A Recent Quote By Timothy Egan Puts Into Perspective Just How Far America Has Fallen

Here is a quote from Timothy Egan of the New York Times that basically puts into perspective just how much the United States as a nation has fallen. 

Once upon a time, the United States was instrumental in liberating many countries in the world from fascist and imperialist tyranny during World War II. Then, they helped many of those countries - including countries that it helped to defeat - get back on their knees, and eventually, back on their feet again. And all of this while establishing the highest standard of living that any nation or empire in history has ever seen. 

No, the United States was not a perfect country. It had it's share of problems. But it also had much to boast about, including a strong tradition of national leaders who were not only well-respected, but outright admired and even envied. And the United States also did not lack a sense of purpose, which unified the American people past their differences. 

How much times have changed. 

Since the assassination of John F. Kennedy, it feels like the United States has been on a consistent downward spiral. And since at least the end of the Cold War, the United States has seemed to lack any definitive mission, with the possible brief window of unity which followed the September 11th attacks, and which was ruthlessly exploited by the leaders in the White House at that time to drum up support for an unjustifiable and immoral war.  

Now, that sense of a total lack of national direction has led us to this moment in time, when the United States, like the rest of the world, is facing a global pandemic. We have leaders in charge who have made a mockery out of what was once a proud and respected nation. Our national living standards have fallen, and we seem to have more problems than any real solutions, and we cannot even agree on some basic facts, let alone taking action on these solutions. 

Recently, New York Times reporter Timothy Egan put this into perspective, and it seemed worth sharing here. Certainly, it gives us pause to reflect and wonder the obvious question: what the hell happened to this country? 

Here is the quote: 

“A country that turned out eight combat aircraft every hour at the peak of World War II could not even produce enough 75-cent masks or simple cotton nasal swabs for testing in this pandemic. 

"A country that showed the world how to defeat polio now promotes quack remedies involving household disinfectants from the presidential podium. 

"A country that rescued postwar Europe with the Marshall Plan didn’t even bother to show up this week at the teleconference of global leaders pledging contributions for a coronavirus vaccine 

"A country that sent George Patton and Dwight Eisenhower to crush the Nazis now fights a war against a viral killer with Jared Kushner, a feckless failed real estate speculator who holds power by virtue of his marriage to the president’s daughter.”

Kind of makes you wonder, does it not?

Here is the link to the article, which I would highly recommend reading more fully:

The world is taking pity on us Will American prestige ever recover? by Timothy Egan, May 12, 2020:

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/05/12/Timothy-Egan-American-prestige-world-pity/stories/202005120010