Non-Soccer Lessons from the World Cup: 

Soccer was the only sport I did not playing as a kid. My children played it, forcing me to learn about it, and I became a fan. When it comes to the World Cup, I have always been a fan, but for reasons that extend beyond the sport. I enjoy the game, but I enjoy the community that comes with the game more. I love the watch parties, the national pride, and the sportsmanship. This year the World Cup has come to North America and with it millions of fans. They came expecting a dirty crime-ridden country with mean selfish people, but instead, they found a country and a people they did not expect. The media and many of our politicians tend to present our country, and all of us as mean, selfish people. Why do you think that is? I will let you speculate on that one. Many entertainers and a smattering of professional athletes have presented our country in negative ways, and yet with a clear conscience, all of them continuing to collect their millions of dollars from those of us in this country. Hmmm?

We live in a democratic republic rooted in free speech and individual rights, and everyone has the freedom to express their own opinion, but everyone also has the freedom to disagree with those opinions expressed. We criticize our leaders because we should, but we should do it in the right way, and we should do it when they deserve it, and not just when they do not align with our views. Here is the thing about criticism … it is constructive when you are criticizing policies and procedures that affect many who are different from you in unfair ways. When your criticism flows out of your privileged preference or your ideological desire, and benefits only you and those like you, well, then, can it be considered criticism at all. Many express their opinions without even thinking about them. For example, many entertainers openly embrace socialism, which is akin to a butcher embracing veganism. 

You are wondering, what does this have to do with the World Cup? I have friends who live in Boston, which the Tartan Army (Scottish fans) has invaded, and they tell me that these Scotts are the nicest, friendliest people they have ever met. They are marked by a love for their country, a love for a good time, and a love for one more thing … America. What do they love about our country? Well, it starts with the people, moves to endless beverage refills (I guess that is not offered elsewhere in the world), ranch dressing (many are bringing large quantities of the stuff home with them) and ends with the immense beauty found inside our borders. Have you ever heard anything like this from any of our politicians or our media? All you hear from them is how awful our country is and how selfish and hateful we are, but the millions of people who have invaded our country for the World Cup have another story to tell … the one they are experiencing, and they are telling it. They think you are amazing people! They think your country is an amazing place, and they are right!

What can we learn about our country from this World Cup? First, if you were unsure, it has now been confirmed by millions of people from other countries. We have a great country. It is not a perfect country, but no country is. Second, we are a friendly and loving people despite what the politicians and media say about us. My friends in Boston, who are typical Yankees, have been blown away by the Scotts. They have told me that if you meet a Scott, you are their friend and part of their clan. They love to celebrate, but they do not do it by burning cars or destroying property. As a matter of record, they do the opposite. Third, we are, for the most part, one of the safest countries in the world. Most of the people who have been visiting our country have been blown away by how safe our country is. You can walk the streets at night and do it safely.  Fourth, there is an abundance of provisions. There are grocery stores, restaurants, drug stores, coffee shops and bar and grilles seemingly on every block. You can get a burger and fries at midnight if you so desire. This is not the case in most of the world. Finally, the opportunities for entertainment are beyond belief. This is an immense privilege we have as Americans. We have professional sports, college sports, movie theaters, water parks, amusement parks, concerts, golf courses, and of course, we have Buc-ee’s. Apparently, there is nothing like Buc-ee’s anywhere else in the world.  

There is nothing like this country, but if we are not careful, we are going to kill the golden goose. Here are a few questions I have. Do those for higher taxes, think they can spend your money better than you can? Do those for socialism think they can run your life better than you can? Do those who want bigger government, want a smaller you? What is so great about government? We need to realize that a government is composed of people like you and me who are given power. If we do not provide checks and balances to those with power, then those with power will use the power given to them against the very ones who gave it to them in the first place. Once one becomes a politician, he or she does not become more intelligent, wiser, or kinder; they do, however, become more powerful. 

A politician, whether left or right, is never the answer to your problems; you are your own answer, and those you elect are supposed to use government to put you in a better position to care for yourself and your family. Government was never meant to solve all your problems; it was meant to provide you with the means to solve your own problems. Here are some suggestive actions we can take. First, stop listening to politicians and to the media as if they are telling the truth; they do not tell the truth. The media stopped caring about truth a long time ago. Second, stop being lazy, and do you own homework on issues; stop letting others do your thinking for you. Third, challenge the false narratives by asking questions. Embrace the goodness of this country, but not in unrealistic ways. Here is your first assignment. In our past, when we were at our worst, who were the leaders at that time? Whose policies were governing us at that time? You might be surprised by what you find. There will always be issues, but together we can solve them. Divided we cannot. 

How are we to respond to someone pushing these false narratives? One of the best responses I have found is this question: How do you know that you are right? Pretenders will back pedal and stumble all over themselves because they don’t have an answer. Most of the time, they are just repeating the hate they have heard from those who think like they do. Those who have integrity and who are really seeking the truth will think about the question and try to answer it. They may not have the right answer or the one you want to hear, but they will have a reason for what they believe. You should respect that response, even if you disagree with it. I have learned more from those with which I disagree than from those with which I agree.  

I will leave you with this. After World War I, my grandfather, born and raised in Italy, was sent to America to find work because there was none in Italy. He came alone at 17 years old and lived and worked in this country, until his death in his late 90s. He did not take any short cuts, worked hard, was honorable and trustworthy, and this country rewarded him with a wonderful life. He became a citizen and was proud to be an American. Because he worked hard, he was always wary of those who wanted something for nothing … who wanted to take a short cut … who were lazy and constantly complaining and criticizing others. My grandfather’s answer to every problem was to work harder. He retired three times. He worked in a mill, retired, and then went to work again as a security guard. He retired from that and then worked again in a butcher shop until he retired for good in his 80s. When my grandmother died, my grandfather moved in with my parents. That did not slow him down. He continued to walk three miles a day. He continued to mow our lawn work his garden and dig up any tree root he found impeding his lawn mowing, and he did this well into his 90s. Hard work is not always the answer, but it usually leads to the answer. 

I am a huge World Cup fan, and my reasons extend way beyond the game of soccer! I hope yours do as well.