Generosity – India versus USA

I attended a dinner event hosted by our Church choir. There is one homeless lady who comes to our church service regularly. Someone always pays her ticket to attend events like this where there is food (she comes dressed OK). Anyway, I was surprised to find out that some parishioners make it point to sit with her so that she would not feel shunned. In fact, there were so many at her table at this event, that they had to get extra chairs! I think Americans are the kindest and most generous people in the world (quite opposite to their rotten international image!) Indians basically are not generous or kind to the poor. Recent studies show that despite of a rapid growth in the numbers of super rich, charitable contributions in India account for only .6% of her GDP, versus 2.2% of GDP in USA.

Thankfully, a many rich Indians here in USA, have picked up this noble trait of Americans, and are helping the poor and needy in India.

One compliment a day!

At the fitness center I go, men and women take turns in using various exercise machines. Yesterday, I followed a young woman to a forearm exercise machine. As I bent down to increase the weight of the exercise, as it is always the case when you follow a woman, I was surprised to find that the weight was the same as mine. This was truly remarkable as on that machine I can do barely ten repeats. (No, I am not that old yet to be weaker than young women!) So, despite her impassive face (most ladies have that at fitness centers), I smiled at her and commented that I am impressed that she can do what I barely can. Her surprised look turned into a broad smile, and she mumbled something in return. Later I saw her working out on other machines with a beaming face.

The easiest way to make a person happy is to compliment that person. It does not cost you anything, and the amazing thing is that you also feel good seeing the happiness you created. I think I am going to add ‘One compliment a day’ to my New Year resolutions!

Buying of elections!

I am disgusted that money has become almost the only factor in winning an election in this country. The best example is the latest Republican primary election for the governorship of California. Billionaire Meg Whitman, who has no previous experience in politics, won it after spending over 70 million dollars of her own money. (This sum breaks into a cost of $88 for every vote she got!). Next she will face the Democratic candidate, Jerry Brown, also known as ‘Governor Moonbeam’ for his nutty behavior. I am certain that she is going to beat Brown after spending a few more millions of her own money. This means we Californians are going to get another novice succeeding our present Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The California state assembly has been in a stalemate for years with no compromise in sight between the Republican and Democratic Party representatives. To break this logjam it requires a person with proven political skills and excellent knowledge about the workings of the assembly. Certainly, Meg Whitman does not have this. It will take her years to acquire them, by which time her term in the office will be finished. Then there will be another rich celebrity following her.

I feel unless there is a drastic reform in election financing, this country is on a rapidly downward spiral.