Not born in the USA

We love football because we are poor!

I was watching a television promotion for the FIFA World Cup Tournament the other day, and the theme of the spot was that this simple thing — a little round leather ball — can bring so much national pride, so much joy and so much energy to entire nations around the world.

Except ours, that is. Why is that?

Is it because we have so many other choices? Is it because here in America we have well-manicured baseball fields and organized little leagues, fast pitch leagues, men's and women's softball leagues, etc., so that young and old alike can learn to play and enjoy the national pastime?

Is it because 100 yards of perfectly grown grass, lined with white paint marking yard lines, boundaries and bookended by bright yellow field goals affords the opportunity to play football as we know it, in our towns, schools, universities and ultimately the NFL?

Is it because arenas with highly buffed hardwood floors and fenced-in blacktop parks boasting regulation height rims and hoops promote the game of basketball so pervasively from inner cities to farm towns?

Could it be the fact that $100-an-hour indoor tennis courts on clay, grass or whatever surface you choose are just a phone reservation away? How about $100-a-month karate lessons, dance lessons, gymnastics, gym memberships and expensive paintball tournaments, skiing, boating, swimming ... you get the idea.

Or maybe it's the freedom to choose from over 200 digital cable and satellite channels to watch in lieu of sporting activities. Maybe it has something to do with pay services like satellite radio or videos on demand from MTV and Yahoo.

Maybe it has something to do with the widespread availability of broadband Internet connections, where practically any information, videos, news, music, pictures, movie reviews — you name it — are available at the click of a mouse, to say nothing about all of those computers in so many places.

All of this freedom is a result of expendable income.

We work hard, but it is our free market economy that affords us the ability to enjoy all of these distractions on a widespread basis.

It's no wonder that in so many other nations around the world that don't enjoy all of the "luxuries" our free market society affords us — whether because nobody's run cable or fiber all over the country, or people simply can't afford them or even know how to use them, that the simplicity of playing a game with a readily available round ball can bring so much joy.

Next time you roll your eyes and dismiss World Cup Soccer as uninteresting or unimportant, thank your lucky stars, and then try to imagine what it must be like not to have everything we have.

Just imagine.

I thank God that I was born in America, where a kid can dream and with a little elbow grease can pursue that dream, have a family and inspire my daughter to pursue her dreams, and have a job where people respect me and where I can make a difference.

Where a young girl can defy the odds and give men a run for their money in the game of golf. Where, no matter what one's race, religion or sexual orientation, he or she can follow his or her dreams as well, whether it be family, careers, arts and leisure and have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness written into the U.S. Constitution for all Americans to enjoy.

By Mike Straka