Wither America

[TheBigotBasher]

A country that is trying to hold onto its belief in its own “exceptionalism,” even as it rejects the very forces that made it exceptional.

Once, the US was a leader in science. Today, most Americans are scientifically illiterate and one of the major political parties – Republicans-- largely rejects science and scientists as "elitist." Research budgets are being slashed. The space shuttle has flown its last flight. Climate scientists are demonized and marginalized, even as epochal storms, heat waves, and draughts sweep across our country and lay waste our planet.

Once, US infrastructure was the envy of the world. Our planes, our trains, our highways, our damns, bridges, buildings and communication systems were the benchmark against which other countries measured their worth. Investing in it created well-paying jobs and wealth-generating capacity. Now, it is a crumbling punch line to a tragic national joke.

Once, the US system of laws and regulations was recognized as the pre-requisite of a civilized and prosperous society. It created transparent markets; honest securities exchanges; level playing fields for all players; equitable sharing of wealth between workers and managers; safe and humane working conditions; a clean and livable environment. Today, most Americans think government regulation destroyed the economy. They even believe that the plutocrats who destroyed this regulatory infrastructure -- the most successful wealth-generating machine in the world’s history -- are the “job creators” and the source of the formerly shared prosperity that is now disappearing into the coffers of the few from the wallets of the many.

The full article and the associated links are well worth reading.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/09/15-0

[RKP5637]

1. US exceptionalism ...

Maybe once, but now ...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ixion]

2. A 'draught' is a glass of beer

a drought is what they mean, I think.

That aside, I agree with the author.

[FarLeftFist]

3. I think we're a country gnashing and gnawing and coming to terms with the fact that we're not #1.

An empire in decline, right on schedule, every 200 years, historically, an empire falls. We're 235 years old. The last 30 years are Reagan's fault.

[RKP5637]

6. The end result of unregulated greed in a capitalistic system gone amuck. I don't

see how this is going to be dug out of when those that should be doing the "digging out" are the problem. What I see now are the wealth barons scooping up all they can and battering down "their" hatchets to weather the coming storm as best they can.

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. ..reminds me of the old "Americans want a president they can sit and have a beer with..."

at least that's what the media shoved down our throats. Shows massive insecurity and in-curiosity, running rampant in our American Idol/Housewives of New Jersey addled electorate.

I just don't see any appetite - or ability - to turn it around.

[RKP5637]

8. Those that do have the ability to turn it around are silenced by the system. None

in the take want this to stop, they are scooping up hoards of cash. There is, as you say, no appetite - or ability - to turn it around. I still think too many Americans are snoozing thinking all is going to be well.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. What a great first line. Oh, how true it is.

[Bigmack]

7. You mean like "wither on the vine".. right..? Nice play on words. nt

[classysassy]

9. The propaganda machines of the wealthy

We elect or allow dishonest men and women that go to Washington and state capitals to make and laws and we let crafty criminals to sit and judge evil laws they pass,we listen to the likes of Limbaugh and the Fox news corp spew lies like verbal bullets.We the citizens have created the monsters we now fear but there is a remedy for what ails this country,we must be selective in who m we send to Washington and the state capitals,we must demand a transparent government if not the crafty criminals should be impeached,we should turn off Limbaugh and silence the fox by closing our ears to the lies told by the shills hired by the criminal Murdock.A good start would be for all honest lovers of truth and freedom to discharge as many republicans as possible in 2012,demand from our government its war like posture and bring the troops home close all the over seas military post and bases.Raise the tax on all goods and services coming into our country that are owned by Americans that took their companies over seas.Indict Bush and Chaney as a reminder for future war criminals.We can do these thing that will insure our survival as a free and democratic society.