A Land of Hope
- 28 Oct 08, 01:05 AM GMT
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: As I bounce around America in the wake of Barack Obama it feels, at times, that I have been given a ringside seat at a giant shredder. Everywhere old certainties are being torn up.
First up, Alan Greenspan, the economics guru whose name only recently was whispered in awe. Now he's confessing: he was wrong to believe the financial industry could regulate itself.
Next up, the trickle-down believers who thought wealth would filter down to the poorest. It didn't. Wages are lower than they've been for a decade. There's not a trickle-down advocate left on the strip.
Then there's the free market president explaining why the government should take a major share in the nation's top banks.
Ditched too is part of the Protestant work ethic that valued thrift along with hard work. The government and plenty of voters have gorged themselves on debt. Barack Obama today said: "We've been living through a period of profound irresponsibility."
Then there are the evangelists at the World Bank and IMF who told emerging economies that they should ape the American model. The advice is hastily being written out of the script.
America - the beacon on a hill. Some are junking that too. A woman in Philadelphia told me she now says she's a Canadian when she travels.
Then there are those K Street think tanks in Washington who believed that exporting democracy would transform the Middle East. You can scan the talk shows for them but they've long since left town.
There's a firesale going on for old beliefs. Everything one once held was true must go - or so it seems. Close an eye in this upside down world and Dick Cheney will soon be palling around with Fidel Castro.
But one belief stands unshaken: American exceptionalism. Listen to Barack Obama today: "We still have the most talented and productive workers of any country on earth."
He has a frequent riff at his rallies: "We're Americans. Our destiny is not written for us.
We chose our destiny." I think it was at the Republican convention that I heard Laura Bush saying there are no people as generous as Americans. Sarah Palin believes America is a chosen land with a special destiny.
So no candidate can afford to be too negative. In the darkest times each candidate has to offer if not quite "morning in America" but "the best lies ahead". Its strikes me at the rallies what fun both Democrats and Republicans are having. They leave, bouyed up, comfortable that whatever the current problems all will be well.
Barack Obama said today: "What has been lost..is our sense of a common purpose." That may be, but at these political events American optimism prospers. It is perhaps why covering politics here is so enjoyable.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
I’m Gavin Hewitt, following Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. My colleague, Matthew Price, is doing the same for John McCain.
Latest Photos
Clicking on any of these photos will take you to an external site.
Archive
October 2008
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 |
Being Discussed Now
Latest: Reporters' blogs
|
Stephanie Flanders: |
|
|
|
|
- News Editors
- Sport Editors
- Journalism Labs
- BBC Internet Blog
- Radio 4 Blog
- Viewfinder
- dot.life
- Earth Watch: Richard Black
- Ethical Man
- Fergus on Flu
- India Election Train
- James Reynolds' China
- Justin Webb's America
- Magazine Monitor
- Mark Easton's UK
- Mark Mardell's Euroblog
- Mihir Bose on Sport
- Nick Bryant's Australia
- Nick Robinson's Newslog
- NI: The Devenport Diaries
- Open Secrets
- Peston's Picks
- Razia's Arthouse
- Scotland: Blether with Brian
- Scotland: Douglas Fraser's Ledger
- Stephanomics
- Wales: Betsan's Blog
- 5 Live Breakfast
- Daily Politics: Andrew Neil
- Newsnight
- Newsnight: Michael Crick
- Newsnight: Peter Marshall
- Newsnight: Paul Mason
- Newsnight: Mark Urban
- Newsnight: Susan Watts
- PM programme (iPM)
- Today: Evan Davis
- Today: Tom Feilden
- Working Lunch: Declan Curry
- World Tonight: Robin Lustig
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~54~RS~)
CommentsSign in
You need to sign in to contribute to this page. If you're new to BBC Blogs, creating your membership is quick and easy.
This might have hit on something, albeit inadvertently. There probably aren't too many educated Americans, at least, that really believe in the "City on a Hill" rhetoric any more. Despite our greatest contribution to the world- constitutional, peaceful, liberal, representative democracy (sorry, Brits, but despite our record w. civil rights and women's suffrage, in this we did get there first...) we are no better and no worse than any other people or nation.
I do, however, think that what does in fact set us apart is the "Dream" itself. Many of us still dream of that city on a hill, still want to achieve MLK's "Dream," still are stirred by JFK's words, or by Jefferson's in the Declaration of Independence, or by the Preamble to our Constitution.
Listening to the loudest factions of the far right, it might not be apparent, but this Dream does still inspire and motivate folks on left and right. Underneath the disagreements and the election cant there is still the "quiet patriotism" that gives hope. It doesn't make us better than anyone else, but, when we can tear ourselves away from the pursuit of $$$, this spirit still stirs our souls.
Complain about this comment
nice post via
Complain about this comment
#2 Thanks... maybe that and $2.50 will buy me something at Starbucks... though I don't recall them having a soapbox. Good thing I prefer tea.
Complain about this comment
Gavin: Good insights! This is the land of optimism, because (to this point, at least) we enjoy the freedom to build our own lives with minimal intrusion from government.
The question before us is: Which approach now offered will allow us as Americans the freedom to mix our optimism with hard work to create that better future?
Complain about this comment
To be fair Gavin, US travellers have been sewing Canandian flags on their bags for years now. I can kind of understand in some ways - it avoids a certain level of abuse you might get from some in Europe - but for a country with US flags outside every home you'd expect people to wear their hearts on their sleeve outside their country as well as in.
That said, bizarrely enough, Barack Obama has given even a cynical Brit like me a positive feeling about America and what it means for others to be American. I'd be happy for any Democrat to win the White House after 8 years of insanity, but this would not have happened with Hillary Clinton.
Complain about this comment
Totally agree with #5.
#1/via - While you are tooting America's horn, bear in mind that the US as a nation was toward the rear time-wise of the countries that abolished slavery and so many in the US still can't reconcile themselves to the fact that nation founder and slave-owner Thomas Jefferson had a (now genetically proven) bunch of children with an African American woman called Sally (his dead wife's half-sister). And he didn?t trumpet that from the walls.
I think #1 does make some valid points. However, as a world-travelled permanent resident of the US I must disagree with this "no better and no worse" business. How can you say that? So many people here live in blissful ignorance of what would happen to them if they were to fall seriously ill (even possessing decent health insurance). Many thousands of middle class well-to-do people go bankrupt every year because they can't afford the long term costs of health care like this. Americans criticise Europe but at least if something like this happens to a European citizen, if and when they recover they can contribute to society again economically and socially, rather than selling everything they own and becoming at the very least a non-contributing member of the economy or at worst a burden on the welfare system, all because they couldn't pay their healthcare bills. Healthcare should not be a luxury, it should be a human right.
And then there's education. I happen to live in a city in Texas with one of the highest standards of public education in the nation. I work in third level education and I encounter brilliantly educated public-school graduates every day. However students elsewhere in this state are that the mercy of the incongruities between school districts and they pay the price for the cuts that are necessary due to misspending and mismanagement, and in poorer areas, the lack of funding. Then there are the vastly different (both in content and quality) school curricula. The State Government here makes problematic decisions, e.g. the top 10% from any school in the state must be admitted to this state's universities, often at the expense of very bright kids in great school districts who are below the top 10% in their area but far above most other school standards in the state. Then they make decisions like the so-called "Robin Hood Tax" which tried to take money from the richer school districts in order to fund the poorer ones - that didn't go down well where I live and received the typical response of "Why should we pay for kids elsewhere to have better school facilities?" Why indeed? Mentality like this implies that it's every man, woman and child for themselves in the US of A. Thinking bigger, if education was more standardised and funded equally throughout the state (and nation), then that 10% rule would be fair and this would be a truly inclusive society.
Oh but all of this would be Socialism, and isn't that a dirty word?
Complain about this comment
Good comments, Via. I don't know whether Obama's qualified for the job, I don't even know if you need a qualification - Abe Lincoln didn't. All I know is that Senator Obama appears to be the thoughtful, steady hand that America needs right now to regain her rightful place in the world. He actually stops and thinks before he speaks. Would that we had someone like that in the UK instead of politicians who spout the party line regardless of the question.
It's too easy to mock uneducated Rednecks when discussing the US. We in the UK have taken centuries to come up with a political system, for all its faults, that doesn't divide people along lines of race, colour or religion. It might not be interesting, but it doesn't produce such partisanship as can be seen in the US election at present. It took us an awfully long time to get here.
The Americans, on the other hand, are, by definition, comparitively recent immigrants who have carved a life and a political system out of the wilderness, believed in the enduring sentiments of the Declaration of Independence and have demonstrated their continuing belief in it by their acceptance of a candidate who, in their very recent history, would have been a slave.
Good luck America!
Complain about this comment
Via - US has a better record on civil rights than the UK?
Have you forgotten about the segregation laws, institutionalised racism et al that went on in your country for something like 75 years?
Complain about this comment
to # 8,
I think you mis-read what Via was saying. He said -despite- their record in civil rights, they beat us Brits to democracy, which is another arguement all together!
Peace
Complain about this comment
#9 SaintOne
Thanks, that's exactly what I was trying to say. We didn't get it 100% right the 1st try, but it was the world's first step.
#6, #8 mavortium, god_is_a...
You misunderstand me. I was 1. countering the silly idea of American exceptionalism, and 2. saying that for most Americans regardless of political leanings, the "dream" still moves and motivates us. I never denied that we have serious problems and serious inequities to face. And yes, education is probably the key...
Please see my other comments on neighboring blogs here- I'm no conservative apologist.
Complain about this comment
To via
Americans may still get stirred up by the "ritual" associated with the constitution, but I very much doubt many are stirred by the 'meaning' of the words.
Many in the world today take great issue with "American exceptionalism" - and find very little to admire with the country or it's legacy. A more humble tone is perhaps now appropriate after the USA's recent global contributions.
For this reason I just love the Obama quote "we've been living through a period of profound irresponsibility." It hits just the right note I think - not overtly critical or pessimistic, but with enough there to make people take stock. He has a light touch does Mr Barack.
I've long wondered whether 911 would be to the US as the Titanic was to the British. There was a nation sailing along on the glories of conquest and empire. Then this unsinkable ship - the symbol of that certainty and confidence sank to the bottom of the Atlantic first time out. The confidence of a nation was snapped over night. OK - World War one sealed the deal - but the British were never quite the same. This was a good thing of course - in the long run.
Has Obama tapped into this? Is the US now a little more contrite and ready for some introspection? I do hope so.
Complain about this comment
To # 11
I'm with you on hoping thats the case.
Peace
Complain about this comment
OH DEAR!!!!OH DEAR!!! OH DEAR!!!
IN RESPONSE TO MR OBAMA...."THE DESTINY OF AMERICA IS REALLY SCRIPTED IN ADVANCE!!!!!
THIS IS THE BIGGEST CLUE...ON THE WHITEHOUSE WEBSITE.....
AROUND THE 23MARCH 2005 PREZ BUSH,JR, FOX (MEXICO). MARTIN(CANADA)...SIGNED THE NORTH AMERICAN UNION...IN WACO ,TEXAS...."SECURITY AND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP OF NORTH AMERICA"......YES WE HAVE THE UNION TAKING PLACE DURING THE NEXT 4 YEARS WITH A NEW CURRENCY...THE AMERO
I JUST LOVE BEEN WIDE AWAKE AND ABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE NONSENSE WE ARE GIVEN BY THE MEDIA
KIND REGARDS
NOMOREFAKENEWS
Complain about this comment
#9. No they didn't. The US is a REPUBLIC, not a democracy. Britain is a constitutional monarchy not a democracy. Neither the US nor the UK have achieved democracy yet and neither will as its an unworkable form of government.
Britain however has had a proper parliament independent of the crown since Oliver Cromwell and the US constitution is directly based on the UK's bill of rights.
Complain about this comment
to #10 and #14
As Peter said, democracy itself is not a form of government per se and democracy predates the US constitution by several thousand years. Even its chief claim to fame -its secular republic based on civil liberties and a seperation of powers and checks and balances- is a direct consequence of developments in Europe.
The Dutch republic predates the US and can be seen as a spiritual precursor in many ways. It did not answer to a king or directly to a religious chief and was often wary of the influence of military men. It guaranteed civil liberties and economic freedoms and so on.
The only innovation that can truly be called American is, I think, twofold. First and foremost they were a colony rising up against their masters and won their freedom, being the first to do so. This is a pride that is I think at the base of US national identity. Second, the codification of all enlightenment ideals in a single political document, as a sharp break with the uncodified European historically evolved systems, is indeed a great achievement. But it follows cleanly from their victorious war of independence.
The ideas in the constitution were not new at the time, they had been smouldering for decades. The only new thing in there was the adoption of these ideas which had been adopted on and off around Europe in uncodified form.
In essence, while European countries pride themselves with long histories of constant struggle with neighbours, whereas the US prides itself on its 'pioneer mentality'. In truth, the USA are a young nation, and it shows. They have the exuberance of youth, with all the pros and cons that come with it.
Complain about this comment
The Presidential Election in America is one week away. I strongly believe in "the audacity of HOPE" written some time back by BARACK OBAMA; he is the ONE who will bring CHANGE to America and to the WORLD at large. America has a BIG HEART; she has gone to nations abroad to help the down-trodden; and at great expense, taxpayers' money; American lives lost in wars. She has fought for FREEDOM at heavy cost to its citizens.
It is time for CHANGE. She cannot, and should not, bear the whole burden; other democratic and not so democratic nations should chip in and SHARE part of the load which America has carried for so long. America should ask other nations to Shoulder part of the burden. America should now look INWARDS and rebuild American lives who have lost homes, lost jobs, lost College or University education, lost health- care, lost medicare. Yes, bring HOPE to those who have lost hope; and Obama is the RIGHT man in the RIGHT place and at the RIGHT time to bring about HOPE for all Americans. There is still HOPE for people who are disillusioned.
Let OBAMA DO the job for these people.
Of course, while looking INWARDS to help American citizens, Obama could help people outside who also need help; but with the proviso that OTHER nations also give a helping hand. America should never, ever should the whole burden; it is just not right!
So, November 4 will HOPEFULLY bring HOPE to all Americans and to people abroad! Yes, it is the AUDACITY of HOPE that will shine!!!
Obama is the BEACON of HOPE!!!
Best of luck, AMERICA! You are GREAT! The Nation is great! Its PEOPLE are GREAT!May VOTERS have teh wisdom to do what is BEST for them! May GOD bless all of you!
S.H. Huang
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
to # 14
Hence my statement that it was a different argument all together. Although you are entirely correct!
to # 17
Do you seriously think that people will listen to your ramble if you type in capital letters. Plus where on earth did you get these ideas from?!?!
Peace
Complain about this comment
E Pluribus Unum
A couple years ago there was an incident on who wants to be a millionaire where the million pound question asked "what is the motto of the United States of America." The contestant answered "In God we trust". A reasonable attempt bearing in mind the presence of that slogan on every US dollar. It was in fact the wrong answer as the founding mission statements of the founding fathers of the USA was E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.
The current conflict between Barak Obama and John McCain can be reduced to the conflict between these two principles. The enlightenment ideal that formed the US constitution was very much ahead of its time culturally. It was a vision that has ever since sat uneasily within the confines of modern capitalism. American capitalism is the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest and worship of the winners. Denigration of the losers (and yes they were usually black) was reinforced by relying on charitable foundations rather than social security to alleviate the poverty caused by social division. Enabling the clear boundary line to be maintained between the haves and have-nots in the USA. The American dream, the Las Vegas mentality, that everybody could become a winner was promoted perpetuated through the powerful right-wing media machine and supported by the Puritan work ethic as a divine justification for social inequality. There are two Gods in conflict.
The God in whom John McCain's tribe are trusting is the God of the Old Testament, the God of ethnic cleansing of the Native American population, the God of judgement and wrath, the God of slavery, the black-and-white God who draws lines in the sand and damns anyone who dares to step over the line. The God who excludes those who do not fit in to His belief structure. This God fits in well with the self-righteous elite, armed to the teeth against any opposition that inevitably leads to war, enslavement and Guantanamo Bay. The Spanish Inquisition, the pogroms in Russia were all carried out with this God on their side. As Jimmy Carter pointed out in his recent book, all fundamentalists are the same, believe in the absolute rightness of their truth and are prepared to do almost anything to maintian their regime. Ironically, the republicans have much more in common with the Islamists in this respect than just the close relationship between the Bush and Bin Laden families.
Set against this background and in direct opposition, is the God of the Obama Clan, the God of the new Testament, the God of Jesus culture, founded on co-operation and altruism, where a new nation arises from many diverse peoples and individuals to be one body, each supporting the other, not in competition or conflict but in desiring a better world for the other and for the generations to come. Embracing the marginalized and promoting the poor. Protecting the downtrodden and bringing hope to the hopeless. This was the true vision of the founding fathers of the US Constitution, a vision which persisted even through the darkness of prohibition, McCarthy witch hunts and Reaganomics. It persisted because it appeals to natural justice, and an understanding of society and community that the advocates of competition and individualism have attempted to dismantle. Margaret Thatcher famously remarked that there is no such thing as society, only a collection of individuals. An infatuation with the idea of individual self-determination, the pinnacle of which would be total individual freedom of choice, inevitably leads to narcissism, greed and self-centric view of the world which is ultimately doomed to destroy itself. It is this inherent self-destructive element in the neoconservative regime of truth, together with a fundamentalist belief in the divine power of a competitive market to bring about its own utopia, that has led to the current crisis in Western culture.
Barak Obama in embracing the original vision, e pluribus unum, is embodying an aspiration that has lain dormant since the 1960s when the same spirit swept the country and was crushed by the National Guard. Those chastened and reprogrammed into believing in the right-wing Darwinistic and viciously competitive capitalist culture supported by the so-called Christian right are now waking up to the possibility that an inclusive society can be created where the rich are a little poorer and the poor are part of the nation once again. That is why Barak Obama is on the crest of a wave.
The only worry I have for the post-election America is that if the entrenched spirit of republicanism swings further to the right as a result of Obama?s policies, the neofascist and white supremacist factions may gain significant support for undemocratic action. Obama needs to hammer home the message E Pluribus Unum to somehow include the whole range of the cultural spectrum.
The guy who got the answer wrong on the millionaire show was awarded the million because the question was deemed to be unfair as the answer given is commonly accepted to be the US motto. Hopefully the answer in 8 years time will be without doubt the original. The american people deserve to have their consitution restored to its original purpose, Liberte, egalite, fraternite not just liberte and every man for himself.
Giovanni Dimaggio
Complain about this comment
#17 IF YOU TYPE IN CAPITALS DOES IT STOP THE SHAPE SHIFTING ALIENS READING YOUR THOUGHTS?
China is certainly emerging as a world power although if anything is amazing they haven't always been: they invented so much that we take for granted 4000 years ago and have nearly 1/4 of the worlds population. HOWEVER their new economy etc is based on one thing only: demand from the west for their goods. With our economies in trouble we'll be buying far less plastic trash from China. Whats their economy going to be running on then?
Equally as for their 'huge military'... so what? Iraq under Saddam and Syria now had/have the 5th & 4th largest armies in the world respectively. Its quality that matters not quantity.
Complain about this comment
It is a pity that Americans do not take more interest in History.If they did they would realise that Empires rise and fall and there will be no exceptions.
Americans have been lucky indeed.They have had a profusion of Natural Resources which have enabled them to attract the industrious and enterprising from the rest of the World.Geographicaly remote from Global chalengers they have been able to build their economy free from the prospect on invasion and conquest.
American optimism has never been put to serious test.
However the downward trajectory must come and while it may not be yet ,it will be one day.
To me the comparisons with the Roman Empire are striking.An overstreached Military and uncontroled inward population migration are only the most obvious.
Complain about this comment
#19 "Protecting the downtrodden and bringing hope to the hopeless. This was the true vision of the founding fathers of the US Constitution"
Most of whom were major slaveholders.
I'm amazed by people like you. Are you a paid democratic party campaigner or do you truly believe that Super-Obama will put his pants over his trousers and fix everything? Clinton didn't.
The US president is a figure head and regardless of who wins the big corporations will be the same, the senators will be the same, the supreme court the same, the laws of the US the same and US policy will be the same.
Complain about this comment
To # 19
An interesting metaphor!
To # 20
THEY ARE WATCHING US NOW, USE CAPS LOCK
:)
Peace
Complain about this comment
Thinking of the future, a couple of phrases spring to mind.
From 19th Century French literature, "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose".
From 20th Century English music, "meet the new boss, same as the old boss".
Will the US public find that they have been fooled again, by whoever wins?
Complain about this comment
#17 nomorefakenews .... I'm so sorry to see you are unwell. Please take a nice break / cup of tea / some pills and have a nice lie down.
All your shouting (capital letters) is giving everyone a headache.
Kindest regards for a swift and full recovery.
Complain about this comment
#5 clue ....
"To be fair Gavin, US travellers have been sewing Canandian flags on their bags for years now. I can kind of understand in some ways - it avoids a certain level of abuse you might get from some in Europe"
I have to disagree. It is common for Canadians sew the flags so as not to be confused with Americans. For an American to do this would be very unusual.
I have worked for 18 years with US and Canadian students on study exchanges in most western European countries, and although many arrive with pre-conceived ideas (eg the French hate us) they invariably go home realising quite how respected the "idea" of America is in Europe. Obviously they also go home realising how much Europeans often dislike George W Bush and US foreign policy.
Complain about this comment
No Country, no nation historically holds the monoply on virtue. Like all things concerning human beings, nations' and States' actions carry a duality. One cannot deny that Britain led the way in abolishing the abhorrent insitution of Slavery any more than one could deny the horror of the first concentration camps (Yes, Britain instituted these during the Boer wars as I recall).
Yes, the U.S. is guilty of carrying on with this dismal practice of slavery, and for a long time after the civil war a conservative, discriminatory system until the Civil Rights Bill became the law of the land. But in equal measure U.S. society has given birth to giants the likes of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Robert Kennedy, FDR, Woodrow Wilson.
Having learned about the U.S's "Destiny Manifest" and the profound historical scar that it has left in Latin America, the near extiction of the Native American peoples I know what havoc American triumphalism can wreak... from Wounded Knee, to Iraq; but I also know the great promise America's determination and idealism carried inherently in her Constitution, Bill of Rights, the Peace Corps, the Civil Rights movement.
I believe that Barack Obama embodies all the latter values of both, Americans and the rest of humanity. He carries within him a torch that shines all the brighter in every speech, every promise and every rally. I may not agree with all he has to say, nor do I believe in the "American Mission" to lead the free world, proclaimed by both camps. But the brand of triumphalism contained in the Obama campaign is one of hope and change. The brand encased in the McCain campaign is one of old, imperialist values inherited from a world that was left behind long ago.
It is time to stop flinging accusations about the past. National and international unity are in hand. Being the Humanist that I am, I place my trust in the common sense of the ordinary American citizenry to do what is right, not just by themselves but by the rest of the world community. Let us hope they will choose wisely.
Complain about this comment
#21. Comparisions with Rome don't quite work regarding the US. For one thing there are no serious invaders likely to physically threaten the US, nor are internal rebellions or coups a realistic option. The multiple generals trying to become emperor did more damage to Rome than any barbarian horde could have. Nor does the US depend on one man. Previous world empires have revolved around a single character's ability to keep things moving. The Alexanders, Hitlers and Napoleons have achieved great empires while they lived but whether McCain or Obama wins will make virtually zero impact on US influence.
Equally I'd argue about the US army being over-stretched too. Rome at its peak demanded 20 year military service from its able-bodied men. It went into decline when it stopped using its own regular legions and depended more and more on foreign auxilliaries.
The US probably has the most professional army its ever had and for the first time (in a major conflict) isn't reliant on the draft. Most of the US army's problems come from not being able to use its full force rather than not having the force in the first place. The US army is incredibly good at clobbering enemy armies in the field. What its not good at is police work.
Complain about this comment
Dear Mr Hewitt,
Another old certainty that's being torn up is the conviction that part of "American Exceptionalism" calls it to be the world's policeman. This conviction and the entanglements that go with it have ensnared the US hopelessly and led to a neglect of her physical infrastructure and human resources, with disastrous results.
Many Americans who are voting for Sen Obama believe that the US needs to practice a thoroughgoing policy of tactical non-interventionism. It seems irrational to them that the US should be extending staggeringly expensive security guarantees to Europe, Israel, Japan, So. Korea, etc. when those societies are as prosperous as the US or even more prosperous on a per capita basis. They believe that those dollars need to be repatriated to the US to repair the country's crumbling infrastructure and invest in the development of her people.
Those who hold these views (and I am among them) do not by any means call for American isolationism. To the contrary, they believe that the US should be even more engaged in international trade and should continue to contribute to international humanitarian efforts. What can no longer be afforded are the multiple projections of American military power worldwide. During the bad old days of the Cold War there might have been some justification for this kind of projection of American might but those days are gone and today that approach seems both hubristic and guaranteed to send the US into a downward spiral of economic woe.
Adam Smith observed long ago that there are two things that the state can do to advance the commonwealth. Put in modern terms, those two things are investing in infrastructure (upon which all wealth creation depends) and investing in the people through education and other essential social supports. The US government needs to reclaim its dollars to do those things, not guarantee the security of societies that are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.
Respectfully,
Terry Grundy
Complain about this comment
No internal revolts? See what happens if Obama gets shot tomorrow.
Complain about this comment
For election comment see this:-
www.theyoungturks.com
Complain about this comment
Why is the idea that it is OK to look to the past for inspiration for the future so offensive to some? I am a moderate/liberal Democrat, yet one would think by the emotional reaction to my comments that I was banging the drum of "we're number 1!" Americanism.
I stated earlier that the idea of American exceptionalism is silly, and I stand by that statement. I do, however, believe that with great power does come great responsibility. I agree with #29 ChangeOfState that the era of unilateral American police action has to end. We can't afford (in the multiple senses of that word!) to act alone any more, but that doesn't mean that a police force might not be needed. But the U.S.' participation in such force has to be part of, and only part of, a sanctioned, multinational force, supported by all sides, with clear goals, objectives, and measurables, and plans for the "Day After".
The danger, of course, is that some in the U.S. easily conflate and confuse American goals with world goals- what is good for us, is good for the rest of the world. It can't ever again be the U.S. trying to make a case to go to war that the rest of the world questions.
All this is possibly moot, of course, if we don't get our finances in order.
Complain about this comment
18# 20# 25#
I'm glad you have read my posts....as you can see my 17#post...which you all read has now been removed...why?because the truth breaks the rules!!!!!!!!!
I have now planted the seed in your minds..
"north american union"
"new currency....amero"
so when this happens in the next few years in real life. you will say to yourselves...
"i've heard that before somewhere", then you will dawn on you what is happening in reality....
#20 as for green shape shifting lizards, i think you will find there is such a thing called..."counter intelligence"....where the truth is span off into nonsense.
kind regards
nomorefakenews
Complain about this comment
To # 33
Er? What?
Your post wasn't the truth. You have no evidence, not to mention it sounds rather strange and incoherent. Your spouting nonsense out of every orifice.
I'm not quite sure what you expect. The moderators will remove posts such as yours because they realize that its just a pointless waste of everyones time, including your own! Find something better to do!
Peace
Complain about this comment
#30. If Obama was shot tomorrow it means we get President Biden. In fact I can guarantee you'd get President Biden because of the huge outpouring of sympathy for the dems and the rapid blogging on this site weaving 'McCain did it' conspiracies.
There wasn't a revolution when Bobby Kennedy was shot, nor when JFK died nor when Reagan was in a coma. The US has an extremely robust order of succession which is one the reasons its done so well.
Complain about this comment
As a Brit, watching the election with interest, I think Americans have much to be thankful for.
For a process that is thorough (if hugely wasteful), expansive and inclusive.
For candidates who are prepared to argue publicly, reasonably, passionately and engage with voters openly, in debate and in the streets.
For candidates who put themselves up to be knocked down publicly - and in one candidate's case, to be the apparent target of wouldbe assassins - for the sake of their views, and for the future of their country.
That may all sound rather folksy, even rather - dare I say it - American, to British ears. Actually, though, there are elements in this election of traditional US electioneering, even at a time when broadcast and internet spend by candidates dwarfs much else, and they are, undoubtedly, admirable.
In Britain, in which the Prime Minister feels it beneath him to meet the public except at stage managed events, and for whom a by-election is an event to be avoided, there is much to admire, even though there is - still- much to detest about the political machine and system in the US.
Complain about this comment
One thing that keeps cropping up in all the commentary on all the US election blogs is the idea that in America one is truly free, and can, in the words of OldSouth,
'We enjoy the freedom to build our own lives with minimal intrusion from government'
What does this mean? What government interference are they free of? I am British, and so it is inferred here that I am manifestly somehow not free. How? I can get any job I care to apply for, travel wherever I want to if I have a passport, take part in the running of my country if I wish, I don't have to do military service and I can basically say what I want. How is this so different from America? Or any other Western democracy?
I have spent time in America and as far as everyday life goes, couldn't spot any difference at all. I also lived for a year in Germany, and even with the disadvantage of language, certainly didn't feel opressed by the state. Yes I had an ID card, but I actually found it pretty useful. Germans thought nothing of them at all, but ID cards are a different argument for a different forum. If anything, after having been pulled over and have my documents pored over by a local sherrif in Florida for the heinous crime of looking foreign (he didn't tell me why he'd pulled us over, but was very keen we all line up by the side of the road and empty our pockets) I didn't feel very free in America at all. It sounds trite, and I know I didn't live there, but frabnkly the biggest difference I could see between the US and UK was a wider range of soft drinks in the shops and the presence of many, many guys with gun holsters.
I am keen to learn. I want to know why Sarah Palin felt fit to describe small towns as the Real America, which to my mind obviously labels the rest of America as somehow not American. What's the difference? It's still the same country. Logically, her argument removes the idea of Americanness from the USA proper and makes it into a political philosophy that can be applied to the rest of the world. So am I now un-American, despite living 3500 miles away?
And so this brings me back to my first question - what is it to be American? I do not doubt that it exists in the American psyche, but without knowing what it is you are defending, how do you defend it? Is the fear that the US will somehow turn into Iran? Why the fear (and it really does look like fear) of a bit of social democracy? What harm would universal health care really do to this fundemental yet ephemeral concept of Freedom? Is American freedom really so fragile as to be destroyed by having a local GP assigned to you rather than being able to choose one yourself? And why is it that the most vocal defenders of this freedom are often also the ones who are keenest to restrict access to abortions and make teenagers take vows of abstainence? On that theme, I am not going to get into discussions of the 2nd Amendment, Guantanamo Bay or the provisions of the Patriot Act at all.
I am certain it isn't just mixing up freedom with consumer choice. That'd be a pretty shaky basis for a national identity, and America could never have done as well as it has if it had done that. The British have lousy consumer choice what with all our banks, supermarkets and coffee shops all being basically the same. But I still think I'm equally as free as anyone in America is. What makes their case so different?
Complain about this comment
To #13... What?
to everyone else:
The power of optimism is never to be under-estimated, especially in sentimental America. Can you imagine what an uproar there would be if politicians here started to spew the kind of rhetoric seen in this campaign? They'd be laughed off the face of the planet.
Though it has to be said that it is kind of compelling to watch... As much as I appreciate a well-constructed argument, I am enjoying the campaigning process. Can't wait for the election proper, to see what dirty tactics those sneaky rascals come up with in their hour of desperation!
Complain about this comment
#37 "I am keen to learn. I want to know why Sarah Palin felt fit to describe small towns as the Real America, which to my mind obviously labels the rest of America as somehow not American"
I can tell you that and the answer comes in two parts: firstly if you stand in the middle of a major US city like New York or Chicago you would be hard pressed to say what makes it any different from any other major world city like London or Paris (beyond the tourist attractions). The adverts are the same, the chain brands are the same, the people on the streets are the same.
The second is the level of immigration in many US cities. New York has nearly 500,000 Greek speakers. Thats more than Crete. Over 50% of the population of Miami weren't born in the USA and Spanish is a more useful language than english (as I also found out in large parts of LA). I agree with Palin that real 'America' isn't a city were the majority of inhabitants were born in Cuba or Mexico.
If you go to small towns in Alaska, Washington state, Oregon etc you'll find 100% of the people were born there, 100% are English speakers and theres been little deep social change in 100 years. This sort of community are core Palin voters (and I say Palin not McCain intentionally). The big cities on the east and west coast are guaranteed Obama wins.
The other point I'd make as a none religious Brit who would be a very moderate republican is that I much prefer small town America to big city America. I've been made very welcome in little towns in the cascades whereas in Miami no-one seemed to care if I lived or died.
Complain about this comment
An early poster on this thread claimed that the USA was first with true representative democracy. T'ain't so. The American system has exactly the same basic flaw as the British.
Your President, and our party government, can win office while getting less than a majority in an actual count of individual votes. This is probably the only hope left for McCain. Even when they had huge Parliamentary majorities, neither the Thatcher or Blair governments had an actual majority of individual votes.
As for the general health of American politics, I have just read this:
"The former mayor of the US city of Detroit has been sentenced to four months in jail for obstructing justice in connection with a sex scandal"
So, if you are President you can get away with that particular offence. A mere mayor can't. Very democratic!
Complain about this comment
Peter_Sym, there is an interesting conclusion to be drawn from what you say about the American/non-American identity of US cities.
The biggest waves of settlement of European migrants to the US came in the late 19th-early 20th Century. These were of course WHITE Europeans. Now, the importation of slaves ceased a hell of a long time before this. Even now, a majority of black Americans are probably descended from slaves. True?
Therefore if you are white American talking to a black American, he can probably trace his American ancestory back further than you can.
That makes the Black population more American than the white.
And don't say nobody is interested in such calculations. Until not too long ago there were words like "quadroon" and even "octoroon" to indicate degrees of "blackness".
If small distinctions don't count, why is the light complexioned Obama called an African American? Not, I think, on account of his actual parentage. It's because of how he looks.
Complain about this comment
#41. There were black men in Newcastle upon Tyne (northern England for the non brits) 1900 years ago. They were roman auxilliary soldiers from North Africa and I'm sure that they met local women and fathered kids here. Thats 400 years before the first anglo-saxon set foot in England so your rather valid point about the US has some validity in the UK too.
However you're missing my point about US cities: they're not filled full of the decendents of slaves who have lived in the US for centuries. Places like Miami are filled with people born outside the US (over 50% now in Miami) who don't speak english as a first language.
Its worth pointing out that Obama is perfectly happy to be called an African-American too and is fully capitalising on the fact. I've lost count of how many posted have made the stupid and incredibly offensive claim that 'only a racist wouldn't vote for him.
Oh- the importation of slaves continued right up to the civil war. It was illegal, the Royal navy and later the US Navy did a great job intercepting them but there were slave markets on Spanish territory (Cuba) for a very long time and slaves with papers claiming they were born in the US were still being shipped in right until the end of the civil war.
Complain about this comment
#34 saintone
your are are either spouting your indoctrination via, "the system"or are counter intelligence!
Here is the evidence of the north american union on the white house website!
On 23march 2005 at baylor Uni, waco texas..presidents .bush jr(usa), martin(canada) and Fox(mexico)....signed ......."THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP OF NORTH AMERICA"
SECURITY is really more control via ID CARDS for movement of people i.e mexicans into usa and canada..yes the borders come down.(like the EU)
a PARNERSHIP is a UNION
PROSPERITY will be the new currency
NORTH AMERICA is usa,canada and mexico
Its on the whitehouse website, all you have to do is think for yourself!!! we are having "money " problems around the "world" (which is manufactured to happen) to bring in the new union and currency.....quite simple really..once you know what the real agenda its quite boring!! do your homework!!!
kind regards
nomorefakenews
Complain about this comment
#43. "Prosperity" will be the new currency? I thought it was 'the americo' yesterday.
In any case even if your insane rants turn out to be true.... so what? The USA comprises huge parts of what used to be mexico and millions of mexicans already live and work in the US. Alaska was Russian, Puerto rica is almost part of the US now etc etc.
Frankly if North America wishes to duplicate the EU then I couldn't care less. Your new super country actually sounds like a far more fun place to visit than 'Fortress USA' is at present and at least the hire car company would let you drive south of the border into Mexico.
Complain about this comment
#44
no , prosperity means a new currency, it will not be called that..doh!
anyway I said AMERO...not AMERICO
where did you get that from??????not more counter intel???why are you hanging around this blog????
you have not got this at all, when the new currency is introduced (i.e made from nothing, backed by nothing, digits in a screen,bits of worthless paper)...
IT WILL BE HALF THE CURRENT VALUE.
of the current currency....notice how the canada dollar and the usa dollar , just by magic over a few years became the same value...just like magic???? remember all currencies are DOOMED TO FAIL thats why they have to change ..REMEMBER MONEY IS A MINI MATRIX ,WITHOUT IT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SURVIVE???????
there is no other system in place...you have money or you die!!
IF MY INSANE RANTS TURN OUT TO BE TRUE??? DOES THAT NOT MEAN THAT WE LIVE IN A SCRIPTED AGENDA....or shouuld i say consPIRACY.....
remind me ..who owns the imf,world bank.the fed..etc. what gives them the right to decide what money is and its value??
i HOPE YOU ENJOY YOU INDOCTRINATION VIA THE MEDIA AND KEEP PARROTING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN....
REMIND ME AGAIN , WHO INVENTED THIS ENGLISH LANGUAGE???WHY WAS IT DOWN DATED IN THE 1500'S...
WITHOUT THIS LANGUAGE (that was given to you as your reality)HOW WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE...WORK THAT ONE OUT!!!!
kind regards
nomorefakenews
Complain about this comment
#45. You either need far more or far less of whatever pill you're on.
Complain about this comment
In the words of the immortal Rick James, "Cocaine is a hell of a drug!".
Complain about this comment
#40 "The American system has exactly the same basic flaw as the British.
Your President, and our party government, can win office while getting less than a majority in an actual count of individual votes."
Do you appreciate why this is in the states? The USA is effectively like a super-federalised EU with 50 member countries with their own state laws and armed forces all electing a common president. Population demographics in the US are very complex. More people are mugged in New York city in a year than live in Montana. If the electoral system was based on total number of votes only then all you'd need to do to become president is win California, Florida, Illinios, New Jersey, New York and probably Pensylvania & texas. None of the other 40-odd states, especially the very sparsely populated ones like Wyoming, Alaska etc would have any real say in the outcome and would be totally neglected by the presidential candidates.
The college system recognises that the 'big' states have more people but also ensures that the small states have a decent say in who governs the USA. Its an elegant solution to an otherwise impossible situation. It also has some checks in place in case the people go mad and elect a lunatic. Hitler was democratically elected too and the details of his election win should be pushed down the throat of anyone keen on proportional representation.
Its also worth pointing out that Bush won the popular vote last time (the most total votes), whereas Clinton failed to do this both times. The system does not favour one candidate over the other.
Complain about this comment
48# you are parroting the EXOTERIC (your indoctrination via school, media,the system etc)
this is some of the ESOTERIC , the organisations that control governments....
THE BILDERBERG GROUP...meeting once a year of royalty,media, petro chemical, bankers,members of government etc...
COUNCIL OF FOREIGN RELATIONS (USA)
ROYAL INSITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (UK)
the tavistock insitute , london..
when the north american union is presented to you by the media you will be apologizing to me...
kind regards
nomorefakenews
Complain about this comment
#49. When the North american union gets announced by the media I'll be booking a flight to go visit. It actually sounds like a perfectly sensible idea and would certainly solve certain immigration and fuel supply issues.
Unless you're going to claim that the Bilderberg group are hiding millions of voters in Montana I fail to see what your demented rants have to do with my explanation of the US electoral college system either.
Complain about this comment
#22 - The US president is a figure head and regardless of who wins the big corporations will be the same, the senators will be the same, the supreme court the same, the laws of the US the same and US policy will be the same.
I thought this, too, until Bush II got in office.
Complain about this comment
#45 - REMIND ME AGAIN , WHO INVENTED THIS ENGLISH LANGUAGE???WHY WAS IT DOWN DATED IN THE 1500'S...
WITHOUT THIS LANGUAGE (that was given to you as your reality)HOW WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE...WORK THAT ONE OUT!!!!
Is it me, or is he now claiming that the English language is part of a conspiracy?
Complain about this comment
#37 - I want to know why Sarah Palin felt fit to describe small towns as the Real America, which to my mind obviously labels the rest of America as somehow not American. What's the difference?
The small towns Palin is describing as "pro-American" have lifestyles more reminiscent of our past (recent past ~ 30-50 years ago) due to conservatism among the population. This very conservatism is what appeals to them in Palin. Cities and university towns are more modern; therefore, to the conservative way of thinking, less traditional, so less American. The immigrants do likely have something to do with it because they bring outside ideas into the country - ideas which could create change, which might threaten tradition.
In short, the entire argument is about change or the lack thereof. In this instance, conservatives are against change, and appeal to people who are afraid of it.
Complain about this comment
#45 nomorefakenews
Dear Sir: I know your right. I love the British and lived there for a short time. They DO NOT UNDERSTAND the horror Americans now face. They are safe and sound and maybe just don't want to see what American's now have to live with. A few really fatal riots like we have had in America, in Britain, would cure their arrogance very fast. I hope you know millions of American citzens feel as you do---they may fear saying so however. We have much more to endure, stay safe and keep your powder dry! You have many friends, and I'm sure many in Britain too.
Complain about this comment
#50 52 54
You can spin my information off all you want...you simply cannot go deep enough to see whats been presented to you via the media etc...as your reality..
as for the english where did it come from again???
there are losts of inside jokes for those in the know...
therapist = the rapist
conspriacy = cons "piracy"
television =te "levi" "sion"
the last one is way to deep for any one on this blog to understand!!!!
kind regards
nomorefakenews
Complain about this comment
#48 more EXoteric nonsense!!
electoral college system? You must be aware i'm taking about the bigger picture...the bit part players like mr obama get their orders from elsewhere...some of the basic ngo's stated in #49...they are just the ones for public comsumption...I'm way beyond them....
nice blue skies where I live... i won't harp on about the weather!
kind regards
nomorefakenews
Complain about this comment
" as for the english where did it come from again??? "
England.
Its a hybrid language of bits of Saxon-German (angle-ish) , Latin and French. Its earliest use was about 500 AD around Leicester (then called Rattae) as it let Brits and Saxons trade.
Alternatively the Matrix made it up......
Sadly your in jokes would be so much funnier had televison been an english word: its half latin and half greek.
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS