The United States is a world leader. America for a long time has been an example of how a stable democracy can help people become whatever they want. Some people associate the United States with the famous people they have heard or the movies they have watched about America.
Times have changed and the position of America as a superpower in the world has changed with the rise of countries such as China. The once revered superpower has lost its glory and authority as the prefect of the world because of the events in and outside the country such as wars and the fight against terrorism.
The first criticism against the United States is its involvement in wars in other countries such as in Iraq and Afghanistan. The invasion of the United States in Iraq was alleged on the presence of weapons of mass destruction, but they were never found. The war ravaged Iraq and until today the country has not stabilized to date (Atwood 512).
Similarly, Afghanistan was invaded by America after the attack on the American soil in 2001. The invasions painted American in a negative light. Therefore, American needs to think hard and long before going to war because war only brings suffering both to citizens who die innocently, and the family of soldiers that die hence denying them the right of life (Barnett 1).
Besides, the threat of terrorism has led to a general discrimination and hatred for non-Americans living in The United States. The hatred has led to murder of some people who are not American by birth in the name of patriotism (Kingsolver 549). Patriotism should not be taken to mean war or intolerance of other people just because they are different.
On the contrary, Americans should unite and love one another under the symbol of the flag, and become a good example to the world of a country that gives an equal opportunity to all people and embraces them.
United States can reclaim its lost glory in the world by fighting the homophobia, sexism, bigotry and violence among others that is rampant today. Doing so will give the people from different backgrounds living in American the chance to enjoy the rights in the Declaration of Independence such as life that is alienable (Jefferson 493).
Furthermore, the threat of terrorism has led to a decreased level of privacy for Americans as their emails, private records, and homes can be searched even without their knowledge. The right to privacy that is enshrined in the constitution is clearly denied in many instances because America has become fearful and that is not a good picture to show the world.
The United States needs to change the way it handles the threat of terrorism vis-à-vis the right of privacy of its citizens. The people should be allowed to live their lives freely and pursue happiness as stated in the Declaration of Independence (Jefferson 493). Moreover, the government should not be the one violating human their rights.
Moreover, America needs to change its consumption culture. The culture has led to high debts and the country must re-look its priorities otherwise it will not be able to afford the wars and provision of services and goods to the citizens (Atwood 512). The lack of services and goods at home may lead America to grab them from other countries. For instance there is an allegation that America invades countries that have large oil reserves to that they can control them.
In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence states that all men are equal through creation and that every human being is born with alienable rights such as liberty and life. Thus, if the American people uphold the Declaration of Independence, every person will be treated right regardless of color, religion or creed, and allow them to enjoy freedom in pursuit of their own lives.
Works Cited
Atwood, Margaret. “Letter to America.” Ed. Andrea Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. The Presence of Others: Voices and Images That Call for Response. 5th ed. edford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 510-512. Print.
Barnett, Michael. Is America the moral leader in the world? 4 Jul. 2012. Web. <https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/04/opinion/barnett-human-rights>
Jefferson, Thomas. Declaration of Independence.
Kingsolver, Barbara. “And or flag was still there.” Ed. Andrea Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. The Presence of Others: Voices and Images That Call for Response. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008.548-554. Print.