Garth Rattray | What was great about America?

The current policy in the United States is to make America great again. The new political initiatives include the implementation of strict and very active enforcement of immigration laws and securing the Mexican – American border. There is also lessening of international aide (used to reduce disease and poverty worldwide) as part of the shift in foreign policy to prioritise American interest.

Additionally, there is a withdrawal from, or reduced involvement in international agreements and organisations dedicated to the safety and betterment of mankind. This administration has effected changes to healthcare and financial assistance to certain groups, including permanent residents. The new policies also see the withholding of the usual and depended upon Federal financing for institutions that operate with principles contrary to this administration’s objectives.

Since the intent is to make America great again, the implication is that America is no longer great. It therefore begs the question, why was America great in the first place?

In 1620, when the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the history of America began. Of course, the land was already occupied by tribes of native people. Over time the original (indigenous) Americans were eliminated by diseases wilfully introduced by the Europeans, massacred by warring with the settlers (invaders), over land occupation and the utilisation of existing natural resources, or driven off their land and relegated to reservations.

The, so-called Native American Wars, spanned centuries, from the early 1600s to 1890. Some argue that those conflicts lasted until 1924. Conquering and subjugating the indigenous people allowed the settlers to occupy the land and to access whatever it had to offer. But that time in American history constitutes and nasty stain and certainly did not make America great.

NATURAL PROGRESSION

The fight for independence from Britain, the American Revolution (1775 to 1783), and the expansion of the new nation (up to 1860) did not make America great, that period was only the natural progression of a new nation seeking to establish itself. The Declaration of Independence, in 1776, represented the spark that lit America, the country and the people.

The westward expansion, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War and industrialisation were pathways along the development of that nation. Sadly, much of the growth of America is attributable to slavery and, eventually, the vital contributions of underprivileged and marginalized individuals and groups of individuals. None of these things conferred greatness upon America.

America’s involvement in World War 1 came about because that nation was co-operating internationally in a pre-emptive campaign to prevent global domination by Germany. America entered World War II only after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The use of nuclear bombs to stop Japan and quickly end World War II was self-defence. Justified actions to preserve one’s own existence are not heroic or aspirational, they do not represent greatness.

The post-World War II military conflicts in which America was involved were undertaken voluntarily for socio-economic-political reasons. These included the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the wars in Afghanistan, and Iraq. Numerous ‘interventions’ were initiated in the name of counter terrorism. Most recently, the intervention in Venezuela was classified as a counter-narcotic initiative. Sometimes the real reason for initiating anything is guised in a shroud of fear of the target nation, when it’s all about resource acquisition. None of these things made America great.

America’s most impressive scientific advances, military gains and developmental successes were achieved because of the hard work of immigrants from every end of the world. Immigrant scientists formed the core of the knowhow behind the creation of the atomic bomb (Manhattan Project). And, Immigrant scientists were critical to the US space race (NASA Apollo program).

BECAUSE OF IMMIGRANTS

Everything that is ‘American’ came about because of immigrants from other lands, other societies, other cultures. American art, the many genres of American music, American business, and American politics. In fact, according to the History website, the current president’s paternal grandfather immigrated illegally from Germany to the United States in 1885. The 16-year-old did this to escape compulsory military service. However, at that time Germans were seen as desirable immigrants. He became a barber, a restaurateur, hotel manager, brothel owner, and finally a real estate developer. The rest is history.

The true greatness of America was not found in her conquering the natives and commandeering their land, other nations and empires have done the very same thing. Her greatness was not found in her military might, other superpowers are just as powerful and capable of annihilating mankind many times over.

Her greatness was not in her economic strength. Although America has a large economy, for various reasons, several other nations enjoy higher economic security and financial stability. Countries like Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Luxembourg, Qatar, Kuwait, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Germany, and Canada all have high GDP per capita, low national debt, natural resources, higher living standards, and economic stability.

Like any other nation, America was never perfect, however, her greatness was founded in her ethnic diversity, her inclusiveness, her strong institutions and democratic values. Her greatness did not come from attempts to police or control the world; it came from her [positive] global influence, collaboration with other nations, her benevolence, and magnanimity towards developing countries.

People were drawn to America for education, economic and entrepreneurial opportunities. When people settle in America to survive, assist family back home, and to realise their full potential (the American dream), it benefits the entire world.

It is my fervent hope that the current administration will reflect on these things.

Garth Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice, and author of ‘The Long and Short of Thick and Thin’. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com