If you could hang a price tag on loyalty to your country, what would it be? If I were offered ten million dollars to leave the United States and never come back I would accept. I love the U.S. and my life here has been wonderful, but there are a few reasons that make this a very easy decision; the current political climate, the serious downturn in the economy and my obsession with foreign culture.This country has changed a great deal since I was younger. I remember the carefree America of the 80's and 90's when our biggest problems were a minor recession and a philandering but lovable president. Today we are constantly on edge, feeling under constant threat from outside forces. Since 9/11 congress and the administration have made changes to the constitution that the old America would have been in an uproar about. Today we let our fear excuse the stripping of our civil liberties. The government spies on us but we allow it, saying if one has nothing to hide then one has nothing to fear. We fight an endless war in a foreign country and tell ourselves that it is to keep us safe. This war, along with other factors, are on the verge of destroying the American economy.
Just a few years ago the dollar was equal to the British pound in value, but that is not the case today. The value of the dollar of the world market has been steadily slipping, and it could be much more lucrative to invest ones money in a foreign economy. The housing market is in an abysmal state with a record number of people defaulting on their mortgages. The war in the Middle East and an impending global food shortage have caused the price of gas and groceries to sky rocket making it harder and harder to afford even the bare necessities of life.
For as long as I can remember I have been in love with foreign cultures. My father used to read us folk tales from Japan and China. Stories about dragons and samurai that enchanted me with the idea of living somewhere with such an ancient history. As a westerner the thought of a place like Japan, with a culture so completely different from my own is thrilling. The elite technology of the Akihabara district and the wild fashion of the Harajuku district would seem like a different planet to someone who had grown up in Florida. When I was a young teenager I visited Great Britain and I returned home with an obsession with British music, films and literature. Many of my favorite bands are from the United Kingdom and living there would give me a better opportunity to see them live.
It would be hard to leave the United States forever. My family and my friends are here. All of my memories of growing up and becoming the person I am today are here. However, today it is easier than ever to travel from one side of the world to the other and they could always come to me. Leaving the country is something that I have always considered as a possibility anyway, and with ten million dollars to comfort me it would be the easiest decision I have ever made.
