I'm not sure why it is that I've been thinking so much about our democracy lately. I think it is a confluence of events including all the election coverage, the war, and political happenings in a number of foreign countries. On this blog, I've taken shots at some of the absurdities of our country, our President, politicians, and even the war. I think there's a lot of room for criticism (cynicism?) but I wanted to make this post about what is right about America. The reason is that it seems like there's a lot of America-bashing lately, even by our allies.
Part of why America gets bashed is because we're on top, or have been, for quite some time, basically since World War II. Every country that has had it's turn on top has been assailed by the rest of the world. No one likes the king of the mountain and everyone wants to see the champion toppled. So it is with America. Some of the criticism is deserved. As a nation, were iconoclastic and often act imperiously toward the rest of the world (witness the Kyoto accord). We tend to act a bit superior and while other countries are secular and practice their faith in private, our political leaders wear their faith proudly on their sleeves, almost to the point of acting unjustly morally righteous in the eyes of many of the world's citizens. Individual American citizens can be loud, bossy, ignorant of history, and oblivious to other cultures. All these things are true. But to all those in the world who long to see America fall I ask, what's the alternative?
While the negatives mentioned above are true and even within our own borders we don't often live up to our own ideals, what country is a better alternative to take up the mantle of world leader? Well, there are only a few players. Any country who hopes to usurp the U.S. as world leader must be an economic and military powerhouse. That really leaves only Russia and China. If you toss out the military part, you could potentially include Japan and the Middle East (though no one country in the Middle East could effectively do it. There's no Persian empire anymore). Now, for all those people who hate the U.S., do you really think any of the 4 entities mentioned above would do a better job? Russia and China remain brutally totalitarian states. While I initially had some hope for Russia's President Putin, he has become just another in a long line of Russian dictators. He has made a power grab that the old Soviet leaders would be proud of. He jails opponents, quashes free speech, and has inflamed anti-American rhetoric.
The Chinese government is no doubt worse. There's little resembling a free press in China. Even the internet is carefully monitored and censored. Again, opposition to the government can be brutally eliminated. Many Middle-Eastern countries are guilty of similar behavior. In addition, women are second class citizens and there's little in the way of religious freedom.
Again, America is far from perfect. However, our citizens are generous and donate more money and time to other countries in need than practically anyone in the world. Our young men and women in the military are giving up their lives and limbs for the freedom of people in other countries while the rest of the world sits back and criticizes. Maybe the current war in Iraq was the wrong approach but Suddam Hussein was a vicious dictator, one we once supported, and the world is better off without him in place. Even if people disagree with this war, what about Darfur? Certainly the rest of the world recognizes that as a tragedy. But where is Russia? Where is China? Are they stepping in to work contructively to end the massacre there? No, instead everyone asks, "Why isn't the U.S. doing something about that?" The reality is that the Darfur crisis won't be solved until America gets involved, if we do. And this is true of every major world crisis. The rest of the world may poke fun at or despise America but when an emergency arises, everyone looks to us for help.
There's nothing wrong with that. Americans are generous and despite or faults we, like most people, are at our best in adverse times. But this country also embraces unparalled freedoms for its citizens. No web sites are blocked in my house. I can criticize the President with a megaphone only a few hundred yards from the White House. I can organize a group of citizens to support or oppose almost any cause with no fear of police or military reprisal unless I infringe upon the rights of my fellow citizens. No people in the world enjoy the freedoms we enjoy in this nation and that's why, warts and all, I believe it is important for us to remain a world leader. The alternatives are frightening.
The photo in this post is a black and white I took in DC at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Again, it was the most compelling memorial I've seen and while nearly 60 million people died in World War II compared to 58,000+ Americans in Vietnam, this memorial drives home the cost of our freedom more than any other. While I don't always agree with the direction of our politicians, I am very grateful to call this nation home.
2 comments:
Wow, Don. This is an inspiring and genuinely uplifting piece. When you break it down, there really are a lot of good reasons to celebrate being so fortunate.
I wish more Americans could appreciate what they have, and do more to protect it. As a whole we are a great nation. Still, some of the working parts need serious overhaul. The recent mortgage loan crisis is an example. How did the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth allow that debacle to happen? And how will it address the innocent bystander institutions like public schools, who got caught in the mess and now can't pay teachers or take care of deferred maintenance because their money is frozen or because real estate values have plummeted and taken bond ratings with them?
I hope that there is a groundswell of visionary citizenship, not just leadership, that can start to take ownership of some of these blemishes and help America become once again the truly great leader you're writing about here.
Thanks for a thoughtful read first thing Sunday morning.
MM
Thanks Mando. Unfortunately I think Amricans themselves are to blame for the mortgage crisis. Yes, we can blame unscrupulous lenders for trying to make a quick buck but the main problem is that most Americans think they are entitled to everything even if they can't afford it. I can't tell you how many times in the past couple of years I've heard people say that they are taking a home equity loan to buy a car, or a vacation, or some home improvements that perhaps are not necessities. People today take second or third mortgages like it's nothing. In my parents' day, there was shame in having to take a second mortgage to pay bills. People then hated owing anyone money, even on a first mortgage. Today it's just how people live.
The fact is that the average salary in America is in the high 30's and often wives make less than husbands. So the average couple with 2 kids makes about 70K before taxes and health care deductions. This is not enough money to own a 350K house, two new SUVs, take a luxury vacation every year, have a big screen plasma TV, a glamour bathroom, a huge deck with a hot tub and $1000 grill. But this is what people want and they somehow think that because they want it, they're entitled to it. So they borrow money they can't afford to borrow, have no savings, and count on the rest of us to bail them out, which we'll probably do once again with this mortgage mess.
I don't feel bad for the Americans who manage their money like infants and then want to blame someone else for their problems. I feel bad for those of us who are responsible and do it the right way but are getting killed in our investments and property values because of these ignorant a**holes who wanted to live better than they ever had a right to. Can you tell this is a sore subject with me?
Anyway, we do have a lot to be grateful for and no matter what anyone says, this is still the best country in the world if for no other reason than the freedom of its citizenry (even the freedom to be financially irresponsible).
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