USA, why are you destroying yourself?

A well-meant warning from a friend

Growing up in Germany, I always looked up to the United States, a superpower that brought us the most exciting video games, the grandest movies, and groundbreaking technological and scientific advancements.

It was a nation symbolizing progress, innovation, and freedom, a decisive force that had played a significant role in liberating Germany — and the world — from the cruel grip of Hitler’s Nazi regime.

As I grew older, the gloss began to fade. What initially seemed like justified actions, such as the bombardment of Baghdad in response to 9/11, revealed darker truths.

It slowly became clear to me that the U.S. was brutally pursuing material and geopolitical interests globally, leading to the suffering of millions.

The U.S., once a role model and symbol of liberation, suddenly stood accused of aggressive foreign interference, unjustified invasions, and a long list of war crimes, including the illegal use of torture prisons and unnecessary violence against civilians.

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A Shattered Illusion

The more I learned, especially during my time living in the U.S., the more unsettling aspects came to light.

From a criminal justice system that is “rotten to the core” to extreme social injustice, astronomical rates of gun violence, and disproportionate contributions to climate change and environmental degradation, the U.S. began to look less like the land of opportunity and more like a cautionary tale.

Shockingly, since 1968, gun deaths in the U.S. have outnumbered the casualties in all its wars. And still, in many states, even a child can legally own a rifle or shotgun. Nearly 43,000 (!) people in the U.S. died from gun violence in 2023 alone, including 1,676 children and teens. There were 654 mass shootings throughout the country last year — almost two per day.

If that’s not completely insane, what is it then?

The USA, once a beacon of hope and prosperity, is also drowning in overconsumption. It’s disheartening to see a nation working itself to exhaustion, consuming endlessly, yet finding no happiness in return.

Amidst unhinged capitalism, a broken public health system, and a lack of a functioning social safety net, the U.S. is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness, stress, declining health, and rising depression and suicides.

The country that was supposed to be thriving is sinking into a sea of despair.

Political scientist and analyst Victor Wallis recently concluded:

The US polity has lost all capacity to deal rationally — in terms of long-term viability — with the problems that it faces. Lacking a rational/effective response, it falls back on the twin strategies of distraction and repression (which correspond, not coincidentally, to the two export sectors in which the US leads the world: the entertainment industry and the arms industry).

If nothing fundamentally changes, this is a country where I would never want to raise my children.

Broken Foundations

Is there hope for change?

American democracy seems utterly broken, heavily skewed in favor of particular interests. The electoral college, voter suppression, the outdated and racist structure of the Senate, gerrymandering, and the way judges are appointed all contribute to a system where the public’s voice is often sidelined.

Policies are shaped by economic elites and interest groups, not the general populace.

A Divided Nation

All of the above is frightening. But the most alarming part is yet to come.

In my view, the greatest danger for the U.S. at the moment (which will also have a huge global impact) is the rapidly increasing political polarization, fueled by misinformation and lies.

People are led to vote against their own interests, evident in the election of figures like Donald Trump — a lying billionaire who promised to “drain the swamp” but only deepened it.

The society is divided, full of hatred, blocking effective governance and rendering the U.S. increasingly powerless on the world stage.

Sadly, Americans seem to be their own worst enemies.

In a recent article titled “Torn Apart: How Authoritarian States Exploit Political Division to Destroy Democracy”, I wrote the following:

Authoritarian states have identified social cohesion as the Achilles’ heel of democracies. They seek to divide Western societies and undermine public trust in democratic institutions by amplifying extremist voices and spreading disinformation about divisive political issues, such as Black Lives Matter, immigration, and gun control — with resounding success:

In many democracies [ — the U.S. in particular — ], opposing political camps are tearing each other apart, overlooking the devastating consequences of their childish animosities. Blinded by hatred, they fight against their own brothers and sisters, while their real adversaries sit back, watch with satisfaction, and goad them on.

Few seem to realize that political tribalism (“us vs. them”) doesn’t help anyone — except the enemies of democracy. Constructive political discourse, a fundamental pillar of democracy, is rapidly crumbling. And events like the January 6 Capitol attack are cause for celebration in Pyongyang, Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow.

This is an extremely dangerous situation. A few weeks ago, the World Economic Forum released its Global Risks Report 2024. “Misinformation and disinformation” were ranked as the most severe global risk over the next two years. “Societal polarization” was ranked third.

Recently, the defiance of 25 states against the U.S. federal government hinted at an institutional crisis, with some already calling for a civil war.

Americans, beware! This is EXACTLY what authoritarian states desire. Given the U.S.’ military power, there is nothing autocrats would love to see more than Americans destroying their own country from within.

Please realize that despite even the deepest differences in opinion, you are all sitting in the same boat, rapidly heading towards a mighty, thundering waterfall.

If you fail to work together and steer this boat in a meaningful direction, you and all your freedoms will plunge into the abyss much sooner than many expect.

Time to Get Out of This Mess

Americans, you possess immense potential and opportunities. For your sake and the world’s, please come to your senses and avoid turning your possibilities into the worst imaginable outcomes.

The only true way to “Make America Great Again” is not through egotistic isolation but by standing for and spreading the values you’ve long professed to defend.

This would mean standing up for human dignity, freedom, peace, and the protection of human rights — regardless of people’s origin or religion.

Also, if we want to have any chance of surviving on this planet, the U.S. (just like Germany, and many wealthier countries) urgently needs to find a way to produce much less emissions and consume much fewer resources.

We need to learn that reducing consumption doesn’t necessarily imply a lower quality of life. In fact, cutting unnecessary consumption can have a very liberating effect.

I recently wrote an article on the “5 Biggest Misconceptions About Reducing Consumption” — check it out here:

The challenges that lie ahead of us require global cooperation. The world needs a strong, reliable, and sensible U.S. — just as much as the U.S. needs its allies and international solidarity.

It is way too early to give up!

The situation may look bleak. But at this point, anything is still possible.

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