COMPLAINING

I worked at a desk for years, at a basic 8-to-5 office job. I usually opted to work the afternoon/evening shift though, for a variety of reasons, like traffic, daytime phones and so on.

As the beneficiary of a labor contract, I got paid fairly well for the labor I contributed (not much more than data entry), at least double what everyone else was getting paid for doing something similar.

But it didn't matter. In spite of the good money, and superlative benefits, I still hated the job. Everyone did. It was one of the main topics of conversation in the office.

We summed up all of our complaining about our job with a simple observation: money.

It was the only thing holding us there. The job provided us with good money, but nothing more. Without the money (the good money), we would have gone looking for something else in a proverbial heartbeat.

This may sound trite, like a story that a lot of people could tell, because, in all likelihood, it reflects a fairly common experience. I am well aware that I am not the only person who has ever remained at a job just for the money.

So what's the point?

Well, it's like this. You see, I recently came to the realization that the feeling I had about my job, is exactly the same feeling I have about this country. The only reason I stay here is for the money.

Money, money and more money.

That's all. The way I see it, the United States has very little to offer besides money.

The entertainment it produces certainly is no reason to stay. It's total crap. Besides, it's exported all over the world. You could live anywhere and still watch American movies and listen to its music.

We make money in this country to spend it in another, whether we actually go to that country or not.

What American doesn't want Japanese electronics, not to mention cars? And what about the food thing? All you hear is Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, French. We're talking food here! We don't even like our own food. But why would we? It's unhealthy and totally without class. Oh, sure, we'll eat it to stay alive, for the sake of mere subsistence. But when we feel like living, real living, we want the good stuff, the foreign stuff.

I can't help but wonder if there are any cooking shows in Europe featuring American cooking the way we have programs here touting French or Italian cuisine? Somehow, I doubt it. I mean, what the hell would the show be about besides hamburgers, hot dogs and barbecue?

And to those people who would say, "If you don't like it leave it. Stop your bitching," I have an answer. And it's the same answer I gave when I complained about the job I hated. The money is too powerful. It holds you.

Yeah, I guess I could have just up and walked away from the job. I mean, there were no chains holding me. But could I? I mean, really?

Since the money is such an irresistible force, complaining is the only thing I've got. I'll be damned if I'm going to give it up.