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There were many reasons why I embraced the USA as my country almost fifty years ago. Apart from the obvious comfort and convenience, the feeling of independence and self-reliance, opportunities to become whoever I wanted to be, freedom of speech, spirit of innovation and sense of humour all appealed to me. But the two most important factors were the observations that average Americans were honest, hard-working people and there is a justice system here that works. Frustration caused by rampant corruption and nepotism in India in everything I wanted to do was probably the biggest reason for my leaving India.

- BASAB DASGUPTA

It is very sad for me to realize that the country I adopted as my own has been gradually disappearing in front of my own eyes over the last several years. It is hopelessly polarized from a political point of view. There is no fair justice system anymore. Money can influence almost anyone: politician, business CEO, celebrity, newspaper editor and even a judge. Freedom of speech is becoming limited by concerns for Woke culture and the requirement for diversity. Even comedy has lost spontaneity because it must be politically correct.

Educational levels and moral values are on the decline. Addiction to prescription drugs is destroying an entire generation. The economic divide between the rich and the poor has continued to get wider; mansions and condos have replaced uniform housing developments for the middle class. Crimes of all types are on the rise and homeless encampments are everywhere. Killings of young kids by senseless mass shootings in schools and shopping malls are in the news almost every week. People are being indicted for a political vendetta while murderers and rapists are released early from prison. School children are confused about their sexuality and transgenderism has become an item of experimentation. Influx of uncontrolled illegal immigrants across the southern border has made the overall situation even worse.

Every activity seems to be motivated solely by money. Advertisements on TV are always pushing some new medicine for ailments that no one has even heard about. Law firm ads encourage people to file lawsuits with the promise of big payouts. State-sponsored lotteries are vigorously promoted.

It seems that society has lost touch with the real world and traditional human values. While the kids are busy with Tik-Tok, their mothers are watching "reality shows" which are anything but reality. Human interactions are being replaced by automated machines and Artificial Intelligence penetrates almost all facets of our life.