By Abdelghani Bouchouar
By Abdelghani Bouchouar
Agadir – The American image and reputation around the world is being tarnished little by little, blackened and rendered ugly by the abuse of the power of the federal government by an elite who is spreading havoc, death and destruction in many corners of the world in the name of the American people. This elite is far from representing the genuine values of the American citizens who believe in peace and the pursuit of happiness and gladly wish to share and enjoy these principles with other human beings.
The American historical experience and its development into a modern society and leader of the free world have marked world history and enlightened many other societies which cherish the values of democracy and just governance. The American Revolution, indeed, was a beacon of light that illuminated the path for the transformation and evolution of societies in Europe and elsewhere in the world. It remains a shining light for societies seeking to install just governance that guarantees the protection of their inalienable rights as stipulated in the American constitution. Who in the world would not dream of a land of liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness?
The preamble of the US constitution clearly states: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
America is a unique model of a society built by the founding fathers, based on solid grounds of reason, freedom and democracy, where genuine citizenship is lived and practiced. Laws and regulations are passed by its duly elected representatives and observed for the wellbeing of its citizens. The efforts of all the citizens regardless of their origin, nationality, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, color, gender or language and culture are channeled towards maintaining a well-organized society with checks and balances. The consequences of these united efforts propelled America into a leadership position, making it the most powerful nation on earth militarily, economically, scientifically, and technologically, as well as a leader in humanitarian assistance to other nations and peoples.
American kindness, generosity and assistance in times of difficulty are recognized and appreciated around the world, and in return America’s reputation has been magnified and celebrated. American achievements and the creativity of its citizens in every field of human endeavor constantly benefit the world. America’s name resonates with awe and admiration all over the world. Its image and reputation embody the noble and genuine human values of the most advanced society.
An educated citizenry with thousands of institutions of higher education and training plus a well-regulated and well-thought-out political system built on the principles of participative democracy make the country almost a utopian polis and an enviable example to emulate.
Unfortunately, as people around the world today reflect on the internal and external policies of the American government, they wonder what is happening to American values. Have the American people been enslaved and stripped of all their power and rights guaranteed by their constitution to supervise and monitor the actions of the officials of their government? The revelations of Mr. Snowdon and the massive critiques in the media inside and outside leveled at the policies and actions followed by the American government are negatively affecting the image of America the beautiful.
So, where is America now? People are being killed by American weapons and by authoritarian regimes supported by the American government and American taxes in many places. Some of those killed are Americans or have American citizens as relatives. Has America stopped being a melting pot after all? Influential groups and individuals monopolizing the decision-making regarding both public policy and foreign affairs are constantly hijacking the common will of the citizens to the extent that crimes against innocent people are being committed in many places under the aegis of some officials of the government of the United States.
Today, the suffering, the devastation and the loss of life are widespread and constitute a desperate plight of many people in Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Soudan, Mali, Ukraine, the Sahel, and Yemen, to name just a few. This unacceptable situation calls on every American to seriously question if and where the policies and the decisions of the officials of their government are directly and indirectly involved in causing or supporting turmoil in the world. They may justify their actions on the grounds of protecting the vital interests of the citizens, but one wonders what vital interests of America are threatened or questioned and therefore need the massive destruction of lives to be protected. Is it in the vital interests of America to blindly support Israel and supply it with the most sophisticated weaponry in existence to kill, imprison and destroy at will in Palestine and anywhere else in the world to safeguard the interests of Zionism and warmongers? Is killing innocent people and destroying their homes really what Americans are all about?
Palestine and all the hot spots in the world are seeking help, rationality and guidance from the leaders of the world and crave peace and the end of violence. However, no international body has been able to put an end to violence and institute a fair system of economic and social justice in the world. America remains a hope sought after by the peoples of many nations. However, the actions of some officials of its government are rousing anger and tarnishing its image in the minds of others. What kind of logic justifies all these American sacrifices that are causing so much pain for other people, whether perpetrated by Israel or by dictatorial regimes supported by some officials of the US government?
American assistance has been welcomed and appreciated around the world and contributed to the liberation of many oppressed peoples. The kindness and generosity of America is still reverberating in many places, but, unfortunately, the involvement of malicious, selfish interests in government policy has stripped Americans of their power and rendered them incapable of asserting their rights to reign in the bullies of the world pretending to act in their name. Where is the participative democracy and the trust in GOD stamped on the mighty dollar? Will one day come when Americans can reclaim their democracy and hold their government officials accountable for all the atrocities committed in their name?
This remains wishful thinking in the heart of all those people who understand and love America. The US president’s duty is not to send drones and weapons to kill innocent, poor and ignorant people and destroy their homes, but as the constitution states, “he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” Will the citizens hold him responsible for that?
America the beautiful needs to revive and preserve its reputation and strengthen its leadership by reigning in the bullies and abusers of the power of the government of the United States of America. Just imagine the paradise America will be if the billions of dollars spent on unnecessary absurd wars enriching the military industrial complex are invested for the benefit of the citizens. Only the blessed can really hope to visit the American paradise, let alone live in it.
Photo credit: Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Image
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