.
Avoiding
Dictatorship in a Free Society — Part
2
Read
Part 1 from March
On
September 11, 2001 many Americans and American political
leaders felt that the terrorist attack on the World Trade
Center was an attack on the "American way of life." The
symbolism of the targets and the intricate and pre-meditated
nature of that attack was indeed sending a strong message
to our country.
As
the United States mounted its war on Iraq and tried to
build a coalition, we found ourselves more and more isolated
with many of our allies and friends even rejecting large
monetary incentives to join our war effort. Public opinion
throughout the world, including amongst citizens of governments
that consented to join us was clearly against the United
States. Another strong message.
The
American spirit and self-image is built on three great
documents: The Declaration of Independence declaring
the inalienable human rights of
"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to
all people
"who are created equal," the Constitution which
guarantees the rule of law and protects the rights of all
people, and the Pledge of Allegiance which affirms "one
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all."
In
the field of international relations since the turn of
the twentieth century, the ideals of our policies, if
not the practice, were based on the same principles as
those of our country. Starting with the League of Nations
after World War One, and ending with the United Nations
after World War Two, the United States was the chief
architect in helping create a community of nations which
would promote national and human rights, health and prosperity
and thus eliminate the causes of war.
The
message of the tragedy of the attacks on September 11,
2001 was a turning point in our national character and
our national consciousness. However, there were basically
two different responses to that event that have lead
to different outcomes in our mentality and that will
affect our future as a nation:
— On
one hand is the introspective response and self-evaluation
in the light of the ideals upon which our country is
based. It tries to answer the questions: Why do we have
enemies? Why are we the target of hatred? This response
seeks to understand where the responsibility lies for
such a drastic attack and calls to question what in the "American
way of life" is cause for resentment.
— On
the other hand is the defensive response based on a self-righteous
and self-centered perspective. It does not take into
account the accumulation of frustration and hurt which
eventually erupts into acts of violence. It divides the
world into those who are "with us" and those
who are "against us" calling the latter "evil."
It does not make room for the needs, interests, and beliefs
of others in international relations, and it seeks to impose
its own interests above all others.
Our
nation was built largely by those who had suffered the
pain of oppression and conquest. Our nation therefore
was built to safeguard liberty, tolerance, equality and
opportunity. The United States has in its principles
stood for a civil society free of fear, guided by humanitarian
ideals, and a new political culture based on noble human
values.
Now in America, selfish interest and self-righteousness
have dominated national policy in response to perceived
threats to the "American way of life." Such attitudes
ignore the elements in that way of life which might threaten
the well being of people in other nations and threaten
the earth's safety and environment. This is cause for resentment
by others who also call our planet "home."
Stimulated by the fears of terrorism, our government and
citizens have regressed into the most primitive form of
mentality and government. Secrecy, distrust, self praise
and control have become the politics of this, our most
powerful and prosperous nation. Americans have embraced
the mentality of the dark ages where the absolute power
of feudal lords demanded the unquestioning loyalty, obedience
and resources of their subjects for protection from enemies
of the kingdom.
Self-interest
clothed in self-righteousness has become the new ideology
of the American government and threatens the morale,
cohesiveness and freedom of our nation. It further threatens
our relationships with other nations and cultures. Both
of these are forms of greed - materialistic greed and
emotional greed. Why would America even be worried by
the threats of enemies if we had always been guided in
foreign and domestic relations by the noble principles
of the American ethics of freedom, tolerance and justice
for all? Why, ever since the end of World War II have
the terms "Ugly American" and "Haves versus
Have-nots"
frequently been counterpoints to our high ideals and sense
of generosity in relations with other nations and with
our own citizens? Why do American leaders gloat about the
intelligence with which we wage war, while condemning those
who wage peace?
To
love our nation does not mean to flatter it with praise
and not see its limitations with objectivity. True friends
will reveal with trust and compassion the shortcomings
of each other. Citizenship should be a united effort
to improve and fulfill the ideals of the nation. We can
avoid the pitfalls of creeping dictatorship or the progressive
loss of tolerance, security and individual freedoms if
we see the material and emotional desires which are controlling
us and making us lose our ideals and sense of purpose.
When we are all working for a lifestyle which is sustainable
and just from a global perspective and when we and our
leaders use the nation's resources for the future benefit
and well being of people, then the forces of fear, greed,
self-righteousness and confusion will dissolve and our
nation will be true to itself.
<<
previous [1][2
You
may email this article by using the link below:
Contact
me with
your comments about this topic
.
.
