America, Home of the Competitive Accusing American society of being too competitive is a broad allegation, though competition is no doubt an essential part of our daily lives. It is evident in the law-making authorities of our country, in addition to state and local leaders. It is apparent in everyday business, whether in the stock market or in simple business advertisements. Sporting events contain enormous amounts of competition, but this friendly competition sometimes gets out of hand. Our society would be nothing without certain forms of competition, though sometimes competition turns into rivalry. Political leaders are always under some pressure from competition. Every four years or so, the President of the United States must try to hold his office from newcomers hungry for his seat in the oval office. Recently, George W. Bush visited Florida to show his support to some of the victims of Hurricane Floyd, probably earning him some brownie points for the next election. In turn President Clinton decided to declare a state of emergency on parts of North Carolina. Though the hurricane hadn't even hit them yet, it freed up money for them in case they needed it. Competition like this is surely noticeable in other political areas, sometimes creating heated debates like the one between Scott Harshbarger and Paul Cellucci. The debate was filled with insults and offensive comments between the two, and personally turned away any interest I had in politics. Companies compete every day, in the stock market and out. Rising stock prices, profit gains, and increasing capital growth force companies of similar character to increase their productivity and wealth as well. Computer companies are especially guilty of this competitiveness. Every time a new, faster computer chip is introduced, every company tries to better it. These kinds of revisions are essential for economic growth, and likewise do not have a noticeably negative effect on our so
             ...