*Written by Gerhard*

We live in a cruel country. In terms of life expectancy, the US ranks 28th out of 38 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, countries. US life expectancy is 78.7 years. Poorer countries, Spain or South Korea, have life expectancies of over 82 years. The US infant mortality rate is 5.8 per 1000, far above the rate of 4.5 in Slovakia and 4.1 in Latvia. The suicide rate in the US is the 29th highest of the OECD countries.Homicide rates are off the charts. Roughly 20 % of the American labor force is functionally illiterate. This is much higher than in some poorer European countries.

Many say they love this country. How do we love a country unless we love the people?

The people who die prematurely. The workers we have not equipped to do their job well. And their families living in poverty. The families who lose a child during birth. And all those Americans who commit suicide. And their loved ones.

Love requires more than words, thoughts, and prayers. Love requires bold, effective action. Are we up for it? If Spain and Latvia can do it, why can’t we?