whitebread

“The pursuit of happiness may even help to explain the surge of anti-Americanism. Many people dislike America because of its failure to live up to its stated ideals. But others dislike it precisely because it is doing exactly what Jefferson intended. For some Europeans, the pursuit of happiness in the form of monster cars and mansions is objectionable on every possible ground, from aesthetic to ecological. You cannot pursue happiness with such conspicuous enthusiasm without making quite a lot of people around the world rather unhappy.” From the Economist print edition, July 1st 2006. (apologies for use without permission).

And some people still believe that this country can mend, live up to its ideals, and allow for the conspicuous, enthusiastic pursuit of happiness–without monster cars, mansions, or making so many other people in the world unhappy.