There's No Place Like Home. Cool.

 

Hmm... I wonder why people who have been treated horribly by their birth country's authorities, where they were beaten, jailed, diminished or imprisoned would choose to go back, as in the case of this 95 year old Korean man?

 Actually, this isn't a good example really because the man was in a South Korean prison for forty two years and now wants to go home to die. In fact, that's a lousy example, although, I doubt he would receive a warm welcome as he crossed over to the home he hasn't lived in decades. Considering he is 95 years old while in the North the citizens rarely make it past 60, he should enjoy his freedom, but who am I to judge? He wants to go home. I, on the other hand, would like to leave my country. Well, I think about it, a lot.

I liked my country BT (Before Trump) although the constant comparisons to other countries that have free healthcare, free childcare, free college education, great transportation, beautiful architecture, no guns, no daily mass shootings, equality for women, decent wages, four week vacations, great parental leave for both parents entered my mind on occasion, but was pushed back, way back, because I was driving in my brand new car, paid for with credit with 30% interest. I'd eventually stop crying over the slaughter of schoolchildren because tomorrow was the State Fair! And forget about that homeless guy begging for a few coins because that's not me. What a great country. 

Uh, so what do I love about this country? Well, a Constitution that sort of worked up until now. The vastness, the absolute beauty of our land and national parks, the independence of our people, music, movies, the abundance of food, merchandise and fun. And so far, the right to say what is on my mind without threat of being beaten or jailed for years, although that right is gradually being taken away.

If someone came to me today and offered me the chance to live in another country, the odds are I would say yes. I'm not chained to this country except that I have family here, but my beliefs and the ideology of this country are not compatible. Yeah, yeah, I can already hear the, "It could be worse, elsewhere." Of course it could. I could be living in a country which mirrors this one, where people who disagree with their leader are threatened with prison, where I could be picking out apples at the grocery store and the next second get shot by an angry, white man, (actually, that just happens here) where people of color are zip tied and disappeared, where authorities side with the despot and bow to his commands. In the world Before Trump, I harrumphed at American citizens who chose to move to another country to seek a better life. How dare they give up, I thought? I don't think that way anymore. Trump has taken away far more than just our freedom. He's taken our peace of mind. We are unhealthy and broken. So, if you have the means to go, I'd encourage you to leave without regret or guilt. You don't owe this country anything, especially now. America is like the drug addict who has fallen to his lowest point. He will either decide to get better or he will die. You are not obligated to watch the destruction or the metamorphosis if that should happen by some miracle.

"Home isn't where you're from, it's where you find light when all grows dark." - Pierce Brown 

So, go. Find the light.