Trouble in Heaven!

A long time ago, when my father had just retired from his job at Kieran’s College, my parents came to visit us here in California, for three weeks. We drove along the coast, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and through many places along the way. Both of them were surprised because what they saw in California did not match their preconceptions. We were all impressed by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes that could be seen throughout the length of the State. My parents were also surprised at how friendly and well-mannered all the people we met were. They don't complain about the Mediterranean climate, either.

While their trip got rid of most of their worries about where we were staying, it also gave them a few new worries, or at least a few questions.

Homeless People

When we were walking in the heart of Los Angeles, we had to walk on the road sometimes, because there were homeless people lying on the sidewalk. We couldn't not see them. When we were safe and sound at home again, drinking a cup of tea, my mother asked me: “Why are there homeless people here? It makes no sense. Ours is not a rich country, but you wouldn't find many homeless people there. What's going on?" "There are no strong social policies in America," was my reply, "unlike in Ireland! And housing prices are also very high in this country, so it's hard to buy a house!” But I had to admit that it was a strange thing!

Poverty and Immigration

Another time, we crossed the international border into Tijuana in Mexico. Mexico was and still is, a very poor country. Rubbish was everywhere, and many half-finished buildings could be seen. There were only a few paved roads to be seen, and it was mostly dirt roads. All you saw on the road was an old jumble of cars and trucks falling apart. There weren't many shops or restaurants in the city, either. My parents were stunned. They thought they themselves grew up in a poor country, but after seeing the poverty of Tijuana, they realized that they were never as poor as people in third world countries. When my mother noticed how easy it was for us to come back across the border to America, when it was very difficult for Mexican citizens to do the same, she asked me another question. “Those poor people are in dire need of help. Why wouldn't the richest country help the people of the neighboring country ?" Her question stuck with me, because there was a complicated subject to discuss - immigration control. I said that I didn't know much about immigration policy in the United States, but that it was a difficult process to enter the country legally, and it was expensive to do it. The American officials were concerned about letting any Mexicans into the country, for fear that they would stay there illegally, and millions of people were already living in America without permission.

Health Care

Another time, when we were talking together at lunch, the topic of health care came up. My parents couldn't believe how expensive it was to go to the doctor, or to the hospital. But when my mother heard that you would be sent home from the hospital as quickly as possible, without any time for you to recover, she was furious. "What kind of medical system is that - it's cruel and too expensive - aren't we lucky enough to live in Ireland!" I made a weak attempt to defend the medical system, saying that you need to have health insurance, and then things weren't too bad. But you need to have a job to qualify for health insurance. “But what about the unemployed? What can they do if they get sick?” My mother’s question disoriented me, and I had no answer.

Drug Epidemic

Bhí eipidéim chócaoin ag réabadh na Stát Aontaithe ag an am sin, agus níorbh fhéidir an teilifís a chur ar siúl gan cloisteáil faoi ar an nuacht. “Cén fáth atá fadhbanna drugaí chomh mór sin ar siúl i Meiriceá, agus gach saghas duine ag mí-úsáid drugaí, ní hamháin daoine bochta éadóchasacha?” Arís, bhí mé sáinnithe ag mo mháthair!

Violence and Guns

Horrific mass shootings used to happen in the United States almost every day (and, unfortunately, still do), and my mother told me that it was much more dangerous in many parts of America than in Northern Ireland itself, where a war was going on at that time. She didn't even have to ask me, in that case, because she knew there was no answer to that insanity!

Maybe she was trying to lure me back to Ireland and she made a strong case, but I had no intention of doing that because, to tell the truth, things were going well for us and it would therefore difficult to return home. But my mother's questions have stayed with me ever since and are more important today than ever. My parents would be disappointed to learn that many of the aforementioned problems have now come to Ireland. I'll have more to say about that next week!

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