Maybe Leaving the United States is a Good Idea.

 

Oftentimes, when engaging in a political debate with conservatives, one could probably bet that one of the first retorts they’ll likely use would be the favorite : “Well if you hate America so much, why don’t you just leave?”

I don’t hate this country at all.

If I did, I would not be dedicating a significant portion of my time to voicing my thoughts on the issues and concerns that affect the people of this country on a regular basis, why they’re happening, and how we can improve. Having said that, after watching how our lawmakers have handled the coronavirus pandemic that has left 130,000 people to die alone drowning in their own fluids, and the economic crisis in its aftermath the likes of which we haven’t seen since the great depression, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.

There’s no denying that when all is said it done and the class warfare continues to escalate as the crisis continues, one can’t help feeling as though we’re living in an abusive relationship with no end in sight, complete with gaslighting and the perpetrators insisting that they’re only looking out for our best interests. The most powerful man in the nation is more concerned about his electoral prospects than the health and wellbeing of the American people, 5.4 million people have lost their health insurancesince this crisis began, and at the end of July when the extra unemployment benefits aren’t extended and homelessness potentially rises by 45%, I don’t even know if I have it in me to consider what happens in the weeks and months that follow. I can honestly say that for the first time, I would genuinely like to be able to leave the United States, and build a life somewhere else.

Of course, I can’t honestly imagine leaving everything and everyone I know and love behind. But today, it felt as though the extent of the toll that the events of the past four months has begun to sink in. The fact that I’m not even sure what’s going to be left to salvage of the United States when all is said and done is weighing on me, and I can’t help wondering: why even bother? At this point, I’ve gotten used to feeling like every day is taken up by just another shout in to the void, or another desperate attempt to make people in the position of power to do something about what we’re all experiencing, and understand the extent of the crisis at hand.

Today, I learned that a resident at the nursing home where I work was told that after four months of not being able to see her daughter, her daughter had taken a sudden and unexpected turn for the worse on Sunday, and lost her battle with cancer. Every single time I speak with this resident, she always mentioned her daughter at least once in the conversation. Without her, I truly do not know how much longer I’ll have my resident with me.

Every once in a while, the near constant drumbeat of ‘it doesn’t and shouldn’t have to be this way’ that pervades through my mind gets to be a little to much to bear, and this was one of those times. I can’t help thinking about the fact that a significant portion of the impact this virus has left on us, one way or another, was preventable. I can’t help thinking about the trauma and misery the criminal inaction of our lawmakers has caused not just my residents, but my coworkers, my family, my friends, and countless people throughout this country. Whether we are ready to admit it or not, the lasting ramifications of this virus will remain with us long after it is done ripping through our communities, and sometimes that thought is a little too much to handle.

I can’t help wondering what it must feel like to live in a country like New Zealand, or South Korea where the lives of their people are actually valued and respected, and human beings aren’t treated like collateral damage. What is it like to have a healthcare system that doesn’t treat you like a commodity, unmotivated by profit? What is it like to live somewhere where employers aren’t paying their workers just enough so that they don’t qualify for assistance? What is it like to live somewhere where there is no such thing as nearing 2 trillion dollars in student loan debt, and tuition free public college ensures that everyone can go to college without having to worry about the costs?

Maybe leaving the United States really is a good idea. If anything, it’s certainly easier. Nevertheless, as heavy as my mind and heart might be, I still can’t shake the feeling that we are indeed on the precipice of change, which for better or worse is going to change this country beyond even what we’ve already experienced. Already, we’ve reached the point of no return. There is no going back to what we were before March, and this is only the beginning. We may be at the point where it’s time to start all over and build anew, and if we are I’d like to do my best to ensure that we use this as an opportunity to create something better. The only thing keeping me here is the notion that anything worth fighting for will not come easy, and we’re all in this together.

Lauren is a writer & leftist with analysis on topics related to politics & policy. She can be reached at LaurenMartinchek@gmail.com or Twitter @xlauren_mx