Welcome to America | Teen Ink

Welcome to America

April 1, 2010
By icefaerie10111 GOLD, Exeter, Rhode Island
icefaerie10111 GOLD, Exeter, Rhode Island
12 articles 8 photos 25 comments

Welcome to America: A land of opportunity
where a man on Welfare can make more than a public school teacher.
Welcome to America: A land paved in gold
where we are in trillions of dollars of debt.
Welcome to America: "Liberty and Justice for all":
where our pledge does not include minors or homosexuals;
where it is not applied to the oppressed and those in debt.
Welcome to America: A land for the people
where the cooperation is clearly a person as you and me, from a political aspect.
Welcome to America: ...and by the people
where you can buy legislative power from a governor in Illinois.
Welcome to America: A effort against the "Drug War"
where we can't even keep our police officers clean.
Welcome to America: Where people and legislature see eye to eye;
where a democracy and a republic clash heads.
Welcome to America: Separation of Church and State
where we have only had two non-Protestant Presidents.
Welcome to America: A land of freedom
where women no rights until 1848, and could not vote until 1920;
where African-Americans were isolated from society until the 1960s;
where American Citizens of the same nation had to kill each other to abolish slavery.
Welcome to America: A Nation of peace
where we are always at war.
Welcome to America: A Nation united
where states are divided.
Welcome to America: A Nation of tolerance
where "the people" see Islam in the government as more of a problem than economic reform.
Welcome to America: A Democracy
where we win votes by scandals and controversy, not political action or issues.
Welcome to America: Does the system work for you?
where fitting into the system is more important than improving it.
Welcome to America: Where several police officers were killed in a cafe a couple of weeks ago;
where no one noticed because they were too preoccupied with the fact that Tiger Woods cheated on his wife.
Welcome to America: Most politicians one were lawyers;
where it seems being a celebrity gives you power equal to that.

Welcome to America where many people who read this article never got past the second line because they would rather ignore the issues than resolve them.



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This article has 211 comments.


on Sep. 17 2022 at 5:22 pm
NidhiBathla GOLD, San Antonio, Texas
11 articles 0 photos 2 comments
@dasein YES

dasein SILVER said...
on Aug. 12 2022 at 10:05 am
dasein SILVER, Vancouver, Columbia
5 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked"

I can't believe this was posted in 2010 ... when I read it I had no idea because so many of these issues are still so relevant. Love the last line :)

eNVythe1 GOLD said...
on Apr. 15 2022 at 2:13 pm
eNVythe1 GOLD, Temecula, California
16 articles 3 photos 17 comments
this is amazing, great job on being able to have the courage to put out a poem like this

on Mar. 1 2022 at 8:00 am
poetstears GOLD, Columbus, Other
13 articles 0 photos 8 comments
I just want to thank you for being willing to write a poem about things most people ignore(i say most, not all, for those who might criticize). Its an amazing written work

on Jan. 13 2022 at 11:33 am
ILiveToRead PLATINUM, Wailuku, Hawaii
24 articles 3 photos 150 comments
I have to conclude that this well thought out and it shows you take heart to the issues of your country, BUT, do not think that just because someone didn't make it past the 2nd line it means they are ignoring issues. Possibly they just did not find your work captivating, well written, or interesting enough to hold their attention.

CheyenneC GOLD said...
on Sep. 10 2021 at 1:00 pm
CheyenneC GOLD, Vero Beach, Florida
14 articles 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
The kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways.

I loved this a lot I think it was beautiful and well worded. Keep writing I think you're an amazing writer. I would love it if you checked out some of my stuff and gave me some feedback I have not had many people really see my work since being on this site so if anyone has any advice or anything go check out some of my work.

JRR BRONZE said...
on Apr. 26 2021 at 11:22 am
JRR BRONZE, Fort Worth, Texas
2 articles 0 photos 3 comments
@nate-is-the-name , you realize this website is for sharing ideas, art, and opinions right? The first step to solving problems is recognizing they exist. We as a country haven't even done that.

on Apr. 17 2021 at 7:01 pm
SparrowSun ELITE, X, Vermont
200 articles 23 photos 1053 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It Will Be Good." (complicated semi-spiritual emotional story.)

"Upon his bench the pieces lay
As if an artwork on display
Of gears and hands
And wire-thin bands
That glisten in dim candle play." -Janice T., Clockwork[love that poem, dont know why, im not steampunk]

@nate-is-the-name i agree

on Aug. 9 2019 at 8:41 pm
nate-is-the-name PLATINUM, Clarksburg, Maryland
22 articles 1 photo 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
We’re all nothing but walking paradoxes, and I love it!

Love your writing ability, but you are not trying to solve any problems, you’re simply complaining about issues that occur in most countries.

on Feb. 8 2019 at 11:55 am
lydiagerges BRONZE, Franklin, Wisconsin
2 articles 0 photos 21 comments
This is powerful. It would mean so much to me if you could read my writing on my page and give me feedback?? xoxo

on Sep. 25 2018 at 9:48 am
sara-a-bear GOLD, Brandon, Mississippi
15 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I can tell by the way you're laughing, you're trouble looking for a place to happen."
- Chris Young

You are going to go somewhere. Keep up the good work!!!

on Sep. 25 2018 at 9:46 am
sara-a-bear GOLD, Brandon, Mississippi
15 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I can tell by the way you're laughing, you're trouble looking for a place to happen."
- Chris Young

You are going to go somewhere. Keep up the good work!!!

on Nov. 17 2017 at 2:01 am
justarandom BRONZE, Auckland, Other
4 articles 0 photos 9 comments
im not American but this does still relate to my countries politics.

on Aug. 15 2017 at 12:25 am
nealvandemark BRONZE, Pullman, Washington
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
Satire in the face of pain eliminates part of the pain itself.

amazing, you are revolutionary

on Mar. 1 2015 at 10:03 pm
Hails_Was_Here SILVER, San Antonio, Texas
6 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I'm dead inside"- Me

you have a gift

on Aug. 29 2014 at 11:26 am
Grace_Sowyrda PLATINUM, Medfield, Massachusetts
35 articles 6 photos 9 comments
This is very true and i did read the whole thing.

on Jun. 16 2014 at 9:31 pm
Bismah PLATINUM, Karachi, Other
22 articles 1 photo 11 comments
This really got to me and everything you mentioned is absolutelty true. Not only about America in specific but people in general and how we tend to avoid our problems instead of facing them. I love the way you structured it. Great job!

on Jun. 16 2014 at 2:51 pm
Roseate PLATINUM, San Ramon, California
35 articles 0 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Life is too short to be anything but happy."

That last line really hit me hard because-- and I'm not even going to lie-- I did skip to the end. This is so original in that it reveals the issues of our nation by contrasting it with everyone's stereotypes and expectations. Crazy profound and fascinating; I'll definitely read it all the way through now!

Dezarae SILVER said...
on May. 20 2014 at 11:53 pm
Dezarae SILVER, Wentzville, Missouri
5 articles 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When your going through hell, keep going."

I. Love. This. It displays all of feelings in a group of well written stanzas. great job. 

on May. 19 2014 at 4:33 pm
Neon_Gypsy_Blood BRONZE, Idaho Falls, Idaho
3 articles 0 photos 48 comments

Favorite Quote:
Do or do not, there is no try.
~Master Yoda~

This is awesome! Its so true... But it's a raw convicting truth. Especially at the end when you explain people avoiding to face the truth. It places a conviction into one's mind. I enjoy the realness of this.  It's a very good piece. I plan on sharing this with people! Keep it up, you're inspiring people.(: