by Nick Jacobs

Today, I opened the Sunday newspaper to see an article by David Wallechinsky that very carefully challenged us to look at ourselves as a nation. Under the realm of leadership the question has to be: When will our leaders begin to address these issues in a meaningful way? We have no national health care policy. We have no viable energy policy. We are still not open minded enough to even elect a female to the Presidency. Yet, according to Wallechinsky, we remain the strongest country economically in the world. Too bad economic strength isn't representative of moral, ethical and social strength and commitment.

As I sit with my children and grandchildren today, I can only hope that their generation will take hold of these issue. After such a strong start, we Boomers certainly seem to have missed our major opportunity to make a dent in these socially challenging situations.

From "Parade:Magazine" by David Wallechinsky

The U.S. spends the most on health care but lags in life expectancy.

43 Countries have more physicians per capita than we do.

33 Countries, including Cuba, have lower rates of infant deaths.

Residents of 27 countries live longer.

We lead all nations in the consumption of oil, using a quarter of the world's annual supply.

Highest per capita rate of people in prison, 737 per 100,000 people or 2.2 million.

We perform the fourth highest number of executions trailing only China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Only South Africa and Canada have higher rape rates.

We also have the 15th highest murder rate

71 countries do better at electing women to national legislatures.

Of eligible citizens who vote, U.S. ranks 139th of 172 nations.

WE consume more calories per capita than the citizens of any other nation, and lead the world in the prevalence of obesity.