U.S. should set example for southern neighbors

Niall Fergusson seems to think South American nations have become anti-American because we “let” them get out of control (Opinion, Feb. 13).

This notion puts the cart before the horse. Latin Americans reject American capitalism precisely because we have tried to control their politics and economies too much; we want them to vote only when they vote for the leaders we like; we want them to “open” their markets so we can corner them (while keeping ours closed).

How exactly do we want South America to be more like us? Do we want to see a Latin Abu Ghraib? Invest in El Enron, anyone? If we want liberal southern neighbors with democracies and market economies, then perhaps we should stop lecturing them over temporary quasi-Marxist excesses and set a better example of liberalism ourselves.

NATE LUNCEFORD

Tacoma, Wash.