The Current States of America

932 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Unemployment issue in united states

Most of us know that America is one of, if not the most influential country in today’s world. We’re also the wealthiest and most powerful. But as the Roman and Greek Empires have shown us, such nations usually can’t remain in this position forever. So, assuming this will be our fate, when will it happen? When will we stop being “on top of the world?” Bob Herbert and Alan W. Dowd provide their own answers on the matter. Bob Herbert, columnist and professor of journalism, wrote about the current condition of America in “A Fire in the Basement,” an introduction to a collection of his editorials, Promises Betrayed: Waking up from the American Dream (2005). The “fire” he is referring to, is the idea that America is falling apart from the inside out, and we aren’t even aware of it. He suggests that our current state as a world power is in decline, and it’s not the terrorists we should be worried about. Rather, he gives examples showing that this decline will be the result of the growing inequality, irrationality, and the loss of hope within our nation. He states, “It’s not that life in America was better in the 1960’s. It wasn’t. But it seemed to be moving in a better direction” (396). In other words, we’ve lost a crucial part to what made us a great nation in the first place. If we don’t recover this hope and can-do spirit soon, we may be headed for a supporting role on the world stage. In Alan W. Dowd’s “The Decline and Fall of Declinism,” from The American, he contradicts what Herbert says by stating that the U.S. is in great shape. He coins the term “declinism” to describe similar theories of America’s downfall that have been heard over the past decades. “But the declinists were wrong yesterday,” he concludes, “And if their re... ... middle of paper ... ...ing America is leading the world economy and influencing countries in every corner of the world. However, he doesn’t look at the situation as realistically as he could. He doesn’t mention the many unemployed or the corruption that takes place among those in power. In sum, then, both articles make good points, although only telling part of the story. I think the U.S. should pay more attention to what’s happening within the country before trying to fix too much outside of it. At the same time, though, we shouldn’t feel as though doomsday will soon be upon us. Even if America’s days as a world power are numbered, our country will still go on. We can take an example from the former powers like Great Britain and Greece, look at how they’ve survived, and we can take comfort in the fact that, as for now, our position in front doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

Show More
Related

  • America Remain The World's Beacon Of Success By Tim Roemer Summary

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    The essay titled America Remain the World’s Beacon of Success by Tim Roemer discusses the positive position America placed as a leader in many of its endeavors in the fields of technology, sciences, and healthcare. In Roemer’s opinion, America regarded upon by other countries as the litmus test comparing their success. Roemer enumerated the many achievements and discoveries America accomplished as new country at only 700 years old. Now the question remains, will the success of America continue to be sustainable? I believe it will be, and I agree with Roemer’s opinion despite the internal issues the country face on a regular basis. After all, success is a daily repeated effort in small sum.

    Read More

  • Analysis: Why Did The Mayan Civilization Collapse

    686 Words  | 2 Pages

    The US have always been having many advancements. They are one of the most powerful countries in the world with advancements like military, technology, arts, and etc. Although they have many of those advancements there is always a negative side happening in the US that could potentially make them fall. Many people will think that there could be no way the US will fall, but there is always an end to something. For example, empires from thousands of years ago who had many advancements had a fall. The US is going to soon turn like into one of these fallen empires because they are having the same issues that made those empires fall. The US will fall soon because of their environmental problems, immune system, and military spending.

    Read More

  • Rudy Giuliani's Role In The Aftermath

    768 Words  | 2 Pages

    And to this day, these values hold up and serve as the basis for all aspects of our country, whether it range from politics to social issues. But on September 11, 2001, these fundamental principles that stand for freedom were put into serious jeopardy by maniacal terrorists who refused to accept the progressive role that America played on a global scale. But as America slowly began to recover from this tragedy, the responsibility to lift the American spirit was left to the hands of the politicians who we ironically know to cause so much chaos and bipartisan gridlock. Nonetheless, world leaders such as Rudy Giuliani eased the pain for the American populous in a manner that called for reform in order to prevent an attack like this from ever occurring on American soil. Ultimately, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Rudy Giuliani makes effective use of tone, rhetorical devices, and logical and emotional appeals to soothe the wounds that the

    Read More

  • Bob Herbert Hiding From Reality Rhetorical Analysis

    1265 Words  | 3 Pages

    Here, Herbert states that the starting point is to recognize the mistake that the American society is making with its economy, and the proportional effect in future generations. This statement affects everyone because no parent wants their children to suffer in the future trying to provide a good standard of living to their families. The author continues to relate sympathy with Americans when he refers to the government and the fiscal nightmare they are facing to save the US country, cutting workforces and “hacking away at health and pension benefits, rising taxes and fees” (565). These arguments show sense of compassion and sympathy with the situation of the system. Another point with the same used of fallacies is the fiscal nightmares that the government has, and the constant cuts in services and work forces, and as the author mentions “it hasn’t been enough,” (565) the government needs to observe the real problems in the country by facing them with an effective strategy instead to reduce them which essentially is affecting the most vulnerable people. As Herbert states, the idea that America is a place where the American dream can become true and all things are possible is slowing vanished, and this ideal is

    Read More

  • The Fall of Rome and America

    2849 Words  | 6 Pages

    In ancient times, there was a country of stupendous power and might. A nation which amassed a military like no other, grew an economy so strong that it seemed everlasting, and established a government that stood for its people. It appeared that this was the country to set an example for all countries that followed. It was the behemoth of prosperity. It was the great Roman Empire. It seemed as though this country’s reign would never end, but this was far from the truth. For with great prosperity came a dreadful plummet and eventually collapse. This was the unfortunate fate of all powerful nations, including that of, dare it be said, the United States of America. The all powerful and unbeatable nation which reigned its dominant influence over the entire world. Surely, it could never have fallen. However, that statement would be considered nonsensical if directed toward the once almighty and all powerful Roman Empire. Thus, it could not be stated for the “Great Experiment” (USA). Which was why the comparison between the two, very similar, superpowers was logical. Clearly, the Roman Empire which had striking parallels to the United States was a foreshadowing of America’s fate: Inevitable collapse. Both superpowers had vastly similar economics, foreign influence, and government, of which, Rome had experienced an unfortunate decline. Thus, comparisons could be made between how Rome and America rose to power, began to lose their power, and eventually, how Rome fell and how America might have fallen.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Roman Empire and the United States of America

    1290 Words  | 3 Pages

    “While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand; When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall; And when Rome falls - the World.” Lord Byron. This essay will discuss the similarities of military, economics and systems of government between the Roman Empire of the 6th century BCE and the United States of America of the 20th century. History has revealed that all superpowers fall eventually, although much time has passed since the glory days of Rome we see in 2015 the largest superpower in charge, the United States. There are many similarities that can be drawn between the American superpower and the Roman Empire such as the same founding of government and both dominated in military, as well as economic similarities. This leads to the conclusion that because the rise to power between the two powers was so similar, the downfall will be equally parallel.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Anthony Burgess Is America Falling Apart

    1234 Words  | 3 Pages

    For years, America has always been perceived as one of the top world powers due to its ability of achieving so much technological, economical, and social progress within a mere couple decades. Despite their great accomplishments, America is actually regressing psychologically, preventing the country from reaching its true potential as an “opportunity rich” country. In Anthony Burgess’ Is America Falling Apart? , the author unveils the circumstances in which America’s restricting society and selfish ideology cause the nation to develop into the type of society it tried to avoid becoming when it separated from the British Empire.

    Read More

  • The Changing Roles In Henry Luce's The American Century

    927 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before World War II, it became very clear that the US would play a new, and important leading role in the world. Henry Luce, author of The American Century, wrote about the new roles he anticipated the US to have. His essay calls the US to action in leading the rest of the world in our ways. About a year later on May 8th, 1942, Vice President Henry Wallace proposed similar ideas in a speech. He and Luce both saw the US as leading powers but disagreed on how the leading should be done. Wallace portrays the US in a friendlier manner. He calls the upcoming era the century of the common man while Luce calls it the American century. This topic is relevant today. How much involvement should leading countries have in developing ones and how should

    Read More

  • Review of These United States: The Questions of Our Past

    1307 Words  | 3 Pages

    The textbook I am reviewing is These United States: The Questions of Our Past, by Irwin Unger with the historical portraits and documents by Debi Unger, Prentice Hall publishing with last publication date being 1995. This text is written by one single author and not by a committee. This is the sixth edition of this book so the author has made significant changes to its historical context and the general styling of the book. His focus was to address not only the "political, diplomatic, and military events" but also "social, cultural, and economic events and currents" (Irwin Unger, preface xiv). He attempts to include all human aspects of these events by integrating women and men of all culture, race, religion, economic stature, and age.

    Read More

  • Rereading America

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing written by; Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle, Eighth Edition, published April, 2007 by Bedford/St. Martin’s, is a textbook about writing and critical thinking. In the first chapter of Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, “Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths”, the Authors begin by setting a relatable scene of what it’s like for a college student. How a new found independence can be overwhelming, especially with regards to critical thinking, showing that what we have learned, needs to be re-evaluated and that an open mind in essential. "What Is Critical Thinking" In this section of the chapter the editors explain what it means to be a critical thinker. They explain that critical thinking is not just studying dates and facts, but rather taking those facts and examining them. The editors then proceed by explaining how having an open mind, and taking others' perspectives into account when formulating our own opinions on what the author is trying to say to us is important. A critical thinker takes all aspects into account and reflects on personal experience as well. The editors also point out that different cultural experiences bring different opinions. They suggest that we need to become active learners, continuously questioning the meaning behind everything, testing not only the theories of others but also our own experiences and analyzing the text rather than going for the obvious. They show that thinking outside the box is the epitome of critical thinking. Basically, we need to step outside our comfort zones and what we have always been taught. The editors also suggest that we need to re-evaluate our per...

    Read More

  • The America Divided

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    One would expect that social equality would just be the norm in society today. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Three similar stories of how inequality and the hard reality of how America’s society and workforce is ran shows a bigger picture of the problems American’s have trying to make an honest living in today’s world. When someone thinks about the American dream, is this the way they pictured it? Is this what was envisioned for American’s when thinking about what the future held? The three authors in these articles don’t believe so, and they are pretty sure American’s didn’t either. Bob Herbert in his article “Hiding from Reality” probably makes the most honest and correct statement, “We’re in denial about the extent of the rot in the system, and the effort that would be required to turn things around” (564).

    Read More

  • The United States' System of Government

    399 Words  | 1 Pages

    In theory, the United States became a democracy when we signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This theory is not true. The textbook defines a democracy as a system of government in which ultimate political authority is vested in the people, of course you know that this is just not so. Our system of representation, often times, fails us. Quite often, the people who represent us in our state, local, and federal governments make decisions without much regard for the desires of the American citizenry.

    Read More

  • Fukuyama's The End of History

    1898 Words  | 4 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... This comment suggests that the current idea, liberalism, may just be a phase in human ideology that has spread worldwide. Though he made a compelling argument and posed thought provoking questions that supported his argument, the flaws in his argument, after stringent analysis, contradict his main points. Works Cited Ferguson, C. (Director).

    Read More

  • American Dream in Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

    1881 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...an philosopher. "And the west, encumbered by crippling alliances, and burdened with a morality too rigid to accommodate itself to the swing of events, must… eventually… fall." (174) Albee suggests that, behind the façade of the American dream, behind the pretense of American ideals, behind the false front of the tranquility of American society in the early 60's, America's internal corruption and emptiness threatened, and perhaps continue to threaten, the country with a similar fall.

    Read More

  • World Politics: American Hegemony

    2936 Words  | 6 Pages

    In this paper, I will argue that the current system is hegemonial. My explanation to hegemony will then be centered on the sources of the United States as a hegemonial power. Furthermore, I will state the different primary implications associated with the rise of China and what the Roman Empire offers for understanding the United Sta...

    Read More

More about The Current States of America

Open Document