Some of you who have read this blog will remember that I am a piano tuner. I recently did a tuning for a customer who came to this country in 1981 from Poland. As I was packing up to leave, she said to me, among other things (and with a heavy accent):
"I love this country! I love America! But it is not the same country as when I arrived in 1981. It starts to feel socialist. It reminds me of where I came from. In Poland, it was always the dream to come here to America - the dream!
"But now, it is changing into what I left. The surveillance. I was talking to friend on phone the other day and thought I should be careful what I say. It reminded me of growing up in Poland and my father always said, 'You can talk about politics in the house, but when you go outside, be careful of what you say or they will come after me and your mother.'"
When I mentioned Edward Snowden, and that some here think he's good and others think he's bad, she said unabashedly, "He is a hero! We need whistle-blowers!"
She went on: "I am scared for this country! I love this country and consider it my country. But it is changing. And Wall Street! In this country if you steal a soda at the store you go to jail. But if you steal from the whole country, nothing happens!
"When I was growing up, everyone wanted to come to America. It truly was a unique country in the whole world. But now, I think of sending my daughter to Europe for college. It's not the same. And no one is getting mad! It is changing, and not for the good."
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