The current condition of the United States of America is not perfect. It is no utopia free from struggle, class inequality, poverty, crime, etc., etc. As US citizens, we wake up every morning and do what we can to survive; if we are lucky, we may even seek to better ourselves. For those among us who strive to better the lives of our fellows, I say Thank You. I'm sure that sentiment is not expressed nearly as often as it should.
   There is no shortage of people in the US who believe conspiracy runs rapant in politics - the authorities wield their power like tyrants who wish for nothing more than to stifle the masses and prevent any deviation from the status quo. The wealthy seek to hoard all resources and force the common rabble to fight over the scraps. They ensure that there is no opportunity for a neo-Spartacus...
   On that note, one cannot consider present-day America without drawing the obvious parallel to that notorious experiment known as The Roman Empire. Did citizens dwelling within Rome realize that a couple thousand years in the future, history students the world over would view their system as an example of what not to do? Wait a minute - I shouldn't say students. After all, I do not speak for everyone. I only speak on behalf of any person who believes slavery is heinous and deplorable. My view on that particular subject is in fact a product of my geographic location. In a wonderfully idealized way, the writers of the United States' governing documents pushed this notion that every person had an inalienable right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." What an incredible concept- it is incredible to think that people actually had to write that down as if it wasn't a natural way to think about the state of living as a human. I cannot think of anything more natural than to live and find joy in life, and to promote the well-being of others so that all may find the beauty that exists in simply living. Talk about idealism. Even as I write these words that seek to promote peace and good among all people, there is inevitably someone in the world who is plotting a way to destroy life and bring pain and suffering to others. What a place Earth is. Sociologists probably have endless theories of why this dichotomy exists, but I suppose it is not worth getting too worked up over it.
   Back to the topic at hand- how anyone could imagine slavery being a natural order is beyond me. Reading Strayer's account of slavery through the ages is depressing and tragic. To think the institution of slavery has become interwoven with the fabric of humanity is a shame on our species. I cannot help but wonder what the world would look like today if everyone naturally rejected the notion of enslaving other humans. Imagine over the course of millennia how many potential innovators or great thinkers were engulfed by the suffocating evil of slavery.
   America was partially built on the backs of slavery. I consider myself lucky to live in an era where I can look back to the early dark days of this country and realize that slavery is a horrific institution that was rightfully abolished. Slavery still exists in some unenlightened places in the world, and that is an ongoing tragedy. Humankind is much better off on the whole than the way things were only several hundred years ago. Where can we go from here? As always since the dawn of "civilization," the people have the power to live right and justly. However, the masses always have found themselves in need of guidance and government- the key to providing good life and opportunity for all lies within the chosen leadership. In those brutal, class-based societies in classical India, China or Rome, the leaders seemed to exercise control over the people that seems unreal. No government should ever be allowed to get that all-powerful. It's up to the people to ensure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not infringed upon.