America @250: Mired in global challenges
As the war in Gaza continues to divide global opinion, a new United Nations report accusing Israel of grave violations against Palestinian children has reignited questions not only about accountability, but also about the credibility and consistency of international institutions
AS Americans celebrate the nation's glorious unique landmark, turning-point and milestone occasion, its 250th birthday, it's an established reality that the United States is a country that is currently striding though most trying internal strife and challenging global conundrums in which it's deeply involved. But at the same time, the fact is that the USA at its 250th birthday, is the world's greatest economy and a towering military might. That's why America's current President, Donald J. Trump, has put himself at the center of the nation's 250th birthday cerebrations though he may be struggling to 'tip the scales' for building the America of the next 250 years. Trump has made plain his intent on doing a battle with the rest of the world from his unique position of unbeatable strength; he very often threatens and humiliates small entities; remember his one-to-one meeting with Ukraine's Vladamir Zelensky, the beleaguered, war-weary and fatigued from the nearly four-year old war with Russia, and to request for enhanced defence support in war with Moscow. Trump also openly insulted Canada's former prime minister Justin Trudeau when he visited Washington, suggesting Canada's 51st state. Trump also angered India prime minister Narendra Modi when sarcastically branded India as 'dead economy,' knowing fully that India was being openly addressed as the 'world's fastest growing economy.'
Be that as it may, though America's spirited, powerful media outlets are lending their exuberant support to Trump, a battery of influential critics and naysayers don't let the Trump administration have it all a full-blooded top claim. For example, the gusty financial-political national daily, The Wall Street Journal, da become America's says 'Americans are in a sour mood as they celebrate 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. President Trump is unpopular; real wages are flat, and many of the political left don't even think July Fourth is the real anniversary. They prefer 1619, the year when the first batch of slaves arrived and provided colossal, plentiful support in building up the then developing America from scratch.
As of today, Americans are angry, peeved and bitterly anguished at the greatest threats to (American) liberty from WITHIN the country, such as the cracking high school system that fails to educate half of its student population to even minimal standards. Higher education becoming out of reach for the children of middle-class families.
Second, the current prevailing progressive elite university system that sees America corrupt and exploitative. The young generation of the 2026 Gen-Z has been 'taught' to 'dislike' their country and to believe that socialism is superior to the free-market system that made their affluence possible. They often quote an Independent Senate member, Bernie Sanders, and Zohran Mamdani, the Indian-origin newly-elected mayor of America's biggest city of New York, who was recently elected with a whopping electoral majority.
Three, America's current deep, razor-sharp political divisions heightened by strong, continual presence of a plethora of omnipotent, omnipresent social media with their dominant and electrifying influence through the hungry media outlets. Social media's unusually expanding and deep pressures, particularly over the Gen Z, amply demonstrate the 'signs of devolving into fundamental disputes' that can prove suicidal.
Fourth, the people's multiplying demands for government free benefits are too large to afford, but too politically entrenched to reform. Moreover, with public debt held by the public at 100% of GDP and growing, sooner or later financial markets will rebel, cautions the WSJ's noted economist, the late Mancur Olson, described the danger that, in democracies, interest groups proliferate that cause the government to calcify until it's unable to act. There are signs of the failure of Congress, America's Parliament consisting of both legislative chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, in this century to address the problems of the welfare-entitlement states, according to the late professor.
Meanwhile, it's important to remember that America's political influence, respect and reputation, besides its monetary and moral image, have been on the wane, particularly during its current Donald Trump's presidency. Even a casual look at the US's leverage in international affairs, can't miss its rapid downward surge. America's European friends, the Arab world, the South-East Asian block besides Russia or China, care two hoots for American viewpoint. Trump's general trade tariffs deemed an unreasonable and arbitrary policy, have further broadened the gulf.
Finally, as a recent Gallup report avers, 'pride in America has fallen to a low 24% of Gen Z. Though Democrats say they're proud of America to be American (whatever it means, according to their own vision). But as per a recent poll, 58% of American people believe, the country's best years are behind it, and 78% say the ''American Dream'' is further out of reach than ever. Meanwhile, many Americans feel patriotism along the party lines; it's still revealing-and disappointing. It's frustrating to see how many Americans fell pessimistic to see living in the greatest country in the world.'
Besides, THE USA TODAY, a popular daily, opines: the economy isn't where it should be; the housing is more expensive than ever before. Some people are unhappy that Trump was elected. But think again: America still offers greater gender parity, stronger legal equality, and more opportunities to get an education, find fulfilling work and succeed than almost anywhere else. It's perhaps because of such assumption (fake?) that Trump has remarked on the nation's 250thbirthday: "I am thrilled to declare that America is back…a short three time ago we were a 'dead country, we were dead. Now, we are the hottest country in the world, we are respected by everybody,'' said Trump, kicking off the 250th birthday week anniversary festivities at the National Mall in Washington, the national capital.
Worried Americans sit hoping against hope, and wonder how can and will all this happen during the remaining Donald Trump presidency, which ends on 20 January 2029. Let's wait and see, fingers crossed.
A recent Gallup report avers, 'pride in America has fallen to a low 24 per cent of Gen Z. Though Democrats say they're proud of America to be American. But as per a recent poll, 58 per cent of American people believe, the country's best years are behind it, and 78 per cent say the ''American Dream'' is further out of reach than ever
The writer was a professor and head of print journalism in Delhi’s Indian Institute of Mass Communication, ex-head-founder, journalism-communication department University of Calicut, kerala; Views presented are personal.
