Ryunkin

A number of years ago I went to Baja for 3 weeks. It was certainly an eye opener for me. Particularly when I had a discussion with several college educated people who were making in a year what they could have made in a couple months if they had just moved north to the states. When I asked them why they wouldn't go, they replied that "you Americans don't have any laws." Obviously I shocked. If anything we gringos have more laws than we could ever use in a million years. Nonetheless, after I thought about it I had to agree with them. In Playa Rosarita there was no need to lock doors because no one would ever think to steal anything. That definitely isn't the case where I live. I think our problem is caused by the fact that our laws contradict each other and in effect create a lawless paranoic society. I think Americans have to wake up and start viewing our country like a foreigner. In other words we have to stop being xenophobic. In regard to Mexican police, I have to agree with you. I certainly don't want to have anything to do with them. But then, have you taken a look inside our prisons lately? What's the difference? The entire world, thanks to "free enterprise" is becoming a ruthless Orwellian place to live in. I think we're more like Mexico than you may think.

I totally agree with Sarmiento who's only making an apparent observation. Capitalism only works if it has the government in its pocket. When its the other way around and the capitalists are the little twits getting their noses bloodied, their property has always been conviscated (China and Russia for example) and they end up hanging from street lights. Incidentally, the lawlessness of the Mexican legal authorities will soon be coming to the United States, so don't think so lowly of the Mexicans.

I've always been considered different than my peers. At first I hated it, after awhile I got used to it and eventually I learned to love it. I think, in order to do the same, you have to gravitate toward a profession and people who share your view of life then pleasantly say the hell with everyone else. I also believe that you should put yourself and your goals above everyone and everything else. Oddly enough, by doing so you actually become a better team player. When you're taking care of your own business and not someone else's you actually become more competent. It will help your conscience, however, if you're goals are a pinch altruistic. But if they're not, screw it, go for them anyway. Teachers can be a problem. Most of them are either mediocre or idiots. If they weren't then why aren't they out in the world changing things? Some have actually done things and are "giving back" by teaching what they know. These doers can be useful with their practical knowledge. Use them. As far as the others are concerned, butter them up to get better grades even if you don't deserve them. Do things to make them like you even if you hate their guts. I'm afraid practicality can be cold, but it is necessary. Otherwise you'll end up a Prozac mess. I'll close by saying that college is a lot different than high school. I think it may appeal to your natural tendency to be different. But don't let it lull you in and make you lazy or go off on some . In today's world students have to be ruthless because of the price they're paying for their devalued education. I think that soon the price of a college degree will outweigh the cost of not having one. In fact, I'm becoming less and less enamored with the traditional route of doing well in school then going to some company, hat in hand, begging for a job. With America's loss of economic stature everyone is going to have to be more creative and entrepreneurial. For someone with an artistic bent I would learn all I could about computer graphics and kick start your own creative enterprise, maybe even before you graduate; Bill Gates never got a degree you know. For me, that would mean something involving cartoons and animation. At any rate, good luck with the rest of your life and I hope that I've given you some good ideas.