Since the end of World War II, the United States of America has been both a beacon of freedom and a moral leader for the world. While that reputation has been declining in recent years, the current Republican leaders have chosen to totally abrogate any sense of ethical responsibility. The damage extends far beyond our geographic boundaries and is especially detrimental in developing nations.
For decades America has held itself out as a model of how democracies should function. The concepts of one-person one-vote, the majority wins, the rule of law, and equal protection for all were pillars of our established form of governance. Many people also believed that, while not perfect, America was exceptional and always striving to meet the high standards laid out by the founders. Other countries, we thought, should follow this sterling example.
It is acknowledged that democracies are messy, but by dialogue and compromise, we moved forward and worked in the best interests of all citizens. As a process, democratization brought learning, with lessons that cannot be injected into societies not sufficiently advanced […]
I was very pleased to read this piece about Trump and all the truth which needs to be heard by all those people who still think they should vote for any Republican, especially Trump. If they understand this, they may change their minds.
While something has changed, I think this article misses what it is. I think others used to fear rather than respect the U.S. Today that is much less the case because much more information about U.S. government action is available. Not just present actions but historical ones that were buried for so long. Here are some points on things directly affect/have affected me.
* I live in Guatemala. The CIA’s 1954 coup against the Arbenz government here may have helped United Fruit but it has taken Guatemala a long time to recover.
* The U.S. running Nicaragua for most of the 20th century and, after the FSLN victory in 1979 the actions against Nicaragua by the U.S. government has destroyed Nicaragua’s path. No, I am not an Ortega fan but it is U.S. intervention after the triumph that caused the the three factions of the Sandinista movement to unite against a common enemy resulting in the death of the three separate movements toward a good future.
* The CIA being in the opium business for over half a century and being backed by the U.S. military certainly created fear. What has changed is this has become common knowledge.
I could go on but my point is that the current U.S. image problem is a combination of corrupt lifetime politicians combined with the transparency offered today, mostly by way of the Internet.
While many want the mad king gone then imagining “The Restoration” under Biden I am not one of those. This is the end of the Superpower Empire that for too long has dominated the world and caused much pain and suffering for all concerned, well unless you were part of multinational corporations or personally wealthy. Yes many prospered as well but at what cost morally and spiritually. How much of our prosperity was built on the backs of the poor here and abroad, on environmental destruction here and much more so abroad? The bills are coming due…