Dear Generation,
Government data mining, “cultures of corruption,” campaign finance loopholes, shifting justifications for a strategically disastrous war, uncontrolled illegal immigration, massive public debt, and low election turnouts? The Founding Fathers would be horrified—and so should we! Unfortunately, as is well documented by Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone), Jane Jacobs (Dark Age Ahead), and others, the American public has become increasingly complacent concerning its liberties and its government. Such ubiquitous public apathy does not bode well for a nation that is supposed to be leading the “free world.”
Ever-comfortable from its economic wealth, and basking in the glory of its big-screen televisions, satellite cable, internet entertainment, SUVs, and cheap gas (see prices in Western Europe), mainstream American culture has become far too lazy and distracted to observe how its governments and institutions, at all levels, persist in activities of discrimination, fraud, credentialism, and misrepresentation. While much of the developed world moves forward on critical issues such as energy security, environmental protection, healthcare, housing, and regional planning, the United States is blazing a path backwards. The indications are appalling:
Even though a massive, comprehensive global warming study recently revealed overwhelming evidence of human-induced warming and predicted social and economic catastrophe, Congressional Republicans still insist that such scientists are part of a “liberal conspiracy” aimed at punishing the oil and automobile industries. While the developed nations of Europe invest in renewable energy solutions such as wind farms, solar panels, and tidal power plants, economically ignorant members of Congress fight to open up Alaska to drilling, regardless of an unsustainable result: increasing American dependence on, profligate use of, and entrenchment of infrastructure in a declining energy resource (see Kevin Phillips’ American Theocracy).
How quickly Americans have forgotten that the “War on Terror” should be fought against Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, the man and organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Instead, through a series of since-refuted “justifications,” President Bush managed to sell an invasion of Iraq, a nation controlled by a secular (though brutal) Islamic leader (Saddam Hussein) that possessed no demonstrable links to Al Qaeda. As Americans have begun to wake up, it has become apparent that the invasion was a strategic disaster of unprecedented significance: While Al Qaeda quietly operates throughout the world, our military is bogged down in Baghdad, where the Bush Administration’s poor planning and condoned abuse of “suspected terrorists” has only served to further fan the flames of Islamic fundamentalism.
Domestically, America suffers from a bourgeoning current account deficit and declining services. Our nation imports far more than it exports and, thanks to the Bush Administration’s promise that none but military families must face the burdens of war, huge wartime tax cuts (primarily aimed at upper-income Americans) have bankrupted the federal government, providing Republicans with the excuse to cut social services (health care, housing, and education) and environmental protection. Meanwhile, many states and localities seem unable to address more visible problems, such as the profligate public expense of suburban sprawl, failing public schools (think “teaching to the test”), and inadequate healthcare (roughly 40 million Americans are uninsured).
Regardless of such complex and intractable problems, millions of American wrap themselves in the flag and proclaim a warped sense of patriotism whilst demanding public acquiescence to a dangerous, autocratic President who preaches a twisted and detrimental version of Christianity, continually discredits the United States on the global stage, and obsessively follows a selfish and greedy set of policies that will likely lead to the end of American hegemony. It is time that “we the people” wake up and refuse to assent to incompetent leadership that is unable and unwilling to plot a bright, secure, responsible, and sustainable future for the United States.
Chris Willett
Environmental Design
