US-- Don't lecture on democracy--or anything else--Al Ahram (Egypt)

[TexasLawyer]

There are some amazing factoids in this editorial. Very eye-opening.

Let's talk democracy!

The US has little basis upon which to lecture the rest of the world on near enough anything, writes Mohamed Hakki

10 - 16 March 2005

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/733/op12.htm

<snip>

It takes someone from outside the US to notice how "strait-laced" and earnest America is. Justin Webb of the BBC notes, "several television stations refused to allow the screening of Steven Spielberg's film Saving Private Ryan. At first he thought it was a joke. The film is not pornographic, nor even awfully violent. It is a war movie that is actually shown in every Arab country and Europe. Not in America. He says America is fast becoming a nation of faith not fact."

An American friend who served in the US Embassy in Cairo in the 1970s sent me an e- mail saying the following: "No concept lies more firmly embedded in our national character than the notion that the USA is No. 1 -- the greatest." He goes on to say: "Sure we are: an empire without a manufacturing base. An empire that must borrow $2 billion a day from its competitors in order to function."

He then cites dozens of facts that most Americans, the overwhelming majority, do not know. First, the United States -- according to The New York Times -- is 49th in the world in literacy. Second, the United States ranked 28th out of 40 countries in mathematical literacy. Third, the European Union leads the US in the number of science and engineering graduates and in public research and development. Fourth, Europe surpassed the US in the mid- 1990s as the largest producer of scientific literature. Fifth, foreign applications to US graduate schools -- according to The New York Times -- fell by 28 per cent last year. Foreign student enrollment on all levels fell for the first time in three decades, but increased greatly in Europe and China. Sixth, the US and South Africa are the only two developed countries in the world that do not provide healthcare for all their citizens.

Seventh, 12 million American families, more than 10 per cent of all US households, continue to struggle, and not always successful, to feed themselves. Eighth, women are 70 per cent more likely to die in childbirth in America than in Europe. Ninth, 61 of the 140 biggest companies on the Global Fortune 500 rankings are European while only 50 are American. Tenth, 14 of the 20 largest commercial banks in the world today are European. Eleventh, Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea hold 40 per cent of US government debt. Further, sometime in the next 10 years Brazil will probably pass the US as the world's largest agricultural producer.

Brazil is now the world's largest exporter of chickens, orange juice, sugar, coffee and tobacco. Last year, it passed the US as the world's largest beef producer. As of last June, the US imported more food than it exported.
Last but not least, Americans are now spending more money on gambling than on movies, videos, DVDs, music and books combined.

My friend adds: "The USA is No. 1 in nothing but weaponry, consumer spending, debt and delusion."

Some humility Mr Bush, please!

[caledesi]

1. Great article. This is a must-read.

"He says America is fast becoming a nation of faith not fact."

WOW!

[bklyncowgirl]

2. Sobering

And as an American who is aware of these things, frightening.

Sadly most Americans will never read this and many of those who do will dismiss it as propeganda.

The arrogance and ignorance of our countrymen has always amazed me.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[Mari333]

4. Pride goeth before a Fall

and Falling is the one word to describe the USA at this time. Too bad most US citizens still refuse to believe we are not No 1 in most areas...