Most political agendas are based on making our country #1. I suspect it is because political strategists conclude that our preoccupation with being #1 in sports also applies to world affairs. For the most part the strategy succeeds or more accurately we succeed in rationalizing that we are #1 in the world. The cornerstone of this strategy is military strength. Being #1 in military strength however, does not necessarily make us a leader of nations and that is really what being #1 has been all about. Somehow or other in the past several decades we have successfully weaned ourselves from the necessity of being smarter than anyone else and working harder than anyone else in order to be a leader of nations. Military strength alone makes us a bully. Military strength combined with educational strengths and strong work ethics makes us a leader.
An eye opener was an op-ed column in the New York Times by Thomas L. Friedman titled “We’re No. 1(1)”. The column was written on 9/11/10 and is as true today as it was then. As Mr. Friedman pointed out, until we learn to postpone gratification, invest for the future, work harder than the next guy and hold our kids to the highest expectations we will be concede our leadership position to the likes of China and India.
Showing posts with label Superpowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Superpowers. Show all posts
4/4/13
7/5/11
From Superpower To Banana Republic In One Easy Step
In A New York Times article, Sam Dillon reports that " as budgets are trimmed, time in class is shortened". He goes on to write:
"After several years of state and local budget cuts, thousands of school districts across the nation are gutting summer-school programs, cramming classes into four-day weeks or lopping days off the school year, even though virtually everyone involved in education agrees that American students need more instruction time."
The article is all about the struggle to provide the education needed by our young people in order to survive in today' world. It is unthinkable that when push comes to shove, those who administer our schools and local budgets will make do with less bucks for education. What is worse is that parents will let them get away with shortchanging their offspring.
I'm convinced that strong public school education for all is what made this nation a superpower. If we make education a low priority for our tax dollars we will produce a generation incapable of coping with modern technology. We will be led rather than lead. Of course the rich will have no problem educating their darlings in a private school, thus ensuring that we evolve into a nation of aristocrats and serfs. How long will the serfs be content with their status in society?
"After several years of state and local budget cuts, thousands of school districts across the nation are gutting summer-school programs, cramming classes into four-day weeks or lopping days off the school year, even though virtually everyone involved in education agrees that American students need more instruction time."
The article is all about the struggle to provide the education needed by our young people in order to survive in today' world. It is unthinkable that when push comes to shove, those who administer our schools and local budgets will make do with less bucks for education. What is worse is that parents will let them get away with shortchanging their offspring.
I'm convinced that strong public school education for all is what made this nation a superpower. If we make education a low priority for our tax dollars we will produce a generation incapable of coping with modern technology. We will be led rather than lead. Of course the rich will have no problem educating their darlings in a private school, thus ensuring that we evolve into a nation of aristocrats and serfs. How long will the serfs be content with their status in society?
4/25/11
A rant by any other name would smell the same
Political strategists have apparently convinced politicians that carrying the tired American colors into every nation which shows a glimmer of rebellion against an autocratic government is what the American public wants. John McCain, who never met a war he didn't like, calls for more involvement in Libya. Tom Pawlenty, who would have trouble finding Syria on a map, cries out for support of the protesters in Syria. John Boehner spends spring break getting a tan in Afghanistan while raising questions about the Obama war strategy. The drums of war are being beat fiercely! I just can't respond to their call. Yes, I have empathy for the Libyan rebels and the Syrian protesters but on the other hand I wonder why ill conceived struggles should become my battles when there is a battle to be fought here on our shores. Too many Americans are hurting and too few politicians are fighting for them. I would like to see the Afghans enjoy a democratic government but that is next to mission impossible - it's past the time to get out! How in hell can we bear the cost of multiple wars when we don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out from? How can we act as a white knight while we drift off into a feudal society ruled over by greedy black knights. How can we play the role of a superpower when we are poised to abandon a space program which has given us so much to make life easier and healthier. We cannot be a superpower in the eyes of the world while we are a weakling at home. The budget battle taking place in Washington will show us if we have the leadership in place to ensure that our future will be that of a democratic society dedicated to the needs of its masses. The " Yes we can!" of 2008 must become a reality and not merely a dusty campaign slogan. As I have done before , I must invoke the words of John Quincy Adams, “Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy ... she is the champion and vindicator only of her own.” The sooner Washington realizes that its job is to give us what we need and not what it thinks we want, the sooner we will be a respected superpower.
3/15/11
Superpower - The Champion and Vindicator of Its People
Maureen Dowd's 3/12/11 column had just the answer I've been looking for in trying to assess whether it makes sense for the USA to be militarily involved in promoting democracy. She referred to David Rieff's book " At the Point of a Gun" in which he quotes John Quincy Adams about America: “Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy ... she is the champion and vindicator only of her own.”
Why not heed the words of John Quincy Adams. Beating the drums of war every time there is a burp in some area of the world has not been productive. The neocons would not agree with Adams and would argue that Superpowers must exercise their military power to bring about "order". Perhaps it is time to reevaluate what a Superpower is obligated to do. In my opinion a Superpower is a power which has demonstrated that it has the power to be an influential voice in world affairs without exercising their military might and at the same time provides for the welfare and defense of its citizens. A Superpower should not be expected to be the policeman of the world. Isn't that what The United Nations is for?
Why not heed the words of John Quincy Adams. Beating the drums of war every time there is a burp in some area of the world has not been productive. The neocons would not agree with Adams and would argue that Superpowers must exercise their military power to bring about "order". Perhaps it is time to reevaluate what a Superpower is obligated to do. In my opinion a Superpower is a power which has demonstrated that it has the power to be an influential voice in world affairs without exercising their military might and at the same time provides for the welfare and defense of its citizens. A Superpower should not be expected to be the policeman of the world. Isn't that what The United Nations is for?
3/25/10
Discovered In China
There is hardly a piece of hardware, an electronic gadget or clothing that does not boast “Made In China”. Soon scientific and technical journals will recount new discoveries labeled “Discovered In China”.
A recent article in the New York Times, “China Drawing High-Tech Research From U.S.” highlights the growing tendency of American corporations, the likes of Applied Materials, Intel and General Motors who already have manufacturing facilities in China, to establish advanced technology research labs there also, thus aiding China to develop a high-tech economy that increasingly competes directly with the United States.
Chinese universities churn out engineers with master’s degrees who can be hired for $730 a month. This is not lost on Western companies, providing a further incentive to do their technology research in China. If that were not enough, many Chinese cities and regions offer the companies subsidies which are becoming increasingly rare at home.
The United States became a power by making things. It became a superpower through its research and development facilities. Our manufacturing facilities are slowly rusting away. How long before our R&D becomes second rate? How long before our supply of scientific and engineering graduates dries up? How long before corporations start moving their headquarters to China? How long before our service economy relegates us to an ex-superpower? How long before we need to start learning Chinese as a second language? Exaggeration? Yes, but I hope that somewhere in our complex bureaucracy someone is trying to come up with ways of preserving our ability to innovate and manufacture. McDonald and Wal-Mart jobs should not be our future.
A recent article in the New York Times, “China Drawing High-Tech Research From U.S.” highlights the growing tendency of American corporations, the likes of Applied Materials, Intel and General Motors who already have manufacturing facilities in China, to establish advanced technology research labs there also, thus aiding China to develop a high-tech economy that increasingly competes directly with the United States.
Chinese universities churn out engineers with master’s degrees who can be hired for $730 a month. This is not lost on Western companies, providing a further incentive to do their technology research in China. If that were not enough, many Chinese cities and regions offer the companies subsidies which are becoming increasingly rare at home.
The United States became a power by making things. It became a superpower through its research and development facilities. Our manufacturing facilities are slowly rusting away. How long before our R&D becomes second rate? How long before our supply of scientific and engineering graduates dries up? How long before corporations start moving their headquarters to China? How long before our service economy relegates us to an ex-superpower? How long before we need to start learning Chinese as a second language? Exaggeration? Yes, but I hope that somewhere in our complex bureaucracy someone is trying to come up with ways of preserving our ability to innovate and manufacture. McDonald and Wal-Mart jobs should not be our future.
8/18/07
Epilogue - Superpower or Superleader
My post of 03/09/2007 raised some questions about the future of this country as a superpower. Recent headlines hint of bold challenges to the status of this country as the world's only superpower.
- RUSSIA PLANTS FLAG UNDER NORTH POLE
- RUSSIA, CHINA START JOINT WAR GAMES
- PUTIN REVIVES RUSSIA'S LONG-HAUL BOMBER FLIGHTS Unfortunately we still have sixteen more months of the Bush Administration - more than enough time to further tarnish the image of the United States as a superpower! We have already squandered our oppotunities to be a superleader.
Incidentally it is reported that Russians are happy with their oil economy and are thankful for President Putin. They really should thank President Bush.
3/9/07
Superpower Or Superleader
A superpower has been defined as a state with the first rank in the international system and has the ability to influence events and project power on a worldwide basis. A superpower possesses and wields economic power, military power, political power and cultural power. Great Britain and the Soviet Union were once superpowers. Today, the United States is recognized as the world’s only superpower (in the wings are China and India as potential superpowers). But when is a superpower not a superpower?
- When arrogance replaces diplomacy
- When it forsakes its reponsibility to promote peace
- When it neglects to seek solutions to domestic problems
- When it destroys its manufacturing base in favor of a service economy
- When it alienates the countries of the world
- When it allows other countries to dictate its foreign policy
- When it takes its neighbors for granted
As the United States continually alienates the nations of the world we increasingly look like more of a bully rather than a superpower. Because of failed diplomacy we have troops spread out all over the world. Ancient Rome also had legions all over the world. If I am not mistaken this started the decline of the Roman Empire. Furthermore, how long can this country reign as a superpower as it allows the output of it's R & D and engineering to be labeled "Made in CHINA"? Now we are told that China will soon be a leading exporter of automobiles and is rapidly moving towards status as a superpower. Should this occur, what happens to our national debt which is heavily financed by China? It would seem that if China truly emerges as a superpower, the United States will be at a disadvantage in competing with China. Still the outlook need not be so bleak if this country marshals its scientific strengths and entrepreneurship to create an environment in this country which is friendly towards the needs of its citizens - new industries, jobs. The United States should devote more leadership, energy and creative diplomacy to achieve peace in the Middle East . The United States should set an example for the world by instituting “green “ practices in spite of short sighted opposition from some segments of the corporate world. The United States should discard its adversarial attitude toward the United Nations and take the lead in making the United Nations a more effective organization. We do not need superpowers in this world. We need “SUPERLEADERS”!
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