US of A

Submitted by Mike O'Hearn (United States), Apr 18, 2003 at 09:17

By becoming an "Ultra Power" the US is now in a role that places the rest of the world in an oversight role. The US must protect it's interests, but has to be sensitive to world opinion. It took us years to rebuild Germany and Japan--but now we are expected to perform the same work in an abbreviated period of time.

The issue of accountability is such that we are held accountable for keeping the peace and yet criticized for the methods that we employ. When a problem surfaces--all heads turn to the U.S. When we act we are second guessed. It reminds me of Teddy Roosevelts "man in the arena" description. We are the man in the fray taking the hits--because we act--while the rest of the world sits by and watches--and then lambasts us with negative comments.

From my perspective, we are the only country with the will and the vision to move forward with hopes that someday the world will be a better place to live. The energy, commitment and drive of the american people are of historic proportions. We won WWII, the cold War and are now engaged in a Post Cold War environment. We continue to lead and pay the price of leadership. History will resonate with Churchillian praise for our "totally unselfish" hard work and dedication.

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