The American Dream?

I have to start out this post by stating that I have a dog, which goes by the name Rebecca. I love my dog, and she is great for my son, Philip. My life is more enjoyable with the addition, three years ago, of this loving pet. But things in my America have gotten out of hand.

Business Week just published a cover piece on the burgeoning industry centered around pets. Americans spent, last year alone, about $40 billion on their pets. That is not my number, but the magazine's. And it seems insane, when we cannot find a way to rationalize universal health care, well-funded public schools, or an increase for ten years in the minimum wage. Congress has repeatedly said that Americans won't stand for a socialized health care system where everyone pays for everyone else's health problems. But, they sure as hell will pay for the best doghouse for Fido. They have money for dog psychologists.

What the hell is going on? We have pit bulls that are ripping strangers to shreds, and the dog gets put to sleep. This is ridiculous: we need to lock up the owner of the dog that trained it to kill. We have owners who sit in townhouses feeding their Maltese fresh salmon, and homeless guys dying on the streets of Hoboken. And then piece of shit techie yuppies complaining that their latte got curdled when they had to avert their gaze from the filth that is poverty.

I have to think that a country, a people, should be judged on what they prioritize...what they put their money toward. So, next time you think about paying $200 for a pumpkin costume for your poodle on Halloween, think about it.

la francaise adds: ... or when you are paying $600 for a dog tracking system -- see more at gundogsupply. the device at left ($200) can monitor how much exercise your fido gets each day.