conducive with success. I think that the U.S. provides plenty of opportunity for upward mobility (and I'm not talking about food stamps, Section 8 housing, or affirmative action). It's just that people either don't know where to get help or they don't want it. No matter the situation, it's no one's fault except for the individual if he/she can't get a piece of the American Pie. Hard times fall on everybody. But if you are truly determined to be a success, no one has the ability to stop you. No one but YOU, of course.
Enjoy your independence people. Don't follow the crowd. Be your own person. Don't get it twisted, though. Independence brings loneliness because most people would rather think like the group instead of outside the box. It's easy to take freedom for granted when its all you've ever known. You have the right to say what you want. So speak up! You have the right to assemble. So throw a party! You have the right to choose your own religion. So go ahead and choose which god you want to give all your money to. This is American, Ladies and Gentlemen. Enjoy your liberty. There are opportunities all around. If you're not going to use them, move and let some one else take advantage.

"He who does not enjoy solitude will not love freedom." -- Arthur Schopenhauer

Dream Big. Live Bigger.



The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com

*Word you've never heard...

jog trot /JOG-TROT/ noun - a routine habit or course of action