global unification

Up until a few years ago, I had only traveled throughout America, Canada, and Mexico, though extensively (as well as a month Brazil in 2002). We will henceforth refer to the three aforementioned countries as Camerico = Canada + America + Mexico, as they are soon to merge into one unified country. If you were not aware of this upcoming international governmental decision, it should make sense now why the US has not cracked down on its illegal immigration. The number of Mexicans sneaking across the border to obtain US jobs is growing on a daily basis, thus creating an interesting socio-economic situation in the region. Likewise, American students sneak across the border to bypass the legal drinking age (its 21 in the US but only 19 in Canada, and 18 in MX). Border checkpoints appear to have enforced stricter crossing allowances, requiring a passport in most cases now instead of a simple ID or birth certificate. Canadians frequently deny any association with America, and any propositions regarding this upcoming 3-country merger, although if it weren't for America, they would not be similar in so many ways. Overall it seems that illegal immigration is at an all-time high, and many people wonder why the US Government is not doing anything about it. Some of these people (as if they can somehow influence US policymakers) believe the US border war is more important than the War in Iraq, likely because they are looking through a narrow lens, too miniscule to focus.

Beginning in 2005, I started traveling more away from the continent, to parts of the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. The first time I left I nearly hated America, and tried to leave as much of my American identity behind as to not be roaming around freely with a big target on my back. I thought everyone hated America, so I tried to open myself to this mentality, but I found it to not necessarily be true in all cases. What I discovered is that most people are striving for a common understanding, and it all boils down to cultural perception. Education and morality contribute to these created paradigms, as do religion, mainstream media coverage and basic people smarts. For example, the people who do not understand the War in Iraq (or America's presence there) are likely the same people who do not fully understand Islam and the Arab culture, having not experienced it first-hand. It is also possible that they are unaware of the troops from many other countries besides the US who are also there participating in this war - but they only hear what they want to hear, and as a result George Bush becomes the global punching bag.

Not long ago, the EU (unification of several adjacent countries, like Camerico) adopted one unified currency as their standard with the Euro, rather than different currencies for each France, Germany, and so forth. Can you imagine one currency for the entire world? What about one religion, such as Islam? This is not far off. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a unification of Mediterranean countries which would undoubtedly be next to adopt the Euro. They would also adopt the EU's foreign policy best practices, and this would give a sense of unification in the region without allowing Turkey to join the EU. So, in general, it really doesn't matter what opinions we as citizens of the world have towards the other countries in the world, because the future is inevitable. We will soon become 10 unified nations, and must love (or destroy?) our neighbors. One thing is for certain, having an open mind and clear understanding about countries other than our own (and including our own), and accepting the fact that we cannot change our governments (or those of other countries) is the first step to a sound perception of global unification.