handicapped parking spaces

"even if we do not find anything pleasant, at least we shall find something new."

i love that quote. voltaire. i've lived that quote.

i have to say, living abroad is charming. it might not always be pleasant, but it is guaranteed to be different. fascinating even on the most detailed of levels.

but i keep saying i want to carry that mindset of fascination and appreciation with me even when i am here in chicago.

we have guests from india at my house right now- my mom's cousin and his daughter. i was driving them somewhere, and he commented that all the cars look new here. and that his shoes, shined in india, still look shiny- he said that he could walk a block back home and his shoes would be covered in dust. he shook his head in actual wonder at the fact that there just isn't dust here.

showing him dust on a table or something is like a joke to him. 'no, i'm talking about real dust,' he'd say.

i was talking to him about the laws here- during the course of conversation i noticed to what extent the laws of this country are made to watch out for its citizens. i know that cynics and critics and satirists find a lot to complain about in america; i know we all find a lot to complain about. but honestly there is a lot to brag about too. haven't you noticed that the personal well-being of americans is very much a priority?

there are so many things that go on here that really don't happen in other countries. handicapped parking spaces. cars pulling over for an ambulance to pass. patient-doctor confidentiality. child car-seat laws.

my mom's cousin has a store in india- recently, the government told him that he needed to vacate the store for 6 months, so that the road could be made wider. the changes in the road would actually make his store a little smaller, but there was no question of reimbursement. furthermore, for that period of 6 months, he needed to move his store and pay rent somewhere. this rent wouldn't be reimbursed either. his clientele, not knowing his new location, were not as loyal to him; his revenue dropped; according to the government, this is not their problem.

sometimes i waver, feeling like there is just too much enforcement in america. but i usually come to the conclusion that all of this keeps us safer from each other- i should say that the intended reality, the assumed "way it should be", is that we are all safe, healthy and happy. the legislature and the status quo are built around this ideal, promote this ideal.

it's better than a "hey, it's your problem" approach.