In Defense of the United States of America

The message of this post is simple. I believe the positive contributions the United States has made to the world are taken for granted, more so than any other country’s in the history of the world. To everybody, stop what you are doing for one minute, look at what you’re drinking, what you’re doing, what you’re listening to, and the security in which you’re doing those things. Chances are very high that the origin of at least one of your answers is the USA.

I meet many non-American Westerners while traveling and many feel perfectly at ease discussing how the US is a “bad” country, how the US is responsible for the near-global economic collapse, how the US abuses its power, etc. For whatever reason, it has become en vogue to not only bash American foreign policy, but to completely dismiss the wonderful things the US has brought to the modern world, and to do so with a passionate, mean hatred.

What I find curiously amusing is how the very people saying such negative things about the US are at a loss to think of positive contributions. These types can often be found hating on the US while sipping on Coca Cola, wearing Nikes, and toting iPods loaded to the hilt with American music. How rich the irony is.

“My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” —John F. Kennedy

Though our history is very complex and open to intense debate, I think it’s safe to say that the US became a “superpower” because of other global factions threatening not only our own freedom, but that of most countries. In other words, only out of necessity, as a means of survival, and through amazingly productive and innovative people, have we evolved into the world’s super power.

Other countries, and particularly the other Westernized nations, have thanklessly enjoyed the security provided by the United States. If you’re from one of these other countries, you should know that your nation’s security over the past half century and more has been largely provided by the US. If you didn’t realize that, if your schooling didn’t teach that, well now you’ve been educated.

The US military is not just the US military. It is the default military for many countries, while their organic military is merely supplemental if they’re ever in serious danger. This is the “dirty little secret” you’ll never hear your own politicians admit.

Yes, how truly convenient it must be to bash the foreign policy of the country providing your own security. It must be nice to be able to scream along with all your friends and professors how evil the United States is, all the while under an umbrella of American security.

“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”—Winston Churchill

Look at every major world disaster and it’s easy to see what country almost always takes the lead in assistance: USA. In raw numbers, the USA consistently donates the most money, people, and supplies. Really, it’s not even close.

Ever heard of the US Peace Corps? Does your country have an equivalent?

War, war, war. “Why does the US need such a big military, or bully others with it?” This is always the most common criticism. Guess why the US military became so big and powerful? Because the USA was sneakily attacked by Japan in the Pacific, was threatened by the Nazi surge in Europe, countered a decades-long nuclear arms race, and refused to lose. That’s the one-sentence version. From World War II until only very recently, the US has had a policy in place to be able to fight and win two major wars at once—because we had to fight (and win) in two major theaters just over 60 years ago.

What were the results from World War II and the Cold War? How are those other nations doing, the ones we defeated and then vowed to help rebuild under the Marshall Plan? Well, Germany, and Italy are among the very most productive and wealthy countries. Likewise, the rest of Western Europe has thrived, in large part due to the Marshall Plan’s work in connecting all of Europe politically and economically. Is it possible to say that the EU is partially a biproduct of World War II fallout, of American efforts to stabilize that continent? How about the Pacific? Japan is…Japan. Seriously, do we need to discuss how that country turned around and what they mean to the world today? Korean War? South Korea is absolutely booming economically.

What about the “losers”? Russia has definitely seen better days in its failed system, and would probably be  thriving alongside the rest of Europe had they accepted help offered by the US under the Marshall Plan. Instead they bankrupted themselves in a nuclear arms race, while the rest of the world stood by watching the US maintain the balance. North Korea is a cesspool of cannibalism, starvation, and rapidly declining population.

Want to blame the United States for the recent global economic downturn? That’s fine. It’s quite clear the dollar is still the most trusted currency, and the US economy, like the US military, provides an overwhelming foundation, however shaky, for most of the rest of the world. However, consider that your own country’s economy, had it been managed better, would not have even felt the aftershocks of the recent economic fall. Australia managed just fine, as did Vietnam, and China.

Foreign policy aside, I ask you to look at other positive contributions the US has made. Look in the mirror. Odds are that some accessory you have on or nearby was invented in the US.

Use the internet much? Guess where it was invented? The US (actually as a military application).

Use Google, Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail? Ever seen a Powerpoint brief or written a paper using Microsoft Word? Guess where? Yup. The US. Many founders of the incredible products the world enjoys were foreign-born and immigrated to the USA as children, educated in the US, and integrated into the most innovative country ever. It’s probably safe to say that had they remained in their countries of birth, these products would never have come to fruition, much less been conceived.

Drink Coke or Pepsi products?

Are you a traveler that uses couchsurfing.org or travels on airplanes? Guess where?

Do you use an iPod or watch television? Do you use electricity? Do you drive an assembly line automobile? Do you listen to rock and roll, hip hop, jazz? Are the movies you watch made in America? Do you have Michael Jackson or Madonna theme parties? When you sing karaoke with friends, what music do you listen to? Ever eaten at McDonald’s, had a Starbucks? Do you wear Levis? Where was your style of clothing and hair popularized? Do you make a big to-do about Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other highly commercialized holidays (guess what country commercialized these things)? Do you use lights?

The list goes on and on and on. For every Richard Branson of the world, the US produces a half dozen or more equals. The United States is a prolific producer of entrepreneurial geniuses. If the talent aren’t born in America, they move to America, where they enjoy the security and freedom to pursue their ideas aggressively.

Look at the Olympic Games and how great the United States is at sports. No American athletes are forced to compete. None are selected by the government as young children for athletic grooming. Most American athletes start out as typical kids who, through playing, find sports at which they are very talented and love. Those who work hard develop into dominant champions. Others that have the talent and potential to be champions, but desire to do other things…do other things. American athleticism is a primary driver in advancing world athletics accomplishments.

The US has contributed substantially to literature. The US has the best university system in the world, and can boast having educated many of the world’s leaders, quite possibly some of your own. The US can claim more Nobel Prize winners than any other country, nearly tripling the next most, and advancing academic and technological progress by leaps and bounds. The US shares its new found knowledge with the rest of the world. What other global power in the history of mankind has done such a thing?

The United States is a country of individual rights. Americans believe in defending ourselves, personally and as a country, at any cost. Americans don’t believe in kings or dictators, and most Americans have a healthy dose of skepticism in any man born or violently put into positions of power. These characteristics stem from the roots of our founding, breaking away from a kingdom that forced taxes and laws without any representation.

Yes, we have some ugly parts in our history, and yes, I could write a counterargument to every single point I mentioned. The bottom line, however, is that we are, from historical necessity, a fiercely proud, independent, competitive, productive, and innovative people who are willing to fight if others challenge our security.

All I ask of non-Americans is to take a look around, try to understand your own country’s national security a little better, and realize that if you are reading this, the US has brought you a warm security blanket and amazing products. Those things come at a cost. As I asked one person disgusted with everything American: “Would you rather have Russia, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, or Communist China as the lone superpower?” We all know the answer. Do not take the US for granted.