National pride in jeopardy:
America dethroned
Justine Leonard
English 102
Derek Blemberg
April 23rd, 2013

“The first step in solving any problem is recognizing that there is one. America is not the greatest country in the world anymore” (Sorkin, 2012). As Americans we like to think, and in fact for decades have also been misleading others to believe, that we are the best at just about everything. Sadly, that hasn’t been true for quite some time. These troubled times are due to bias voters and lack of real leadership in presidential candidates. Despite the idealization of America, it is no longer the greatest country in the world; the U.S used to be known as the land of opportunities, freedom, diversity and equality but today we are being defined by such things as political parties that are tearing us far from being a united nation.
There is nothing to prove we deserve the gold medal. We claim to be the land of the free but we actually rank seventh in that category beat by other nations like Japan and Belguim. We claim to be a nation of equality and opportunities, but in reality we sit thirty-ninth in income inequality and second in child poverty. As American citizens we are full of pride and take joy in our country. Likewise, people from all around the world desire to live here too. We all wish to experience “the good life,” but the truth is that the U.S. is eleventh on happiness scale. In the HBO drama The Newsroom, the lead character Will McAvoy, states that America is not the greatest country in the world and then starts rattling off a list of flaws. In the scene, McAvoy rants: “There is absolutely no evidence to support the statement that we’re the greatest country in the world. We’re seventh in literacy, twenty-seventh in math, twenty-second in science, forty-ninth in life expectancy, 178th in infant mortality, third in median household income, number four in labor force and number four in exports. We lead the world in only three categories: the number of incarcerated citizen’s per capita, number of adults who believe angels are real, and defense spending where we spend more than the next twenty-six countries combined twenty-five of whom are allies” (Sorkin, 2012). The topics we do win are negative or pointless; our country has changed for the worst.
Half of our country lives in mobile homes, which in Western Europe that would be listed below the poverty line. Plus, America’s treatment towards minorities is not inspiring nor have our sports ever caught on across the world like soccer has. The USA isn't the freest nation in the world; it doesn't win on population, natural resources, or even economic freedom. In fact, it is classified second worst in child poverty (beaten only by Mexico,) seventh worst in the world for gun homicides, and is number one by a landslide for crime.
If you’re curious about who has taken our crown, you might be surprised. The latest international index of 123 countries released by the Fraser Institute, ranked New Zealand number one for offering the highest level of freedom worldwide, followed by the Netherlands and then Hong Kong. Australia, Canada and Ireland tied for fourth spot. The survey also measured the degree to which people are free to enjoy classic civil liberties like: the freedom of speech, religion, legal discrimination against homosexuals, and women's freedoms as well as other topics. The United States tied Denmark for seventh- we didn’t even get a bronze medal for that. The United States seems to be envied by the world when it comes to free markets and business, but that too is big mistake. The U.S. continues to lose ground against other nations in the annual look at the best countries for business. The U.S. placed second in 2009, but in 2012 it ranks twelfth. Next, according to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, there are 2,618 accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States, most of which operate privately or as part of state governments. Only fifty-four of these are in the top two hundred world-wide (that is just slightly over two percent.) That would prove that the US isn’t first in the world on the basis of performance in either access to education, quality of education, nor human capital. Now how about the environment? According to the Yale University and Columbia University’s 2012 Environmental Performance Index (ranking 132 countries) the U.S. trailed at forty-ninth in that department.
We rank top of the list for the most expensive health care system in the world, but dead last overall compared to other countries when it comes to the quality, efficiency, access to care, equity and the ability to live long, healthy, productive lives. As for the quality of living, nothing in the United States even makes the top list at all. Now only a third of Americans think their children will be better off than they are today. Even when it’s just the Western hemisphere being ranked for quality of living the top four cities are all in Canada and we aren’t recognized until Honolulu at twenty-eight (Zuckerman 2007.) Other countries are constantly outranking and out-performing the United States on just about any topic you want to consider.
It is proven that the racial earnings gap is larger among those from lower-middle class and working class childhood backgrounds than among those from upper-middle class backgrounds. Also comparing black men from lower-middle and working class backgrounds have more difficulty rising above their socioeconomic roots relative to white men from similar social class backgrounds. High levels of racial inequality often overlooked by others are present in the U.S. and “socioeconomic backgrounds continue to have a negative effect on people’s earnings despite individual achievements (Fairbrother & Martin, 2013).” Furthermore, research states that income inequality reduces people’s trust in others, and that diminishing social trust in the United States in recent decades has been due to rising levels of income inequality (Pais, 2011.) We are getting beat at our own game when it comes to actually living up to the standards we Americans pretend to still have. It’s time we stopped kidding ourselves, stopped living on past glories, and start actually being the best nation in the world.
The words loyalists once gave their lives for, like “freedom” and “patriotism,” have become almost meaningless. I believe at one point we were great and that deep in our roots those qualities still exist. Will McAvoy then went on to say, “We sure used to be. We stood up for what was right! We fought for moral reasons; we passed and struck down laws for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed, we cared about our neighbors, we put our money where our mouths were, and we never beat our chest. We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars, and we acted like men.” The United States used to be about opportunities, freedom, equality and diversity. Our country’s strength was built on the backs of hard working Americans who built everything from railroads to skyscrapers. We farmed, we produced, and we raised families happily. The pride of "built in America" was the flag that we waved.
The factual venting wasn’t meant to just bash the United States. I’m not just testing the human ear anymore; I want people to hear what this show is actually saying. This paper and Will’s rant isn't really about the U.S. being "the best" or not. McAvoy helps me explain this by continuing, “We used to aspired to intelligence- we didn't belittle it; it didn't make us feel inferior. We didn't identify ourselves by who we voted for in the last election, and we didn't scare so easy. We were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed. By great men, men who were revered. The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one- America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.” It's not about who is better; this is about national unity, about genuine brotherhood, and true community- about the real America.
This is about how we used to self-identify as Americans (as it should be) not as Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives, etc. George Washington didn’t feel the need for political parties and neither do I. Washington’s farewell address hit many touchy subjects and clearly warned us about the terrible possibilities political parties could have. “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our union it occurs as matter of serious concern that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations… there is a real difference of local interests and views…in particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection (Goldman 2008).” Despite his advice the U.S. did form two strong parties and are now dividing our country with them.
I view political parties as many others do: the source of conflict in our country on political issues. Nevertheless we have had political parties since the very early years. The two parties have held the government accountable by constantly scrutinizing each other and being on the lookout for wrong-doing. Whether it is blue or red, it’s natural to sound an alarm when they think that someone in the other party is doing wrong (Courser, 2004). I’m not saying that both parties have to agree on everything, but they can definitely do a better job of just informing the voters and letting them think for themselves. The assigned group label doesn’t leave room for how they may really feel about an issue, we just feel pressured to choose one. To be frank, political parties are the dividing force behind our once unified country.
These clashing sides are turning our country into a mess. With having two main parties comes a lot of major controversy causing citizens to turn their backs on each other. Democrats and Republicans represent polar opposite views on all ideas, which is forcing Americans to go against one another. The burden of having to choose a permanent label of red or blue is destroying our personal identity and our country’s unity. In One nation slightly divisible David Brooks talked about his personal experience between the “red and blue states.” It was a clear example that showed the colored coded political parties are taking over. “Red vs. blue is causing conflict, tension, and pressure to choose one or the other. This doesn’t sound like the free U.S.A. I want to live in (Brooks, 2012).” I personally will not declare myself as a part of either party.
I refuse to choose a side due to all the conflict between them and even contradictions within each party. I am someone who always strives for harmony, prevents all possible confrontation, and is very easily persuaded- politics are a touchy subject that I usually try to avoid. Typically, the more politics I hear about the more overwhelmed and discouraged about our country I become. I desire to be valuable citizen and use my knowledge in the right to vote, but it is almost impossible for me to become correctly educated on any political topics. More often than not, I get someone’s strong opinion rather than the plain truthful information. Citizens of today get so hypnotized by candidates they start thinking that only their own party is right. Majority of people don’t even consider the other candidates nor what they may stand for.
The U.S. has two major parties that choose topics and purposely pick polar opposite positions. In the American Paradox it talked about several different topics: sexual freedom, elitism, conformity, libertarianism, spirituality and inequality (Solomon &Maasik, 2012.) All of these have equal and opposite positions, so they make hot topics for political figures. I want to make it clear that these topics don’t have a right or wrong, but that it’s their polar divisions that are the problem. The vast majority of the public are brainwashed into thinking anyone with a D or R stands for "this" or "that" regardless of how that particular politician actually does think and vote. Each party has their own faults and contradictions within themselves, so instead of the potential presidents representing a party they should just represents their own beliefs; this way people would be able to vote for whomever they wanted at which ever election despite labels. Nowadays politics have become more of a popularity contest full of voters playing "follow the leader" and not thinking for themselves. I will admit I too fall into this category by mostly voting for the conservative representative just because that’s who my Dad votes for. I’m not saying that is the proper thing to do, but I do it because I can’t seem to become decently educated to decide for myself and that is just sad. Yes, so many people are willing to share their views and opinions, but I am a fence-rider that can lean either way depending on how convincing the person is. When other people try to “teach” me about politics it turns into a game of them trying to win me over. I take great pleasure in the act of participating in voting, but I almost feel guilty contributing due to my lack of knowledge towards government issues and my shortage of interest (due to the never-ending conflicts included in politics).
All the shallowness and negativity that comes with politics has in fact turned me away completely from even wanting to be involved. I have seen so many people get into arguments resulting in destruction of relationships over political parties- that is out of hand and just plain ridiculous. I don’t feel that we should have to pick a certain side, and I definately don’t think that choice should be stuck to us throughout all the elections as our identity. Political parties are having a very negative effect not only on me, but the country as a whole. Look at us, there’s a problem! This is what happens to any country when they lose national identity- they devolve into just parties, tribes, clans, or religious groups- much like the Nazi’s for example.
With the United States’ system and the Constitution’s separation of powers can make it difficult for officials in differing areas of the government to work cohesively. The rules and demands of each institution can often lead to conflict and an inability to govern effectively. With the right leaders parties could help bridge that divide so policies can be collaborated on and implemented appropriately. Proper political groups could serve as an intermediate between the voting body and their elected officials. It’s true that no other organization besides parties can activate so many voters, and voters are essential to a democracy.
Instead of seeking out to be the best, the U.S. just keeps continuing their downward spiral. In addition to what we have already discussed, the United States are also addicted to the habit of dependency. We are now dependent on the graciousness of our neighbors to continue loaning us money to support our excess spending. And we now have dependency on the government who is in charge of our handouts from food stamps to welfare. America has become a debtor nation and the cancer of debt has eroded not only our economic prosperity but our nation’s foundation and happiness. The United States are no longer true to those qualities on which we were founded upon.
The U.S. was established upon The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. These forms say that everyone is entitled to certain rights that can never be given or taken away from you. It should be obvious that all men are to be created equal and to be given the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those rights still stand true today. They weren’t given by man or by government; they are given to you for simply existing. The founding fathers knew this and they also knew that something created man and that man created government under them. Government wasn’t meant to be above men as a holy being, it was meant to serve and work for us. Many people believe these documents are what make us so great, but you can’t define a country by two papers with good intentions. A country can only be judged on its actions. Currently the U.S. is headed downhill fast because our actions are not unified, but with the right leaders our actions could be channeled and we can return to that number one spot.
America most definitely has potential be great again. However, what we need is a noble government to lead us in the right direction. It’ll require honorable leaders that will fight for moral values, stand up for what is right, strike down the wrong laws for the right reasons, fight for those in poverty, care about our neighbors and put our money where our mouth is. It is great leadership that has been missing. Instead, we have elected for mediocrity and self-indulgence. Each leader has followed the same path of wasteful spending and reckless disregard of the long term economic drain for short term economic gains. This country needs political leaders that are willing to take the risks of failure to achieve success like we used to do. For instance, without scientists taking leaps of faith we would have missed out on so many great inventions. We need a leader that is willing to fall to earth while reaching for the stars. We need a leader willing to accept the responsibility for his successes as well as his failures. Our Forefathers were great leaders. Today we may have forgotten what great leadership means, but there is still hope for America.
The U.S. might not be the best country according to statistics, but we are still in the running to be the greatest country in the world. America has the rare quality of an unconquerable spirit and an unmatched will to succeed. It could just require one leader to spark a fire and bring us together as a country. There is an opportunity here to make the sacrifices necessary to return America to its former greatness.
As responsible citizens let’s recognize the problem, stop complaining about it and make a difference. We are called a constitutional-democratic-republic but on the contrary we are pushing the limits of the constitution, we aren’t treating everyone equally, nor are we being informed or represented by good leaders. We must acknowledge the problem and choose to begin the long road to recovery by becoming an informed and educated electorate. We must begin making the right choices, sacrifices and demanding the same from our leadership. You have the ability to influence this country for the better with your vote- each and every one counts. As a member of the United States, you have a duty to be as informed as you can be about social issues. You shall no longer sit quietly following others on important issues, but instead explore your position and decided for yourself. Let’s answer our call and put the potential we have into action. There is hope for America.

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