"The Measure of a Nation" Challenges Illusions of American Superiority
Sunday, 07 October 2012 - By Arthur Goldwag, Truthout
In his book, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness," Mitt Romney laid his cards on the table: "I'm one of those who believe America is destined to remain as it has been since the birth of the Republic - the brightest hope of the world."
Obama's reluctance to acknowledge America's manifest moral and economic superiority is for Romney a telltale of his essential foreignness. "American prosperity is fully dependent upon having an opportunity society - I don't think President Obama understands that," he told the Republican Jewish Coalition last Pearl Harbor Day. "I don't think he understands why our economy is the most successful in the world. I don't think he understands America."
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Where the US does excel is in the production of billionaires: It has almost double the level of billionaires per million inhabitants than Canada and Germany, its closest competitors. Not coincidentally, the US also has the lowest level of tax collection.
In the last chapter of his book, Friedman invites his readers to participate in a thought experiment:
Imagine if we were to announce tomorrow that we are going to establish one of the wealthiest countries in the world. This country would offer a few special features: The rich can get richer than in other countries, but the poor will be comparatively poorer and will have less chance of breaking free of poverty. Those who can afford health care can purchase it, and the rest must rely on emergency care only. Education will be slanted heavily to favor the rich, while the jails will be filled with people mostly from lower-income families.
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/11924-the-measure-of-a-nation-challenges-illusions-of-american-superiority
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