‘Grow Up America’

I commend Steel on his article about American sentimentality and our global role.

Americans pride themselves in being a global power; however, few understand the history, structure or responsibility that is attached to this power.

Historically, we preach democracy, while simultaneously we have supported some of the most corrupt governments around the globe, Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippine Islands, who currently resides like a millionaire in Hawaii. Augusto Pinochet in Chile, and Anastasio Somoza in Nicaragua, until his ouster in 1979. Each left his country in complete poverty and civil strife. We continue to send money, under the auspice of economic aid to dictatorships, while we still expound democratic principles. The American people may feel this is democracy, but to those who are truly a victim of our aid, this is a cruel and bitter joke, not at all to be confused with democracy.

Power should go hand in hand with responsibility. It should not go around bumping off elected governments that happen to challenge the American way of thinking. After all, there are other cultural and political systems that function quite nicely. Not everyone is interested in having Uncle Sam step in and give orders. We are the first to raise a voice about Russian intervention, or foreign capital buying up America: imagine our reaction if foreign troops came to protect their foreign interests on our soil. Would we look at foreign troops, or too many foreign investments as our friend or foe?

As Steel suggests, there may be good reason to involve ourselves in others’ quarrels, but we must be held accountable for our actions. We are naive if we think that we donate years, aid and troops, because we have a divine mission to carry democracy around the world, and it will be ours without paying the price. A more realistic view would be that we have chosen to police countries that either have a strategic value to us, or suggest moving away from our capitalistic principles.

Kidnapings, such that have occurred in Beirut, are unfortunate for all involved. Yet, if Americans think that their government is not prepared to sacrifice a few more citizens or troops for strategic foreign policy, they are mistaken. The thrust for power is stronger than evangelistic love, or our belief in democratic values; and ultimately, one must ask, who really becomes the victim of American power?

STEPHANIE LEVIN

San Diego