Are America\'s Best Days Behind US?

America End

The last two centuries of history has painted a picture of American glory and prosperity. The circumstances that contributed to the evolution of the American ideal represent the best of human kind and understanding. History is also rich with tales of fallen empires. It appears, within recent times at least, that the United States of America has taken a back seat to other countries and organizations around the world. The purpose of this essay is to summarize the American condition as to highlight its relative complacency amongst competing nations. This collective behavior, I believe, arises from an unwavering tendency to drift from this country's core principles and values.

In a piece of cautious optimism, Von Drehle sheepishly proclaimed that America's currently diminished reputation in the world is overblown. He claimed a current rise in productivity as a worthwhile standard to judge the status of the health of the country (34). This hollow comparison does nothing however to qualify what is being produced. If America is producing 30% more useless junk, what good is it to the country's overall ability to function properly? Most of the United States is unemployed, so production values must be understood in this context.

Von Drehle seemed slightly inspirational when he bragged, "as Americans, we're in favor of creativity wherever it can be found. We're apostles of prosperity and defenders of the free exchange of ideals." This cheerleading is practical for a journalist but the American ideal of truth and justice seems to be distorted as it bombs and tortures its enemies. The author attempted to defend the tax code as well but misses when he excludes the point of the American Revolutionary War being inspired by over- taxation and exemption from tyranny.

Zakaria's understanding of this topic is much more balanced when he asked if America's best days are gone. He relied heavily on a prosperity index that placed the United States on a dwindling trend. America's troubles are dangerous but not impossible to cure in a call for efficient government he proclaimed, " we spend too little on science, technology, innovation and infrastructure, which will produce growth and jobs in the future "(33). I agree to some extent, however a reliance on escaping making tough choices is not viable way to get back on the right track. An understanding of the important principles which are country was founded upon ensures the essence of these terms and practices are protected.